Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Investors’ Anger Rises at Poor IPO Returns

Anger Rises at Poor IPO Returns - CNBC
"More than half the big initial public offerings in Europe this year are trading below their issue price,"

What is Teacher Wish Lists

What is Teacher Wish Lists
"WOOD/WOTV/WXSP and Maranda know that many teachers use up to $500 per year of their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms. That’s why we are working together to support teachers.

We are launching a program called “The Teacher Wish Lists”.

It is our effort to promote classroom support by asking families and businesses to buy classroom supplies."

And we all KNOW that teachers are underpaid and overworked, right?

Or is that overpaid and underworked.......

Big incentive for school attendance: Cash

Big incentive for school attendance: Cash
"Stacey Wright had more than a dozen choices when it came to enrolling three of her children in an elementary school, from charters to magnets to traditional public schools in every corner of the city.

She chose Jefferson Elementary School, the brick St. Louis public school across the street.
And for that, she may get $900."

Overwhelmingly White Media Criticize Conservative Rallies as 'Overwhelmingly White'

Overwhelmingly White Media Criticize Conservative Rallies as 'Overwhelmingly White' NewsBusters.org

Appeals Court: `The Tea Party' can't make Michigan ballot

Appeals Court: `The Tea Party' can't make Michigan ballot FOX 21 Online
"The Michigan Court of Appeals has decided a group calling itself 'The Tea Party' doesn't qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot because it didn't correctly show the party name on petitions.

Republicans and tea party activists say 'The Tea Party' that has nominated nearly two dozen candidates is a fake aimed at hurting them by drawing away votes from Republicans.

They've been fighting the group's efforts to get on the ballot.

The court released its decision Monday.
It says the word 'the' was not in 24-point bold face type on the petitions as required by law.
A message seeking comment was left for the lawyer representing the 'The Tea Party.'

A lawyer for the opposition says he's waiting to see if 'The Tea Party' appeals to the Michigan Supreme Court."

Monday, August 30, 2010

Drudge is giving Obama a hard time this morning.

Althouse: Drudge is giving Obama a hard time this morning.

See them all!

Top 7 insane homeowners association rules

Top 7 insane homeowners association rules - The Week

Is It Hot In Here? Or Is It Just You?

Is It Hot In Here? Or Is It Just You? - CNBC
"It turns out that many women like a guy who uses a tacky pick-up line.
At least many British women do.

A 'survey' done by UK online casino MrGreen.com claims that nearly 60 percent of women believe it takes a sense of humor and confidence for a guy to walk up to a woman and say, 'Did it hurt when you fell out of heaven?'

I would add that it also takes about three or four beers."

It's Not A Question Of IF Sovereign Nations Will Default, But HOW

It's Not A Question Of IF Sovereign Nations Will Default, But HOW
"The sovereign debt crisis is not European: it is global.
And it is not over."

Sunday, August 29, 2010

How much play will this photo get?

How much play will this photo get? « Don Surber
forget the media spin...this guy is a moron!!!!

EPA Surrenders to NRA on Gun Control Issue

EPA Surrenders to NRA on Gun Control Issue - US News and World Report
"The EPA had planned to solicit public responses to the petition for two months, but this afternoon issued a statement rejecting a 100-page request from the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, and three other groups for a ban on lead bullets, shot, and fishing sinkers. The agency is still considering what to do about sinkers."

In other words, they can do whatever they want but they didn't want to do it just before an election.

Does this sound as creepy to you as it does to me?

YouTube - Blown Away, 4 Years Later

YouTube - Blown Away, 4 Years Later

Almost disaster in St.Maarten: Boeing 747 aborts landing because there is another 747 on the runway

LiveLeak.com - Almost disaster in St.Maarten: Boeing 747 aborts landing because there is another 747 on the runway
"Almost disaster in St.Maarten: Boeing 747 aborts landing because there is another 747 on the runway"

Divorce Law Firm in New York in Split of Its Own

Divorce Law Firm in New York in Split of Its Own - NYTimes.com
"Now, Mr. Sheresky, Mr. Aronson and Mr. Mayefsky may be facing their most challenging breakup yet: their own.

Mr. Sheresky, 82, left the firm in a huff last month, claiming that his former partners reneged on a longstanding commitment to take care of him financially in the twilight of his career.
Mr. Aronson, 61, and Mr. Mayefsky, 57, denied that such a vow existed, and dissolved the partnership, forming a new one with Pamela M. Sloan, who joined the original firm in 2007.

Mr. Sheresky responded strongly Friday by filing a $26 million lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, alleging breach of contract and fraud."

Ah, Schadenfreude!

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Public Pensions and Our Fiscal Future

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Public Pensions and Our Fiscal Future - WSJ.com
"As former Speaker of the State Assembly and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown pointed out earlier this year in the San Francisco Chronicle, roughly 80 cents of every government dollar in California goes to employee compensation and benefits.

Those costs have been rising fast."

Obama, Democrats got 88 percent of 2008 contributions by TV network execs, writers, reporters

Obama, Democrats got 88 percent of 2008 contributions by TV network execs, writers, reporters Washington Examiner
"Senior executives, on-air personalities, producers, reporters, editors, writers and other self-identifying employees of ABC, CBS and NBC contributed more than $1 million to Democratic candidates and campaign committees in 2008"

How Severe is U.S. pension debt?

How Severe is U.S. pension debt? CalWatchDog

Friday, August 27, 2010

Grand juror should determine if fake Tea Party ploy is a crime

Editorial: Grand juror should determine if fake Tea Party ploy is a crime detnews.com The Detroit News

Oakland Circuit judges should grant County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's petition that they appoint a one-person grand jury to investigate possible election fraud.

Voters deserve fair elections, and efforts to deceive them should be revealed and prosecuted.

Poll finds solid support in Michigan for tea party's causes

Poll finds solid support in Michigan for tea party's causes lansingstatejournal.com Lansing State Journal

An EPIC/MRA poll of 600 likely general election voters released exclusively to the Free Press and WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) showed only 3 percent of respondents and 2 percent of households had a tea party member in them, but 44 percent statewide are in support of its call for lower taxes, less spending and a reined-in government.

The poll showed 33 percent were opposed to the tea party, and 23 percent undecided.

Environmental Protection Agency Reviewing Petition to Ban Lead Bullets

Environmental Protection Agency Reviewing Petition to Ban Lead Bullets The Weekly Standard
"Will Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson make a back door move to ban lead bullets the day before the November 2 elections?"

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Fruitport casino plan gets the cold shoulder from Michigan House of Representatives

Fruitport casino plan gets the cold shoulder from Michigan House of Representatives MLive.com
"The chances of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians building a casino at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack site suffered a setback Wednesday."

"Three Things About Islam"

New Zeal: "Three Things About Islam"
"Three things you probably didn't know about Islam."

Retiree Ponzi Scheme $16 Trillion Short

Retiree Ponzi Scheme $16 Trillion Short: Laurence Kotlikoff - Bloomberg
"Social Security has also played a central role in the massive, six-decade Ponzi scheme known as U.S. fiscal policy, which transfers ever-larger sums from the young to the old."

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

MSNBC Swears to Allah that Obama's Not A Muslim

MSNBC Swears to Allah that Obama's Not A Muslim - HUMAN EVENTS
"What McConnell actually said in response to the Muslim question was:
'The president says he's a Christian.
I take him at his word.
I don't think that's in dispute.'

Over at MSNBC, that's Republican code for: 'He's a Muslim!'

North Korean TV's Ed Schultz hysterically babbled:
'McConnell gave cover.
That's what he did.
He gave cover to all those low information voters out there who still believe this garbage about President Obama being a Muslim. ...
The Republican leadership just loves to feed the fire.'"

Morgan Stanley Says Government Defaults Inevitable

Morgan Stanley Says Government Defaults Inevitable - Bloomberg
"Investors will face defaults on government bonds given the burden of aging populations and the difficulty of securing more tax revenue, according to Morgan Stanley.

“Governments will impose a loss on some of their stakeholders,” Arnaud Mares, an executive director at Morgan Stanley in London, wrote in a research report today.
“The question is not whether they will renege on their promises, but rather upon which of their promises they will renege, and what form this default will take.”
The sovereign-debt crisis is global “and it is not over,” the report said."

10 Largest University’s In The United States

10 Largest University’s In The United States

Monday, August 23, 2010

Little-known fact: Obama's failed stimulus program cost more than the Iraq war

Little-known fact: Obama's failed stimulus program cost more than the Iraq war Washington Examiner
* Obama's stimulus, passed in his first month in office, will cost more than the entire Iraq War -- more than $100 billion (15%) more."

Sunday, August 22, 2010

"a division between what he calls the Mainstream Public and the Political Class"

The Weekend Interview with Scott Rasmussen: America's Insurgent Pollster - WSJ.com
"Mr. Rasmussen has a partial answer for Mr. Emanuel's question, and it lies in a significant division among the American public that he has tracked for the past few years—a division between what he calls the Mainstream Public and the Political Class."

Media misses the point about mosque

Media misses the point about mosque - NYPOST.com
"But collectively they weren’t simply “fatalities.”

And individually they weren’t merely lost or killed, and they didn’t merely perish or die.

They were MURDERED.

And yet how many times have you heard the 3,000 dead described on TV newscasts as murder victims?

Not even once, right?

The M-word is never used."

Michigan Democrats embarrassed by Fake Tea Party

TaxingTennessee: Michigan Democrats embarrassed by Fake Tea Party
"Michigan Democrats embarrassed by Fake Tea Party

Democrats want one of their own fired after he tried to create a fake tea party to pull votes away from Republicans. Of course, they had to take action after the County Clerk uncovered the fraud.

Democrats on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Saturday called for the removal of a county Democratic Party employee in the wake of allegations of fraud by Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson a day earlier.

Commissioner Dave Coulter, D-Ferndale, said in an e-mail Saturday that Democratic commissioners approved the following statement:
“Democrats on the Board of Commissioners are very concerned about allegations that an employee of the county party may have had a role in fraudulent Tea Party candidate filings.

We have been strong advocates for open and transparent county government, and there is no place in our politics where deception can be tolerated.

Without commenting on the legal merits of these accusations, we ask for the immediate removal of Jason Bauer as an employee of the Oakland County Democratic Party.

Our caucus members and candidates demand the highest ethical standards of ourselves, our government and our party, and any violation of those standards must have real and significant consequences.”"

LA unveils $578M school, costliest in the nation

LA unveils $578M school, costliest in the nation - Yahoo! News
"With an eye-popping price tag of $578 million, it will mark the inauguration of the nation's most expensive public school ever.

The K-12 complex to house 4,200 students has raised eyebrows across the country as the creme de la creme of 'Taj Mahal' schools, $100 million-plus campuses boasting both architectural panache and deluxe amenities."

This is NUTS!
The people behind this must be tracked down and ground into animal feed!

"More evidence that Illinois taxpayers pay too much for education, not too little"

Champion News: "More evidence that Illinois taxpayers pay too much for education, not too little"

Wow!
Read this!

Honoring a fallen Marine

GETZ: Honoring a fallen Marine - Washington Times
"Cpl.Wilson eloped with his fiancee, Hannah, just before he deployed to Afghanistan.
Now, at age 20, she is a widow.
The current wars have created several thousand young widows.

If you would console yourself with the idea that these young women were married such a short time and have so much life still ahead of them, that the loss they feel is somehow mitigated, you should meet Hannah McVeigh-Wilson.
She was brave enough to marry a Marine headed for combat who told her he didn't want to wait until he returned because, in case he didn't come home, he wanted to know he'd had all the experiences he could have in life, and one of the most important was to marry her.

It tears at the heart to see her living with that legacy and loss."

Cities, Fiscal Health and Union Contracts

Cities, Fiscal Health and Union Contracts [Mackinac Center]
"Local governments are in declining fiscal health that many top administrators believe will get worse in the coming year, according to a University of Michigan report."

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Smoking ban dries up business

Smoking ban dries up business freep.com Detroit Free Press
"On some weekend nights, there used to be seven waitresses working the crowd at Perfect Pitcher Sports Pub in Taylor.

But since Michigan's smoking ban went into effect May 1, Natalie Samu, the soon-to-be ex-owner of the bar, has just one or two waitresses serving the dwindling crowd.

'Our business is down over 50%,' said Samu, who sold the bar earlier this month but will stay on as manager. 'I know things go down in the summer, but it's never been this bad.'"

But think of all the drinkers who will be spared the horrors of "second hand smoke junk science"!

Pension Fraud in New Jersey Puts Focus on Illinois

Pension Fraud in New Jersey Puts Focus on Illinois - NYTimes.com
"The federal government’s crackdown on the State of New Jersey this week for misrepresenting the condition of its pension funds raises a question:
Who else might have pension numbers that could draw regulatory fire?"

No 'risk' from Iran's Russian-built nuclear plant

No 'risk' from Iran's Russian-built nuclear plant: US
"The United States sees no 'proliferation risk' from Iran's Russian-built first nuclear power plant at Bushehr that was loaded with fuel Saturday, the State Department said.

The Russian involvement in the reactor, intended for civilian purposes, 'underscores that Iran does not need an indigenous enrichment capability if its intentions are purely peaceful,' State Department spokesman Darby Holladay told AFP.

'We recognize that the Bushehr reactor is designed to provide civilian nuclear power and do not view it as a proliferation risk,' he said.

The reactor, said Holladay, is 'under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards and Russia is providing the needed fuel and taking back the spent nuclear fuel, which would be the principal source of proliferation concerns.'"

Video: More on the union boycott of LA Times for exposing union failure

theblogprof: Video: More on the union boycott of LA Times for exposing union failure
"An update on a recent post: LA teachers union to boycott LA Times for reporting union failures via student test scores, where the LA Times, to its credit, exposed the quantitative negative effect of bad teachers that continue to be employed because - let's face it - unionized teachers are almost impossible to fire.

Here's a Fox News segment on the controversy:"

click and watch!

Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website

Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion: Post About Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website

Post About Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website
On Friday, August 13, I ran a post Coffee Party Grows Cold, highlighting a post on the Coffee Party's website titled Reversing the Coffee Party's decline about how the Coffee Party was in decline.

'W.H.: PRES. OBAMA ISN'T MUSLIM'

'W.H.: PRES. OBAMA ISN'T MUSLIM' - WSJ.com
"Richard Nixon was not a crook, Michael Dukakis was not unpatriotic, and Barack Obama is not a Muslim."

Yeah, right....

California's war on itself

California's war on itself - Opinion - The Orange County Register
"Recently, though, the dream has been evaporating.

From 2003 and 2007, California state and local government spending grew 31 percent, even as the state's population grew just 5 percent."

Pete Hoekstra Running For U.S. Senate?

Pete Hoekstra Running For U.S. Senate – Inside Scoop?
"So I got bored and wondered if there was a way to see what Pete Hoekstra would do next.
There has been speculation by his supporters that he may run for U.S. Senate.

I decided to look at domain name registrations.
His domain for his governor run was http://www.hoekstraforgovernor.com .
What could Pete Hoekstra possibly name his domain name if he were to run for U.S. Senate?"

Interesting!

Rattle With Us Tea Party - Our Venom Is Our Vote

Rattle With Us Tea Party - Our Venom Is Our Vote
"Oakland County, Mich. - Friday, August 20, 2010 - Ruth Johnson, the Oakland County Clerk/Register, said her office has uncovered apparent evidence of fraud involving the so-called 'Fake' Tea Party and one of its candidates."

Friday, August 20, 2010

Just 8.1% of NY Smart Fortwo owners would buy again.

Focus Group: Just 8.1% of NY Smart Fortwo owners would buy again. San Francisco? 19.8% — Autoblog
"we were totally blown away with news from CNW Marketing Research that just 8.1 percent of Smart Fortwo owners in New York would buy the car again."

The Top 10 Highest State Income Taxes: All Obama Blue States

TaxProf Blog: The Top 10 Highest State Income Taxes: All Obama Blue States

Adorable Micro Cars

Dark Roasted Blend: Adorable Micro Cars, Part 3
"World's Smallest Vehicles: Some Are Ugly, Some Are Cute, All Are Fondly Remembered"

Despite Recent Record Spending, Congress Failed to Fund Detention Space to Hold Captured Illegals From Terror-Sponsoring Countries

CNSNews.com - Despite Recent Record Spending, Congress Failed to Fund Detention Space to Hold Captured Illegals From Terror-Sponsoring Countries
"Even as Congress increased overall federal spending from a then-record $2.6 trillion in fiscal 2006 to $3.6 trillion in fiscal 2010, it only appropriated enough funds for the Department of Homeland Security to provide a fraction of the additional 40,000 detention spaces for illegal aliens that had been authorized by an immigration law approved in 2004"

Our government is at war with our citizens!

Lansing group gets $300,000 to help vets find jobs

Lansing group gets $300,000 to help vets find jobs Lansing State Journal
"The funds will allow Eaglevision to extend more services to people who have left the armed services within the past 48 months, have spent at least one day in jail or prison in the past 18 months and are in danger of becoming homeless because of joblessness."

What a noble quest!
I can't wait for them to report on their spectacular successes.....yeah right....

We are screwed cuz our government is spending money on millions of idiocies like this every year....every day?

President George W Bush Greeting Troops at DFW

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Obamas to begin sixth holiday of the year

Obamas to begin sixth holiday of the year - Telegraph
"The Obama family will begin their sixth holiday of the year today, an 11-day sojourn in Martha’s Vineyard, the island destination of the wealthy and well-connected American elite."

Meebee Martha and her vinyard can help with the "focus like a laser" deal on new jobs......naaaa

One neighbor 'surprised' at Jose Sanchez being accused of having sex with a pit bull; another not surprised

One neighbor 'surprised' at Jose Sanchez being accused of having sex with a pit bull; another not surprised MLive.com

Growing number of Americans believe Obama a Muslim


The AP journos offer another explanation:
His full name, Barack Hussein Obama, sounds Muslim to many.

"To many"?
Are there people who think this sounds like a Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or Hundu name?

None of the above journos mention the memorable moment when Obama spoke of "my Muslim faith."

Nor his striking bow before the Saudi King -- the protector of Mecca and Medina.

Then there is the small matter of Obama's ditching any Christian religious observance since leaving Trinity United Church, headed by Louis Farrakhan-honoring, America-hating pastor Jeremiah Wright.

And his skipping of the National Prayer Breakfast.

The poll was taken before the President's hosting of an Iftar (Ramadan) dinner at the White House, endorsing the Ground Zero Mosque.

SorosSecretaryofStatePro

SorosSecretaryofStatePro - Michigan's News & Views
"A group backed by Soros is gearing up to steal the 2012 election for President Obama and congressional Democrats by installing left-wing Democrats as secretaries of state across the nation.
From such posts, secretaries of state can help tilt the electoral playing field.....
SoS Project is also endorsing Jocelyn Benson, candidate for secretary of state in Michigan, whom it lauds as an '[e]lection law scholar and community organizer.'
Benson is a candidate ACORN would love."

Just How Smart Is Obama?

American Thinker: Just How Smart Is Obama?: "A political genius?


How hard was it to predict that endless golf-cum-basketball outings, musical soirées at the White House, and vacation upon vacation in posh spots, culminating in Michelle's Spanish junket and a forthcoming stay in the elitist retreat of Martha's Vineyard, would be a major irritant to the people hard-hit by the recession or an undermining influence on the president's popularity?
A callous disregard for the proles?
Obviously.
But how astute is it?
Not very, for in-your-face arrogance has never been a mark of intelligence.

Add to this Obama's obvious economic ignorance, his glaring naiveté in international affairs, his boundless faith in the power of his oratory, his intellectual laziness, his intrinsic indecisiveness smacking of childish belief in the power of wish (close your eyes and the bad stuff will just go away), his political tin-ear -- are these the attributes of a genius?
Sorry, Obama fans, what it all adds up to is an immature narcissist, an utterly inexperienced tyro, devoid of administrative ability, lacking political skills...a radical ideologue, who apparently believes that the job of president boils down to an incessant gabfest.

So with compliments to General Schwarzkopf:
As far as Barack Obama being smart as a whip goes, he has no clue in economics, nor has he any understanding of foreign policy; he is supremely arrogant and doesn't care if it rubs people the wrong way; he has few political skills and no administrative ability, nor does he have any desire to engage in the day-to-day drudgery of ruling, preferring to reign instead; and he revels in the luxury of presidential perks and delights in flaunting his excess.

Other than that, he is a true genius."

Extreme

A Tea Party Manifesto

Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe: A Tea Party Manifesto - WSJ.com
"But let us be clear about one thing: The tea party movement is not seeking a junior partnership with the Republican Party, but a hostile takeover of it."

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Man walking dogs alleges police used excessive force

New case & new video: Man walking dogs alleges police used excessive force - KDVR
"Hart says Mark Ashford was walking his dogs near 20th and Little Raven in LoDo, when he saw police pull over a driver for failing to stop at a stop sign.

Ashford told the driver he saw him stop and would be willing to testify in court.
Hart says the officer overheard him and 'wasn't very happy.'"

Watch the video.
Amazing and scary!

Bernero or Snyder: Which Way Could the Public Policy Winds Blow?

Bernero or Snyder: Which Way Could the Public Policy Winds Blow? [Mackinac Center]
"Bottom Line:
Whoever is elected, his success as governor will depend on how far he's willing to go in defying politically powerful unions, anti-growth environmentalists, corporate welfare 'rent seekers' and the politicians in both parties who pander to all three special interests.

The basic recipe for a successful Michigan government and economy is simple:
In every area of government - spending, taxes, regulation, labor law, etc. - make this state a place that all investors and entrepreneurs large and small, home-grown and foreign, look to and realize, 'Hey, we can make money there - and the government won't drive us nuts if we try.'"

Well, no one can complain that "all the politicians are the same" in this race.
Read it all.

Stabenow, Peters throw taxpayer green at green losers

Stabenow, Peters throw taxpayer green at green losers themichiganview.com The Michigan View
"A multi-billion dollar Washington green spending initiative pushed by Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Gary Peters is being used to prop up a failing Wisconsin battery firm that has lost $17 million in the last three years according the Wall Street Journal.
President Obama visited the firm Monday as part of a green swing that has included throwing tax dollars at a Korean multinational in Holland, Mich.
With no market discipline to inform their investments, the green trio seem to be throwing federal money at blind ideological picks."

Eight Unbreakable Rules for Hard-Core Tea Party Activists

Eight Unbreakable Rules for Hard-Core Tea Party Activists (or Any Other Special-Interest Coalition)

These are eight basic rules of engagement.
There may be others, but these are fundamental.
If you do not believe these, you are headed for disappointment.

1. Vote for a hard-core challenger on the other side against a squishy incumbent.

2. Hold your newly elected politician's feet to the fire the first time he breaks ranks on a key vote.

3. Get him to sign a resignation letter.

4. Track all of his votes on your #1 issue, and post them online.

5. Find out who his largest campaign donors are.

6. Instill fear. This is your #1 task, once he takes office.

7. Inflict pain. This is the basis of #6.

8. Trust, but verify. If your group refuses to verify, it should not trust.

Click the link for more.

ACT scores dip, but more students college-ready

My Way News - ACT scores dip, but more students college-ready
"that still shows three in four test-takers will likely need remedial help in at least one subject to succeed in college"

75% of test takers need remedial help?!!!!!
This test isn't cheap!
Only kids who expect to go to college take the test.
And 3 of 4 need help?
Sad.....

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Serbia using testicle cooking competition to lure tourists

Serbia using testicle cooking competition to lure tourists The Australian
"TOURISM chiefs in Serbia are hoping their annual testicle cooking competition will do for the region what whisky did for Scotland."

Study: 1 in 5 US teenagers has slight hearing loss

My Way News - Study: 1 in 5 US teenagers has slight hearing loss
"A stunning one in five teens has lost a little bit of hearing, and the problem has increased substantially in recent years, a new national study has found."

Duh!
This took a "study"?

What 3.6 Million Jobs Lost Over 13 Months Looks Like

The Gavel » Blog Archive » What 3.6 Million Jobs Lost Over 13 Months Looks Like
"What 3.6 Million Jobs Lost Over 13 Months Looks Like"

Michigan's Aug. 3 Primary a Reflection on Tea Party's Role

Michigan's Aug. 3 Primary a Reflection on Tea Party's Role [Mackinac Center]
"For the immediate future, the real challenge for the Tea Party will be to hold newly elected GOP feet to the fire starting next January.

The movement is already altering some of the incentives that cause the political class to support more big-government and spending; its success on this will ultimately be the real measure of its impact."

US breast cancer drug decision 'marks start of death panels'

US breast cancer drug decision 'marks start of death panels' - Telegraph
"America's health watchdog is considering revoking its approval of the drug Avastin for use on women with advanced breast cancer, leading to accusations that it will mark the start of 'death panel' drug rationing."

Bobby Bailout: Casey to Put Taxpayers on Hook for Teamsters’ Shenanigans

Bobby Bailout: Casey to Put Taxpayers on Hook for Teamsters’ Shenanigans - Exchequer - National Review Online
"Sen. Robert Casey (D., Pa.) and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D., N.D.) are pushing legislation that would commit taxpayers’ dollars to bailing out the Teamsters’ retirement pension fund.
The financial crisis and the Great Recession may have upset your retirement plans, but that’s not reason that politically connected union thugs have to share the pain."

Monday, August 16, 2010

WHY GIRLY JOBS DON’T PAY WELL.

Instapundit » Blog Archive » WHY GIRLY JOBS DON’T PAY WELL.

WHY GIRLY JOBS DON’T PAY WELL.
This is no big mystery. Men care more about making money because making money is important to attracting and keeping women, and determining their status in general.
Women don’t value money as much, because it’s not so important to attracting and keeping men or determining their status.
On the other hand, caring — or at least the appearance thereof — is.
That’s why this solution (“We need to figure out how to honor girly values while earning manly pay”) is dumb.

And note the very first comment:

We should try to reverse the point of view and ask: why are some “manly” jobs paid more then “girly” jobs? Sometimes, it’s the only way to attract suitable candidates. Who wants to collect garbage? Who wants be a sailor? Salary is not the only reason for chosing a job. Many “girly” jobs are gratifying, while many manly jobs are stultifying. Why would someone work in a mine, if not for money?

Indeed. And in the very next comment:

So called girly jobs are usually cost centers. They are necessary but do not directly create profits. Even within corporations, the girly department is always human resources; necessary but not a driver of earnings. Men also tend to be risk takers. We see this develop very early on in boys. During the school years, taking risks and thinking outside the box is frowned upon; even punished and may explain the growing gap between the academic achievement of girls vs boys. In the real world, risk, innovation, entrepreneurship; bucking the status quo is rewarded. So while girls do better in school, their earnings later are perhaps lower not only because they choose ‘caring’ jobs (working for someone else) but because they are so accustomed to succeeding in a system that rewards conformity and compliance, they are unprepared to take the risks necessary to innovate and truly compete in a world without an established set of rules to follow. Instead of finding ways for girly jobs to pay manly wages, women need to start companies and produce goods and services that make money from girly values. Women have to want to make money and they have to take risks and that does not have to interfere with ‘caring’.

I’m pleased to find such un-PC thinking among the New York Times’ readership.

The Truth

The Truth: "America 1950 Vs. America 2010"

MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track Now Under Investigation by Wayne Co.

MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track Now Under Investigation by Wayne Co. [Mackinac Center]
"A privately owned racecourse in Huron Township broke a promise with the county after it bought land from Wayne County for $1 and then turned around and sold it on the open market, according to a county commissioner.

Pinnacle Race Course was recommended by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for millions in tax credits after an analysis said the company was 'financially sound.'
But Wayne County Commissioner Ed Boike says there are liens against it for money owed by its owners.
Boike, the chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, laid out a series of concerns he has with the owners of the racecourse and says the county has begun an investigation of the deal.

The deal became news when the News Herald of Grosse Ile reported that Pinnacle Race Course sold seven acres of the 240 acres it got from the county to an Indian tribe.
Pinnacle paid Wayne County just $1 for the 240 acres in 2008, and then sold the 7-acre parcel for $179,000."

Universities Are Heading Toward Academic Bankruptcy

Op-Ed Contributor - Universities Are Heading Toward Academic Bankruptcy - NYTimes.com
"If recent trends continue, four years at a top-tier school will cost $330,000 in 2020, $525,000 in 2028 and $785,000 in 2035."

Fordson High School team in Dearborn, Mich., school practicing at night for Ramadan

Fordson High School team in Dearborn, Mich., school practicing at night for Ramadan - ESPN
"The predominantly Muslim squad from Dearborn says the nocturnal regimen is a way for players to eat and drink while observing the holy month of daytime fasting known as Ramadan that started last week."

Glenn Beck told there can be no prayer at his event at the Kennedy Center

Glenn Beck told there can be no prayer at his event at the Kennedy Center- The Right Scoop
"This is unbelievable. Beck says that even though they rented the Kennedy Center for use on 8/27, they were told that they could not pray in the facility.

That is beyond shocking.
Apparently they finally relented, but I’m guessing that it’s only because of who he is.

Had it been you are me, we’d probably be in handcuffs after we disobeyed and prayed anyway.

But I would like to remind you that the President can still have a Ramadan dinner at the White House."

Pop Quiz for Our Time

Pop Quiz for Our Time
"How about a little pop quiz. I’ll make it easy for you by giving two possible answers.
Here goes:
1. Who said this about charging wounded soldiers for their medical costs, “Nobody made these guys go to war.
They had to have known and accepted the risks.
Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?
It doesn’t compute…”
Answer: Democrat Barack Obama or Elmer Fudd

2. Who said: “Every week we don’t pass a Stimulus package, 500 million Americans lose their jobs.”
Answer: Democrat Nancy Pelossi or Cruella De Vil"

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Gates of Confiscation : Look who wants to give Washington state an income tax.

Newsalert: The Gates of Confiscation : Look who wants to give Washington state an income tax
"The battle between taxpayers and government unions will define the fiscal future of the 50 states, and the newest battlefield is Washington state.
That's where a few rich taxpayers led by Bill Gates Sr. and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are bankrolling a November ballot measure to create the state's first income tax.

And not just a toe-in-the-water tax.
They're diving into the deep end with a proposal that would immediately impose a 5% tax rate on income above $200,000, or $400,000 for married couples.
The rate would climb to 9% on single filers making $500,000, or $1 million for couples."

Retail - Back to School? Bring Your Own Toilet Paper

Retail - Back to School? Bring Your Own Toilet Paper - CNBC
"State and local school financing, which make up almost all of public schools’ money, is falling because of budget-balancing efforts and lower property- and sales-tax revenue."

Resolution Passed to Ban Lindsey Graham in the Greenville County GOP, SC 02AUG10

Hello Michigan: Resolution Passed to Ban Lindsey Graham in the Greenville County GOP, SC 02AUG10
"Please join 500,000 SC VOTERS WHO PLEDGE TO DUMP LINDSEY GRAHAM IN 2014"

This is a BIG beginning!

It All Starts with Vote Fraud

It All Starts with Vote Fraud - WSJ.com
"The explosive scandal that saw officials in the lower-income city of Bell, California (population 40,000) purged last month due to outrageous salaries and pensions may have had its roots in voter fraud.

City Manager Robert Rizzo, who stood to collect a $600,000-a-year pension, and police chief Randy Adams, who was due a $411,300-a-year pension, were just two of the officials forced to resign after their platinum parachutes were uncovered.

Now it turns out that they had been hired and kept in their jobs by elected officials who allegedly took advantage of Bell's traditionally low voter turnout to commit ballot fraud.

In 2005, fewer than 400 voters cast ballots in a special election that cleared the way for City Council members to dramatically boost their own salaries.
In that election, more than half the votes cast were absentee ballots, the method of voting most susceptible to fraud."

Are Michigan Voters Really Ready to Pay Higher Taxes?

Are Michigan Voters Really Ready to Pay Higher Taxes? [Mackinac Center]
"The Center for Michigan think tank did an evaluation of the local millages in the August primary.
Its conclusion: 'In the age of the Tea Party, a would-be tax revolt clearly does not extend to local communities across Michigan.

That's the obvious conclusion from a Center for Michigan analysis of more than 600 ballot proposals for police and fire, libraries, senior citizen services, and roads.'

'The world is run by those who show up.
Any group with a base had an opportunity to influence last week's elections,'"

U.S. judge bans planting of genetically engineered beets

U.S. judge bans planting of genetically engineered beets - Technology & science - Science - msnbc.com
"A federal judge on Friday banned the planting of genetically modified sugar beets engineered by Monsanto Co in a ruling that marks a major setback for the biotech giant.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled in 2009 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had approved Monsanto's genetically modified sugar beets without adequate environmental study.
Sugar beets account for over half of the nation's sugar supply."

Presidential Reading

Presidential Reading
"Karl Rove once claimed that President George W. Bush read 95 books in a year as part of a bet.

Apparently, President Obama is not as well read."

Saturday, August 14, 2010

'Junk' Bonds Hit Record

'Junk' Bonds Hit Record - WSJ.com
"Corporate borrowers with less than investment-grade ratings sold $15.4 billion in junk bonds this week, a record total for a single week"

Socialist Party of America reveals 70 Democrats as belonging to their caucus

American Thinker Blog: Socialist Party of America reveals 70 Democrats as belonging to their caucus
"Two things of note in this revelation.
The first is the astonishing number of Democratic House members who not only belong to the Socialist Party of America, but even more incredible, don't mind if people find out about it."

Government restores funding for zero-down home loan program

Government restores funding for zero-down home loan program MLive.com
"President Obama signed a bill at the end of July restoring funds to the program and increasing some fees as a means to make it more self-sufficient"

Muskegon man charged with having sex with pit bull

Muskegon man charged with having sex with pit bull MLive.com
"A Muskegon man who was meeting with his parole officer for a previous crime, allegedly told the officer he had sexually assaulted his pet pit bull."

Friday, August 13, 2010

Dog Chews Off Owner's Toe and Saves His Life- Jerry Douthett and Kiko

US 'Virtually Certain' to Fall Into a New Recession

US 'Virtually Certain' to Fall Into a New Recession: Rosenberg - CNBC
"The US economy is almost certainly headed back into a double dip recession, and economists aren't seeing it because they're using 'the old rules of thumb' that don't apply this time, well-known economist David Rosenberg told CNBC."

Obama closes curtain on transparency | Washington Examiner

Timothy P. Carney: Obama closes curtain on transparency Washington Examiner
"President Obama has abolished the position in his White House dedicated to transparency and shunted those duties into the portfolio of a partisan ex-lobbyist who is openly antagonistic to the notion of disclosure by government and politicians."

Everyone a Bigot?

RealClearPolitics - Everyone a Bigot?
"Anti-Hispanic, anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti-black -- it is hard to keep track of all the recent charges of alleged bigotry."

MSU's first day in pads

MSU's first day in pads - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"* No separation yet at kicker, where freshman Mike Sadler has joined Dan Conroy and Kevin Muma in the competition."

I hope this is not an issue...it could be BIG!

US Corporate Tax Rate: Would Lower Corporate Taxes Help Jumpstart US Economy?

US Corporate Tax Rate: Would Lower Corporate Taxes Help Jumpstart US Economy? - CNBC
"As the battle in Congress continues over Bush-era tax cuts on personal income, a less-noticed debate is brewing over cutting the corporate tax rate, which at 35 percent is the second-highest in the world."

SC's Greene indicted on felony obscenity charge

SC's Greene indicted on felony obscenity charge - Yahoo! News
"Longshot U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene has been indicted on a felony charge of showing pornography to a South Carolina college student."

No mention of his party affiliation?
Gotta be a democrat!
This culture of corruption, student sex-abuse style, just doesn't seem to of much interest to the liberal MSM.

I Want Your Money

"It begins…
A new film, I Want Your Money, is due out this fall.
The movie lampoons Obama and the democrat’s socialist economic agenda.
Here’s the trailer, via Weasel Zippers:"

A "MUST SEE"!
Click to see the trailer
http://www.iwantyourmoney.net/

Oceana board rejects offshore wind proposal

Oceana board rejects offshore wind proposal, with some disagreement MLive.com
"HART -- The elected officials representing the northern portion of a proposed large-scale offshore wind development continue to say 'no' to the plan."

A breath of really "FRESH" air!

Getting along: Muskegon and Muskegon Heights high schools to hold combined class reunion

Getting along: Muskegon and Muskegon Heights high schools to hold combined class reunion MLive.com
"Graduates of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights high schools want to show they can be rivals on the sports field and friends anywhere else.
This weekend, the classes of 2000 will hold their first combined reunion.
Organizers hope to spread a message of unity in opposing violence."

What do the two school's alums have in common?
Another idiotic idea that makes me wonder who will provide the insurance coverage....

Passenger: Slater Gave Impression He Was Drinking

Passenger: Slater Gave Impression He Was Drinking « CBS New York
"But, as CBS 2′s Pablo Guzman reports, where he has told ”one” story, passengers are saying there was a whole other side of him that’s quite different from the folk hero and victim he’s been made out to be."

American "hero" or just another TV induced "reality"-narcissist?

Memorial service for crew of World War II submarine U.S.S. Flier might bring closure for families

Memorial service for crew of World War II submarine U.S.S. Flier might bring closure for families MLive.com
"The submarine in the film, discovered in 330 feet of water, was confirmed as the U.S.S. Flier in February 2010, Herzhaft said.

Alvin Jacobson was one of 14 crew members on the submarine’s top deck, who were thrown into the sea when a mine blew a hole in the side of the submarine.
The U.S.S. Flier sank in about one minute, drowning 72 crew members.

Six of the 14 initial survivors died in the 18-hour swim to Mantangula Island, which had no fresh water.
The eight remaining survivors then swam to another island, where sympathetic Filipinos assisted them until they were picked up by the U.S.S. Redfin, another submarine."

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Civil servants paid more like masters

Editorial: Civil servants paid more like masters federal, workers, pay - Opinion - The Orange County Register
"Workers in the federal government now earn, on average, double what private-sector workers make, according to a USA Today study released Aug. 10.
'Federal civil servants earned average pay and benefits of $123,049 in 2009 while private workers made $61,051 in total compensation,' the paper said.
'Public employee unions say the compensation gap reflects the increasingly high level of skill and education required for most federal jobs and the government contracting out lower-paid jobs to the private sector in recent years.'

The report was based on numbers from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The federal pay and benefits also were much higher than the $69,912 average for state and local government workers."

Tom Izzo's recruiting explosion

Tom Izzo's recruiting explosion - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
"In the past year or so, we've seen some truly remarkable recruiting efforts.
The most notable, of course, have come from Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose back-to-back No. 1 overall recruiting classes are likely to be followed by a third in 2011, which could be his best class ever.
Since he brought his talents to Lexington, Ky., Calipari is dominating the national talent scene in a way few -- if any -- of his peers can match.

But Tom Izzo sure is going to try.
Over the past 12 days, Izzo has landed five verbal commitments, filling out his rosters for the 2011 and 2012 seasons in less than two weeks.

Lansing State Journal beat reporter Joe Rexrode says he's never seen so many commitments flock to Michigan State in such a short span of time."

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Great hockey comment!

You've got to love this Guy!! DON CHERRY of hockey night in Canada , was asked on a local live radio talk show, just what he thought about the allegations of torture of suspected terrorists.
His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.


HIS STATEMENT:

"If hooking up one rag head terrorist prisoner's testicles to a car battery to get the truth out of the lying little camel shagger will save just one Canadian life, then I have only three things to say:

'Red is positive, black is negative, and make sure his nuts are wet."

Grand Rapids urban market to be non-profit

Grand Rapids urban market to be non-profit, operate on land owned by for-profit corporation MLive.com
"A new downtown urban market would be run by a new non-profit organization with the property owned by a for-profit corporation, according to a deal approved this morning."

"Non-profit".......well...duh...

“Shut up! You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!”

“Shut up! You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!” The Foundry: Conservative Policy News

"Take heed, America.
The next time you visit Washington, D.C., feel free to stand in awe of the monuments to our greatest leaders, but do not — DO NOT — sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial.
It turns out that doing so is a violation of federal law.

A group of high school students from around the country learned that lesson the hard way on June 25 when they sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Lincoln Memorial.
A United States Park Police officer told them to pipe down because their singing was considered an illegal demonstration, as Fox News reports. The students, who are members of the Young America’s Foundation, were visiting the city for a conservative leadership conference.

What law, exactly, was being violated?
According to Fox News:

U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain ‘completely content neutral.’”"

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Are federal workers overpaid?

Are federal workers overpaid? - wtop.com
"WASHINGTON - When it comes to pay, federal workers receive benefits that averaged about $41,791 in 2009.
When you factor in salaries and those benefits, which include pensions, federal civil servants earned about $123,049 in 2009.

By comparison, private workers made $61,051 in total compensation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis."

Mexican President Calls on U.S. to Close the Border to Illegal Arms| AHN

Mexican President Calls on U.S. to Close the Border to Illegal Arms AHN
"Mexican President Felipe Calderon is renewing his call for the United States to stop the flow of illegal arms into Mexico that he says is making his country's drug war more deadly."

If You Tax Something, You Get Less of It

CARPE DIEM: If You Tax Something, You Get Less of It
"In this previous CD post, it was reported that world-class Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won't be competiting in this weekend's Aviva London Grand Prix because of a new U.K. tax rule that imposes a top rate of income tax of 50 percent on athletes, not just on the income earned in the U.K., but also on a proportion of their worldwide sponsorship and endorsement income.

Now it looks like some of the leading professional golfers aren't so sure they want to play in this year's Ryder Cup, scheduled to take place in Wales in October.
The European Tour's director of public relations said today taht the tax rule was 'seriously hampering our efforts.'"

Hillary for Vice President?

Hillary for Vice President? - WSJ.com
"Former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder, his state's first African-American governor, touched off the controversy.
Writing at Politico.com last week, Mr. Wilder argued that Mr. Biden's tenure has been undistinguished and chock full of 'too many YouTube moments.'
He charged that Mr. Biden 'has continued to undermine what little confidence the public may have had in him.'

By way of contrast, Mr. Wilder says that Hillary Clinton has excelled in her role. 'Clinton has been nothing but a team player who has earned good marks since being asked to serve as secretary of state.'
Having Mrs. Clinton join the 2012 ticket, he said, would revive the Democratic Party and reestablish the party's working-class voters who found her appealing during the 2012 primaries against Mr. Obama."

Those Racist Cops Are At It Again

American Thinker: Those Racist Cops Are At It Again
"there was a loud roar of criticism from civil rights groups recently when the NYPD released its data on Stop and Frisk interactions for 2009.

It seems that cops made 575,000 pedestrian stops last year, 55 percent involving blacks.

Critics quickly pointed out that blacks are only 23 percent of the population, while whites, who comprise 35 percent of the city's residents, were only involved in 10 percent of the stops.

So, as is typical with all these race-baiting groups, the implication is that the police are racists who enjoy harassing black people by asking them a few questions during circumstances that aroused the officers' suspicion."

Did the Stimulus Stimulate?

Did the Stimulus Stimulate? The Weekly Standard
"This is the economic equivalent of assuming there are 1,000 angels on the head of a pin, observing that we have 10 pins, and therefore calculating that we must have 10,000 angels.

The math is fine.

But it sheds no light on the key policy issue—were the recently passed acts of government stimulus cost effective?

The degree of cost effectiveness was an assumed number, not one calculated using any version of the scientific method."

Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"

American Thinker: Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"
"The ad was refused. When I asked on what grounds, CBS Outdoor told me that the city said that 'images of 911 were not allowed.'

I was floored. I said, 'It is American history. How can it be banned? What about Pearl Harbor? Is that censored too? On what grounds are 911 images banned? It is unconscionable.'

The CBS Outdoor representative told me: 'You can't run the plane.'"

Monday, August 09, 2010

Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute

Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com
"A JetBlue flight attendant apparently upset with an uncooperative passenger on a just-landed flight unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on the public-address system, pulled the emergency-exit chute, slid off the plane and fled Kennedy International Airport, a law enforcement official said."

The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien Régime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people

The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien R̩gime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people РTelegraph Blogs
"It is the kind of impunity that has been highlighted on the world stage this week by Michelle Obama’s hugely costly trip to Spain, which has prompted a New York Post columnist Andrea Tantaros to dub the First Lady a contemporary Marie Antoinette.
As The Telegraph reports, while the Obamas are covering their own vacation expenses such as accommodation, the trip may cost US taxpayers as much as $375,000 in terms of secret service security and flight costs on Air Force Two."

U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing

U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing - CNN.com
"Experts on the nation's electricity system point to a frighteningly steep increase in non-disaster-related outages affecting at least 50,000 consumers."

Pelosi Economics

Pelosi Economics [Mackinac Center]
"Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. Speaker of the House, recently said that unemployment benefits are creating jobs faster than practically any other program.
'It injects demand into the economy,' Pelosi said. 'It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.'

Some public policy experts and national media writers sound off on Pelosi's comments:"

Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]

Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]
"A 94-year-old nursing home resident was held in a 'hammerlock' position so she could not move while a Medicaid provider forced her to give an impression for dentures. She had been without teeth for 50 years and didn't want them. When she left the exam room, her face, neck and dress were covered with impression plaster."

86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections

FOXNews.com - 86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections
"In New Jersey, a 'Tea Party' candidate surfaces but local activists haven't heard of him.
In Michigan, a Democratic operative appears closely tied to a slate of candidates running under the Tea Party banner."

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success

Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success--Editorial - NYPOST.com
"How's this for hubris: President Obama extolling his 'new strategy' in Iraq -- even though it never would have succeeded had his original vision prevailed?

The president struck a triumphal tone this week about the Iraq mission coming to an end -- but shunned the word 'success.'
He spoke of 'ending' the war, but took pains to avoid context.

Sen. John McCain rightly called the address 'small-minded' and 'bizarre.'"

The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights

The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights [Mackinac Center]
"In Sterling Heights, Police Chief Michael Reese made $132,310 in 2009.

He was only the third highest paid employee in his department.

Sgt. Paul Korell's $146,256 and Sgt. Guy Holmes' $138,322 were the two highest annual paychecks in a department where 50 of the 254 full and part-time employees made six figures."

LET THEM EAT CAKE...

LET THEM EAT CAKE... Newsradio 620 Charlie Sykes
"*'Modern-Day Marie Antoinette' Andrea Tantaros at New York Daily News is the first to make the call.
The problem for her, though, is not so much the excess itself as the excess on the public dime, as well as the hypocrisy:
[Sacrifice] was a key theme in President Obama's inaugural address to the nation ...

But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns--or forgoing them altogether--the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice ...
To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another.
Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny ...
I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard.
We all need downtime--the First Family included.

It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonization of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy"

Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund lansingstatejournal.com
"The Lansing Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to ask voters in November to support a property tax increase for building repairs.

The move comes after three years of studying the issue.

Superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. said the proposal, if approved, 'enhances the opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn.'"

Bullshit!
The teachers took all the money and now there's none left to fix the buildings.
And aren't the MEAP scores just.......disgusting!

Catching our breath

Catching our breath - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"It's all happening too fast, isn't it?
MSU's getting a football or basketball recruit every 12 minutes, preseason polls are coming out, Barry Alvarez is giving strong hints again, Rich Rodriguez is making more unwanted headlines ... and it's not like this has been your typical slow summer anyway."

Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds

Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Hamtramck officials say the city is no longer paying its monthly Detroit Water and Sewerage bill in response to a feud with the City of Detroit over a tax agreement."

A template for NS and RP vs Muskegon Heights?

Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal

Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal MLive.com
"And critics such as the Education Action Group argue the bill isn't about education, but is more of a bail-out for teachers unions, designed to spare members from making wage and benefit concessions."

ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”: Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be…

Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”
Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be President.

Michelle’s $375,000 Spanish vacation — with the Daily Mail dubbing her a “modern-day Marie Antoinette” — is further proof of my thesis.
What man who wanted to be re-elected (or see his party do well in November) would let his wife go off on such an “excellent adventure” in these economic times?
Of course no one denies the right of people to have vacations – I’m coming to the end of one myself on my beloved Bainbridge Island — but closing Mediterranean beaches while booking 60-plus rooms in a five star Marbella hotel for her entourage?
It is beyond tone deaf, perhaps to the level of subconscious (or even deliberate) self-sabotage.

At the very least, something most peculiar is going on.
The first lady goes off on a jaunt worthy of 18th Century aristocracy at the very moment of her husband’s birthday."

Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President?

Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President? - Yahoo! News
"Detroit's official unemployment rate is 24%, the highest among major U.S. cities.
But officials here believe the actual jobless rate may be 50%, since the official statistics fail to include people who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits or have stopped looking for work.

To put this in historical context: a decade ago, Detroit's jobless rate was 6.7%

At the height of the Great Depression, in 1933, about one-quarter of Americans were unemployed."

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts'

Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts' MLive.com:
"He returned home after having several drinks only to fall asleep, and wake up with only a stump left of his big right toe.
Kiko, sleeping nearby, had blood on its face.

At the hospital, where the infected toe was later amputated, Douthett learned the dog likely saved his life.
He indeed had Type 2 diabetes, and his blood-sugar levels were dangerously high.
He's now on the mend.
He's taking diabetes medication, and notes that Kiko was to be released today from the 'house quarantine' Kent County authorities had the terrier under in case of rabies.
Just to be safe, Douthett sleeps in his shoes."

YouTube - Dog Chews Off Owner's Toe and Saves His Life

YouTube - Dog Chews Off Owner's Toe and Saves His Life

Congresskook Gabrielle Giffords Wants to Use Green Energy to Fight Taliban

Moonbattery: Congresskook Gabrielle Giffords Wants to Use Green Energy to Fight Taliban
"If you were wondering why victory in the longest war in US history is nowhere in sight, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) presents the answer — our country is run by moonbats.
Here Gabby demands that General David Petraeus explain why the military doesn't help save the planet by using hydropower in the Afghan deserts"

The Arizona experiment

NOVACK: The Arizona experiment - Washington Times
"It's also worth noting that former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, now secretary of Homeland Security, already tried a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses, a replica of the Obamacare exchanges. 'Healthcare Group' was to be financially self-sustaining in just a couple of years, the governor assured the legislature and the state.
However, the program needed a huge taxpayer-funded bailout, benefits were reduced and eligibility was severely curtailed.

The only party who didn't seem to suffer inordinately?
The Arizona health care giants who in 2008 somehow found enough cash to mount an aggressive effort against a ballot measure written to protected health care rights for Arizonans and their families.
Outspending supporters 5 to 1 during campaign worked, as the measure (back in refined form on this year's Arizona ballot) failed by less than 9,000 votes out of 2.1 million cast."

We will suffer from the healthcare-government/corporate complex until it kills us.

Senate OKs vote on cash to states

Senate OKs vote on cash to states - Washington Times
"Congress is poised to extend a taxpayer-funded lifeline to cash-strapped states after the Senate on Wednesday advanced another round of $26 billion in stimulus spending for teachers and health care,"

New Policy Allows Pledge of Allegiance at Massachusetts School District

FOXNews.com - New Policy Allows Pledge of Allegiance at Massachusetts School District
"No student, teacher or administrator will be required to participate in a recitation, an Arlington High School official confirmed to FoxNews.com."

Democrats startlingly silent on "ground zero mosque" -

Democrats startlingly silent on "ground zero mosque" - War Room - Salon.com
"Yesterday President Obama's spokesman pointedly declined to take a position on the planned Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, calling it a local issue."

Coward or islamist?
Or both.

Sheriff Taylor's health pitch sparks cardiac arrest

Sheriff Taylor's health pitch sparks cardiac arrest - NYPOST.com
"And the most shocking thing about the fantasy ad?

You paid for it.

That's right.
It is taxpayers who are coughing up the $700,000 to run the ad all over the country in a government campaign to sell its cockeyed health-care scheme"

Oceana County wind farm meeting turns ugly, former lawmaker forced off stage

Oceana County wind farm meeting turns ugly, former lawmaker forced off stage MLive.com

"Former Oceana elected official and state legislator Bill Bobier of Ferry was unable to complete his presentation at Hart Middle School on behalf of Scandia because of the audience uproar.

Bobier is a consultant and lobbyist for the U.S.-Norwegian offshore wind developers"

Primary surprise won't carry over to general election

Steve Gunn: Primary surprise won't carry over to general election MLive.com
"The Democratic primary results taught us two very clear lessons:

Bernero is for sale, and was willing to cede control of his operation to the highest bidder, which in this case was organized labor.

He would probably do the same thing as governor.

The other lesson is that the Michigan Democratic Party is still the sole domain of Big Labor, and there’s no room for free thought or fresh ideas within its ranks."

Michigan's annual report cards for schools suggest charters are struggling, Muskegon Heights troubled

Michigan's annual report cards for schools suggest charters are struggling, Muskegon Heights troubled MLive.com
"Muskegon Heights was the only area school to miss AYP last year and this year, and has missed AYP for the last eight years.
Now it will have state monitors overseeing achievement at the school."

No marches by the black community?
No outrage?

Nope.....

Get stains out of anything

Get stains out of anything - Cool Sites from The Kim Komando Radio Show® & Web site

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit

Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit Detroit Free Press
"The intent was to start small: Build a 3-mile light-rail line that would run from Hart Plaza to the New Center in Detroit.

From there, stakeholders would try to build upon the system, ultimately turning it into a $10-billion system of light rail, commuter trains and high-speed buses spanning metro Detroit.

That start-small idea got a big boost Monday when Detroit Mayor Dave Bing received a gleaming endorsement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood"

Michigan court sets new standard in injury lawsuits

Michigan court sets new standard in injury lawsuits Detroit Free Press
"Dissenting were Justices Maura Corrigan, Stephen Markman and Robert Young Jr., who criticized the majority for reversing course abruptly and potentially threatening the financial integrity of the no-fault system, which is premised on limiting lawsuits in exchange for more generous and efficiently administered benefits.

Peter Kuhnmeunch, of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, said it is too soon to know whether the new standard will result in a dramatic increase in lawsuits and higher premiums."

New State Data Shows Michigan Public Schools Spent Record Amount Per-Student

New State Data Shows Michigan Public Schools Spent Record Amount Per-Student [Mackinac Center]: "Combined taxes from local, state and federal sources pumped $19.59 billion in the public school system last year.
This gross receipts figure was actually down $200 million from the previous year, but since the number of students dropped by an unprecedented 31,000 from 2007-2008, the amount of money spent per student increased by $200, to just over $13,000."

Dangers of Status Quo Budgeting in Higher Education

Analysis: Dangers of Status Quo Budgeting in Higher Education [Mackinac Center]
"One of the biggest changes in higher education lately has been the growth of overhead employment.
The number of administrators and service staff in Michigan's 15 state universities increased from 19,576 in 2005 to 22,472 in 2009.
And in addition to all the new employees, average compensation increased by 13 percent as well."

GVSU buys building hikes tuition

GVSU buys building hikes tuition
"The tuition hike of 5.3% -- about $229 per semester -- comes along with a one-year wage freeze for university employees."

WMU raises tuition 7.4 percent

WMU raises tuition 7.4 percent
"The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees on Friday approved a 7.4 percent increase in tuition and required fees.
Officials said in a news release the increase will allow the 'university to make strategic investments in academic areas and boost academic resources available to students but still maintain its position as one of the nation's best values in higher education.'
The increases for the 2010-11 academic year will amount to $312 per semester or $624 per year for an in-state resident who is a full-time freshman or sophomore. The increased rates adopted by the board include fee increases that account for 0.5 percent of the total increase.
The fee changes include modest increases to existing technology and recreation fees of $25 and $15 per semester, respectively, and a new sustainability fee of $8 per semester approved by a vote of the WMU student body during the spring 2010 semester."

Newcomers will be plentiful in Michigan Legislature with all 148 seats on the line

Newcomers will be plentiful in Michigan Legislature with all 148 seats on the line
More than half the lawmakers now in the Legislature will be gone from their current seats next year, one of the largest turnovers in decades.
Only nine of 38 seats in the Senate are held by an incumbent seeking re-election, along with 58 of 110 seats in the House.

Norton Shores to ask for approval of ballot language for public safety millage

Norton Shores to ask for approval of ballot language for public safety millage MLive.com
"The Norton Shores City Council voted unanimously Monday to ask the state attorney general’s office to approve ballot language for a dedicated public safety millage, one of the last hurdles before the question may be put before voters.

The attorney general’s office will decide whether language for the proposed 10-year, 2-mill property tax increase — which only would be used for public safety-related expenses — is sufficient, city officials said."

Mau-Mauing the Free Press

The American Spectator : Mau-Mauing the Free Press
"Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia University, host to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and newly appointed head of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, says government should get into the business of subsidizing journalism.
Like other Obama appointees, he says he is concerned that, with the changes in the financial structure of journalism, Americans might be deprived 'of the essential information they need as citizens.'

It's not difficult to imagine that one of those 'needs' would be a more 'balanced' view of President Obama.

Can anyone doubt that an administration that was willing to Madoff General Motors' bondholders in favor of its own union supporters would not exercise maximum bias in subsidizing the press?
Mr. Bollinger, practicing the glib and oily art to speak and purpose not, is a harbinger of Venezuelan-style gangster journalism."

Monday, August 02, 2010

Heroism in ambush may yield top valor awards

Heroism in ambush may yield top valor awards - Navy News, news from Iraq - Navy Times
"With no air or artillery support, the Marines of Embedded Training Team 2-8 were trapped deep in a kill zone in eastern Afghanistan.
Their radios worked only sporadically, and dozens of insurgents fired on them repeatedly from three sides.

“We’re surrounded!” Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson yelled into his radio in the early-morning hours of Sept. 8, 2009.
“They’re moving in on us!”"

The Secret History of Climate Alarmism

The Secret History of Climate Alarmism The Weekly Standard
"Changes in the earth’s atmosphere, the additional greenhouse effect and the resultant changes in the climate .  .  . represent a global danger for humanity and the entire biosphere of the earth.
If no effective counteracting measures are taken, dramatic consequences are to be expected for all of the earth’s regions.

This warning will undoubtedly seem familiar, perhaps even mind-numbingly so.
But if the substance sounds like the same-old same-old, the date on which it was issued might seem surprising.
It was not in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit or indeed anytime in the last decade.
The above passage is nearly two decades old.
It comes from a resolution adopted by the German Bundestag in September 1991."

Obama's Immigration Power Play

The American Spectator : Obama's Immigration Power Play
"Last week, the Obama administration got Clinton-appointed Judge Susan Bolton to at least temporarily throw out key provisions of Arizona's immigration law.

Within 24 hours came more evidence that they weren't done eviscerating immigration enforcement yet.

That proof came in the form of an astonishing internal memo outlining ways the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) could effectively legalize at least tens of thousands of illegal immigrants even if Congress fails to enact amnesty.

Some would be granted resident status with the USCIS simply giving them green cards.
Others would be allowed to evade deportation, possibly indefinitely."

Climate Profiteers

Climate Profiteers - IBD - Investors.com
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"

Climate Profiteers

Climate Profiteers - IBD - Investors.com
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"

Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force

Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force
"East St. Louis has been crippled by crime and poverty for decades. Police officials say the cuts will mean fewer officers for patrols, investigations and juvenile cases.
Fire officials said the region should be upset because the department will have fewer people at the ready to fight fires on some of the region’s major highways and bridges"

Oops! Obama mama passport 'destroyed'

Oops! Obama mama passport 'destroyed'
"Last week, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the State Department released passport records of Stanley Ann Dunham, President Obama's mother – but those records for the years surrounding Obama's 1961 birth are missing.

The State Department claims that a 1980s General Services Administration directive had resulted in the destruction of many passport applications and other 'non-vital' passport records, including Dunham's 1965 passport application and any other passports she may have applied for or held prior to 1965.

Destroyed, then, would also be any records shedding light on whether Dunham did or did not travel out of the country around the time of Barack Obama's birth."

DOH...?