Saturday, July 30, 2011

MSNBC: Leaning Left for 15 Long Years - A Year-by-Year Video Retrospective | NewsBusters.org

MSNBC: Leaning Left for 15 Long Years - A Year-by-Year Video Retrospective NewsBusters.org:

Maryland pensions: Maryland Court of Appeals keeps firm on hook for state pension funds

Maryland pensions: Maryland Court of Appeals keeps firm on hook for state pension funds - baltimoresun.com
"Maryland's highest court ruled Wednesday that an actuarial firm is on the hook for about $73 million after making mistakes in valuations for three state retirement programs over more than two decades."

Michigan's 401(k) plan saved state more than $4 billion

Michigan's 401(k) plan saved state more than $4 billion Lansing State Journal lansingstatejournal.com
"A 14-year-old reform that ended defined pension benefits for new state employees has saved the state up to $4.3 billion in unfunded state employee pension liability, according to a new report by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy."

Bureaucracy Humor, Probably Created by Somebody at Homeland Security or HUD « International Liberty

Bureaucracy Humor, Probably Created by Somebody at Homeland Security or HUD « International Liberty: "Want to know why we are still in a recession even though we have added
over 200,000 new federal employees in the past two years?
Simple, it’s not a good time to be an ant!"

Friday, July 29, 2011

Case Ends; Forced Unionization Still a Threat

Case Ends; Forced Unionization Still a Threat [Mackinac Center]
"Attorney: Policymakers should ensure it can't happen again, end similar scheme affected home health care providers"

Unsustainable pension gap growing

Unsustainable pension gap growing
"Canada has become a land of pension haves and have-nots."

Most Orland firefighters made more than $100,000 in 2010

Most Orland firefighters made more than $100,000 in 2010 - chicagotribune.com
"Overtime added nearly $2 million to $21 million payroll"

Officials may offer more locking trash cans to thwart scavengers

Officials may offer more locking trash cans to thwart scavengers - latimes.com
"The Costa Mesa Sanitary District distributed the bins to residents earlier this month as part of a pilot program.
Now, because of demand, the district's board of directors will weigh a request for $10,000 to supply residents with more of the scavenger-proof bins."

San Francisco Considers Legal Protection for Criminals

San Francisco Considers Legal Protection for Criminals - FoxNews.com

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Embarrassment Of Riches

Embarrassment Of Riches - Investors.com
"The poor aren't so bad off, though."

Bankruptcy!

Yahoo! News
"Alabama's largest county began laying the groundwork Tuesday for what would be the largest-ever U.S. municipal bankruptcy after three years of trying to work out a solution with Wall Street to more than $3 billion in debt linked to a massive sewer rehabilitation project tainted by corruption."

New pension rule may force Granite City layoffs

New pension rule may force Granite City layoffs
Granite City officials say they may have to lay off police and firefighters if more money isn't made available to fund pensions."

Wisconsin Creates 13,000 Private-Sector Jobs

Wisconsin Creates 13,000 Private-Sector Jobs - By Christian Schneider - The Corner - National Review Online
"According to new jobs figures, Wisconsin created 12,900 new private-sector jobs in June, almost as many as the 18,000 new jobs created nationwide last month.
 This represents the largest one-month gain of private-sector jobs in Wisconsin since 2003, according to the state Department of Workforce Development."

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Con Ed Braces for Outages as Heat Wave Continues

Con Ed Braces for Outages as Heat Wave Continues - Metropolis - WSJ
"With an oppressive heat comes the immediate demand for relief — and Con Edison, the electrical utility for the New York City area, is the first one to hear those pleas from the humid masses."

Exactly as Obama planned it.

DHS Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists

DHS Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
"A new promotional video released by the Department of Homeland Security characterizes white middle class Americans as the most likely terrorists, as Big Sis continues its relentless drive to cement the myth that mad bombers are hiding around every corner, when in reality Americans are just as likely to be killed by lightning strikes or peanut allergies."

Where Does All the Money Go?

Where Does All the Money Go? Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
"Take, for example, an employee who retired from the position of “Acting Assistant Manager” whose salary averaged $120,000 a year but who retired with an annual pension of $200,000.
He held the position of Acting Assistant Manager for just one year."

Congressional members net worth up 3669 percent

Congressional members net worth up 3669 percent
"View “The List” that we speak of in “The Video Congress Does Not Want You To See”."

Quantifying the Impact of Pension Spiking

Quantifying the Impact of Pension Spiking « Union Watch

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Whirlpool can change Maytag retirees' benefits

Press-Citizen - Whirlpool can change Maytag retirees' benefits

Germany offers 100-million-euro loan to Libyan rebels

Germany offers 100-million-euro loan to Libyan rebels Germany Deutsche Welle 24.07.2011
"Germany's Foreign Ministry on Sunday said it would offer Libya's National Transitional Council up to 100 million euros ($144 million) in loans for civil and humanitarian purposes."

USDA: 6,501 ‘Food Deserts’ Are Spread Across Most of U.S. Mainland

USDA: 6,501 ‘Food Deserts’ Are Spread Across Most of U.S. Mainland CNSnews.com
"In general, a food desert exists where low-income people must travel more than 1 mile in urban communities and 10 miles in rural communities to access retailers that have fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food offerings."

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert/fooddesert.html

Playing Games Out of Plac

Playing Games Out of Place - NYTimes.com
"This year, Michigan State and ESPN entered into discussions with the United States Navy, along with the Morale Entertainment Foundation, which arranges events for troops. Nick Dawson, the director of programming at ESPN, said his first thought was, “How in the heck can we pull this off?”"

Michigan: 53% More Administrators Than Faculty

CARPE DIEM: Michigan: 53% More Administrators Than Faculty
"In other words, there are 53% more full-time administrators than full-time faculty.
Is this evidence of 'administrative blight.'"

Today's county board secret!

http://co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk/07122011_board_minutes.pdf

Holland City Government to Subsidize Garages

Holland City Government to Subsidize Garages WOOD News
"In Holland, the city council last weeks decided that a two-car garage is so necessary to city living, that the government will pay $3,000 to homeowners in parts of the city who build one.
The Holland Sentinel said Monday that the 'Year of the Garage' program is aimed at trying to get people to move into some older houses. in the Washington Square and Historic District neighborhoods.
Holland's city hall has received almost $24,000 from the state government for these garage subsidies.
The Sentinel quoted Mayor Kurt Dykstra justifying this public expense for private homes by saying a two-stall garage is “a simple necessity of modern American life.”"

Monday, July 25, 2011

Michigan State Spartans | Former MSU star Abdelkader takes jabs at U-M's Big House during flyover

Michigan State Spartans Former MSU star Abdelkader takes jabs at U-M's Big House during flyover The Detroit News
"'We were joking around (when) we went over the Big House,' the Red Wings forward and former Michigan State star said of Michigan Stadium. 'If we'd had a couple of bombs on it (the jet), maybe we would have dropped a couple on there.'"

Sunday, July 24, 2011

The soaring cost of back-to-school basics

The soaring cost of back-to-school basics - money - TODAY.com
"parents of elementary school students can expect to pay an average $530 this year.
That's up from $474 last year, an increase of almost 12 percent."

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Central Falls, R.I., Asks ‘Great’ Sacrifice of Its Retirees

Central Falls, R.I., Asks ‘Great’ Sacrifice of Its Retirees - NYTimes.com
"CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. — The retirees came from near and far, gathering in a muggy auditorium here to listen to an urgent pitch: give back a big chunk of your pension or risk losing it all.

This city of 19,000 is broke and headed for bankruptcy, partly because it has promised retired police and firefighters millions of dollars in pensions and benefits that it cannot begin to afford."

Nike Equips Elite College Football Teams With Combination Of Creativity & Advanced Technology

Nike Equips Elite College Football Teams With Combination Of Creativity & Advanced Technology - MICHIGAN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
"The teams selected to sport the 2011 Nike Pro Combat system of dress uniforms include Army, Boise State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, Navy, Ohio State, Oregon and Stanford."

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

NYT: Today's playgrounds may be too safe

NYT: Today's playgrounds may be too safe - Parenting & Family - TODAY.com
"His philosophy seemed reactionary at the time, but today it’s shared by some researchers who question the value of safety-first playgrounds.
Even if children do suffer fewer physical injuries — and the evidence for that is debatable — the critics say that these playgrounds may stunt emotional development, leaving children with anxieties and fears that are ultimately worse than a broken bone."

The Financial Fall of Lenny Dykstra

The Financial Fall of Lenny Dykstra - NYTimes.com
"Before promoting a single stock or venturing into the perilous world of magazine publishing, Lenny Dykstra lived the good life, essentially risk-free. He signed autographs, shook hands and banked the profits from his car-wash business."

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra will challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow, according to news source

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra will challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow, according to news source MLive.com
"Former U. S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Holland Republican, has decided to run for the U.S. Senate after all, challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, reports Gongwer News Service."

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Analyzing the Spartans' 2012 recruits

Analyzing the Spartans' 2012 recruits Detroit Free Press freep.com
"'With some of the top names on the board that are still considering Michigan State, I think they have a chance to finish real strong here and finish toward the top of the conference.
There are still some big fish out there.
Five-star defensive end Adolphus Washington has recently put Michigan State in his top group.
Four-star wide receiver Monty Madaris could be close to committing.'"

Air Canada Loses Lawsuit Over Stewardess Failing To Speak In 'Mother Tongue'

Air Canada Loses Lawsuit Over Stewardess Failing To Speak In 'Mother Tongue' - AOL Travel News
"Thibodeau has a history of being litigious. He sued an Ottawa bus company in 2002 because the bus driver said 'Hello' not 'Bonjour.'"

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Muskegon Heights officials reject city of Muskegon's water-service proposal; plan to draw up their own

Muskegon Heights officials reject city of Muskegon's water-service proposal; plan to draw up their own MLive.com
"The Muskegon Heights City Council reached a consensus during a work session Monday night — four days after Muskegon issued a proposal to provide water to all metro-area communities and take Muskegon Heights out of the business — to basically reject Muskegon's offer and direct staff to design a water-service counteroffer."

Something's happening here...and it ain't exactly clear.....

California dreaming...nightmares.....

Bob Woodward: World Doesn't See America As 'The Grown-up Nation' Anymore

Bob Woodward: World Doesn't See America As 'The Grown-up Nation' Anymore NewsBusters.org

When you've lost Bob Woodward.....!!

Dante DeMiro's fraud reaches $13 million, nets him 10 years in prison

Dante DeMiro's fraud reaches $13 million, nets him 10 years in prison MLive.com
"Admitted Ponzi crook Dante DeMiro, who stole $3.7 million from Mona Shores Public Schools"

Remember the Mona Shores schools bozos $3.7 million "oops"next time they come begging for money.

Proposed: 4,000 electric car charging stations across West Michigan

Proposed: 4,000 electric car charging stations across West Michigan MLive.com
"The West Michigan Strategic Alliance is proposing the development of at least 4,000 charging stations across eight counties.
Alliance President Greg Northrup is seeking approval from county boards in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon for the project, which would be financed through the sale of bonds and be repaid over a 10-year period."

This is insanity!
These enviro-loonies want to short circuit our free market system, steal tax dollars from every resident and create ANOTHER bureaucracy that will control what kind of vehicles we will be able to drive.
STOP THIS MADNESS IN ITS TRACKS!
NOW!

Muskegon County wind-energy consultant recommends negotiating with international corporation, local partner

Muskegon County wind-energy consultant recommends negotiating with international corporation, local partner MLive.com
"Although the naming of the companies involved and the specific economic items, including the personal property taxes, won't be made public until after a contract is signed"

Nancy Pelosi would be proud of our county commissioners.
We'll have to pass the bill before we know what's in it!
Just trust our wonderful county commissioners to do the right thing.
Right.....

Bustin' out for Bike Time? Here's the lowdown

"Downtown Muskegon will start roaring at noon Friday and won't stop all weekend.
It's Muskegon Bike Time 2011."

MI GOP Policy Committee Votes for a Closed Primary

MI GOP Policy Committee Votes for a Closed Primary « That’s Saul Folks!
"MI GOP Policy Committee Votes for a Closed Primary
July 12th, 2011 by Saul Anuzis
After several months of discussions between state committee members, county chairs and party activists…the State Committee’s Policy Committee unanimously passed a resolution recommending a closed primary to the full State Committee."


DISASTER!
A "closed" primary allows (actually encourages) democrats to vote in the GOP presidential primary.
Democrats and RINOs will control the GOP primary winner.
Our state party has sold us out AGAIN!

Obama Flashback: 'You Don't Raise Taxes in a Recession'

Obama Flashback: 'You Don't Raise Taxes in a Recession' - Tax Increases - Fox Nation
"Obama agreed with Ferguson’s premise – raising taxes in a recession is a bad idea.
“First of all, he’s right.
Normally, you don’t raise taxes in a recession, which is why we haven’t and why we’ve instead cut taxes.
So I guess what I’d say to Scott is – his economics are right.
You don’t raise taxes in a recession.
We haven’t raised taxes in a recession.”"

Our current flopper-in-chief makes Kerry look like Churchill.

States court California companies

States court California companies - Jul. 12, 2011
"And governors around the country, smelling blood in the water, have stepped up their courtship of California companies.
Officials in states like Florida, Texas, Arizona and Utah are telling California firms how business-friendly they are in comparison."

The beauty of our constitution with guaranteed competition between states may well save our country.

6 fake Democrats fall, setting stage for GOP recalls

6 fake Democrats fall, setting stage for GOP recalls - JSOnline
"Six fake Democratic candidates put up by the Republican Party to buy time for Republican state senators subject to recalls accomplished that job Tuesday, but none of them did the unexpected and knocked off a real Democrat."

BIG victory for the good guys!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Time for tea, or, What would Wilkins Micawber think? “There is no point in trying t…

Time for tea, or, What would Wilkins Micawber think?
“There is no point in trying to imagine what a $1.5-trillion deficit means.
For most of us mortals, it is simply unimaginable.
All the more is a total federal debt of $14.3 trillion (and counting).
And I haven’t even broached what I think of as the Williamson Warning (after Kevin Williamson, who gave prominence to the dour fact), namely that the real out-the-door, all-in price of U.S. debt is something closer to $130 trillion, a sum that, if you can bear to think about it, is Book-of-Revelations, Seventh-Seal, Four-Horsemen-of- the-Apocalypse scary.”

Plus the answer: “Stop spending. Live within your means.” Some people may fear that it’s too late for that."

BARRED OWL AMAZING VOCALS!



I've got a barred owl family in my back yard!

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Chaldean Store Fight

Milton Friedman - Greed

Yes, it can happen here!

State, local pension accounting takes a GASB step toward transparency

State, local pension accounting takes a GASB step toward transparency
"These changes will first affect government balance sheets in fiscal year 2014.
The most significant change in the proposal will move billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities out of a footnote and onto government balance sheets."

"Michigan Man" accused of having sex with horse


ST. JOHNS - A 62-year-old Riley Township man facing charges he had sexual intercourse with a horse was accused of a similar crime 10 years ago, court records show.

If it was a male horse would he get away with it?

Friday, July 08, 2011

President Obama Receiving Sycophantic Laughter

President Obama Receiving Sycophantic Laughter -- Daily Intel
"Obama may, in fact, be the funniest person alive.
Either that, or people are just overdoing it in an effort to ingratiate themselves to the most powerful person in the world.
Could be either one."

Police Watch as SB1070 Illegal alien supporters desecrate US Flag during...

WHOA! 56 L.A. County Cities Have No Money To Pay For Retiree Healthcare

WHOA! 56 L.A. County Cities Have No Money To Pay For Retiree Healthcare
"The report — aptly titled 'Whoa! The State of Public Pensions In Los Angeles County' — found that at least 56 of L.A. County's 88 cities have not funded retiree healthcare at all."

Thursday, July 07, 2011

EPA Regulations | Coal Industry | Job Loss

EPA Regulations Coal Industry Job Loss The Daily Caller
"The coal industry is crying foul over new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations which they say will be among the most be costly rules ever imposed by the agency on coal-fueled power plants.
The result, industry insiders say: substantially higher electricity rates and massive job loss."

Illinois drops writing from standardized exam

WLS 890AM
"Illinois will assess only reading and arithmetic now that high school juniors will no longer be tested on their writing skills during standardized exams every spring, according to a published report.
Cutting the writing exams will save about $2.4 million amid the state's budgetary shortfalls.
Writing tests for elementary and middle school students were dropped last year."

Pajamas Media » Why the Shock Over Atlanta Teacher Cheating?

Pajamas Media » Why the Shock Over Atlanta Teacher Cheating?
"The teacher stayed.
The fix was in.
The principal put his “integrated faculty” accolade above his students’ education.
Parents became surrogate biology teachers or hired tutors.
Some of us students took novels to class to dull the boredom.
Others passed notes.
But no one complained once the new code of silence about the uneducated new black teacher was accepted as Orwellian reality.
The death-of-public-education die had been cast
."

Super 8: Debt Boogeyman Overdone?

Pension Pulse: Super 8: Debt Boogeyman Overdone?

401(k) Law Undercuts Savings for Retirement - WSJ.com

401(k) Law Undercuts Savings for Retirement - WSJ.com
"The problem: More than two-thirds of companies set contribution rates at 3% of salary or less, unless an employee chooses otherwise.
That's far below the 5% to 10% rates participants typically elect when left to their own devices, the researchers said"

Very interesting.

Michigan Democrats to judge Gov. Rick Snyder on job creation

Michigan Democrats to judge Gov. Rick Snyder on job creation MLive.com
"Michigan Democrats to judge Gov. Rick Snyder on job creation"

Well, the demos are experts in job destruction.
This ought to be interesting.

Federal government wants to know why costs are rising so much at Jackson Community College

Federal government wants to know why costs are rising so much at Jackson Community College MLive.com
"Listed are schools that ranked in the top 5 percent in terms of cost increases. JCC narrowly missed escaping the dubious distinction, ranking 54th among 54 colleges on the list."

54th out of 54 seems like the bottom to me.
Meebee the writer went to JCC?

Michigan's sharp rise in births to unwed moms means 'a lot more children growing up in poverty'

Michigan's sharp rise in births to unwed moms means 'a lot more children growing up in poverty' MLive.com
"The sharp increase in the number of unmarried women having babies means trouble ahead for mothers and children in Michigan, according to the Michigan League for Human Services."

But it means lots of union jobs for state and county workers so the incentive from government will be for more unweds.

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Bug’s Penis Makes Loudest Animal Sound

Bug’s Penis Makes Loudest Animal Sound Wired Science Wired.com

Investigation into APS cheating finds unethical behavior across every level

Investigation into APS cheating finds unethical behavior across every level ajc.com
"Teachers and principals erased and corrected mistakes on students’ answer sheets.
Area superintendents silenced whistle-blowers and rewarded subordinates who met academic goals by any means possible.
Superintendent Beverly Hall and her top aides ignored, buried, destroyed or altered complaints about misconduct, claimed ignorance of wrongdoing and accused naysayers of failing to believe in poor children’s ability to learn.
For years — as long as a decade — this was how the Atlanta school district produced gains on state curriculum tests.
The scores soared so dramatically they brought national acclaim to Hall and the district, according to an investigative report released Tuesday by Gov. Nathan Deal."

Top burger poll narrowed down to 20

Top burger poll narrowed down to 20 wzzm13.com
"Throughout last week, voting in each of our twenty My Town communities narrowed the search down to the top burgers in those areas.
The winners are:

Wyoming - Brann's
Whitehall/Montague - Brown Bear
Walker - Peppermill Grill
Sparta - Crevelings
Rockford - Corner Bar
Plainfield/Northview - Mr. Burger
Muskegon - Station Grill
Lowell - Flat River Grill
Kentwood - Red Robin
Holland/Zeeland - Goog's Pub and Grill
Grandville/Jenison/Hudsonville - Grand Villa Restaurants
Grand Haven/Spring Lake - Ray's
Grand Rapids West - Broadway Bar
Grand Rapid South - Mr. Burger
Grand Rapids North - Choo Choo Grill
Grand Rapids Central - Cottage Bar
Ada/Cascade - Pal's Diner
Comstock Park/Alpine - Swan Inn Restaurant
Coopersville - Turks Inn
East Grand Rapids - Olive's
Greenville - Winter Inn"

How DIY Health Reform Can Help You Win The Talent Wars

How DIY Health Reform Can Help You Win The Talent Wars
"There are steps an individual or companies can take today that can save a massive amount of money.
I will explain three items that may be new to you but are important to understand and take advantage of depending on the scope of coverage you want for yourself or your employees."

Chevy Volt: The Car From Atlas Shrugged Motors

Chevy Volt: The Car From Atlas Shrugged Motors - Forbes.com
"Another reason they aren't exactly flying off the lots is because, well, they have some problems.
In a telling attempt to preserve battery power, the heater is exceedingly weak.
Consumer Reports averaged a paltry 25 miles of electric-only running, in part because it was testing in cold Connecticut."

Euro Falls Versus Dollar as Portugal Downgrade Fuels Fresh Bailout Concern

Euro Falls Versus Dollar as Portugal Downgrade Fuels Fresh Bailout Concern - Bloomberg
"The euro weakened against all but two of its 16 major peers tracked by Bloomberg after Moody’s Investors Service cut Portugal’s credit rating to junk status, stoking speculation the nation will need a second bailout."

Stores succeed by turning shopping into a 'hunt'

Stores succeed by turning shopping into a 'hunt' - Business - Consumer news - Retail - msnbc.com
"Walmart, on the other hand, is still trying to correct itself after a move to pare down to the basics — the opposite of the treasure hunt approach — proved unsuccessful."

Illinois Man Busted With Alligator Denies It Was Ploy to Woo Women

Illinois Man Busted With Alligator Denies It Was Ploy to Woo Women - FoxNews.com

Is There a Conservative Case for Higher Taxes?

Is There a Conservative Case for Higher Taxes? Power Line
"But here’s the case: one problem with our current tax policy is that at the moment the American people as a whole are receiving a dollar of government for the price of only 60 cents.
(I don’t say a “dollar’s worth of government,” but let’s leave that snark for another time.)
Any time you can get a dollar of something at a 40 percent discount, you are going to demand more of it.
My theory is simple: if the broad middle class of Americans are made to pay for all of the government they get, they may well start to demand less of it, quickly."

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Smoke screener

Smoke screener - WWW.THEDAILY.COM
"DENVER — The Mile High City is getting higher all the time.
There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks."

IPODS: Who Gets The Money, And Who Gets The Jobs?

Instapundit » Blog Archive » IPODS: Who Gets The Money, And Who Gets The Jobs?
“There are, for example, only 30 production jobs inside the US associated with the iPod manufacture. . . .
Plus, of course, that point about high wage manufacturing jobs.
There aren’t any, for manufacturing is now a low wage occupation, so it’s pointless to talk about trying to bring them back to the United States.”
But read the whole thing."

Colorado high-risk health insurance pool burning through money fast

Colorado high-risk health insurance pool burning through money fast - The Denver Post
"The federally sanctioned high-risk insurance pool for Colorado is signing up fewer patients and burning through its limited cash faster than expected, as the plan attracts the sickest of the sick.
Planners for GettingUsCovered, meant to bridge patients with pre-existing conditions to health-care reform's full arrival in 2014, might have to raise premiums, lower benefits and add waiting lists."

Our socialist paradise!

Judicial Misconduct in the Sixth Circuit

Judicial Misconduct in the Sixth Circuit The Heritage Foundation
"The four nominees represent a quarter of the judges authorized on the Sixth Circuit, which hears appeals from Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Senator Carl Levin's crusade to thwart the nominations of a substantial portion of a circuit's bench -- a move which appears to be motivated by nothing more than sour grapes over the Senate's failure to confirm his cousin's wife to the bench"

Why The Left's Global Warming Agenda Is Wrong

Barack Obama to ask New York governor Andrew Cuomo to be his 2012 running mate for vice president

Barack Obama to ask New York governor Andrew Cuomo to be his 2012 running mate for vice president: sources - NYPOST.com

The Most Important Historical Gun In History Of United States

The Most Important Historical Gun In History Of United States - Hani Sarji - Estate of Confusion - Forbes
"The video is titled, Lewis and Clark: Girandoni Air Rifle.
In the video, Phil Schreier (Senior Curator, National Firearms Museum) explains why the Girandoni air rifle is “one of the most historically significant guns in the collection.”
He states, “This gun, it could be said, changed the entire history of the United States of America in the 19th century and perhaps the histories of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.”"

Public Pension Cuts Ruled Permissible in Colorado and Minnesota

Public Pension Cuts Ruled Permissible in Colorado and Minnesota - NYTimes.com
"Judges in Colorado and Minnesota have dismissed court challenges by retired public workers whose pensions had been cut — developments that may embolden other states and cities to use pension reductions as a tool to help balance their budgets."

The Demand For Concealed Weapons In Michigan

The Demand For Concealed Weapons In Michigan - Transterrestrial Musings
"There’s a very interesting graphic there.
The highest percentages of women getting permits is Wayne County (Detroit) and Barry County (Grand Rapids).
I would have thought that Genessee (Flint) and Oakland (Pontiac) Counties would be equally high, but they’re slightly less.
I wonder why?"

4th of July: Should the Democrats celebrate Independence Day?

4th of July: Should the Democrats celebrate Independence Day? - International Business Times
"'The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century.

Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats.
According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican Party.
Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans.

The document also suggests that Democrats gain nothing from July 4th parades, which will certainly anger many of the democrats politicians who regularly participate in the event"

Bathroom attendants rationing toilet paper

Bathroom attendants rationing toilet paper - NYPOST.com
"Hey buddy, can you spare a square?
The city is so hard up for cash that it's rationing toilet paper in women's public restrooms -- to the point where bathroom attendants are doling out a few measly squares per patron -- along the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk."

Our socialist paradise!
Enough money for unionized bathroom attendants but not enough for TP.
Gimme a break!

Coal-burning China cools the planet

Coal-burning China cools the planet Mail Online
"Burning coal releases carbon dioxide which traps heat from the Sun, raising temperatures.
But it also emits particles of sulphur that help block the Sun’s rays and cool the Earth."

Monday, July 04, 2011

“Michigan’s Public Employment Relations Act: Public-Sector Labor Law and Its Consequences,”

Executive Summary [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"This report outlines a variety of ways the Michigan Legislature can address the damaging impact of PERA.
These options range from modest, targeted reforms to an outright ban on collective bargaining in local units of government.

Among the targeted reforms to correct at least some flaws in the law are the following:

Establish additional statutory limits on the subject matter of collective bargaining, backed by a strong enforcement mechanism, to ensure that the public retains control over important policy decisions.
At a minimum, the state Legislature should require that collective bargaining agreements conform with state laws and local ordinances.

Suspend collective bargaining privileges and agreements when government employee unions flagrantly violate PERA by going on strike.
Collective bargaining for government employees is a privilege, not a right.
“Abuse the privilege, lose the privilege” is a sound rule.

Bar agency fees from public-employee collective bargaining agreements — in other words, an “open government employment” rule — to end what has essentially become a taxpayer subsidy of union politics."

Almost a Fourth of Americans Do Not Know When the U.S. Declared Independence

Almost a Fourth of Americans Do Not Know When the U.S. Declared Independence - The Note
"A Marist poll released Friday shows that only 58 percent of Americans know when the country declared independence.
Nearly a fourth of respondents said they were unsure and sixteen percent said a date other than 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Young people posted the most troubling scores with 41 percent of people ages 18 to 29 saying they were unsure when the Declaration of Independence was signed and 27 percent saying the wrong date.

One in four Americans do not even know which country the U.S. gained independence from. The correct answer, of course, is Great Britain, although 20 percent of respondents were unsure of that fact."

And there is this:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/6323145-418/vice-president-biden-to-teachers-you-are-not-the-problem.html

Worst Performing Sovereign CDS

Worst Performing Sovereign CDS
"Among the lists it put out: The countries who have seen their CDS widen the most.
So these aren't necessarily the worst countries, just the countries who had the worst quarter"

10 cities that will take a decade to recover

10 cities that will take a decade to recover - Business - Local business - msnbc.com

Best Patriotic Songs in Country Music

Best Patriotic Songs in Country Music - The Boot

'I want to punch him in his head'

'I want to punch him in his head' - Maggie Haberman - POLITICO.com
"“This is all about him being a bully and a punk,” he said in an interview Friday.
“I wanted to punch him in his head.”

....“You know who he reminds me of?” Sweeney says. “Mr. Potter from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ the mean old bastard who screws everybody.”"

Ah, the civility of democrat leaders.....

Motorcyclist Killed While Riding Without Helmet to Protest New York Helmet Law

Motorcyclist Killed While Riding Without Helmet to Protest New York Helmet Law - FoxNews.com

Obama’s Economists: ‘Stimulus’ Has Cost $278,000 per Job

Obama’s Economists: ‘Stimulus’ Has Cost $278,000 per Job The Weekly Standard
"In other words, the government could simply have cut a $100,000 check to everyone whose employment was allegedly made possible by the “stimulus,” and taxpayers would have come out $427 billion ahead"

The Ugliest Face of Unionism

The Ugliest Face of Unionism - 620 WTMJ - Milwaukee's Source for Local News and Weather
"a re-enactment of the famous photo of three firefighters raising the American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center - created a rush of emotions as it passed through three parade routes in Milwaukee County back in 2002.
Crowds spontaneously rose to their feet, offering thunderous applause.

With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coming up later this year, Gorniak and his church's youth group decided to revive the float in Racine's upcoming Independence Day parade, one of the biggest in the area.

Unexpectedly, the request set off a debate among the leaders of the Racine firefighters union.
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.

Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float."

ah, the civility of the left.....

Macomb County inmate suing Snyder, the state over pornography ban in prison

Report: Macomb County inmate suing Snyder, the state over pornography ban in prison MLive.com

New Transformers Flick Costs Each Michigan Taxpayer $1.36

New Transformers Flick Costs Each Michigan Taxpayer $1.36 [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"it is effectively a subsidy check from the state treasury.
According to the Michigan Film Office press release, 'Transformers' received $6.1 million in refundable tax credits from the state"

Friday, July 01, 2011

Corporate Jets and Tax Breaks

RealClearPolitics - Corporate Jets and Tax Breaks
"Indeed, no one asked why, if it is such an affront to the liberal conscience, it was part of Obama's stimulus bill, which was passed without any Republican votes in the House and only three in the Senate (which means Nancy Pelosi voted for special tax breaks for corporate jets and the GOP didn't)."

Woman's Dead Body Found In Massachusetts Public Pool After 2 Days

Woman's Dead Body Found In Massachusetts Public Pool After 2 Days
"A woman's body might have been left in the cloudy water of a public swimming pool for more than two days, without lifeguards, health inspectors or other swimmers noticing it, officials said Thursday."

The Jobless Summer

Review & Outlook: The Jobless Summer - WSJ.com
"instead of learning valuable job skills—getting out of bed before noon, showing up on time, being courteous to customers, operating a cash register or fork lift—millions of kids will spend the summer playing computer games or hanging out."