Completely Predictable | Sumner Books:
"That means total net government spending per household ($50,074) exceeded median household income (49,445) by $629.
Government in the United States, of course, has not always spent more per year than the median household earns.
As recently as 2000, the relationship between government spending and household income was dramatically different.
Data from the Census Bureau and the OMB show that in that year net spending by all levels of government was $3,239,913,876,000.
That equaled $29,941 for each of the nation’s then 108,209,000 households. In 2000, the median household income was $41,990.
Thus, between 2000 and 2010, government in this country went from spending $12,049 less than the median household income to spending $629 more."
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Megabus or weather? MDOT weighs in on Amtrak's Grand Rapids-to-Chicago ridership loss
Megabus or weather? MDOT weighs in on Amtrak's Grand Rapids-to-Chicago ridership loss | MLive.com
"Janet Foran, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which subsidizes the route, said a combination of factors likely caused an 11 percent ridership decrease on the Pere Marquette Line in March.
The decrease over March 2012 — and ridership being down 2.2 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 — was announced Tuesday by Amtrak.
Despite some MLive readers' pondering whether one cause for the decrease was the low-cost Megabus service, which began traveling from Grand Rapids to Chicago last summer, Foran said it was an unlikely scenario.
"We have no way to confirm that, but certainly [Megabus] is another means to get to Chicago and back," Foran said. "And I think that … I feel more strongly that the weather had an impact on travel."
"Janet Foran, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which subsidizes the route, said a combination of factors likely caused an 11 percent ridership decrease on the Pere Marquette Line in March.
The decrease over March 2012 — and ridership being down 2.2 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 — was announced Tuesday by Amtrak.
Despite some MLive readers' pondering whether one cause for the decrease was the low-cost Megabus service, which began traveling from Grand Rapids to Chicago last summer, Foran said it was an unlikely scenario.
"We have no way to confirm that, but certainly [Megabus] is another means to get to Chicago and back," Foran said. "And I think that … I feel more strongly that the weather had an impact on travel."
Smoking Is a ‘Preexisting Condition’
Smoking Is a ‘Preexisting Condition’ - Kevin D. Williamson - National Review Online:
"The District of Columbia’s Obamacare czars — the board that sets rules for the phony insurance marketplace, or “exchange,” that the law creates — have decided that henceforth insurers shall be forbidden by law to charge smokers higher rates than non-smokers.
Smoking, as it turns out, “is a preexisting medical condition,” according to Dr. Mohammad Akhter, the chairman of the D.C. Health Exchange Board.
Two liberal states, California and Connecticut, have decided likewise, while Colorado and Alaska have rejected the idea."
"The District of Columbia’s Obamacare czars — the board that sets rules for the phony insurance marketplace, or “exchange,” that the law creates — have decided that henceforth insurers shall be forbidden by law to charge smokers higher rates than non-smokers.
Smoking, as it turns out, “is a preexisting medical condition,” according to Dr. Mohammad Akhter, the chairman of the D.C. Health Exchange Board.
Two liberal states, California and Connecticut, have decided likewise, while Colorado and Alaska have rejected the idea."
Captain Capitalism: They Are Coming For Your 401k's
Captain Capitalism: They Are Coming For Your 401k's:
"They Are Coming For Your 401k's
What do I keep telling you?
It is going to happen.
Enjoy the decline."
"They Are Coming For Your 401k's
What do I keep telling you?
It is going to happen.
Enjoy the decline."
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
All the News that Fit To Serve Democrats
Da Tech Guy's Blog » Blog Archive » All the News that Fit To Serve Democrats
With the president re-elected the thought was some attention might take place, Senators Kelly Ayotte, John McCain & Lindsey Graham managed to use it to achieve hearings but the meat and the potatoes of what happened and why we didn’t act to stop it remains unclear.
During my conference call Captain Larry Bailey, a navy seal with 27 years of service noted that Watergate involved a break-in and the theft of papers but lead to years of dedicated investigation from the congress culminating in the resignation of a president in the United States.
That being the case you would think an event that lead to the death of an American Ambassador, an attack that took place on the anniversary of 9/11 just two months before an election might have gotten a little bit of traction in the press.
Alas the press that was so anxious to bring down a Republican president had no interest in dead Americans if it could hamper the re-election of a Democrat one.
What is clear is that with a Democrat majority in the senate and the media solidly behind them such hearing are of little danger to Obama.
Even if the midterm elections flip the senate, the Obama administration with two years to go is unlikely to face an awful lot of trouble from such a hearing.
So why such opposition to such a committee, why the knee jerk attempt to protect Barack Obama when he doesn’t need protecting?
Ah but it is NOT Barack Obama the mainstream media is protecting, nor is it the Obama administration that is being shielded, it is not even any type of covert operation that is being protected from public disclosure.
They are protecting Hillary Clinton.
Senate appears unlikely to penalize higher ed for long-term contracts signed ahead of right-to-work law
Senate appears unlikely to penalize higher ed for long-term contracts signed ahead of right-to-work law | Crain's Detroit Business:
"Last month, Wayne State governors ratified an eight-year contract, and the University of Michigan reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with a union representing 1,500 lecturers. Both contracts were settled before the right-to-work law went into effect."
"Last month, Wayne State governors ratified an eight-year contract, and the University of Michigan reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with a union representing 1,500 lecturers. Both contracts were settled before the right-to-work law went into effect."
What is the future of the Black community in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights?
Question of the Day: What is the future of the Black community in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights? | MLive.com:
"The predominately African-American city of Muskegon Heights in particular continues to face obstacles impacting the vitality of the city.
In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed an emergency manager for Muskegon Heights Public Schools, who in turn transformed the district into privately-ran public charter system.
Most recently, testing results conducted by Mosaica Education, the company running the city’s schools, found that nearly all ninth graders started the school year at least three grades behind in reading and mathematics."
"The predominately African-American city of Muskegon Heights in particular continues to face obstacles impacting the vitality of the city.
In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed an emergency manager for Muskegon Heights Public Schools, who in turn transformed the district into privately-ran public charter system.
Most recently, testing results conducted by Mosaica Education, the company running the city’s schools, found that nearly all ninth graders started the school year at least three grades behind in reading and mathematics."
Muskegon's brownfield authority considers $2 million assistance for Terrace Point Landing
Muskegon's brownfield authority considers $2 million assistance for Terrace Point Landing | MLive.com:
"Rooks and his Terrace Point Landing LLC have asked to be included in the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plan.
Inclusion would offer the residential developer up to $2 million in property-tax captured dollars to complete an environmental assessment, cleanup activities and installation of roads and utilities."
"Rooks and his Terrace Point Landing LLC have asked to be included in the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plan.
Inclusion would offer the residential developer up to $2 million in property-tax captured dollars to complete an environmental assessment, cleanup activities and installation of roads and utilities."
Obama 2014 budget analysis: Numbers based on imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
Obama 2014 budget analysis: Numbers based on imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike | Mail Online:
"Early analysis: Obama's 2014 budget numbers are based on bad math, phantom revenues, imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
White House promises $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction, although similar previous claims have been debunked.
New method of measuring cost-of-living increases will lower benefit payouts and push middle-class earners into higher tax brackets
Speaker Boehner's spokesperson: 'Any deficit reduction will come exclusively from tax hikes'
Administration's formula depends on cost savings from Obamacare, which may be more costly to implement than previously thought"
"Early analysis: Obama's 2014 budget numbers are based on bad math, phantom revenues, imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
White House promises $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction, although similar previous claims have been debunked.
New method of measuring cost-of-living increases will lower benefit payouts and push middle-class earners into higher tax brackets
Speaker Boehner's spokesperson: 'Any deficit reduction will come exclusively from tax hikes'
Administration's formula depends on cost savings from Obamacare, which may be more costly to implement than previously thought"
Silting and low water close Muskegon harbor to large freighters, dredging to begin soon
Silting and low water close Muskegon harbor to large freighters, dredging to begin soon | MLive.com:
"Huizenga and Hansen, along with federal and state officials, outlined commercial harbor dredging plans for this spring, a state-funded emergency dredging program for public marinas in West Michigan communities and possible relaxation of environmental restrictions on dredging during this low-water emergency."
"Huizenga and Hansen, along with federal and state officials, outlined commercial harbor dredging plans for this spring, a state-funded emergency dredging program for public marinas in West Michigan communities and possible relaxation of environmental restrictions on dredging during this low-water emergency."
ABC, CBS and NBC Turn a Blind Eye to ObamaCare Setbacks
ABC, CBS and NBC Turn a Blind Eye to ObamaCare Setbacks | Media Research Center:
"For the past couple of weeks there has been a steady drip of bad news for ObamaCare, but you wouldn't know it if you only get your news from the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks.
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims;
to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks: "
"For the past couple of weeks there has been a steady drip of bad news for ObamaCare, but you wouldn't know it if you only get your news from the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks.
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims;
to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks: "
Air Force One Becomes Tool For Gun Control, Exploiting Mass Murder
Air Force One Becomes Tool For Gun Control, Exploiting Mass Murder - Investors.com:
"According to Hawkins, for Alinsky and followers such as Obama, "you do whatever it takes ... even if what it takes is telling bald-face lie after bald-face lie."
In a speech Monday at the University of Hartford, accompanied by some of the parents of the victims of the Newtown massacre in December, in which 20 elementary school children and six adult staff were slaughtered, Obama claimed that his push for gun control was apolitical.
Why, then, was he yelling?"
"According to Hawkins, for Alinsky and followers such as Obama, "you do whatever it takes ... even if what it takes is telling bald-face lie after bald-face lie."
In a speech Monday at the University of Hartford, accompanied by some of the parents of the victims of the Newtown massacre in December, in which 20 elementary school children and six adult staff were slaughtered, Obama claimed that his push for gun control was apolitical.
Why, then, was he yelling?"
Obama declares Thursday 'National Equal Pay Day,' despite paying female staffers less than male counterparts
Obama declares Thursday 'National Equal Pay Day,' despite paying female staffers less than male counterparts | The Daily Caller:
"...... the Obama White House has failed in recent years to pay female employees the same amount as male ones."
"...... the Obama White House has failed in recent years to pay female employees the same amount as male ones."
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Superintendent’s shocking comment reminds us that school choice is an uphill battle
Superintendent’s shocking comment reminds us that school choice is an uphill battle - EAGnews.org :: Education Research, Reporting, Analysis and Commentary:
“I think Milwaukee is a good example of what will happen on a smaller scale here.
“I think Milwaukee is a good example of what will happen on a smaller scale here.
In Milwaukee, it’s pretty much been white families who’ve taken advantage of private schools, with a few African-American families.
The African-American families are the ones who are most prone to enroll their kids in the fly-by-night schools that cropped up after vouchers existed.
“They don’t know how to make good choices for their children.
“They don’t know how to make good choices for their children.
They really don’t.
They didn’t have parents who made good choices for them or help them learn how to make good choices, so they don’t know how to do that.”
U.S. Ready to Spend Up to $300,000 for ‘Workforce Development’--In Serbia
U.S. Ready to Spend Up to $300,000 for ‘Workforce Development’--In Serbia | CNS News
“Currently, there is a mismatch between private sector needs and the capacity of the existing workforce, which continues to contribute to the high unemployment rate, especially among youth,” said USAID in a March 29 announcement.
“Therefore, USAID/Serbia has identified workforce development as a means to address the broader problem of unemployment,” reads the announcement."
“Currently, there is a mismatch between private sector needs and the capacity of the existing workforce, which continues to contribute to the high unemployment rate, especially among youth,” said USAID in a March 29 announcement.
“Therefore, USAID/Serbia has identified workforce development as a means to address the broader problem of unemployment,” reads the announcement."
The World-Changing Margaret Thatcher
Paul Johnson: The World-Changing Margaret Thatcher - WSJ.com:
"Margaret Thatcher had more impact on the world than any woman ruler since Catherine the Great of Russia.
Not only did she turn around—decisively—the British economy in the 1980s, she also saw her methods copied in more than 50 countries.
"Thatcherism" was the most popular and successful way of running a country in the last quarter of the 20th century and into the 21st."
"Margaret Thatcher had more impact on the world than any woman ruler since Catherine the Great of Russia.
Not only did she turn around—decisively—the British economy in the 1980s, she also saw her methods copied in more than 50 countries.
"Thatcherism" was the most popular and successful way of running a country in the last quarter of the 20th century and into the 21st."
Army Email Labels Christian Ministries as “Domestic Hate Groups”
Army Email Labels Christian Ministries as “Domestic Hate Groups” | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes:
“It’s very disturbing to see where the Obama Administration is taking the military and using it as a laboratory for social experimentation — and also as an instrument to fundamentally change the culture,” he said.
“The message is very clear – if you are a Christian who believes in the Bible, who believes in transcendent truth, there is no place for you in the military.”
“It’s very disturbing to see where the Obama Administration is taking the military and using it as a laboratory for social experimentation — and also as an instrument to fundamentally change the culture,” he said.
“The message is very clear – if you are a Christian who believes in the Bible, who believes in transcendent truth, there is no place for you in the military.”
Caribou leaving Michigan; Some stores will close, others will become Peet's Coffee
Caribou leaving Michigan; Some stores will close, others will become Peet's Coffee | Crain's Detroit Business: "He noted that 80 "underperforming" Midwest and East Coast locations would close on Sunday, while 88 others will be converted to Peet's."
Catholic University Bans Catholic Group over Catholicism
Catholic University Bans Catholic Group over Catholicism | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes: "Gonzaga University will not allow students to organize a Knights of Columbus chapter because the group only admits Catholics – a violation of the school’s non-discrimination policy."
Illinois senator calls S.S. Badger 'filthy,' pushes for stronger restrictions
Illinois senator calls S.S. Badger 'filthy,' pushes for stronger restrictions | wzzm13.com:
"Sen. Dick Durbin of Chicago is continuing to push for even stronger restrictions than those proposed by federal regulators for the S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired ferry operating on the Great Lakes."
"Sen. Dick Durbin of Chicago is continuing to push for even stronger restrictions than those proposed by federal regulators for the S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired ferry operating on the Great Lakes."
Blue Angels crushed!
Cancellations blamed on federal budget cuts | wzzm13.com:
"The U.S. Navy has canceled the remainder of the elite Blue Angels demonstration team's 2013 season because of federal cuts."
"The U.S. Navy has canceled the remainder of the elite Blue Angels demonstration team's 2013 season because of federal cuts."
Fluffed up ferrets sold as toy poodles
Quirky News Article | Orange UK:
"One pensioner was duped into buying two of the "pedigree" pets from a market in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
But when he took the animals to a vet for their vaccinations he was told he had bought two ferrets which are known in Argentine as 'Brazilian rats'."
"One pensioner was duped into buying two of the "pedigree" pets from a market in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
But when he took the animals to a vet for their vaccinations he was told he had bought two ferrets which are known in Argentine as 'Brazilian rats'."
Muskegon City Commission moves toward support of downtown farmers market plan, vote Tuesday
Muskegon City Commission moves toward support of downtown farmers market plan, vote Tuesday | MLive.com:
"The plans are for private donations to build the $3 million facility on land donated by the Downtown Muskegon Development Corp. and then deeded to the city of Muskegon to operate like the current facility."
"The plans are for private donations to build the $3 million facility on land donated by the Downtown Muskegon Development Corp. and then deeded to the city of Muskegon to operate like the current facility."
Obama on Gun Control: 'This Is Not About Politics' ...Unless You Disagree With Me
Obama on Gun Control: 'This Is Not About Politics' ...Unless You Disagree With Me - Hit & Run : Reason.com:
"In Obama's telling, only "powerful interests that are very good at confusing the subject, that are good at amplifying conflict and extremes, that are good at drowning out rational debate, good at ginning up irrational fears."
That's pretty rich, coming from a man who claims
that massacres like the one that took 26 lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last December have become "routine,"
who falsely asserts that the man responsible for those murders used a "fully automatic weapon,"
and who in response to that horrible event pushes policies that could not possibly have prevented it, while citing the grief and outrage it generated as if they were arguments for the same gun control policies he has supported all along."
"In Obama's telling, only "powerful interests that are very good at confusing the subject, that are good at amplifying conflict and extremes, that are good at drowning out rational debate, good at ginning up irrational fears."
That's pretty rich, coming from a man who claims
that massacres like the one that took 26 lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last December have become "routine,"
who falsely asserts that the man responsible for those murders used a "fully automatic weapon,"
and who in response to that horrible event pushes policies that could not possibly have prevented it, while citing the grief and outrage it generated as if they were arguments for the same gun control policies he has supported all along."
The Next Domino: Australia Doubles Tax On Retirement Savings
The Next Domino: Australia Doubles Tax On Retirement Savings | Zero Hedge:
"On the flip side, though, the Australian government has just announced new rules which penalize citizens who have responsibly set aside savings for their own retirement.
Any income over A$100,000 drawn from a superannuation fund (the equivalent of an IRA in the United States) will now be taxed at 15%.
Previously, all such income was tax-free.
The really offensive part about this is that the government is going to tax people’s savings ‘on both ends,’ meaning that people are taxed on money they move INTO the retirement fund, and now they can be taxed again when they pull money out.
The Cyprus debacle drew a line in the sand– fleecing people with assets, or income, in excess of 100,000 dollars, euros, etc. is now acceptable. This is the definition of ‘rich’ in the sole discretion of governments."
"On the flip side, though, the Australian government has just announced new rules which penalize citizens who have responsibly set aside savings for their own retirement.
Any income over A$100,000 drawn from a superannuation fund (the equivalent of an IRA in the United States) will now be taxed at 15%.
Previously, all such income was tax-free.
The really offensive part about this is that the government is going to tax people’s savings ‘on both ends,’ meaning that people are taxed on money they move INTO the retirement fund, and now they can be taxed again when they pull money out.
The Cyprus debacle drew a line in the sand– fleecing people with assets, or income, in excess of 100,000 dollars, euros, etc. is now acceptable. This is the definition of ‘rich’ in the sole discretion of governments."
False rumors of #UVAdormsearch prompt alcohol dumping, hilarious tweets
False rumors of #UVAdormsearch prompt alcohol dumping, hilarious tweets:
"Fear and outrage quickly spread across the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s university, where a historic bawdy drinking song includes this verse:
“From Rugby Road to Vinegar Hill, we’re gonna get drunk tonight. The faculty’s afraid of us; They know we’re in the right. So fill up your cups, your loving cups, as full as full can be. And as long as love and liquor last, we’ll drink to the U of V.”
Fun fact: an unofficial U-Va. mascot is the wahoo, a fish that can apparently drink twice its own weight."
"Fear and outrage quickly spread across the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s university, where a historic bawdy drinking song includes this verse:
“From Rugby Road to Vinegar Hill, we’re gonna get drunk tonight. The faculty’s afraid of us; They know we’re in the right. So fill up your cups, your loving cups, as full as full can be. And as long as love and liquor last, we’ll drink to the U of V.”
Fun fact: an unofficial U-Va. mascot is the wahoo, a fish that can apparently drink twice its own weight."
MSNBC Host: Your Kids Belong to the Collective
» MSNBC Host: Your Kids Belong to the Collective Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
“We have to break through our private idea that kids belong to their parents or kids belong to their families,” says the professor of political science at Tulane University, where she is founding director of the Anna Julia Cooper Project on Gender, Race, and Politics in the South.
Kids belong to whole communities, she insists, and once we realize this we’ll make “better investments” in government indoctrination of children."
“We have to break through our private idea that kids belong to their parents or kids belong to their families,” says the professor of political science at Tulane University, where she is founding director of the Anna Julia Cooper Project on Gender, Race, and Politics in the South.
Kids belong to whole communities, she insists, and once we realize this we’ll make “better investments” in government indoctrination of children."
Mason County wind farm neighbors sue Consumers Energy, claim physical harm from Lake Winds Energy Park
Mason County wind farm neighbors sue Consumers Energy, claim physical harm from Lake Winds Energy Park | MLive.com:
"Winds Energy Park wind farm south of Ludington have sued Consumers Energy Co., alleging that noise, vibrations and flickering lights from its 56 towering turbines are causing sleeplessness, headaches, dizziness and other physical symptoms as well as economic loss."
"Winds Energy Park wind farm south of Ludington have sued Consumers Energy Co., alleging that noise, vibrations and flickering lights from its 56 towering turbines are causing sleeplessness, headaches, dizziness and other physical symptoms as well as economic loss."
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Obama: 'The Truth Is, Our Deficits Are Already Shrinking'
Obama: 'The Truth Is, Our Deficits Are Already Shrinking' | The Weekly Standard:
"In his weekly radio address, President Obama explained the budget he'll rollout next week, and said, "the truth is, our deficits are already shrinking."
"My budget will reduce our deficits not with aimless, reckless spending cuts that hurt students and seniors and middle-class families – but through the balanced approach that the American people prefer, and the investments that a growing economy demands," said Obama."
"In his weekly radio address, President Obama explained the budget he'll rollout next week, and said, "the truth is, our deficits are already shrinking."
"My budget will reduce our deficits not with aimless, reckless spending cuts that hurt students and seniors and middle-class families – but through the balanced approach that the American people prefer, and the investments that a growing economy demands," said Obama."
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Record 89,967,000 Not in Labor Force; Another 663,000 Drop Out In March
Record 89,967,000 Not in Labor Force; Another 663,000 Drop Out In March | CNS News:
"
A record 89,967,000 Americans were not in the labor force in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That is an increase of 663,000 from the 89,304,000 Americans who were not in the labor force in February."
"
A record 89,967,000 Americans were not in the labor force in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That is an increase of 663,000 from the 89,304,000 Americans who were not in the labor force in February."
Friday, April 05, 2013
Obama Daughters are Michelle's 'Senior Staffers' |
Obama Daughters are Michelle's 'Senior Staffers'
Michelle was caught cheating on her expense report.
What a show of arrogance!
This information was obtained by Judicial Watch March, 2012.
The administration had to be sue to get this through the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
Michelle was caught cheating on her expense report.
What a show of arrogance!
This information was obtained by Judicial Watch March, 2012.
The administration had to be sue to get this through the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
Michelle Obama listed daughters as ‘Senior Staffers’ to justify her expensive African vacation and safari.
October 5, 2011, Judicial Watch said the U.S. Air Force provided a C-32 ( a Boeing 757 ), modified by the military for the purpose of flying big-wigs around the world, to fly the First Lady and her entourage to and from Africa , at a cost of $424,142.
October 5, 2011, Judicial Watch said the U.S. Air Force provided a C-32 ( a Boeing 757 ), modified by the military for the purpose of flying big-wigs around the world, to fly the First Lady and her entourage to and from Africa , at a cost of $424,142.
Another $928.44 was listed as ‘bulk food’ costs per meal for the192 on board meals for the 21 people who made the trip.
Lobster ain’t cheap when you fly it around the world.
Game of Drones
Game of Drones | Hoover Institution:
Again, there was little controversy over drones extending their mission beyond the conventional battlefield to nearby Pakistan—at least as long as the missions were relatively few (about 50-70 during the two Bush administration terms) and were thought to be mostly adjunct operations in the ongoing ground war against the Taliban.
Since 2009, however, three unexpected developments have raised a national outcry about the use of drones. First, the politics of UAVs became almost surreal. Barack Obama, who ran in 2008 against the Bush-Cheney anti-terrorism protocols, arguing that they were either without utility or constitutional support, increased the frequency of drone attacks radically when he became president. Indeed, in just four years, he outdid the Bush total of eight years by a factor of six—to over 400 separate missions. Kills were now not just confined to enemy combatants on the battlefield, or even a top twenty cadre from the al Qaeda or Taliban high command, but, by 2013, may have accounted for somewhere between 2,500-3,500 deaths. Strikes blew up suspected enemies from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Yemen, Somalia, and Libya.
Conservatives seemed exasperated: should they cheer on the Obama conversion (the President likewise kept Guantanamo Bay open, and embraced or expanded renditions, tribunals, and preventative detentions), or damn his prior harmful and hypocritical opposition? Should liberals ignore the legal implications of targeting those without uniforms and distant from the battlefield, in fear of imperiling the otherwise progressive Obama agenda? Or should they keep intact their civil liberties fides by faulting Obama as they did Bush? Or should they point proudly to liberals’ newfound credibility on national security?
In addition, there was a political incongruity.
Again, there was little controversy over drones extending their mission beyond the conventional battlefield to nearby Pakistan—at least as long as the missions were relatively few (about 50-70 during the two Bush administration terms) and were thought to be mostly adjunct operations in the ongoing ground war against the Taliban.
Since 2009, however, three unexpected developments have raised a national outcry about the use of drones. First, the politics of UAVs became almost surreal. Barack Obama, who ran in 2008 against the Bush-Cheney anti-terrorism protocols, arguing that they were either without utility or constitutional support, increased the frequency of drone attacks radically when he became president. Indeed, in just four years, he outdid the Bush total of eight years by a factor of six—to over 400 separate missions. Kills were now not just confined to enemy combatants on the battlefield, or even a top twenty cadre from the al Qaeda or Taliban high command, but, by 2013, may have accounted for somewhere between 2,500-3,500 deaths. Strikes blew up suspected enemies from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Yemen, Somalia, and Libya.
Conservatives seemed exasperated: should they cheer on the Obama conversion (the President likewise kept Guantanamo Bay open, and embraced or expanded renditions, tribunals, and preventative detentions), or damn his prior harmful and hypocritical opposition? Should liberals ignore the legal implications of targeting those without uniforms and distant from the battlefield, in fear of imperiling the otherwise progressive Obama agenda? Or should they keep intact their civil liberties fides by faulting Obama as they did Bush? Or should they point proudly to liberals’ newfound credibility on national security?
In addition, there was a political incongruity.
The Bush administration’s waterboarding of three confessed terrorists was considered illegal torture, while vaporizing well over 2,000 suspected terrorists by judge/jury/executioner drones was not considered such a drastic anti-terrorism measure.
900,000 choose to come off sickness benefit ahead of tests
900,000 choose to come off sickness benefit ahead of tests - Telegraph:
"The 878,300 who decided not to have an official assessment of whether they were fit for work was more than a third of the total number of people claiming sickness-related benefits.
The statistics also revealed that some claimants cited conditions such as “blisters”, “sprains and strains” and “acne” as preventing them from having a job."
"The 878,300 who decided not to have an official assessment of whether they were fit for work was more than a third of the total number of people claiming sickness-related benefits.
The statistics also revealed that some claimants cited conditions such as “blisters”, “sprains and strains” and “acne” as preventing them from having a job."
Sundown in America
Sundown in America - NYTimes.com:
"Over the last 13 years, the stock market has twice crashed and touched off a recession: American households lost $5 trillion in the 2000 dot-com bust and more than $7 trillion in the 2007 housing crash. Sooner or later — within a few years, I predict — this latest Wall Street bubble, inflated by an egregious flood of phony money from the Federal Reserve rather than real economic gains, will explode, too."
"Over the last 13 years, the stock market has twice crashed and touched off a recession: American households lost $5 trillion in the 2000 dot-com bust and more than $7 trillion in the 2007 housing crash. Sooner or later — within a few years, I predict — this latest Wall Street bubble, inflated by an egregious flood of phony money from the Federal Reserve rather than real economic gains, will explode, too."
We happy few
Blog: We happy few:
"Using the numbers from recovery.gov, the website that explains, sort of, how the ARRA stimulus money was spent, we find that the state of New York had created 5,856 "recipient reported jobs" at cost of $14.321 billion.
That's about $2.4 million per job.
California had 14,079 "recipient reported jobs" at a cost of $27.254 billion.
About $1.9 million per job.
The state of Washington used $3.3 million for each job.
Ohio ran $1.7 million per job, and thrifty Florida spent only $1.1 million on each job created with the ARRA stimulus funds.
Will you be remembering these numbers as you pay your Federal taxes on April 15th this year?"
"Using the numbers from recovery.gov, the website that explains, sort of, how the ARRA stimulus money was spent, we find that the state of New York had created 5,856 "recipient reported jobs" at cost of $14.321 billion.
That's about $2.4 million per job.
California had 14,079 "recipient reported jobs" at a cost of $27.254 billion.
About $1.9 million per job.
The state of Washington used $3.3 million for each job.
Ohio ran $1.7 million per job, and thrifty Florida spent only $1.1 million on each job created with the ARRA stimulus funds.
Will you be remembering these numbers as you pay your Federal taxes on April 15th this year?"
Need a Job? Invent It
Need a Job? Invent It - NYTimes.com:
“Because of this, the longer kids are in school, the less motivated they become.
Gallup’s recent survey showed student engagement going from 80 percent in fifth grade to 40 percent in high school. More than a century ago, we ‘reinvented’ the one-room schoolhouse and created factory schools for the industrial economy.
Reimagining schools for the 21st-century must be our highest priority.
We need to focus more on teaching the skill and will to learn and to make a difference and bring the three most powerful ingredients of intrinsic motivation into the classroom: play, passion and purpose.”
What does that mean for teachers and principals?
“Teachers,” he said, “need to coach students to performance excellence, and principals must be instructional leaders who create the culture of collaboration required to innovate. "
“Because of this, the longer kids are in school, the less motivated they become.
Gallup’s recent survey showed student engagement going from 80 percent in fifth grade to 40 percent in high school. More than a century ago, we ‘reinvented’ the one-room schoolhouse and created factory schools for the industrial economy.
Reimagining schools for the 21st-century must be our highest priority.
We need to focus more on teaching the skill and will to learn and to make a difference and bring the three most powerful ingredients of intrinsic motivation into the classroom: play, passion and purpose.”
What does that mean for teachers and principals?
“Teachers,” he said, “need to coach students to performance excellence, and principals must be instructional leaders who create the culture of collaboration required to innovate. "
Payrolls Plunge To 88K, Biggest Miss Since December 2009, Participation Rate At New 30 Year Low
Payrolls Plunge To 88K, Biggest Miss Since December 2009, Participation Rate At New 30 Year Low | Zero Hedge:
"So much for "open-ended QE driven recovery". Moments ago the March Non-farm payroll hit and it was a doozy, printing at 88K, below the lowest forecast of 100K, well below the expected number of 190K, and a tragedy compared to the February revised print of 268K (was 236K). This was the biggest miss to expectations since December 2009 and the worst print since June 2012. The unemployment rate declined to 7.6%, but this was due entirely to the collapse in the labor force participation rate, which declined by 20 bps to 63.3%, a new 30 year low.
And now the time to come up with excuses is here."
"So much for "open-ended QE driven recovery". Moments ago the March Non-farm payroll hit and it was a doozy, printing at 88K, below the lowest forecast of 100K, well below the expected number of 190K, and a tragedy compared to the February revised print of 268K (was 236K). This was the biggest miss to expectations since December 2009 and the worst print since June 2012. The unemployment rate declined to 7.6%, but this was due entirely to the collapse in the labor force participation rate, which declined by 20 bps to 63.3%, a new 30 year low.
And now the time to come up with excuses is here."
Why Abundant Oil Hasn't Cut Gasoline Prices
Why Abundant Oil Hasn't Cut Gasoline Prices - Businessweek
With competition fierce for limited pipeline capacity, producers have begun moving crude on barges and trains, adding as much as $17 a barrel to the price of domestic oil.
With competition fierce for limited pipeline capacity, producers have begun moving crude on barges and trains, adding as much as $17 a barrel to the price of domestic oil.
That extra cost eventually makes its way to the price at the pump.
Ethanol requirements have backfired.
The idea was to stretch a limited oil supply, cut reliance on imported crude, and make use of abundant corn harvests.
But today the ethanol program is raising costs for refiners even as the price of oil has fallen 10 percent over the last year.
Complicating the equation is a 1920 law called the Jones Act, which requires any cargo shipped between U.S. ports to be carried by vessels that are based in the U.S., made in the U.S., and crewed mostly by U.S. citizens. The law was intended to protect U.S. shipping interests but has made it more costly to move fuel between U.S. ports. This in particular hurts the Northeast, which is struggling to meet its fuel needs after several refineries closed in the last two years. According to Ed Morse, chief commodity analyst at Citigroup (C), those constraints add between $6 and $8 a barrel to transport costs. As a result, it’s often cheaper for a Gulf Coast refiner to send gasoline to Brazil than to New York.
In late 2011 the U.S. quietly surpassed Russia as the largest exporter of such refined products as gasoline and diesel. Canada’s fuel imports from the U.S. jumped 15 percent in 2012. Brazil’s demand for U.S.-made fuel rose 6 percent. China’s leapt 17 percent. Exports to Venezuela and India more than doubled. Without realizing it, U.S. drivers are competing for American-made gasoline with consumers in Latin America and Asia, where demand is rising. “Americans don’t think about their prices being impacted by a global market,” says Morse. “The American public just thinks about the rising price at the pump.”
Complicating the equation is a 1920 law called the Jones Act, which requires any cargo shipped between U.S. ports to be carried by vessels that are based in the U.S., made in the U.S., and crewed mostly by U.S. citizens. The law was intended to protect U.S. shipping interests but has made it more costly to move fuel between U.S. ports. This in particular hurts the Northeast, which is struggling to meet its fuel needs after several refineries closed in the last two years. According to Ed Morse, chief commodity analyst at Citigroup (C), those constraints add between $6 and $8 a barrel to transport costs. As a result, it’s often cheaper for a Gulf Coast refiner to send gasoline to Brazil than to New York.
In late 2011 the U.S. quietly surpassed Russia as the largest exporter of such refined products as gasoline and diesel. Canada’s fuel imports from the U.S. jumped 15 percent in 2012. Brazil’s demand for U.S.-made fuel rose 6 percent. China’s leapt 17 percent. Exports to Venezuela and India more than doubled. Without realizing it, U.S. drivers are competing for American-made gasoline with consumers in Latin America and Asia, where demand is rising. “Americans don’t think about their prices being impacted by a global market,” says Morse. “The American public just thinks about the rising price at the pump.”
The Senate Trouble-Maker in Waiting
The Senate Trouble-Maker in Waiting - NationalJournal.com:
"Not long ago, the idea of someone like Amash clearing the primary field in a Senate race would have been unthinkable.
An outspoken libertarian with views that often run counter to recent GOP orthodoxy (he led a failed coup against Speaker John Boehner earlier this year), Amash has minimal support among the Republican political class.
He’s also only 32 years old, serving his second term in Congress, and has little name recognition—even across Michigan.
But in modern GOP politics, as shown by the examples of Sens. Paul, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Ted Cruz of Texas—all of whom were opposed by the establishment in their primary races—conservative outsiders have an inside track to the upper chamber."
"Not long ago, the idea of someone like Amash clearing the primary field in a Senate race would have been unthinkable.
An outspoken libertarian with views that often run counter to recent GOP orthodoxy (he led a failed coup against Speaker John Boehner earlier this year), Amash has minimal support among the Republican political class.
He’s also only 32 years old, serving his second term in Congress, and has little name recognition—even across Michigan.
But in modern GOP politics, as shown by the examples of Sens. Paul, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Ted Cruz of Texas—all of whom were opposed by the establishment in their primary races—conservative outsiders have an inside track to the upper chamber."
Gun Grabbers’ Latest Gambit
PJ Media » Gun Grabbers’ Latest Gambit:
“A contingent of liberal Democrats in Congress is proposing a new federal gun control idea: mandatory liability insurance for gun owners.”
Gun purchasers without such insurance would face a fine of “as much as $10,000″ if the “Firearm Risk Protection Act” introduced in March by New York’s Carolyn Maloney and seven other Democratic congressmen were ever to become law."
“A contingent of liberal Democrats in Congress is proposing a new federal gun control idea: mandatory liability insurance for gun owners.”
Gun purchasers without such insurance would face a fine of “as much as $10,000″ if the “Firearm Risk Protection Act” introduced in March by New York’s Carolyn Maloney and seven other Democratic congressmen were ever to become law."
Social Programs Face Cutback in Obama Budget
Social Programs Face Cutback in Obama Budget - NYTimes.com:
"Mr. Obama’s budget will propose a new inflation formula that would have the effect of reducing cost-of-living payments for Social Security benefits"
"Mr. Obama’s budget will propose a new inflation formula that would have the effect of reducing cost-of-living payments for Social Security benefits"
Question of the Day: Should Michigan change its high school graduation requirements to eliminate Algrebra II and foreign languages?
Question of the Day: Should Michigan change its high school graduation requirements to eliminate Algrebra II and foreign languages? | MLive.com:
"Supporters of the requirements say that changes already allow students to customize their curriculum and that the changes aren't needed.
What do you think?
Should students be required to take Algebra II and foreign languages to get their high school degree?
Does it better prepare them for a career?"
"Supporters of the requirements say that changes already allow students to customize their curriculum and that the changes aren't needed.
What do you think?
Should students be required to take Algebra II and foreign languages to get their high school degree?
Does it better prepare them for a career?"
Outrageous!… Dem Rep. Degette Mocks Senior Citizen – Says “You’d Probably Be Dead Anyway” if Confronted by Armed Criminals (Video)
Outrageous!… Dem Rep. Degette Mocks Senior Citizen – Says “You’d Probably Be Dead Anyway” if Confronted by Armed Criminals (Video) | The Gateway Pundit:
"During the question and answer period a concerned Denver citizen asked Democratic Representative DeGette how he was supposed to defend himself under the new Colorado gun laws.
DeGette smirked and mocked the senior citizen saying,
“The good news for you, you live in Denver. The Denver PD would be there within minutes. (laughing) You’d probably be dead anyway.”
Really?
That’s the Democratic response to concerned homeowners?
To mothers?
To seniors protecting their homes?
“You’d probably be dead anyway.”"
"During the question and answer period a concerned Denver citizen asked Democratic Representative DeGette how he was supposed to defend himself under the new Colorado gun laws.
DeGette smirked and mocked the senior citizen saying,
“The good news for you, you live in Denver. The Denver PD would be there within minutes. (laughing) You’d probably be dead anyway.”
Really?
That’s the Democratic response to concerned homeowners?
To mothers?
To seniors protecting their homes?
“You’d probably be dead anyway.”"
First Amendment Victory! | Ottawa County Patriots
First Amendment Victory! | Ottawa County Patriots:
"Update: April 4th. 12:00PM
To the applause of a standing room only crowd in court, Judge Servass, dismissed the case against the owner of Verium Farms in Gaines township as unconstitutional."
"Update: April 4th. 12:00PM
To the applause of a standing room only crowd in court, Judge Servass, dismissed the case against the owner of Verium Farms in Gaines township as unconstitutional."
Obama: Newtown Shooter Gunned Down 20 Children With 'Fully Automatic Weapon'
Obama: Newtown Shooter Gunned Down 20 Children With 'Fully Automatic Weapon' | The Weekly Standard:
"-- by a fully automatic weapon in that case, sadly."
According to the prosecutor, Stephen J. Sedensky III, the killer, Adam Lanza, "killed all 26 victims inside Sandy Hook Elementary School with a Bushmaster .223-caliber rifle before taking his own life with a Glock 10 mm handgun.
He says Lanza had another loaded handgun with him inside the school as well as three, 30-round magazines for the Bushmaster," ABC previously reported.
Each of the guns used is a semi-automatic weapon, and not one is an automatic weapon."
"-- by a fully automatic weapon in that case, sadly."
According to the prosecutor, Stephen J. Sedensky III, the killer, Adam Lanza, "killed all 26 victims inside Sandy Hook Elementary School with a Bushmaster .223-caliber rifle before taking his own life with a Glock 10 mm handgun.
He says Lanza had another loaded handgun with him inside the school as well as three, 30-round magazines for the Bushmaster," ABC previously reported.
Each of the guns used is a semi-automatic weapon, and not one is an automatic weapon."
The Coming Global Warming Voter Backlash
Articles: The Coming Global Warming Voter Backlash:
"The volcanic eruption of Mount Pinotubo in the Pacific belched as much greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in a few weeks as 1,000 years of humans driving automobiles.
Similarly, the production of methane gas -- a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2) -- from herds of wildebeest in Africa far exceeds the greenhouse gas emissions of the largest U.S. cities.
The only scientific data we ever had is this: over the geological history of the Earth, when temperature increased, 800 years later we see a rise in atmospheric CO2.
Higher temperatures are not caused by carbon dioxide in the air.
CO2 cannot cause a warmer climate, because warming occurs 800 years on average before any increase in CO2 levels.
(It is suspected that CO2 dissolved in the oceans escapes as the oceans grow warmer.) "
"The volcanic eruption of Mount Pinotubo in the Pacific belched as much greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in a few weeks as 1,000 years of humans driving automobiles.
Similarly, the production of methane gas -- a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2) -- from herds of wildebeest in Africa far exceeds the greenhouse gas emissions of the largest U.S. cities.
The only scientific data we ever had is this: over the geological history of the Earth, when temperature increased, 800 years later we see a rise in atmospheric CO2.
Higher temperatures are not caused by carbon dioxide in the air.
CO2 cannot cause a warmer climate, because warming occurs 800 years on average before any increase in CO2 levels.
(It is suspected that CO2 dissolved in the oceans escapes as the oceans grow warmer.) "
33 things you should never say to a TSA agent
No humor zone: 33 things you should never say to a TSA agent:
"During a bag search, a Flint (FNT) traveler stated: "Be careful, there's a bomb in my bag."
"During a bag search, a Flint (FNT) traveler stated: "Be careful, there's a bomb in my bag."
Tell youngsters the truth: the UK needs you to work not go to university
Tell youngsters the truth: the UK needs you to work not go to university - Telegraph:
"The horrible truth is that central planning never works: just as the authorities cannot possibly know how many widgets an economy ought to produce, or what the “right” price for goods will turn out to be, they cannot possibly know many decades in advance what skills will be required, or what percentage of school-leavers should go to university.
It is hard to fathom what Tony Blair was thinking when he promised that half of 18-year-olds would go to university.
The result has been betrayal, broken dreams, graduates working in coffee shops, a business community that still cannot find the right people with the right soft and hard skills, and a generation of young people crumbling under ever larger student debts.
It’s a social catastrophe for which nobody has yet paid the price; even worse, it remains politically unacceptable for those in a position of power to point any of this out."
"The horrible truth is that central planning never works: just as the authorities cannot possibly know how many widgets an economy ought to produce, or what the “right” price for goods will turn out to be, they cannot possibly know many decades in advance what skills will be required, or what percentage of school-leavers should go to university.
It is hard to fathom what Tony Blair was thinking when he promised that half of 18-year-olds would go to university.
The result has been betrayal, broken dreams, graduates working in coffee shops, a business community that still cannot find the right people with the right soft and hard skills, and a generation of young people crumbling under ever larger student debts.
It’s a social catastrophe for which nobody has yet paid the price; even worse, it remains politically unacceptable for those in a position of power to point any of this out."
What could go wrong? Obama asks banks to offer risky loans
Harsanyi: What could go wrong? Obama asks banks to offer risky loans:
"Think about this statement.
The administration is asking banks – banks that Washington bails out; banks that Washington crafts regulations for — to embrace risky policies that put the institution and its investors (not to mention, all of us) in a precarious position.
So precarious, in fact, that banks have to ask government if they can be freed of any legal or financial consequences."
"Think about this statement.
The administration is asking banks – banks that Washington bails out; banks that Washington crafts regulations for — to embrace risky policies that put the institution and its investors (not to mention, all of us) in a precarious position.
So precarious, in fact, that banks have to ask government if they can be freed of any legal or financial consequences."
Obama administration recruiting 'navigators' for health law plans
Obama administration recruiting 'navigators' for health law plans - Washington Times:
"The Obama administration proposed guidelines on Wednesday for “navigators” who will assist people who buy health insurance on virtualmarketplaces under President’s Obama’s health care law.
The marketplaces, or “exchanges,” established by the Affordable Care Act are state-based portals where persons without employer-based insurance can shop among competing private health plans.
Participation in the exchanges is set to begin on Oct. 1.
Insurance coverage from the exchanges will take effect on Jan. 1."
"The Obama administration proposed guidelines on Wednesday for “navigators” who will assist people who buy health insurance on virtualmarketplaces under President’s Obama’s health care law.
The marketplaces, or “exchanges,” established by the Affordable Care Act are state-based portals where persons without employer-based insurance can shop among competing private health plans.
Participation in the exchanges is set to begin on Oct. 1.
Insurance coverage from the exchanges will take effect on Jan. 1."
$423,500 Stimulus Program on 'Correct Condom Use' Yields Zero Jobs
$423,500 Stimulus Program on 'Correct Condom Use' Yields Zero Jobs | The Weekly Standard:
"The details of a stimulus grant awarded to Indiana University to study condom use have now been released on a government website.
The study, titled "Barriers to Correct Condom Use," is now completed, according to the website, and the university received $423,500 of stimulus funds to perform the study."
"The details of a stimulus grant awarded to Indiana University to study condom use have now been released on a government website.
The study, titled "Barriers to Correct Condom Use," is now completed, according to the website, and the university received $423,500 of stimulus funds to perform the study."
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Muskegon's Michigan Steel Inc. closes, lays off workers, prepares to liquidate
Muskegon's Michigan Steel Inc. closes, lays off workers, prepares to liquidate | MLive.com:
"That was at the dedication of an expansion at Rothbury Steel, when state assistance provided the company and that led to an increase employment at the plant to 300.
As of the end of last year, Rothbury Steel was operating with about 70 employees, according to Oceana County economic development officials."
"That was at the dedication of an expansion at Rothbury Steel, when state assistance provided the company and that led to an increase employment at the plant to 300.
As of the end of last year, Rothbury Steel was operating with about 70 employees, according to Oceana County economic development officials."
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Gun control: ignorance in search of power |
Gun control: ignorance in search of power |
RealClearPolitics brings us a new intellectual high-water mark in the gun control debate, as Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat, makes it clear that she doesn’t really know what a “magazine” is, or how they work – she just knows she wants power over them: ”I will tell you these are ammunition, they’re bullets, so the people who have those now they’re going to shoot them, so if you ban them in the future, the number of these high capacity magazines is going to decrease dramatically over time because the bullets will have been shot and there won’t be any more available.”
Golly, whatever will we do if those cunning criminals – er, excuse me, “persons who choose to operate outside the law,” in accordance with the new Associated Press stylebook – figure out that magazines can be reloaded?
This degree of nitwittery is not uncommon in the gun control debate.
The anti-gun crowd is having a good day if they can avoid referring to ammunition magazine as “clips.” Barack Obama’s phony statistic about “40 percent of all gun purchases taking place without a background check” – which has been debunked by conservatives many times, but is finally getting a fact-check workover from the mainstream press – could most charitably be described as ignorance of how gun sales work.
I suspect Obama himself knows it isn’t true – his advisers certainly do – and he’s just flogging the lie because it sounds useful.
But a lot of his supporters don’t know it’s untrue, because they have minimal personal experience with the purchase and transfer of firearms.
The hysteria around “assault weapons” is an example of using loaded language to exploit a general lack of knowledge about rifles.
Most of the characteristics that land rifles on the “assault weapons” ban list are cosmetic, with little bearing on the weapon’s effectiveness.
Sometimes gun control zealots like to slip in terms like “military weapons,” to conjure images of rocket launchers and squad automatic weapons tucked into gun racks in the pickup trucks of NRA life members, who are one fender-bender away from pumping entire neighborhoods full of lead.
For that matter, the concept of “semi-automatic” guns is deliberately conflated with fully automatic fire.
RealClearPolitics brings us a new intellectual high-water mark in the gun control debate, as Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat, makes it clear that she doesn’t really know what a “magazine” is, or how they work – she just knows she wants power over them: ”I will tell you these are ammunition, they’re bullets, so the people who have those now they’re going to shoot them, so if you ban them in the future, the number of these high capacity magazines is going to decrease dramatically over time because the bullets will have been shot and there won’t be any more available.”
Golly, whatever will we do if those cunning criminals – er, excuse me, “persons who choose to operate outside the law,” in accordance with the new Associated Press stylebook – figure out that magazines can be reloaded?
This degree of nitwittery is not uncommon in the gun control debate.
The anti-gun crowd is having a good day if they can avoid referring to ammunition magazine as “clips.” Barack Obama’s phony statistic about “40 percent of all gun purchases taking place without a background check” – which has been debunked by conservatives many times, but is finally getting a fact-check workover from the mainstream press – could most charitably be described as ignorance of how gun sales work.
I suspect Obama himself knows it isn’t true – his advisers certainly do – and he’s just flogging the lie because it sounds useful.
But a lot of his supporters don’t know it’s untrue, because they have minimal personal experience with the purchase and transfer of firearms.
The hysteria around “assault weapons” is an example of using loaded language to exploit a general lack of knowledge about rifles.
Most of the characteristics that land rifles on the “assault weapons” ban list are cosmetic, with little bearing on the weapon’s effectiveness.
Sometimes gun control zealots like to slip in terms like “military weapons,” to conjure images of rocket launchers and squad automatic weapons tucked into gun racks in the pickup trucks of NRA life members, who are one fender-bender away from pumping entire neighborhoods full of lead.
For that matter, the concept of “semi-automatic” guns is deliberately conflated with fully automatic fire.
Obama administration pushes banks to make home loans to people with weaker credit
Obama administration pushes banks to make home loans to people with weaker credit - The Washington Post:
"Officials are also encouraging lenders to use more subjective judgment in determining whether to offer a loan and are seeking to make it easier for people who owe more than their properties are worth to refinance at today’s low interest rates, among other steps.
“If that were to come to pass, that would open the floodgates to highly excessive risk and would send us right back on the same path we were just trying to recover from,” said Ed Pinto, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former top executive at mortgage giant Fannie Mae."
"Officials are also encouraging lenders to use more subjective judgment in determining whether to offer a loan and are seeking to make it easier for people who owe more than their properties are worth to refinance at today’s low interest rates, among other steps.
“If that were to come to pass, that would open the floodgates to highly excessive risk and would send us right back on the same path we were just trying to recover from,” said Ed Pinto, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former top executive at mortgage giant Fannie Mae."
Legendary Air Canada ‘Gimli Glider’ 767 jet up for bids at Toronto auction event
Legendary Air Canada ‘Gimli Glider’ 767 jet up for bids at Toronto auction event:
"It is not often that aircraft and automobiles share the same strip of concrete but on July 23, 1983, this brand new, state-of-the-art 767 passenger jet appeared out of the sky after running out of fuel at 41,000 feet over the western prairies."
Incredible story!
"It is not often that aircraft and automobiles share the same strip of concrete but on July 23, 1983, this brand new, state-of-the-art 767 passenger jet appeared out of the sky after running out of fuel at 41,000 feet over the western prairies."
Incredible story!
Poet Maya Angelou Blasts Gun at Home Intruder |
Poet Maya Angelou Blasts Gun at Home Intruder |:
"I was in my house in North Carolina.
It was fall.
I heard someone walking on the leaves.
And somebody actually turned the knob.
So I said, “Stand four feet back because I’m going to shoot now!”
Boom! Boom!
The police came by and said, “Ms. Angelou, the shots came from inside the house.”
I said, “Well, I don’t know how that happened"
"I was in my house in North Carolina.
It was fall.
I heard someone walking on the leaves.
And somebody actually turned the knob.
So I said, “Stand four feet back because I’m going to shoot now!”
Boom! Boom!
The police came by and said, “Ms. Angelou, the shots came from inside the house.”
I said, “Well, I don’t know how that happened"
USA Today | Sports | COLLEGE | Salaries
USA Today | Sports | COLLEGE | Salaries:
"4 Michigan State Big Ten Tom Izzo"
"4 Michigan State Big Ten Tom Izzo"
Wisconsin's Labor Lost
Political Diary: Wisconsin's Labor Lost - WSJ.com:
"Remember Big Labor's throw-down last year over Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's public-sector union reforms?
The fight ended with a squeak yesterday as conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack handily defeated union-backed candidate and Marquette University law professor Ed Fallone, with some 57% of the vote.
The vote means conservatives retain 4-3 control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The next two justices up for reelection on the court will be from its liberal wing, which means that after yesterday's win conservatives are likely to maintain or extend their majority for years to come.
That's a blow to unions......."
"Remember Big Labor's throw-down last year over Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's public-sector union reforms?
The fight ended with a squeak yesterday as conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack handily defeated union-backed candidate and Marquette University law professor Ed Fallone, with some 57% of the vote.
The vote means conservatives retain 4-3 control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The next two justices up for reelection on the court will be from its liberal wing, which means that after yesterday's win conservatives are likely to maintain or extend their majority for years to come.
That's a blow to unions......."
Fractional Reserve Speed Dating
Captain Capitalism: Fractional Reserve Speed Dating
Naturally, you would think money is the only commodity that can lend itself (pun FULLY intended) well to a fractional reserve system, but in my trials and tribulations in life as a SAEG (tm) I have come upon another commodity where fractional reserving is done, and it isn't in banking.
It's in speed dating.
Many years ago I gave speed dating one shot. I walked into the joint, dropped my $35 down along with 7 other men and for that $35 we got to meet 8 other women for 5 minutes a piece. The one date that I did manage to score out of this escapade brought her gay male friend to chaperone, which prompted me to dance with pretty much every other girl on the floor but her.
Naturally, you would think money is the only commodity that can lend itself (pun FULLY intended) well to a fractional reserve system, but in my trials and tribulations in life as a SAEG (tm) I have come upon another commodity where fractional reserving is done, and it isn't in banking.
It's in speed dating.
Many years ago I gave speed dating one shot. I walked into the joint, dropped my $35 down along with 7 other men and for that $35 we got to meet 8 other women for 5 minutes a piece. The one date that I did manage to score out of this escapade brought her gay male friend to chaperone, which prompted me to dance with pretty much every other girl on the floor but her.
Gay-chaperoned dates aside, the point was there was an equal number of men to women. 8 to 8. For if there was a shortage on either end you would have too many of one gender chasing too few of the other.
But something interesting occurred after the speed dating event was over. As some people headed to the bar, I decided to approach one of the girls I was interested in and chat her up a bit. Using a simple approach I said,
"You ever done this before?"
She said,
"Yes, but technically not tonight."
Curious, I said,
"Why technically not tonight?"
And her response was one for the Economics of Dating history books.
"Well, the guy who runs this speed dating thing always has too many men and not enough women. So he calls us when he has extra guys and we just fill in and act like we're interested. If women don't show up, he can't sell as many tickets so he buys us drinks as compensation."
Kind of curious about the math, not to mention I just wanted to see how screwed over me and the other 7 men were, I asked,
"So how many women were plants?"
She said,
"4."
I was more or less speechless, but the cynical side of me let out a cynical "Heh, what will they think of next?" Seeing she herself was a plant, I just walked away, went to my car and left.
Naturally I was somewhat upset at this little bit of trickery. What was sold as a way for 8 men to meet 8 women was in reality 8 men to meet 4 women. In short a fraction of the women that were truly available. But by cheating the system of sorts, the host of the speed dating was able to "create" women just like banks "create" money and profit from this newly created asset. He just had to pay them interest in the form of free cocktails (and no doubt the ego tinglies of leading poor saps on).
But something interesting occurred after the speed dating event was over. As some people headed to the bar, I decided to approach one of the girls I was interested in and chat her up a bit. Using a simple approach I said,
"You ever done this before?"
She said,
"Yes, but technically not tonight."
Curious, I said,
"Why technically not tonight?"
And her response was one for the Economics of Dating history books.
"Well, the guy who runs this speed dating thing always has too many men and not enough women. So he calls us when he has extra guys and we just fill in and act like we're interested. If women don't show up, he can't sell as many tickets so he buys us drinks as compensation."
Kind of curious about the math, not to mention I just wanted to see how screwed over me and the other 7 men were, I asked,
"So how many women were plants?"
She said,
"4."
I was more or less speechless, but the cynical side of me let out a cynical "Heh, what will they think of next?" Seeing she herself was a plant, I just walked away, went to my car and left.
Naturally I was somewhat upset at this little bit of trickery. What was sold as a way for 8 men to meet 8 women was in reality 8 men to meet 4 women. In short a fraction of the women that were truly available. But by cheating the system of sorts, the host of the speed dating was able to "create" women just like banks "create" money and profit from this newly created asset. He just had to pay them interest in the form of free cocktails (and no doubt the ego tinglies of leading poor saps on).
"The Great Cyprus Bank Robbery"
Ron Paul: "The Great Cyprus Bank Robbery" | Zero Hedge:
"The elites in the EU and IMF failed to learn their lesson from the popular backlash to these tax proposals, and have openly talked about using Cyprus as a template for future bank bailouts.
This raises the prospect of raids on bank accounts, pension funds, and any investments the government can get its hands on.
In other words, no one's money is safe in any financial institution in Europe.
Bank runs are now a certainty in future crises, as the people realize that they do not really own the money in their accounts.
How long before bureaucrat and banker try that here?"
"The elites in the EU and IMF failed to learn their lesson from the popular backlash to these tax proposals, and have openly talked about using Cyprus as a template for future bank bailouts.
This raises the prospect of raids on bank accounts, pension funds, and any investments the government can get its hands on.
In other words, no one's money is safe in any financial institution in Europe.
Bank runs are now a certainty in future crises, as the people realize that they do not really own the money in their accounts.
How long before bureaucrat and banker try that here?"
Montague group to hold nonpartisan presentation on fracking | MLive.com
Montague group to hold nonpartisan presentation on fracking | MLive.com
"Resolving Our American Democracy, or ROAD, based in Montague, is a nonpartisan civic group and doesn't advocate for specific positions or political candidates, said ROAD Co-chairman Dave Frederick. ROAD holds monthly meetings with informational presentations.
"It's basically to inform people on the issue and do it in a nonpartisan way," Frederick said.
Frederick said that the presenter, Thompson, is a retired corporate researcher and writer who has promised to try to give a balanced presentation.
But, Frederick, said, there will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting to hear from Joy Smith of the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan, and sign the committee's petition to ban fracking.
"That will be an option for those at the end who have made up their minds," he said."
"Resolving Our American Democracy, or ROAD, based in Montague, is a nonpartisan civic group and doesn't advocate for specific positions or political candidates, said ROAD Co-chairman Dave Frederick. ROAD holds monthly meetings with informational presentations.
"It's basically to inform people on the issue and do it in a nonpartisan way," Frederick said.
Frederick said that the presenter, Thompson, is a retired corporate researcher and writer who has promised to try to give a balanced presentation.
But, Frederick, said, there will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting to hear from Joy Smith of the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan, and sign the committee's petition to ban fracking.
"That will be an option for those at the end who have made up their minds," he said."
Why are Michigan's energy costs so high?
Why are Michigan's energy costs so high? | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com:
While Michigan's average electricity rate increase of 29 percent since 2007 is not much different than the 28 percent average increase in Indiana and 22 percent average increase in Wisconsin, it is double the 14 percent average increase in Ohio and dramatically different than the 1 percent increase in Illinois.
If each of these states had similar declines in demand, why have price changes been so different?
The answer is Illinois and Ohio have competitive retail electric markets. Indiana and Wisconsin have clung to traditional monopoly regulation and Michigan, in 2008, abandoned its movement toward market-based pricing in favor of government price-setting.
.....Michigan's high rates are the result of the 2008 reversal of the customer choice and competition program begun in 2000.
While Michigan's average electricity rate increase of 29 percent since 2007 is not much different than the 28 percent average increase in Indiana and 22 percent average increase in Wisconsin, it is double the 14 percent average increase in Ohio and dramatically different than the 1 percent increase in Illinois.
If each of these states had similar declines in demand, why have price changes been so different?
The answer is Illinois and Ohio have competitive retail electric markets. Indiana and Wisconsin have clung to traditional monopoly regulation and Michigan, in 2008, abandoned its movement toward market-based pricing in favor of government price-setting.
.....Michigan's high rates are the result of the 2008 reversal of the customer choice and competition program begun in 2000.
Michigan's two largest utilities, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, were keenly aware that during an economic slowdown they would have to charge lower prices to meet the competition.
Their solution was to outlaw customer choice except for a fortunate handful of customers accounting for just 10 percent of electricity usage, mainly larger businesses and government.
Monopoly regulation stands the world on its head — prices rise when demand drops.
Muskegon county board meetings: April 2013-video links
No more "I can't make the meetings" excuses.
They're spending us into bankruptcy and you sit at home.
OK.
Now you can sit at home, watch your computer screen and see them at "work".
You silence simply supports their scams.
Do SOMETHING before there is nothing left to do anything about!
County main page: http://www.co.muskegon.mi.us/
2013-4-2 Human resources
http://youtu.be/2VCqeKYiCrE
2013-4-2 Courts-Public safety
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK6dMN71DlE
2013-4-4 Ways and means
2013-4-9 Full board
2013-4-9 Board Planning Session
When: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 1:00 PM
Location: South Campus Training Center, 133 E. Apple, Room #205
2013-4-11 Public works
2013-4-16 Ways and means
2013-4-18 Transportation
2013-4-18 Comm dev/Strategic planning
2013-4-23 Full board
Emergency manager: Muskegon Heights schools debt retirement plan jeopardized by water system woes
Emergency manager: Muskegon Heights schools debt retirement plan jeopardized by water system woes | MLive.com:
"Emergency Manager Donald Weatherspoon told the Muskegon Heights school board Monday that he felt his concerns expressed to city officials last month were brushed off.
Board President Trinell Scott, who was at the meeting of city officials, agreed.
“The city manager basically said Dr. Weatherspoon didn’t really know what he was talking about, to sum it up in a nutshell,” Scott said.
“To me, I felt like they kind of didn’t want to hear what we had to say.”"
"Emergency Manager Donald Weatherspoon told the Muskegon Heights school board Monday that he felt his concerns expressed to city officials last month were brushed off.
Board President Trinell Scott, who was at the meeting of city officials, agreed.
“The city manager basically said Dr. Weatherspoon didn’t really know what he was talking about, to sum it up in a nutshell,” Scott said.
“To me, I felt like they kind of didn’t want to hear what we had to say.”"
Pension fight heats up in Pontiac as emergency manager looks to reorganize board
Pension fight heats up in Pontiac as emergency manager looks to reorganize board | MLive.com:
"Schimmel cited $5.5 million in failed investments, a $2,200-a-month office space rental and trustee travel as reasons for his intervention."
"Schimmel cited $5.5 million in failed investments, a $2,200-a-month office space rental and trustee travel as reasons for his intervention."
Stockton, Calif. Goes Bankrupt, Raising Question: Who Gets Paid?
Stockton, Calif. Goes Bankrupt, Raising Question: Who Gets Paid? | CNS News:
"But the case is also being watched closely because it could answer the significant question of who gets paid first by financially strapped cities — retirement funds or creditors.
"I don't know whether spiked pensions can be reeled back in," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein said while making the ruling.
"There are very complex and difficult questions of law that I can see out there on the horizon."
The potential constitutional question in the Stockton case is whether federal bankruptcy law trumps a California law that says money owed to the state pension fund must be paid."
"But the case is also being watched closely because it could answer the significant question of who gets paid first by financially strapped cities — retirement funds or creditors.
"I don't know whether spiked pensions can be reeled back in," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein said while making the ruling.
"There are very complex and difficult questions of law that I can see out there on the horizon."
The potential constitutional question in the Stockton case is whether federal bankruptcy law trumps a California law that says money owed to the state pension fund must be paid."
Obama’s continued use of the claim that 40 percent of gun sales lack background checks
Obama’s continued use of the claim that 40 percent of gun sales lack background checks - The Washington Post:
Why wouldn’t we want to close the loophole that allows as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases to take place without a background check?”
— President Obama, remarks on gun safety, March 28, 2013
“FACT: Nearly 40% of all gun sales don't require a background check under current law. #DemandAction”
— tweet from @BarackObama, March 28
The Facts
There are two key problems with the president’s use of this statistic:
The numbers are about two decades old, yet he acts as if they are fresh, and he refers to “purchases” or “sales” when in fact the original report concerned “gun acquisitions” and “transactions.”
Those are much broader categories of data.
.....Digging deeper, we found that the survey sample was just 251 people.
(The survey was done by telephone, using a random-digit-dial method, with a response rate of 50 percent.)
With this sample size, the 95 percent confidence interval will be plus or minus six percentage points.
Moreover, when asked whether the respondent bought from a licensed firearms dealer, the possible answers included “probably was/think so” and “probably not,” leaving open the possibility the purchaser was mistaken. (The “probably not” answers were counted as “no.”)
The numbers are about two decades old, yet he acts as if they are fresh, and he refers to “purchases” or “sales” when in fact the original report concerned “gun acquisitions” and “transactions.”
Those are much broader categories of data.
.....Digging deeper, we found that the survey sample was just 251 people.
(The survey was done by telephone, using a random-digit-dial method, with a response rate of 50 percent.)
With this sample size, the 95 percent confidence interval will be plus or minus six percentage points.
Moreover, when asked whether the respondent bought from a licensed firearms dealer, the possible answers included “probably was/think so” and “probably not,” leaving open the possibility the purchaser was mistaken. (The “probably not” answers were counted as “no.”)
Maryland Moves Forward with Controversial Chicken-Waste Electricity Project
Maryland Moves Forward with Controversial Chicken-Waste Electricity Project | Heartlander Magazine:
“Wide-Ranging Economic Harm
In addition to taxpayers and consumers worrying about the negative economic impacts of taxpayer subsidies and higher electricity prices, farmers fear the diversion of rich organic fertilizer to electricity production will create fertilizer scarcity and drive up fertilizer prices.....
...“I have a positive opinion of turning poultry waste into energy where it is cost-effective,” said Daniel Simmons, director of regulatory and state affairs at the Institute for Energy Research.
“Wide-Ranging Economic Harm
In addition to taxpayers and consumers worrying about the negative economic impacts of taxpayer subsidies and higher electricity prices, farmers fear the diversion of rich organic fertilizer to electricity production will create fertilizer scarcity and drive up fertilizer prices.....
...“I have a positive opinion of turning poultry waste into energy where it is cost-effective,” said Daniel Simmons, director of regulatory and state affairs at the Institute for Energy Research.
“But the real key is that these projects should compete in the market for electricity like everyone else and not receive above-market rates for their electricity.
“Sadly, it looks like Maryland is subsidizing waste-to-energy and costing Marylanders in the process,” Simmons added.
“This facility would not be built if government allowed free-market pricing mechanisms to work without government intrusion.”
Tonight is the last night of 'Doggy Style' gathering for Detroit's gay community and friends
Tonight is the last night of 'Doggy Style' gathering for Detroit's gay community and friends | MLive.com
"DETROIT, MI - Tonight is the last night of Doggy Style at the Park Bar – at least until the end of October.
During Major League Baseball’s off-season, Tuesday nights at the Park Bar in downtown Detroit bar have been known as Doggy Style nights, a weekly party for Detroit's gay community.
Joe Posch, owner of Midtown's Hugh, founded Doggy Style night at The Park Bar with Canine to Five owner Liz Blondy in 2007 because of what he says is "disjointed" gay community.
There's a relatively strong gay presence in Ferndale, but the city of Detroit itself lacks any cohesive or strong LGBT community, he said."
"DETROIT, MI - Tonight is the last night of Doggy Style at the Park Bar – at least until the end of October.
During Major League Baseball’s off-season, Tuesday nights at the Park Bar in downtown Detroit bar have been known as Doggy Style nights, a weekly party for Detroit's gay community.
Joe Posch, owner of Midtown's Hugh, founded Doggy Style night at The Park Bar with Canine to Five owner Liz Blondy in 2007 because of what he says is "disjointed" gay community.
There's a relatively strong gay presence in Ferndale, but the city of Detroit itself lacks any cohesive or strong LGBT community, he said."
Detroit Electric to unveil first EV sports car tonight
Detroit Electric to unveil first EV sports car tonight | MLive.com:
"When announcing the vehicle and company last month, Graunstadt said the vehicles will be produced in Metro Detroit, and the production facility is expected to have an annual capacity of 2,500 sports cars and about 180 employees."
"When announcing the vehicle and company last month, Graunstadt said the vehicles will be produced in Metro Detroit, and the production facility is expected to have an annual capacity of 2,500 sports cars and about 180 employees."
Widespread arsons in Flint rarely result in criminal charges
Widespread arsons in Flint rarely result in criminal charges | MLive.com:
"Over a five-year span that saw 1,631 suspicious fires to vacant buildings in the city and more than 1,000 confirmed arson cases reported to the state, just 135 arson-related charges were filed in Flint District Court."
"Over a five-year span that saw 1,631 suspicious fires to vacant buildings in the city and more than 1,000 confirmed arson cases reported to the state, just 135 arson-related charges were filed in Flint District Court."
Michigan Reps. Collene Lamonte, Brandon Dillon pitch House Democrats' Middle Class Plan
Michigan Reps. Collene Lamonte, Brandon Dillon pitch House Democrats' Middle Class Plan | MLive.com:
"At a press conference April 2, state Reps. Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, and Brandon Dillon, D-Grand Rapids, promoted the plan, which includes repealing a tax on seniors’ retirement income, and an increase of $320 per student in the state’s dollars-per-student funding.
“We heard these deep concerns over and over again at all of our stops,” Lamonte said.
Lamonte and Dillon declined to talk about how the changes would be paid for, saying that the information would be made public when House Democrats release their budget priorities next week.
But Dillion said the reforms could be accomplished “without raising taxes one penny.”
"At a press conference April 2, state Reps. Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, and Brandon Dillon, D-Grand Rapids, promoted the plan, which includes repealing a tax on seniors’ retirement income, and an increase of $320 per student in the state’s dollars-per-student funding.
“We heard these deep concerns over and over again at all of our stops,” Lamonte said.
Lamonte and Dillon declined to talk about how the changes would be paid for, saying that the information would be made public when House Democrats release their budget priorities next week.
But Dillion said the reforms could be accomplished “without raising taxes one penny.”
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Muskegon man, 25, faces trial for allegedly shooting man's abdomen
Muskegon man, 25, faces trial for allegedly shooting man's abdomen | MLive.com:
"The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office also added two new counts Tuesday: being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm while committing a felony."
"The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office also added two new counts Tuesday: being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm while committing a felony."
Those Courageous Racists
Best of the Web Today: Those Courageous Racists - WSJ.com:
Their website informs visitors that the twins "received close to a million dollars in grants from the National Science Foundation."
"The NSF is a federal agency, so your tax dollars have subsidized the authors of what can only be described as a racist rant. Here's the opening:
Imagine if African American men and boys were committing mass shootings month after month, year after year. Articles and interviews would flood the media, and we'd have political debates demanding that African Americans be "held accountable."
Then, if an atrocity such as the Newtown, Conn., shootings took place and African American male leaders held a news conference to offer solutions, their credibility would be questionable.
The public would tell these leaders that they need to focus on problems in their own culture and communities.
But when the criminals and leaders are white men, race and gender become the elephant in the room.
Nearly all of the mass shootings in this country in recent years--not just Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Tucson and Columbine--have been committed by white men and boys.
Yet when the National Rifle Association (NRA), led by white men, held a news conference after the Newtown massacre to advise Americans on how to reduce gun violence, its leaders' opinions were widely discussed."
There is so much wrong with this, we could write a column about it.
Which, come to think of it, is exactly what we are doing even as we type.
Their website informs visitors that the twins "received close to a million dollars in grants from the National Science Foundation."
"The NSF is a federal agency, so your tax dollars have subsidized the authors of what can only be described as a racist rant. Here's the opening:
Imagine if African American men and boys were committing mass shootings month after month, year after year. Articles and interviews would flood the media, and we'd have political debates demanding that African Americans be "held accountable."
Then, if an atrocity such as the Newtown, Conn., shootings took place and African American male leaders held a news conference to offer solutions, their credibility would be questionable.
The public would tell these leaders that they need to focus on problems in their own culture and communities.
But when the criminals and leaders are white men, race and gender become the elephant in the room.
Nearly all of the mass shootings in this country in recent years--not just Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Tucson and Columbine--have been committed by white men and boys.
Yet when the National Rifle Association (NRA), led by white men, held a news conference after the Newtown massacre to advise Americans on how to reduce gun violence, its leaders' opinions were widely discussed."
There is so much wrong with this, we could write a column about it.
Which, come to think of it, is exactly what we are doing even as we type.
Sen. Malcolm Smith Arrested In Alleged Plot To Rig NYC Mayor’s Race
Sen. Malcolm Smith Arrested In Alleged Plot To Rig NYC Mayor’s Race « CBS New York:
“The charges we unsealed today demonstrate once again that a ‘show me the money’ culture seems to pervade every level of New York government,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said."
“The charges we unsealed today demonstrate once again that a ‘show me the money’ culture seems to pervade every level of New York government,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said."
Is Disability the New Welfare?
Is Disability the New Welfare? | RealClearPolitics:
"The government in Britain recently did something interesting.
It asked everyone receiving an "incapacity benefit" — a disability program slowly being phased out under new reforms — to submit to a medical test to confirm they were too disabled to work.
A third of recipients (878,000 people) didn't even bother and dropped out of the program rather than be examined.
Of those tested, more than half (55%) were found fit for work and a quarter were found fit for some work."
"The government in Britain recently did something interesting.
It asked everyone receiving an "incapacity benefit" — a disability program slowly being phased out under new reforms — to submit to a medical test to confirm they were too disabled to work.
A third of recipients (878,000 people) didn't even bother and dropped out of the program rather than be examined.
Of those tested, more than half (55%) were found fit for work and a quarter were found fit for some work."
Associated Press bans the phrase 'illegal immigrant' -
Associated Press bans the phrase 'illegal immigrant' - Washington Times:
“It’s ‘illegal immigrant’ no more” says the Associated Press, which banished the phrase from its usage guide on Tuesday - the latest stylistic edict for journalists who have for years juggled such terms as “undocumented worker” or “illegal alien,” its politically incorrect variant.
“The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term ‘illegal immigrant’ or the use of ‘illegal’ to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that ‘illegal’ should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally,” said the senior vice president and executive editor Kathleen Carroll.
The wire service’s rationale goes on for many paragraphs before offering the actual Stylebook entry for earnest journalists to consider.
“It’s ‘illegal immigrant’ no more” says the Associated Press, which banished the phrase from its usage guide on Tuesday - the latest stylistic edict for journalists who have for years juggled such terms as “undocumented worker” or “illegal alien,” its politically incorrect variant.
“The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term ‘illegal immigrant’ or the use of ‘illegal’ to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that ‘illegal’ should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally,” said the senior vice president and executive editor Kathleen Carroll.
The wire service’s rationale goes on for many paragraphs before offering the actual Stylebook entry for earnest journalists to consider.
It reads:
“Illegal immigration
: Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or criminal law.
“Illegal immigration
: Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or criminal law. Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use illegal only to refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant.
Acceptable variations include living in or entering a country illegally or without legal permission.’
“Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or undocumented.”
“Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or undocumented.”
How Liberal Art Majors Destroyed Stockton
Captain Capitalism: How Liberal Art Majors Destroyed Stockton:
"I pointed this out a while ago, but it needs repeating.
You cannot expect a group of adults whose only experiences are in the non-profit/government/education industries to lead with any measure of competence in that they are politicians first and foremost and have not the ability nor care to adhere to mathematical and financial reality.
They are mentally spoiled little children who just happened to be in adult bodies that purposely and consciously chose weak degrees requiring no rigor, effort or thought, and consequently chose easy "careers."
It should be no shock that Stockton, or any city or organization, led by such weak and talentless people went bankrupt."
"I pointed this out a while ago, but it needs repeating.
You cannot expect a group of adults whose only experiences are in the non-profit/government/education industries to lead with any measure of competence in that they are politicians first and foremost and have not the ability nor care to adhere to mathematical and financial reality.
They are mentally spoiled little children who just happened to be in adult bodies that purposely and consciously chose weak degrees requiring no rigor, effort or thought, and consequently chose easy "careers."
It should be no shock that Stockton, or any city or organization, led by such weak and talentless people went bankrupt."
U.N. passes sweeping international arms regulation viewed by some as Second Amendment overrid
U.N. passes sweeping international arms regulation viewed by some as Second Amendment override - Washington Times:
"American gun rights activists, though, insist the treaty is riddled with loopholes and is unworkable in part because it includes “small arms and light weapons” in its list of weaponry subject to international regulations. They do not trust U.N. assertions that the pact is meant to regulate only cross-border trade and would have no impact on domestic U.S. laws and markets."
"American gun rights activists, though, insist the treaty is riddled with loopholes and is unworkable in part because it includes “small arms and light weapons” in its list of weaponry subject to international regulations. They do not trust U.N. assertions that the pact is meant to regulate only cross-border trade and would have no impact on domestic U.S. laws and markets."
Wal-Mart opponents in White Lake offer free viewing of film critical of the mega retailer (videos)
Wal-Mart opponents in White Lake offer free viewing of film critical of the mega retailer (videos) | MLive.com:
"The national retailer would have a staff of 300 and expect to invest $14 million in the new store.
Whitehall Township officials are expected to begin a site plan review process of the store in May."
"The national retailer would have a staff of 300 and expect to invest $14 million in the new store.
Whitehall Township officials are expected to begin a site plan review process of the store in May."
Resolution opposing Whitehall Township Wal-Mart turned down by deadlocked Montague City Council
Resolution opposing Whitehall Township Wal-Mart turned down by deadlocked Montague City Council | MLive.com:
"“We are two municipalities over from them,” Erb said.
“What gives us the right to act on what they do or what they don’t do on their municipality?”
Three Montague council members voted for the resolution while three voted against it and one did not vote.
The tie means the resolution was defeated."
"“We are two municipalities over from them,” Erb said.
“What gives us the right to act on what they do or what they don’t do on their municipality?”
Three Montague council members voted for the resolution while three voted against it and one did not vote.
The tie means the resolution was defeated."
Monday, April 01, 2013
Court okays adult teacher-student sex in Arkansas
Court okays adult teacher-student sex in Arkansas | The Daily Caller:
"Under an Arkansas statute, no elementary or high school teacher may engage in a sexual relationship with a student who is younger than 21.
But the court disagreed, ruling that the statute had the effect of criminalizing sex between consenting adults and was unconstitutional."
"Under an Arkansas statute, no elementary or high school teacher may engage in a sexual relationship with a student who is younger than 21.
But the court disagreed, ruling that the statute had the effect of criminalizing sex between consenting adults and was unconstitutional."
Michigan State gets $24.5 million from federal government to improve farming, nutrition in Africa, Central America, U.S.
Michigan State gets $24.5 million from federal government to improve farming, nutrition in Africa, Central America, U.S. | MLive.com:
" The U.S. Agency for International Development has awarded Michigan State University $24.5 million to improve farming and nutrition in Africa, Central America and the U.S."
" The U.S. Agency for International Development has awarded Michigan State University $24.5 million to improve farming and nutrition in Africa, Central America and the U.S."
UN Arms Trade Treaty Calls for Disarmament of Persons 55 and Older
UN Arms Trade Treaty Calls for Disarmament of Persons 55 and Older - Guns.com:
“Along with the mentally ill, preventing those who are advancing in age from gaining easy access to firearms is a common sense way to save lives,” concluded Chase."
“Along with the mentally ill, preventing those who are advancing in age from gaining easy access to firearms is a common sense way to save lives,” concluded Chase."
State auditor: California's net worth at negative $127.2 billion
Capitol Alert: State auditor: California's net worth at negative $127.2 billion:
"The report, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, says that the state's negative status -- all of its assets minus all of its liabilities -- increased that year, largely because it spent more than it received in revenue."
"The report, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, says that the state's negative status -- all of its assets minus all of its liabilities -- increased that year, largely because it spent more than it received in revenue."
1 in 5 Boys Now Diagnosed With ADHD -- Are We Overdrugging Our Kids?
1 in 5 Boys Now Diagnosed With ADHD -- Are We Overdrugging Our Kids? | Alternet:
"The data reveals that an estimated 6.4 million children aged 4 to 17 have received the diagnosis, which is a 16 percent increase from 2007.
The 6.4 million children diagnosed is also a 53 percent rise over the last decade. "
"The data reveals that an estimated 6.4 million children aged 4 to 17 have received the diagnosis, which is a 16 percent increase from 2007.
The 6.4 million children diagnosed is also a 53 percent rise over the last decade. "
Toy model of Jabba The Hutt's palace resembles a mosque, group says
Toy model of Jabba The Hutt's palace resembles a mosque, group says - World News:
"MUNICH – Danish toy maker Lego is to stop selling a model of the “palace” of slug-like Star Wars character Jabba The Hutt after complaints that it resembles a revered mosque, according to a group that raised the grievance."
"MUNICH – Danish toy maker Lego is to stop selling a model of the “palace” of slug-like Star Wars character Jabba The Hutt after complaints that it resembles a revered mosque, according to a group that raised the grievance."
Frontier Airlines says it will end service to Grand Rapids this summer
Frontier Airlines says it will end service to Grand Rapids this summer | MLive.com:
"In this case – particularly considering the large number of future opportunities we see as we continue to evolve the Frontier business – we reached the conclusion that the best course of action for Frontier was to discontinue service to GRR."
O'Malley said the move will not affect affect passengers who have already purchased tickets because Frontier's schedule only goes to Sept. 8 now."
"In this case – particularly considering the large number of future opportunities we see as we continue to evolve the Frontier business – we reached the conclusion that the best course of action for Frontier was to discontinue service to GRR."
O'Malley said the move will not affect affect passengers who have already purchased tickets because Frontier's schedule only goes to Sept. 8 now."
Hillary Clinton to give first paid speech since leaving State Dept.
Hillary Clinton to give first paid speech since leaving State Dept. - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room:
"The agency also represents her husband and former president Bill Clinton, who is estimated to have pulled in nearly $100 million in speaking fees since leaving office in 1999."
"The agency also represents her husband and former president Bill Clinton, who is estimated to have pulled in nearly $100 million in speaking fees since leaving office in 1999."
Consensus for new Muskegon farmers market building, city commissioners to address plan in April
Consensus for new Muskegon farmers market building, city commissioners to address plan in April | MLive.com:
"An unscientific MLive poll March 21 on the market plans and relocation showed support for the current proposal. Of the 3,355 online votes, MLive readers supported city endorsement of the new market plans by a thin 52.9 to 47.1 percent margin."
"An unscientific MLive poll March 21 on the market plans and relocation showed support for the current proposal. Of the 3,355 online votes, MLive readers supported city endorsement of the new market plans by a thin 52.9 to 47.1 percent margin."
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