Ace of Spades HQ
"Let me explain why this is different than previous bias.
Previously, the press has been both biased in a partisan way and an in an ideological way, but usually the partisanship was driven by ideology.
As you may have noticed, the press are great fans of gay marriage and abortion, and they shape their coverage to put the best possible face on these positions, and the worst possible face on opponents. (To the extent they feature contrary voices at all.)
That's bias, of course. We've gotten used to that.
But in the Benghazi debacle, there is no possible ideological grounding to explain their bias.
There is, I trust, no ideological movement that advocates for intelligence failures and the deaths of good-guy diplomats.
There is no ideological movement in favor of reckless incompetence bordering on malice in providing security for consulates abroad (which, as a legal matter, are considered US territory).
There is no ideological movement -- or at least there was not before -- championing the government's right to lie to the public about its failures in order to avoid accountability.
There is no room here where one can say, "Ah well, they can't help but be pulled a bit to the left by their own beliefs."
Because no one champions the right of government to let people be murdered and then lie about it.
This isn't ideological bias, then.
This is pure advocacy for a political party.
Obama's embarrassment is not an ideological issue -- or should not be.
I hope we can all agree that a president should attend security briefings -- especially as 9/11 approaches -- and provide adequate warning and security for US government personnel.
I hope we can all agree that the government does not suddenly gain a Right To Shamelessly Lie about its failures, simply because it finds it politically advantageous to do so.
But, as Nina Totenberg's chuckle indicates, the press now in fact believes exactly these things -- so long as the president we're talking about is Democrat, and Obama in particular."
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Read This While You Can
Blog: Read This While You Can
"Read West's insightful column in its entirety.
Her conclusion is chilling: "I can't think of another instance in which an American president has publicly uttered such a rank betrayal of American principles.
And the media censored it!"
"Read West's insightful column in its entirety.
Her conclusion is chilling: "I can't think of another instance in which an American president has publicly uttered such a rank betrayal of American principles.
And the media censored it!"
Super Gonorrhea Here to Ruin Blow Jobs Forever
Super Gonorrhea Here to Ruin Blow Jobs Forever - The Cut
Antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea have been showing up in Japan and Europe over the past three years, according to a terrifying story in this week's New Yorker.
The Neisseria gonorrhoeaeis bacteria is now showing decreased sensitivity to the most powerful antibiotics in 21 countries in Europe.
While drug companies are slow to develop new antibiotics (drugs that cure people quickly are much less lucrative than lifetime prescriptions for cholesterol or ADD), gonorrhea is mutating and spreading quickly owing to its spacious new digs in the back of our throats.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea have been showing up in Japan and Europe over the past three years, according to a terrifying story in this week's New Yorker.
The Neisseria gonorrhoeaeis bacteria is now showing decreased sensitivity to the most powerful antibiotics in 21 countries in Europe.
While drug companies are slow to develop new antibiotics (drugs that cure people quickly are much less lucrative than lifetime prescriptions for cholesterol or ADD), gonorrhea is mutating and spreading quickly owing to its spacious new digs in the back of our throats.
Hundreds of thousands of war vets still waiting for health benefits
Hundreds of thousands of war vets still waiting for health benefits - CNN.com:
Confusion is 'monumental'
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it is on track to process 1 million disability claims this year.
With the war in Iraq over and the one in Afghanistan winding down, the VA is sorting through a backlog of more than 860,000 disability claims from American veterans.
More than a quarter of those vets -- 228,000 -- have been waiting for a year or more.
Rioux has been trying to get his disability claim fully processed since January 2011, shortly after he returned from Afghanistan.
Confusion is 'monumental'
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it is on track to process 1 million disability claims this year.
With the war in Iraq over and the one in Afghanistan winding down, the VA is sorting through a backlog of more than 860,000 disability claims from American veterans.
More than a quarter of those vets -- 228,000 -- have been waiting for a year or more.
Rioux has been trying to get his disability claim fully processed since January 2011, shortly after he returned from Afghanistan.
WHY IT MATTERS: Social Security
My Way News - WHY IT MATTERS: Social Security
In 1960, there were 4.9 workers for each person getting benefits.
Today, there are about 2.8 workers for each beneficiary, and that ratio will drop to 1.9 workers by 2035.
In 1960, there were 4.9 workers for each person getting benefits.
Today, there are about 2.8 workers for each beneficiary, and that ratio will drop to 1.9 workers by 2035.
To Encourage Biking, Cities Forget About Helmets
To Encourage Biking, Cities Forget About Helmets - NYTimes.com
In the United States the notion that bike helmets promote health and safety by preventing head injuries is taken as pretty near God’s truth. Un-helmeted cyclists are regarded as irresponsible, like people who smoke. Cities are aggressive in helmet promotion.
But many European health experts have taken a very different view: Yes, there are studies that show that if you fall off a bicycle at a certain speed and hit your head, a helmet can reduce your risk of serious head injury.
But such falls off bikes are rare — exceedingly so in mature urban cycling systems.
On the other hand, many researchers say, if you force or pressure people to wear helmets, you discourage them from riding bicycles.
That means more obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
And — Catch-22 — a result is fewer ordinary cyclists on the road, which makes it harder to develop a safe bicycling network.
In the United States the notion that bike helmets promote health and safety by preventing head injuries is taken as pretty near God’s truth. Un-helmeted cyclists are regarded as irresponsible, like people who smoke. Cities are aggressive in helmet promotion.
But many European health experts have taken a very different view: Yes, there are studies that show that if you fall off a bicycle at a certain speed and hit your head, a helmet can reduce your risk of serious head injury.
But such falls off bikes are rare — exceedingly so in mature urban cycling systems.
On the other hand, many researchers say, if you force or pressure people to wear helmets, you discourage them from riding bicycles.
That means more obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
And — Catch-22 — a result is fewer ordinary cyclists on the road, which makes it harder to develop a safe bicycling network.
Muskegon County unemployment down, but labor force also shrinks
Muskegon County unemployment down, but labor force also shrinks | MLive.com
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate fell by a full percentage point in August, but the number of people with a job also fell.
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in August, down from 10.1 percent in July and 10.0 percent a year ago.
At the same time, 1,290 people left the labor force and 945 fewer people were listed as employed.
The labor force is the number of adults working or looking for a job.
In August 2012, 898 fewer people were unemployed than in August 2011 and 448 fewer people had jobs.
Statewide, the unemployment rate fell from 10.3 percent in July to 9.2 percent in August.
In Ottawa County, the unemployment rate fell from 7.9 percent to 6.7 percent from July to August.
The county posted a small increase in the number of jobs, but apparently most of the jobless rate decrease came from unemployed workers ending their search for a job.
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate fell by a full percentage point in August, but the number of people with a job also fell.
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in August, down from 10.1 percent in July and 10.0 percent a year ago.
At the same time, 1,290 people left the labor force and 945 fewer people were listed as employed.
The labor force is the number of adults working or looking for a job.
In August 2012, 898 fewer people were unemployed than in August 2011 and 448 fewer people had jobs.
Statewide, the unemployment rate fell from 10.3 percent in July to 9.2 percent in August.
In Ottawa County, the unemployment rate fell from 7.9 percent to 6.7 percent from July to August.
The county posted a small increase in the number of jobs, but apparently most of the jobless rate decrease came from unemployed workers ending their search for a job.
Outgoing Muskegon County commissioners attending conference, thanks to policy change
Outgoing Muskegon County commissioners attending conference, thanks to policy change | MLive.com
Chairman Ken Mahoney, Lew Collins, Rillastine Wilkins, Ben Cross, Jim Derezinski, Plummer and Longmire voted to change the rule.
\Vice-chairman John Snider, Alan Jager and Marvin Engle voted against the change.
Chairman Ken Mahoney, Lew Collins, Rillastine Wilkins, Ben Cross, Jim Derezinski, Plummer and Longmire voted to change the rule.
\Vice-chairman John Snider, Alan Jager and Marvin Engle voted against the change.
Rick Haglund: While Michigan's unemployment is up, so is job creation
Rick Haglund: While Michigan's unemployment is up, so is job creation | MLive.com#incart_river_default
While the state’s unemployment rate has been rising since May, Michigan added 5,400 payroll jobs in the same period.
That’s not great, but at least it’s an increase.
While the state’s unemployment rate has been rising since May, Michigan added 5,400 payroll jobs in the same period.
That’s not great, but at least it’s an increase.
NYT: More suspicious voter forms found in Fla.
NYT: More suspicious voter forms found in Fla. - politics - The New York Times | NBC News
The number of Florida counties reporting suspicious voter registration forms connected to Strategic Allied Consulting, the firm hired by the state Republican Party to sign up new voters, has grown to 10, officials said, as local election supervisors continue to search their forms for questionable signatures, addresses or other identifiers.
The number of Florida counties reporting suspicious voter registration forms connected to Strategic Allied Consulting, the firm hired by the state Republican Party to sign up new voters, has grown to 10, officials said, as local election supervisors continue to search their forms for questionable signatures, addresses or other identifiers.
Gold Star Mother's Day for Gold Star Mothers-Today
Gold Star Mother's Day for Gold Star Mothers
On Gold Star Mother’s Day, we come together to honor those who have lost a son or daughter serving in the U.S. military by lighting a luminary on the last Sunday in September.
From the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mothers throughout America’s history have always seen their loved ones heed the call to duty. And with that duty comes the ultimate burden that these mothers must bear.
Lighting a luminary on Gold Star Mother’s Day lets them know they don’t stand alone.
Never forget!
On Gold Star Mother’s Day, we come together to honor those who have lost a son or daughter serving in the U.S. military by lighting a luminary on the last Sunday in September.
From the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mothers throughout America’s history have always seen their loved ones heed the call to duty. And with that duty comes the ultimate burden that these mothers must bear.
Lighting a luminary on Gold Star Mother’s Day lets them know they don’t stand alone.
Never forget!
Romney, MSNBC, and the McGurk Effect
Romney, MSNBC, and the McGurk Effect « Commentary Magazine
It would seem that MSNBC has been caught in an act that can only be called tantamount to journalistic prostitution.
Ace of Spades reports (h/t Instapundit) that the cable news network ran a clip showing an airport rally where Mitt Romney introduces Paul Ryan and the audience starts shouting, according to the chyron at the bottom of the screen, “Ryan! Ryan!” and Romney interrupts saying,
“No, it’s Romney-Ryan! Romney-Ryan!”
This, of course, makes Romney look both churlish and pathetic at the same time.
The only trouble is that the crowd wasn’t yelling “Ryan! Ryan!” it was yelling “Romney! Romney!” when Romney interrupts and graciously insists that his running mate is a vital part of the team–just about the exact opposite.
The video, apparently, came from a left-wing blogger who put the clip on YouTube, including the chyron, and it was just much too good for MSNBC to check.
How does it work?
It’s the McGurk effect, which, I confess, I had never heard of before this afternoon.
Vision rules the human sensory apparatus.
If our eyes tell us one thing and our ears another, the eyes, to coin a phrase, have it.
We “hear” what our eyes tell us we heard.
There’s a fascinating video at Ace of Spades of a professor explaining it.
It would seem that MSNBC has been caught in an act that can only be called tantamount to journalistic prostitution.
Ace of Spades reports (h/t Instapundit) that the cable news network ran a clip showing an airport rally where Mitt Romney introduces Paul Ryan and the audience starts shouting, according to the chyron at the bottom of the screen, “Ryan! Ryan!” and Romney interrupts saying,
“No, it’s Romney-Ryan! Romney-Ryan!”
This, of course, makes Romney look both churlish and pathetic at the same time.
The only trouble is that the crowd wasn’t yelling “Ryan! Ryan!” it was yelling “Romney! Romney!” when Romney interrupts and graciously insists that his running mate is a vital part of the team–just about the exact opposite.
The video, apparently, came from a left-wing blogger who put the clip on YouTube, including the chyron, and it was just much too good for MSNBC to check.
How does it work?
It’s the McGurk effect, which, I confess, I had never heard of before this afternoon.
Vision rules the human sensory apparatus.
If our eyes tell us one thing and our ears another, the eyes, to coin a phrase, have it.
We “hear” what our eyes tell us we heard.
There’s a fascinating video at Ace of Spades of a professor explaining it.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Top Five Worst Obamacare Taxes Coming in 2013
Americans for Tax Reform : Top Five Worst Obamacare Taxes Coming in 2013
Of the twenty new or higher taxes in Obamacare, below are the five worst that will be foisted upon Americans for the first time on January 1, 2013.
Of the twenty new or higher taxes in Obamacare, below are the five worst that will be foisted upon Americans for the first time on January 1, 2013.
As LG Chem imposes furloughs, Pete Hoekstra recalls Obama's putdown at groundbreaking
As LG Chem imposes furloughs, Pete Hoekstra recalls Obama's putdown at groundbreaking | MLive.com#incart_river#incart_river
That “no” vote was justified, said Hoekstra Friday after news surfaced that the factory on 48th Street has not produced a single battery to date and that the plant’s 200 employees have been on “rolling furloughs” since April.
That “no” vote was justified, said Hoekstra Friday after news surfaced that the factory on 48th Street has not produced a single battery to date and that the plant’s 200 employees have been on “rolling furloughs” since April.
League of Womens Voters president tours Michigan, tells of efforts to stop 'voter suppression' movements
League of Womens Voters president tours Michigan, tells of efforts to stop 'voter suppression' movements | MLive.com
Already MacNamara has made stops in Ohio, Colorado and Missouri and is scheduled to cover Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
These are all states that MacNamara says have had voter suppression attempts from state legislatures or courts.
“It doesn’t matter to us which party is doing it.
Our only concern is that citizens have the right to vote without barriers that suppress their vote,” Holland LWV Co-President Jean McFadden said.
Already MacNamara has made stops in Ohio, Colorado and Missouri and is scheduled to cover Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
These are all states that MacNamara says have had voter suppression attempts from state legislatures or courts.
“It doesn’t matter to us which party is doing it.
Our only concern is that citizens have the right to vote without barriers that suppress their vote,” Holland LWV Co-President Jean McFadden said.
Flash Editorial: Water pact a first step toward collaboration that could benefit entire county
Flash Editorial: Water pact a first step toward collaboration that could benefit entire county | MLive.com
As Muskegon Heights' new ad hoc committee begins its own study of how best to supply water to its customers and residents, we urge it to take the same approach.
Review all the information, ask the hard questions, develop relationships with the staff of other communities.
Find out what it will take to remove roadblocks to the community's goals.
Political entities are self-serving by design, Mayor Steve Gawron said Friday morning.
They think of how to take care of themselves first.
But that doesn't mean they can't make a decision that will benefit the greater community -- as happened with the water collaboration.
We urge Fruitport, Norton Shores and Muskegon elected officials to approve this pact.
We also urge Muskegon Heights to go through the same extended process to determine the best way to provide water to its citizens -- and the greater community.
As Muskegon Heights' new ad hoc committee begins its own study of how best to supply water to its customers and residents, we urge it to take the same approach.
Review all the information, ask the hard questions, develop relationships with the staff of other communities.
Find out what it will take to remove roadblocks to the community's goals.
Political entities are self-serving by design, Mayor Steve Gawron said Friday morning.
They think of how to take care of themselves first.
But that doesn't mean they can't make a decision that will benefit the greater community -- as happened with the water collaboration.
We urge Fruitport, Norton Shores and Muskegon elected officials to approve this pact.
We also urge Muskegon Heights to go through the same extended process to determine the best way to provide water to its citizens -- and the greater community.
Muskegon, Norton Shores, Fruitport Township tout lower rates, 'stability' with new agreement
Muskegon, Norton Shores, Fruitport Township tout lower rates, 'stability' with new agreement | MLive.com#incart_river#incart_river
Norton Shores and Fruitport Township will pay 15 percent more than the cost of producing filtered water, but won’t pay for the cost of operating and maintaining Muskegon’s water distribution system. Because they will build their own pipeline and won’t pay for Muskegon’s distribution costs, it could work out to less than 115 percent of what customers within the city of Muskegon pay.
Norton Shores and Fruitport Township will pay 15 percent more than the cost of producing filtered water, but won’t pay for the cost of operating and maintaining Muskegon’s water distribution system. Because they will build their own pipeline and won’t pay for Muskegon’s distribution costs, it could work out to less than 115 percent of what customers within the city of Muskegon pay.
Judge strikes down law affecting long-term state employees' pensions
Judge strikes down law affecting long-term state employees' pensions | MLive.com
An Ingham County judge on Friday struck down a requirement that long-term state employees contribute 4 percent of their pay to stay in a defined benefit pension plan as opposed to switching to a 401(k)-style system.
The ruling by Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk is a win for workers hired before April 1, 1997, who get a traditional pension benefit.
All new hires after that qualify for a defined contribution plan.
An Ingham County judge on Friday struck down a requirement that long-term state employees contribute 4 percent of their pay to stay in a defined benefit pension plan as opposed to switching to a 401(k)-style system.
The ruling by Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk is a win for workers hired before April 1, 1997, who get a traditional pension benefit.
All new hires after that qualify for a defined contribution plan.
Inter-governmental water agreement: Why now? What about Muskegon Heights?
Inter-governmental water agreement: Why now? What about Muskegon Heights? | MLive.com#incart_river
Muskegon Heights Mayor Darrell Paige announced earlier this week that he is appointing an ad-hoc committee to formulate a recommendation and possible solution to the expected loss of Norton Shores and Fruitport Township as customers.
Norton Shores and Fruitport Township account for about 70 percent of the current usage from the Muskegon Heights water plant.
Muskegon Heights Mayor Darrell Paige announced earlier this week that he is appointing an ad-hoc committee to formulate a recommendation and possible solution to the expected loss of Norton Shores and Fruitport Township as customers.
Norton Shores and Fruitport Township account for about 70 percent of the current usage from the Muskegon Heights water plant.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Analysis: Nation's Water Costs Rushing Higher
Analysis: Nation's Water Costs Rushing Higher - - CNBC
Higher rates still ahead
The costs continue to rise even though residential water usage dropped sharply nationwide in the past three decades amid conservation efforts.
U.S. water systems will need as much as $1 trillion in infrastructure improvements by 2035 to keep up with drinking water needs, according to a survey of industry experts released in June.
The bond debt needed to fund those projects' work will be passed on to consumers, including the many Americans struggling with the economic fallout of the great recession.
A virtually irreplaceable resource that Americans rely on for health and daily living "could potentially get more and more expensive," says John Chevrette, who heads the management consulting arm of Black & Veatch, the firm that conducted the industry survey.
He predicts rate increases of 5% to 15% every few years, saying the cost of water "could take a larger and more significant bite out of otherwise disposable income."
Higher rates still ahead
The costs continue to rise even though residential water usage dropped sharply nationwide in the past three decades amid conservation efforts.
U.S. water systems will need as much as $1 trillion in infrastructure improvements by 2035 to keep up with drinking water needs, according to a survey of industry experts released in June.
The bond debt needed to fund those projects' work will be passed on to consumers, including the many Americans struggling with the economic fallout of the great recession.
A virtually irreplaceable resource that Americans rely on for health and daily living "could potentially get more and more expensive," says John Chevrette, who heads the management consulting arm of Black & Veatch, the firm that conducted the industry survey.
He predicts rate increases of 5% to 15% every few years, saying the cost of water "could take a larger and more significant bite out of otherwise disposable income."
Our Feckless First Leader
Our Feckless First Leader - Thomas Sowell - National Review Online
Barack Obama is not the first leader of a nation whose actions reflected some half-baked vision, enveloped in lofty rhetoric and spiced with a huge dose of ego.
Nor would he be the first such leader to steer his nation into a historic catastrophe.
Barack Obama is not the first leader of a nation whose actions reflected some half-baked vision, enveloped in lofty rhetoric and spiced with a huge dose of ego.
Nor would he be the first such leader to steer his nation into a historic catastrophe.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Muskegon Heights forming committee to investigate water options without Norton Shores, Fruitport
Muskegon Heights forming committee to investigate water options without Norton Shores, Fruitport | MLive.com
Convinced that their two current customer communities will be buying water from another source, Muskegon Heights city officials are making preparations to move forward without them.
Convinced that their two current customer communities will be buying water from another source, Muskegon Heights city officials are making preparations to move forward without them.
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