Snow days deprive many kids of food

Snow days deprive many kids of food
"As back-to-back snowstorms shuttered schools for the week across the mid-Atlantic states, parents fretted about lost learning time, administrators scheduled makeup days and teachers posted assignments online.
But Marla Caplon worried about a more fundamental problem:
How would students eat?

The two snowstorms that pummeled the region, leaving more than 3 feet of snow in some areas, deprived tens of thousands of children from Virginia to Pennsylvania of the free or reduced-price school lunch that may be their only nutritious meal of the day.
The nonprofits that try to meet the need when school is not in session also closed their doors for much of the week, leaving many families looking at bare cupboards.
And many parents working hourly jobs were unable to earn any money during the week, as the snow forced businesses to close.

Caplon is a food services supervisor for Montgomery County Public Schools, where about 43,000 children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
Some also get breakfast, dinner and bags of staple foods to take home for the weekend.
The snow days meant children would get none of that until Tuesday, because schools are closed Monday for Presidents Day."

Democratic Sen. Bayh Will Not Seek Re-Election This Year

Democratic Sen. Bayh Will Not Seek Re-Election This Year
"Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this November, an unexpected decision that hands Republicans an opportunity for a pick-up in a year when Democrats are already defending several open Senate seats."

This is BIG!

"Hitler on Climate Change"

Last Man In « Neptunus Lex:

"It’s probably a sign that the whole “Hitler parody” thing has run its course when I jump in."

You must see this video!
Way too funny...and close to the truth!

Unemployment in the Great Recession

Power Line - Unemployment in the Great Recession
"In his most recent column, Cooley asks where job growth will come from.
Nor surprisingly, Cooley urges that 'policies designed to create new jobs in the economy should be directed at encouraging new firms.'
I see no evidence that such policies will be forthcoming from the federal government in the next year.
On the contrary, among other things, the tax increases built into Obama's budget will discourage new firms."

Spartan green to take on darker shade

Spartan green to take on darker shade

"Spartan fans, get ready to bleed a different shade of green.
This morning, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees officially replaced the Spartan green that’s been used since 1997 with a new, darker Spartan green.
The new shade, Pantone Matching System Color 567, is supposed to be more consistent with the pre-1997 green used by the university."

http://www.spartantailgate.com/forums/msu-red-cedar-message-board/429856-tofficial-new-msu-green-pms-567-a.html#post6585233

Gun owners in cross hairs

Gun owners in cross hairs
"The gun grabbers are at it again in Maryland. Next month, the state's House Judiciary Committee will initiate hearings on legislation forcing firearms enthusiasts to register with the state government before they can exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The bill would make it a crime on par with murder, kidnapping, rape and extortion for a private party to sell his own gun to someone who has no license. "

Climategate: What Did Phil Jones Actually Admit? Was He Correct?

Climategate: What Did Phil Jones Actually Admit? Was He Correct?

Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995

Professor Phil Jones admitted his record keeping is 'not as good as it should be

"Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995"

Data for vital 'hockey stick graph' has gone missing

There has been no global warming since 1995

Warming periods have happened before - but NOT due to man-made changes

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html#ixzz0fX24s4Eh

Police: Wife of slain Olympian arrested in Calif.

Police: Wife of slain Olympian arrested in Calif
"The wife of an Olympic shot put medalist gunned down in his Southern California back yard last summer was arrested Saturday in the homicide case, authorities said.
Oxnard police said in a written statement that Jane Laut, 52, was arrested during a traffic stop Saturday morning.
Police said an arrest warrant had been issued earlier in the week.
Her husband David Laut, who won a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, was shot several times in the head on the night of Aug. 28 in their yard in Oxnard, a coastal city 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
He was declared dead at the scene"

Nice timing!

Changes on Luge Track Could Offset Canadian Team’s Advantage - NYTimes.com

Changes on Luge Track Could Offset Canadian Team’s Advantage
"Canada was criticized for granting foreign athletes only limited training access to the Olympic sliding center before the Winter Games. Now its luge team will have to quickly adjust to the course along with everyone else."

Moe Lane » Rep. Bill Delahunt (D, MA): why did you put Amy Bishop back on the street?

Moe Lane » Rep. Bill Delahunt (D, MA): why did you put Amy Bishop back on the street?
"Amy Bishop, of course, is the woman who murdered those people down at the University of Alabama… and, apparently, she was ‘taken into custody’ for the murder of her brother in 1986. And that’s where it gets interesting."

Greece turns on EU critics

Greece turns on EU critics
"Greece on Friday unleashed a fierce attack on its European Union partners, accusing them of creating a “psychology of looming collapse” a day after they pledged support for the country’s crisis-hit government.
George Papandreou, Greek prime minister, said that, in the eurozone’s first big test, Greece had become “a laboratory animal in the battle between Europe and the markets”."

Woes include bankruptcy at Whistler, no snow at Cypress

Woes include bankruptcy at Whistler, no snow at Cypress
"The Whistler ski resort, home to next month's Olympic downhill, could be auctioned off Feb. 19, right in the middle of the games amid a bankruptcy."

How Global Warming is causing blizzards in Washington--the Explanation

How Global Warming is causing blizzards in Washington--the Explanation

With the blizzards in the East Coast we are hearing from global warming fanatics that this simply is another manifestation of global warming. As counterintuitive as this may seem, I wrote this up to explain it.

This is the way science works for the supporters of AGW

Increased warming means higher temperatures and therefore less snow.
But increased warming means more water vapor in the atmosphere leading to more precipitation.
Therefore AGW can cause big blizzards. So too little snow or too much snow is an indication of global warming.

More warming can mean glaciers will shrink.
But more precipitation means glaciers can grow.
Therefore if glaciers are growing or shrinking it means global warming is happening.

More warming means more energy for hurricanes and therefore more and stronger hurricanes are in the future.
But more warming also means more wind sheer which cuts off hurricanes and can mean fewer hurricanes.
So more or fewer hurricanes is caused by global warming.

More water vapor means more clouds and more precipitation.
More clouds and precipitation causes cooling which could lead to global cooling. S
o if it is warming or cooling, it is proof of global warming.

No wonder Al Gore says the science is settled.
It predicts everything that has and can happen.

Although this looks like a parody, it isn't. I've seen these arguments by warmists on various sites to explain things that don't seem to compute with global warming."

The Child Molester Scandal That Isn’t: What the MSM Doesn’t Report

The Child Molester Scandal That Isn’t: What the MSM Doesn’t Report
“…the physical sexual abuse of students in schools is likely more than 100 times the abuse by priests.”"

Acorn-ucopia

Acorn-ucopia
"Didn't Acorn, the corrupt community organizer, get its federal funding yanked after its last scandal?
Actually, no.
Through municipal middlemen, it's poised to rake in another $4 billion.
Where is the outrage?"

Using Lasers to Zap Mosquitoes

Using Lasers to Zap Mosquitoes
"Mr. Myhrvold said that normally the lasers could shoot down anywhere between 50 to 100 mosquitoes per second.

Mr. Myhrvold played a slow-motion recorded video that showed what happened to a representative mosquito.

As the insect flew, a sudden light beam struck it, disintegrating parts of its body into a plume of smoke.
It fell, even as its wings continued to beat.

In regions afflicted by malaria, the lasers could be used to create protective fences around clinics, homes, or even agricultural fields as a substitute for pesticides."

Expanded sales tax in Granholm's new budget

Expanded sales tax in Granholm's new budget
"Some mid-Michigan municipalities and state union officials are breathing a sigh of relief that state revenue sharing cuts and massive layoffs are not part of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposed budget.


But local business owners are bristling over her proposal to reduce the sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent, expand it to include services and use that money to bridge a funding gap in K-12 education.

Her $47.1 billion budget plan unveiled Thursday - designed to close a $1.6 billion shortfall - included her previously announced early retirement proposals for state and school employees, which aim to save $400 million.

Capturing much attention is Granholm's proposal for expanding the sales tax to most services.........Affected businesses include beauty salons, tanning parlors, printers and financial consultants.

'It may cause us (to close),' said Pam Cottom, owner of Hair Shoppe & Tanning in Lansing, which has seen business drop by 50 percent in the past year due to the economy.
'We're tottering right now.
I feel like the little guy is getting ruined.'"

Granholm is little more than an uber-lobbyist for the big teachers unions and the state employees unions.
Their annual jumps in the already out of line pay and compensation will continue.
This "fix" will only result in a bigger shortfall soon.

Muskegon Heights hardest hit as most area school lose students in latest count

Muskegon Heights hardest hit as most area school lose students in latest count
"Muskegon Heights schools lost nearly 10 percent of its student body over the past five months -- by far the biggest enrollment drop among school districts that are losing students to the dismal employment scene."

Muskegon Heights High School gets state's lowest academic ranking

Muskegon Heights High School gets state's lowest academic ranking
"When it comes to athletics and the marching band, the students of Muskegon Heights High School can be a force to be reckoned with"

Golden Gate Bridge district approves suicide net, toll increase

Golden Gate Bridge district approves suicide net, toll increase
"The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District's Board of Directors certified this morning a final environmental report on a proposed $50 million net system beneath the bridge that is intended to deter suicides"

New tax bombshell: 20% VAT

New tax bombshell: 20% VAT - Times Online
"Alistair Darling and George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, are both considering raising VAT to as high as 20 per cent — the European average — from the current rate of 17.5 per cent, The Times has learnt."

This is the Europe the American left (and Obama) tells us is our economic model and goal.

Obama’s National Defence Review ignores Iran and Islam in favour of… climate change!

Obama’s National Defence Review ignores Iran and Islam in favour of… climate change!
"However, it’s not what is in the document that surprises the reader – it’s what was left out.
There presence of two elephants in their living room apparently escaped the notice of American’s top civilian and military leaders.
Islamic radicalism does not receive any mention whatsoever in the American Defence Review and the threat posed by a nuclear Iran is mentioned in only one general sentence at the end of a document (page 101).
To put this lack of discussion in proportion, contrast this non-discussion with other security issues mentioned in the document.
For example, the security effects of climate change are highlighted and discussed in depth in eight pages of the document."

Paul Ryan's Lonely Challenge

Paul Ryan's Lonely Challenge
"Paul Ryan, a six-term Republican congressman from Wisconsin who is the ranking minority member of the House Budget Committee, has yanked himself from obscurity by doing something no one else in Congress or apparently the White House has done: design a specific plan to control long-term government spending and budget deficits.

That he stands virtually alone is a damning commentary on our politics."

Greece debt bailout: EU leaders split over euro crisis

Greece debt bailout: EU leaders split over euro crisis
"The European single currency is facing an 'inevitable break-up' a leading French bank claimed yesterday."

The lighthouses of Michigan

The lighthouses of Michigan

Social Security coffers drying up

Social Security coffers drying up
"In all the angst about Sarah Palin writing notes on her palm and President Barack Obama pronouncing corpsman as 'corpse man,' the American commentariat has paid scant attention to a hugely significant report, the one about Social Security's funding scare in 2009 and the red ink it will likely be bathed in this year and next.

Here it is, fellow Americans, a forerunner of what we will have – big time – starting in 2016, a harbinger of what could be the single most threatening domestic issue we face as a people, and this is what I would like to ask all those who have continuously told us not to worry about Social Security: Where's your trust fund now?

That's been the big lie, you know...."

And social security disaster is NOTHING compared to the Medicare/Medicaid shortfall.

Demand accountability from congress and the president NOW!

Governor Christie Declares "New Jersey on Edge of Bankruptcy"

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Governor Christie Declares "New Jersey on Edge of Bankruptcy"
"Christie froze aid to more than 500 school districts and public colleges and universities, ordered the end to several state programs and the Office of Public Advocate, and seized unspent money across state government.

'Today, we come to terms with the fact that we cannot spend money on everything we want,'' Christie told a special joint session of the legislature.

'The days of Alice in Wonderland budgeting in Trenton are over.''"

THIS is what we need in Michigan.

Ask EVERY candidate for Michigan governor this question:

"What are you going to do about state spending on public worker and teacher compensation?"

One Economist Predicts Taxpayer Revolt Over Public v. Private Sector Pay Differentials

One Economist Predicts Taxpayer Revolt Over Public v. Private Sector Pay Differentials
"According to an economist from the University of Michigan-Flint, public employees now make an average of 45% more than private sector employees."

6 Caribbean Islands to Avoid

Caribbean Islands to Avoid

Kennedy won't run for re-election in RI

Kennedy won't run for re-election in RI
"Rep. Patrick Kennedy has decided not to seek re-election to Congress, saying his life is 'taking a new direction' just months after the death of his father and mentor, Sen. Edward Kennedy."

The death of the inbred dynasty!

Our country is a better place.

Mary Jo K is smiling somewhere in heaven.....

Public-sector unions bleed taxpayers

Public-sector unions bleed taxpayers
"Public-sector unionism is a very different animal from private-sector unionism.
It is not adversarial but collusive.
Public-sector unions strive to elect their management, which in turn can extract money from taxpayers to increase wages and benefits -- and can promise pensions that future taxpayers will have to fund.

The results are plain to see.
States such as New York, New Jersey and California, where public-sector unions are strong, now face enormous budget deficits and pension liabilities.
In such states, the public sector has become a parasite sucking the life out of the private-sector economy.
Not surprisingly, Americans have been steadily migrating out of such states and into states like Texas, where public-sector unions are weak and taxes are much lower."

GOPers won't address this cancer.

Will the Tea Parties stand tall?

Local reaction to Granholm's proposed budget

Local reaction to Granholm's proposed budget
"Rep. Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores, candidate for the 34th State Senate District:

'I am pleased to see that the budget restores funding for education and the Promise Scholarships.

A strong education system is key to creating a world-class work force that will attract job providers and prepare our children for jobs in the 21st Century economy."

This retired teacher (on a VERY posh pension) is bonkers!

Our secondary "education" system is a disaster and our college graduates are leaving the state like ........well... like employers, jobs and investment!

The only "attraction" generated by the Granholm/Valentine big union give-away scheme is our graduates and jobs being attracted to other states.

This woman is a menace to anyone hoping for job in our state.

Or hoping to provide private sector jobs to our citizens.

Angela Merkel dashes Greek hopes of rescue bid

Angela Merkel dashes Greek hopes of rescue bid
"Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, mounted stiff resistance tonight to any swift bailout of Greece, as a rift opened up between European capitals over how best to tackle the risks posed to the euro."

This could be the tip of an iceberg.......with the EU as a big, stupid boat.

Tunnel assault on girl sparks security debate

Tunnel assault on girl sparks security debate

"Public safety is our top priority"

Another 10 Far-out Valentine's Gift

Another 10 Far-out Valentine's Gifts - Oddee.com

More West Michigan schools offer free breakfast to all students

More West Michigan schools offer free breakfast to all students

"As students filed into the cafeteria one recent morning at Godwin Heights Middle School, custodian-turned-breakfast-pitchman Jose Rivera welcomed them with food.
'Here, you like cheese? Take a milk, too.'
Then, when a boy slipped past the table empty-handed, Rivera called him back.
'Free breakfast! Come on down, buddy. Take one of each, please.'"


WHY IT MATTERS
Benefits of breakfast
Academic and nutritional claims for students who eat a morning meal:
• Less tardiness and fewer abscences
• More energy
• Fewer disciplinary problems
• More attentiveness in the classroom
• Lower body-mass index
• Higher standardized test scores
• Better diet of nutrients, vitamins and minerals

This is so wrong on so many levels:

1. We are paying an adult to cajole kids into putting food on their tray that the kids don't want.

Nice carbon footprint of uneaten food going to the dump, right.

2. Let's teach our kids that "free food" is the normal way of life in America at an early age!

3. With SOOO many reasons ("Why it matters") to give more free food to kids, why aren't we already seeing all the wondrous benefits from "free lunch"? Oh, it's a bogus lie? OK.

4. If free lunch and breakfast are producing such marvelous benefits to our children's education, why not free dinner?

5. Where is all this "free" money coming from?

Gimme a break!

CARPE DIEM policy vs politics

CARPE DIEM
Michael Barone -- About one-third of the $787 billion stimulus package was directed at state and local governments, which have been facing declining revenues and are, mostly, required to balance their budgets.

The policy aim, Democrats say, was to maintain public services and aid.

The political aim, although Democrats don't say so, was to maintain public-sector jobs -- and the flow of union dues to the public employees unions that represent almost 40% of public-sector workers."

United Solar Ovonics reports $39 million loss in second quarter

United Solar Ovonics reports $39 million loss in second quarter
"USO's parent company, Energy Conversion Devices Inc., reported a grim $39 million loss for its second quarter Tuesday, disappointing analysts and sending its stock to record lows."

No homeowner or any company would buy their worthless products so they depend on "extra" government money (like Jenny's mansion) to pay for their boondoggle.

And government mandates that energy producers to use 10% "green" energy.

Just another way to say "tax" to us fools who vote for the AlGore koolaid drinkers in our state government.

Most of whom are are in the democrat party.

Yes Virginia. There is a Santa Clause...but he ain't in government.

10 of the Dumbest Cops Ever

10 of the Dumbest Cops Ever - Oddee.com

You've GOT to click on the first video.

Big Government: Big Labor's "Bread and Butter"

Big Government: Big Labor's "Bread and Butter"
"In it, NILRR points out that in 2008 and the first 11 months of 2009, unionized private-sector workers lost their jobs at more than double the rate than their private-sector non-unionized colleagues.
Meanwhile, for the first time ever, more than half of our nation's government workers are now under union boss monopoly bargaining control and the number is growing with disastrous consequences:"

State Pension Funds Fall Off a Cliff

ALEC State Pension Funds Fall Off a Cliff
"The financial crisis encountered over the past decade reveals that many state pension plans are fundamentally fawed.
Using more realistic assumptions regarding the rate of return on assets, as well as assumptions regarding the actuarial value of liabilities, it is highly unlikely that these plans will achieve actuarial balance over the amortization period.

The solution to the funding crises in state pension plans will require fundamental reform.

Everything should be on the table, including changes in benefits and increased employee contribution rates, as well as employer contribution rates.
These plans should consider replacing their defined benefit plans with defined-contribution plans for new employees."

Snowpocalypse now?

Snowpocalypse now?
Watch hilarious weather video and heed National Weather Service's winter storm warning

Patrick Henry Hughes

Beautiful!

Recession chugs on, except in government

Recession chugs on, except in government

"But the back story behind the figures provides cold comfort.

First, the drop to 9.7 percent unemployment does not reflect the creation of new jobs that normally accompanies an economic recovery.

Second, anybody who thinks the job situation is going to improve dramatically in coming months is not paying attention to what's going on behind the unemployment rate. ...."the labor force participation rate is the lowest since mid-1985." This means that fewer Americans are in the labor force.

Third, among the few sectors of the economy showing net employment growth over the past year is the federal government.
The federal civil service is rapidly expanding as Obama increases the size of government, with 33,000 new positions being added in January alone.
Only 9,000 of those new slots were for temporary census jobs.

In other words, what we are seeing is good times for the public sector and the growing prospect of a continuing and perhaps even deepening recession for everybody else.

A Tale Both Positive and a Cautionary: President Obama's Phantom $15 Billion Program for Small Businesses

A Tale Both Positive and a Cautionary: President Obama's Phantom $15 Billion Program for Small Businesses
"Last March 16, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced a new $15 billion program to help encourage loans to small businesses -- the Unlocking Credit for Small Businesses, or UCSB program.
Subsequently, wrote Neil Barofsky, Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, in his latest report, 'two additional initiatives were announced to support small-business lending, and Treasury announced an increase of the TARP funding dedicated to support these efforts to $30 billion.'

But oddly, Barofsky noted, as of December 31, 2009, 'the details of the initiative under this program had not been announced and no funds had been disbursed.'

A $15-30 billion program for small businesses and no details have been released?

And no money disbursed??"

The Secret History of the Birthers

The Secret History of the Birthers - The Daily Beast
"Investigating the roots of the Obama birthplace conspiracy theory, John Avlon—author of Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe Is Hijacking America, available now on Beast Books—uncovers the first Birther and finds she's a Hillary Clinton supporter also implicated in Dan Rather's exit from CBS."

Sarah Palin caught with crib notes on her hand

Sarah Palin caught with crib notes on her hand

"A close examination of the former vice-presidential candidate speaking at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville at the weekend revealed she had the words 'Energy', 'Tax,' and 'Lift Americans Spirits' scrawled in ink on the inside of her left hand.

'Budget cuts' was written and then crossed out."

Hell Hath No Fury More Childish Than Andrea Mitchell Scorned

Hell Hath No Fury More Childish Than Andrea Mitchell Scorned NewsReal Blog

Pretty pathetic for the not pretty feminist NBC "gal".

Sticker Shock: Experts Say World Food Program's Afghan Relief Effort Overpriced

Sticker Shock: Experts Say World Food Program's Afghan Relief Effort Overpriced
"The United Nations’ World Food Program, or WFP, is preparing to launch a mammoth, three-year relief operation in Afghanistan this year for 7.4 million people at a cost of $1.2 billion — but less than half of that amount will actually go to purchasing food for the war-ravaged country.

The majority of the money — nearly $730 million — is being spent on shipping, land transportation, handling, office construction and U.N. staffing and administration costs, according to program documents obtained by Fox News.

Outside experts consulted by Fox News say that some of the costs are more than 100 percent higher than they need to be"

General Dynamics to close Norton Shores facility

General Dynamics to close Norton Shores facility
"General Dynamics Land Systems, a national defense contractor based in the Detroit area, announced Monday it will close its Muskegon Technical Center on June 14, company officials said.

About 100 employees — mostly engineers — will have the option to transfer to General Dynamics headquarters in Sterling Heights or another facility in nearby Shelby Township, said spokeswoman Rae Higgins."

More "hopie, changie" for Muskegon from Jenny and her "yes we can" friend in DC.

Green Police: Audi Super Bowl Ad

This is a weird ad.

Red Eye Celebrates Third Year By Topping CNN Prime Time Last Week

Red Eye Celebrates Third Year By Topping CNN Prime Time Last Week
"And it’s coming at a time when the 3amET show is seeing big ratings in the A25-54 demographic – even topping CNN prime time last week.

....This time, the show had better ratings in the A25-54 demographic than Campbell Brown at 8pmET and Larry King at 9pmET, and tied Anderson Cooper at 10pmET (Monday-Thursday)."

Holy moley!

A 3 AM Fox show that no one has heard about beats CNN PRIME TIME!

Imagine the loneliness of the mokes on MSNBC....is Prozac generic yet?

Obama's Budget Means Higher Taxes and Lower Living Standards - WSJ.com

Obama's Budget Means Higher Taxes and Lower Living Standards

"Moody's Investors Service's warning last week that the AAA credit rating of the United States is in jeopardy raises fresh concern about the nation's fiscal health.
The question to ask about the president's eye-popping budget, also rolled out last week, is whether it prepares the country for its future—or shackles it to past decisions that our leaders would rather not confront.

President Obama's blueprint gave us a federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2010 of $1.6 trillion, about 10.6% of GDP.
While one expects bigger budget deficits in a downturn, the administration expects the deficit and debt buildup to persist.

By 2013, it forecasts that deficits will bring about a debt-to-GDP ratio of 72%, unprecedented in our experience except during a major war.

The problem is spending.

Despite Mr. Obama's words about restraint, the new budget proposes more spending—1.8% of GDP for 2011 to be precise—and a higher level, roughly one percentage point of GDP higher, in subsequent years"

2013 is only 3 years away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And EVERY city, county and state in our country is ignoring the very SAME disaster that will hit us ALL soon!

The local problem is government employee pay and benefits!

Too much pay for too little work for too little benefit for the taxpayer.

And automatically growing every year!

If you love your kids or grandkids, you MUST get involved!

Iran anniversary 'punch' will stun West: Khamenei

Iran anniversary 'punch' will stun West: Khamenei
"Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a 'punch' that will stun world powers during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
'The Iranian nation, with its unity and God's grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in a way that will leave them stunned,' Khamenei, who is also Iran's commander-in-chief, told a gathering of air force personnel."

Mark your calendar!
Obama will probably send out invites to his class action lawyer comrades in advance.

‘We Weren’t Told’: Hoekstra Fires Back at Claim GOP Knew Christmas Bomber was Mirandized

‘We Weren’t Told’: Hoekstra Fires Back at Claim GOP Knew Christmas Bomber was Mirandized

Our next governor is calling the Obama administration "LIARS".

And provides proof!

I like it when one of the good guys takes a powerful stand against those who lie to the citizens of our great country.

You go Pete!

10 Amazing Free Fall Survivors

10 Amazing Free Fall Survivors - Oddee.com

Obama's Approval Most Polarized for First-Year President

Obama's Approval Most Polarized for First-Year President
"The 65 percentage-point gap between Democrats' (88%) and Republicans' (23%) average job approval ratings for Barack Obama is easily the largest for any president in his first year in office, greatly exceeding the prior high of 52 points for Bill Clinton."

Seriously!

88% of democrats approve of Obama's performance as president?!

And we let those people have drivers licences?!

Where are the "studies" corrolating voting patterns with IQ .......

Taxpayers to Fork Out $2.5 Million for Single Census Ad During Super Bowl

Taxpayers to Fork Out $2.5 Million for Single Census Ad During Super Bowl
"Taxpayers might want to pay close attention to this Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast or they'll miss Uncle Sam's 30-second, $2.5-million reminder to stand up and be counted."

You have to click the link to see this very odd TV ad from last night's Super Bowl telecast.

Not only is it another idiotic wast of taxpayer future-money, it is so weird that most who watched didn't have a clue what is was about.

This article is from FoxNews.

You probably didn't see it on any of the other Obama pandering "news" operations.

Update: Suspect in custody after security breach at Detroit Metro Airport

Update: Suspect in custody after security breach at Detroit Metro Airport
"The Detroit Free Press reports it appeared the man , who they describe as Arabic, did not appear to understand English as he passed through screening.
But police who took him into custody said that was not the case."

This could be another clear case of terrorists "testing the system".
Or not.
But it is sad that I tend to trust a newspaper over the local police in matters of terrorism and security.

AirTran to begin flights out of Grand Rapids, airfare price competition expected

AirTran to begin flights out of Grand Rapids, airfare price competition expected
Discount airline AirTran Airways will begin air service from Gerald R. Ford International Airport in May, with two flights a day to Baltimore and one to Orlando."

This is wonderful news.

But the newspaper's headline "... price competition expected" is perplexing.

Either they think their average reader needs help in understanding the concept of competition or that concept is new to the writer.

I'm not sure which is more disappointing.

Illinois lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen withdraws

Illinois lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen withdraws
"Illinois Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen announced Sunday evening that he is withdrawing from the race amid revelations about his personal history."

YouTube - AccuWeather.com Snowpocalypse Now! Meteorologist Freakout

YouTube - AccuWeather.com Snowpocalypse Now! Meteorologist Freakout

Danica!

Danica Patrick!

"Danica Patrick appeared to earn that respect Saturday night, in several ways, during the most famous sixth-place finish in Daytona history:"

Paterson denies Business Insider Report on Monday resignation

UPDATE: Paterson denies Business Insider Report on Monday resignation - Water Cooler - Washington Times
"We asked Paterson's deputy communications director Marissa Shoenstein for a response and she emailed the following: 'There is absolutely zero truth to these rumors.
The governor is not resigning.'"

After Toyota's Hit, Why Invest Here?

Investors.com - After Toyota's Hit, Why Invest Here?
"Toyota isn't just a foreign company operating in the U.S.
It's a foreign investor, with a $16 billion investment here and 30,000 American workers."

Investors.com - Jobless Recovery?

Investors.com - Jobless Recovery?: "The jobs data for January showed modest improvement, with unemployment dropping to 9.7% from 10% and the number of jobs lost coming in at a mere 20,000. Good news, but not nearly good enough."

Investors.com - The Great Unraveling

Investors.com - The Great Unraveling

The Great Unraveling
Posted 02/05/2010 07:16 PM ET
Climate Change: Professional global warming alarmists better think about looking for new jobs. It looks like they're in for a long, cold winter — and a frigid spring and summer as well.
Those who've been spreading global-warming fears must be waking up each morning and asking themselves: What's going to happen today? A new revelation about the corruption of climate science has become almost a daily event.
On Thursday, the U.K.'s Telegraph reported that India was pulling out of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and forming its own agency to study global warming. Why? Because the Indian government feels it can't depend on the IPCC's work.
And why should it? The concerns about the IPCC's accuracy are justified. A day after India's announcement, the Netherlands asked the U.N. to explain why the IPCC had said in its 2007 report that 55% of the country was below sea level when the Dutch themselves have reckoned that only 26% of the nation is that low.
This is the same IPCC that said in the same 2007 report that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035 — though there's no scientific study to confirm the claim. It was based on the hunch of one scientist who expressed his opinion to a reporter.
The IPCC withdrew the assertion when it became widely known that it was bogus. But if the panel hadn't been called out, we suspect it would have kept mum.
Compounding the headaches for warm-mongers is a probe being launched by the British Parliament into the Climate Research Unit e-mail scandal. The inquiry is intended "to determine whether there is any evidence of the manipulation or suppression of data which is at odds with acceptable scientific practice and may therefore call into question any of the research outcomes."
This isn't terribly fresh news, having been announced on Jan. 22 by Parliament. But news that casts doubt on global warming tends to move slowly, if at all, in the U.S. media. If not for the foreign press, the inquiry would be virtually unknown in this country.
That 2007 report helped the IPCC win a share of the Nobel Prize. But its work is looking less credible by the day. Can any of its claims be trusted?
Its authors — who merely compiled others' work and did no research of their own — sure haven't inspired confidence in their work. In fact, their blunders are quickly pushing the global warming farce toward a grand collapse.

Swine Acronym Ordered Out of Barclays Capital Reports

Swine Acronym Ordered Out of Barclays Capital Reports
"The securities unit of London-based Barclays Plc told analysts yesterday not to use the acronym for Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain in notes to clients, according to a memo obtained by Bloomberg News.
The mandate from Valerie Monchi was sent to research staff.

The Piigs nickname has grown increasingly popular in the last month as investors dumped assets in the euro zone’s smaller economies on concern the countries will struggle to control budget deficits."

Anti-Greed Michael Moore Wants Taxpayer Money

CARPE DIEM: Anti-Greed Michael Moore Wants Taxpayer Money
"'A Michigan Republican state senator is calling out filmmaker Michael Moore for requesting $1 million in tax subsidies for his movie “Capitalism: A Love Story,” in which the filmmaker decried the government bailout of Wall Street executives."

This $million subsidy would be coming from a bankrupt state.
You know the one.
The state with no money to fill pot holes or plow highways.
Yeah, that one.

India forms new climate change body

India forms new climate change body
"The Indian government has established its own body to monitor the effects of global warming because it “cannot rely” on the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change"

Inside the New World of Airline Coupons - WSJ.com

Inside the New World of Airline Coupons
"'Now just about every airline has a promo-code box on its Web site,' says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, which sends alerts to its members when promotional codes are issued.
Some of the stealth deals are eye-popping.
UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, for example, is offering a free ticket plus two domestic-upgrade coupons to certain members of its frequent-flier program."

Tea Party Convention organizer: Tancredo gave 'fantastic speech' - CNN.com

Tea Party Convention organizer: Tancredo gave 'fantastic speech' - CNN.com
"Asked if he agrees with Tancredo's description of Obama, Phillips said,
'The word 'socialist' is a word you don't want to be labeled with in the American political system.
It's got a lot of negative connotations, but it also has a very specific political meaning.
It refers to a specific political ideology.
I think it is very clear that that is the political ideology of Barack Obama.'"

If he walks like a socialist, talks like an ignorant socialist, bullies like a dictatorial socialist and hangs around with socialists and Communists, he's gotta be a socialist.

I get the sense that the author of this article intended to shock with the "socialist" comment and denegrate the Tea Party movement.
He fails.

Seeking Security for Retirement Funds

Seeking Security for Retirement Funds

"And for the record, the one group that ought to wholeheartedly support this idea is AARP, the association of retired persons. But they won't.
Know why? Because they receive millions of dollars from insurance companies they endorse and co-market.
AARP rarely bites the hand that feeds them.
So I would encourage the AARP nonprofit directors to put their members’ interests ahead of their corporate subsidiary’s business interests, for a refreshing change."

AARP is a liberal whore that preys on its unsuspecting customers in order to buy senators and congressmen..

There is also the fact that public pensions are going broke in just every state in the USA.
Check this out:
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=11912755

This is an awful idea!

Portugal near political crisis over debt

Portugal near political crisis over debt
"His warning came as Portuguese bonds and shares came under fire for the second day running as concerns over sovereign debt spread from Greece to other high-deficit countries in the eurozone."

Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians for 2009

Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians for 2009
"Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington's 'Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.'
The list, in alphabetical order, includes:"

The FEC and the Federal Campaign Finance Law Brochure

The FEC and the Federal Campaign Finance Law Brochure

Lucianne.com News Forum - corpse_man

Lucianne.com News Forum - corpse_man

Pension Pulse: Whither Deflation?

Pension Pulse: Whither Deflation?

School Crisis In Nevada; Governor Seeks To Cancel Collective Bargaining With Schools Because The State Is Broke

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: School Crisis In Nevada; Governor Seeks To Cancel Collective Bargaining With Schools Because The State Is Broke
"Governor Gibbons is investigating options of canceling collective bargaining agreements with school districts."

Republicans find loophole in budget ploy to push through healthcare legislation

Republicans find loophole in budget ploy to push through healthcare legislation
"As it turns out, Senate Democrats may not be able to force healthcare legislation through the chamber on a simple majority vote.
Republicans say they have found a loophole in the budget reconciliation process that could allow them to offer an indefinite number of amendments."

Tesla's IPO Prospectus Has Lots of Surprises for Investors

Tesla's IPO Prospectus Has Lots of Surprises for Investors
"So what if Tesla Motors, the luxury electric-car maker, lost $31 million in the first nine months of last year and $236 million since its inception.
So what if it's canceling its $100,000 Roadster -- its single current product -- in 2011 and a replacement won't be available until at least 2013. So what if Tesla won't even begin producing its $50,000 Model S 'family' sedan until 2012, leaving an unknown period of time when this new company won't be selling any cars at all.
And so what if Tesla admits that CEO Elon Musk (pictured, with Model S) 'does not devote his full time and attention' to the company.

Tesla's IPO filing -- the company hopes to raise an additional $100 million -- sure contains some eyebrow-raising disclosures."

JD Hayworth: Why I Will Challenge John McCain

JD Hayworth: Why I Will Challenge John McCain
"So I will soon formally announce that I will challenge John McCain in the Republican primary for senator"

U.S. May Lose 824,000 Jobs as Employment Data Revised: Analysis

U.S. May Lose 824,000 Jobs as Employment Data Revised: Analysis
The U.S. may lose 824,000 jobs when the government releases its annual revision to employment data on Feb. 5, showing the labor market was in worse shape during the recession than known at the time."

Border fence plagued by glitches, long delays

Border fence plagued by glitches, long delays
"An ambitious, $6.7 billion government project to secure nearly the entire Mexican border with a 'virtual fence' of cameras, ground sensors and radar is in jeopardy after a string of technical glitches and delays.
Having spent $672 million so far with little to show for it, Washington has ordered a reassessment of the whole idea.
The outlook became gloomier this week when President Barack Obama proposed cutting $189 million from the venture.
Ultimately, the project could be scaled back dramatically, with the government installing virtual fences along a few segments of the nation's 2,000-mile"

OK.
Barry and Bush can't build a fence.

So we taxpayers just give them a few $billion EXTRA and give up on border security?

And the liberal media is OK wit dat?

Gimme break!

Tesla's IPO Prospectus Has Lots of Surprises for Investors - DailyFinance

Tesla's IPO Prospectus Has Lots of Surprises for Investors - DailyFinance: "So what if Tesla Motors, the luxury electric-car maker, lost $31 million in the first nine months of last year and $236 million since its inception. So what if it's canceling its $100,000 Roadster -- its single current product -- in 2011 and a replacement won't be available until at least 2013. So what if Tesla won't even begin producing its $50,000 Model S 'family' sedan until 2012, leaving an unknown period of time when this new company won't be selling any cars at all. And so what if Tesla admits that CEO Elon Musk (pictured, with Model S) 'does not devote his full time and attention' to the company."

Is Keith Olbermann's Shtick Getting Stale? - DailyFinance

Is Keith Olbermann's Shtick Getting Stale? - DailyFinance: "Countdown was down 44% year-over-year in January."

Energy Calculator

Energy Calculator: "Your family's increased costs of energy due to cap and trade: $1908 per year"

This is scary.

Massachusetts Miracle

I never saw this before the election.

Yikes!

It gave me chills even today!

Scott Brown Should Be Seated Immediately, or the Senate Must Stop Holding Important Votes Until He Is

Scott Brown Should Be Seated Immediately, or the Senate Must Stop Holding Important Votes Until He Is: "Scott Brown was elected to the open Massachusetts Senate seat on January 19th, but has yet to be seated. This, despite the fact that he won by over 109,000 votes. The Democrat Massachusetts Secretary of State has yet to certify the results. And until then, the Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has refused to seat the Republican Senator-elect."

Seeking Qualified Mentally Retarded Lawyers?

Seeking Qualified Mentally Retarded Lawyers?
"From a Justice Department job announcement for “up to 10 experienced attorneys for the position of Trial Attorney in the Voting Section in Washington, D.C.”:

The Civil Rights Division encourages qualified applicants with targeted disabilities to apply. Targeted disabilities are deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorder, mental retardation, mental illness, severe distortion of limbs and/or spine. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements and are able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation are encouraged to identify targeted disabilities in response to the questions in the Avue application system seeking that information.

I’m pretty sure I know what happened here: Boilerplate that was designed for a wide range of federal jobs — including the ones (probably a relatively small percentage of all federal jobs) for which one can be qualified even though one is mentally retarded — is just being copied here; and the limitation to “qualified applicants” who “are able to perform the essential functions of the position” ensures that no mentally retarded lawyers will indeed be hired.
Still, the result looks pretty striking in a call for applications from experienced attorneys."

Premier of Newfoundland To Have Open Heart Surgery in U.S.:

Premier of Newfoundland To Have Open Heart Surgery in U.S.
“It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province,” said Ms. Dunderdale, refusing to answer whether the procedure could be done elsewhere in Canada."

U-M regents hold closed session for NCAA update

U-M regents hold closed session for NCAA update
"The University of Michigan Board of Regents held a special session this morning to hear an update on the NCAA investigation into possible training violations in the football program as the probe appears to be drawing to a close, sources told the Free Press.

Regents attended the hastily called meeting in a closed conference room"

"Hastily called" usually ain't good.
Bummer dudes!

12 Wackiest Masks

12 Wackiest Masks - Oddee.com

The Enduring Controversy Over Stepin Fetchit, The First Black Actor To Become a Millionaire

Tom McMahon: The Enduring Controversy Over Stepin Fetchit, The First Black Actor To Become a Millionaire

Massive Layoffs Coming in NYC, Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona, Everywhere

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Massive Layoffs Coming in NYC, Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona, Everywhere

"More than a third of the streetlights in Colorado Springs will go dark Monday.

The police helicopters are for sale on the Internet.

The city is dumping firefighting jobs, a vice team, burglary investigators, beat cops — dozens of police and fire positions will go unfilled.

The parks department removed trash cans last week, replacing them with signs urging users to pack out their own litter.
Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own lawn mowers to local green spaces, because parks workers will mow them only once every two weeks.
If that."

This IS coming to Michigan AND Muskegon.
And no one seems to care.

Sup wit dat?

» Inspector General: TARP Has Created a Looming Disaster

» Inspector General: TARP Has Created a Looming Disaster - Big Government
"Stated another way, even if TARP saved our financial system from driving off a cliff back in 2008, absent meaningful reform, we are still driving on the same winding mountain road, but this time in a faster car."

Not Loyal Yet? Our Guide to Becoming a Frequent Flyer

Not Loyal Yet? Our Guide to Becoming a Frequent Flyer

Latest Muskegon County employee criminal investigation: Friend of the Court worker allegedly stole public funds

Latest Muskegon County employee criminal investigation: Friend of the Court worker allegedly stole public funds
"Also on Monday, the sheriff’s office was turning its criminal investigation of fired Deputy County Treasurer Dan Joslyn over to the prosecutor’s office, Roesler said. “It should be reaching their desk by the end of the day,” the sheriff said.

Joslyn was the county’s second-ranking treasury official for the past 12 years.
After being on administrative leave for several weeks, he was fired last month for an undisclosed reason as an investigation into his activities in the office continued.

A third investigation of Muskegon County employees continued internally Monday, with no report of a police investigation being requested."

Lots of crooked "dominoes" falling at the county.
Who is minding the store?
Whose head will take the ax?

15 Funny Yahoo Answers Fails

15 Funny Yahoo Answers Fails - Oddee.com