Long time coming: North Korea's 'Hotel of Doom' to finally open 26 years after construction first began | Mail Online
The enormous structure dubbed the 'Hotel of Doom' has been a source of fascination and ridicule around the world and an oversized embarrassment for North Korea's authoritarian regime led by the Korean Workers' Party.
North Korea began building the Ryugyong in the 1980s but stopped when North Korea suffered an economic crisis and funding ran out in the 1990s.
It was voted 'Worst Building in the History of Mankind' by Esquire magazine in 2008, which described the Ryugyong as 'hideously ugly, even by communist standards'.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Video Confirms Negative Union Stereotypes
Video Confirms Negative Union Stereotypes [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Among the worst of those stereotypes is that unions foment violence.
One speaker at this union-sponsored event featured in the video, a fellow named Bill Webster, describes his first day at the Fisher Body plant in Kalamazoo years ago, when a co-worker "encouraged" his participation in a work slowdown by threatening to have his legs broken if he didn’t.
Watch the video, below.
Among the worst of those stereotypes is that unions foment violence.
One speaker at this union-sponsored event featured in the video, a fellow named Bill Webster, describes his first day at the Fisher Body plant in Kalamazoo years ago, when a co-worker "encouraged" his participation in a work slowdown by threatening to have his legs broken if he didn’t.
Watch the video, below.
FIVE REASONS FOR THE POST-SANDY GASOLINE SHORTAGE
Instapundit » Blog Archive » FIVE REASONS FOR THE POST-SANDY GASOLINE SHORTAGE
All real, but leaves out the distorting effect of price controls.
And here’s something it seems like Chris Christie should’ve waived somehow: “New Jersey is the only state with mandatory full-service at gas stations (you can’t pump your own gas even if you want to). While this minor inconvenience is usually offset by New Jersey’s lower gas prices, the influx of customers means that gas stations are struggling to keep all their pumps manned, which slows down long lines even more.”
Especially because if you can’t charge more for gas, you can’t hire more people to man the pumps without losing money.
UPDATE: Dave Kirkham emails: “You can’t pump your own gas in Oregon either.” I did not know that.
All real, but leaves out the distorting effect of price controls.
And here’s something it seems like Chris Christie should’ve waived somehow: “New Jersey is the only state with mandatory full-service at gas stations (you can’t pump your own gas even if you want to). While this minor inconvenience is usually offset by New Jersey’s lower gas prices, the influx of customers means that gas stations are struggling to keep all their pumps manned, which slows down long lines even more.”
Especially because if you can’t charge more for gas, you can’t hire more people to man the pumps without losing money.
UPDATE: Dave Kirkham emails: “You can’t pump your own gas in Oregon either.” I did not know that.
The difference between alot, a lot and allot
The difference between alot, a lot and allot</font> (grammar lesson)
There is often confusion over the words 'alot', 'a lot' and 'allot'.
Alot
This word does not exist.
It is often mistakenly written instead of "a lot".
I know alot about precious stones.
I know a lot about precious stones.
There is often confusion over the words 'alot', 'a lot' and 'allot'.
Alot
This word does not exist.
It is often mistakenly written instead of "a lot".
I know alot about precious stones.
I know a lot about precious stones.
First Amendment, French Style
PJ Media » First Amendment, French Style
There was a quick report on the impending U.S. presidential election.
“Yesterday, we followed Barack Obama’s campaign,” a young woman said.
“Today we turn to Mitt Romney’s campaign.”
All right. Except that “following Romney’s campaign” amounted, incredibly, to an interview with a certain Dr. Gordon, who explained that most Americans were grateful to President Obama for having introduced Obamacare.
Especially those women who otherwise would have been deprived of any access to birth control. Some journalist at RTL then explained that Romney would abolish Obamacare.
And the report was over.
Most listeners, I am afraid, just swallowed the story whole and didn’t even understand there was something problematic about it.
The bottom line, indeed, is that almost everybody in France is convinced that Obama is good and Romney is bad.
This explains a lot. Read it all.
There was a quick report on the impending U.S. presidential election.
“Yesterday, we followed Barack Obama’s campaign,” a young woman said.
“Today we turn to Mitt Romney’s campaign.”
All right. Except that “following Romney’s campaign” amounted, incredibly, to an interview with a certain Dr. Gordon, who explained that most Americans were grateful to President Obama for having introduced Obamacare.
Especially those women who otherwise would have been deprived of any access to birth control. Some journalist at RTL then explained that Romney would abolish Obamacare.
And the report was over.
Most listeners, I am afraid, just swallowed the story whole and didn’t even understand there was something problematic about it.
The bottom line, indeed, is that almost everybody in France is convinced that Obama is good and Romney is bad.
This explains a lot. Read it all.
FEMA Taps Private Vendors to Meet Sandy Victim's Needs
FEMA Taps Private Vendors to Meet Sandy Victim's Needs
In fact, the agency appears to have been completely unprepared to distribute bottled water to Hurricane Sandy victims when the storm hit this Monday. I
n contrast to its stated policy, FEMA failed to have any meaningful supplies of bottled water -- or any other supplies, for that matter -- stored in nearby facilities as it had proclaimed it would on its website. This was the case despite several days advance warning of the impending storm.
FEMA only began to solicit bids for vendors to provide bottled water for distribution to Hurricane Sandy victims on Friday, sending out a solicitation request for 2.3 million gallons of bottled water at the FedBizOpps.gov website.
Bidding closed at 4:30 pm eastern.
In fact, the agency appears to have been completely unprepared to distribute bottled water to Hurricane Sandy victims when the storm hit this Monday. I
n contrast to its stated policy, FEMA failed to have any meaningful supplies of bottled water -- or any other supplies, for that matter -- stored in nearby facilities as it had proclaimed it would on its website. This was the case despite several days advance warning of the impending storm.
FEMA only began to solicit bids for vendors to provide bottled water for distribution to Hurricane Sandy victims on Friday, sending out a solicitation request for 2.3 million gallons of bottled water at the FedBizOpps.gov website.
Bidding closed at 4:30 pm eastern.
Transgender Student in Women’s Locker Room Raises Uproar
Transgender Student in Women’s Locker Room Raises Uproar - ABC News
The decision to allow a transgender 45-year-old college student who identifies as a woman but has male genitalia to use the women’s locker room has raised a fracas among parents and faith-based organizations, who say children as young as 6 years old use the locker room.
The locker room at Evergreen College in Olympia, Wash., is shared with the Capital High School swim club and a children’s swim academy, along with the students at Evergreen.
The decision to allow a transgender 45-year-old college student who identifies as a woman but has male genitalia to use the women’s locker room has raised a fracas among parents and faith-based organizations, who say children as young as 6 years old use the locker room.
The locker room at Evergreen College in Olympia, Wash., is shared with the Capital High School swim club and a children’s swim academy, along with the students at Evergreen.
Last Dance - By Mark Steyn
Last Dance - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
Last Dance
By Mark Steyn
Yesterday was apparently National Dance For Obama Day.
In Manhattan it attracted all of twelve dancers .
Of course, New York has been devastated by Hurricane Bloomberg, but the attendance in undevastated cities was not much better.
Still, I was sorry to miss it, having spent the last six weeks working on my interpretative dance of the Benghazi attack including an extended seven-hour coolly sensuous samba of the President deciding not to decide to do anything.
By the way, for any members of the Obama Youth Dancers reading this, tomorrow is National Hokey-Pokey For The National Debt Day.
Timmy Geithner will put a US Treasury Bond in, Ben Bernanke will put it out, and unionized pom-pom heavies from the SEIU will shake it all about.
Meet outside the Federal Reserve, 11am.
Last Dance
By Mark Steyn
Yesterday was apparently National Dance For Obama Day.
In Manhattan it attracted all of twelve dancers .
Of course, New York has been devastated by Hurricane Bloomberg, but the attendance in undevastated cities was not much better.
Still, I was sorry to miss it, having spent the last six weeks working on my interpretative dance of the Benghazi attack including an extended seven-hour coolly sensuous samba of the President deciding not to decide to do anything.
By the way, for any members of the Obama Youth Dancers reading this, tomorrow is National Hokey-Pokey For The National Debt Day.
Timmy Geithner will put a US Treasury Bond in, Ben Bernanke will put it out, and unionized pom-pom heavies from the SEIU will shake it all about.
Meet outside the Federal Reserve, 11am.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
An Unpredictable End to a Very Predictable Election
An Unpredictable End to a Very Predictable Election - Rasmussen Reports™
Eight states, with a total of 95 Electoral College votes, remain toss-ups and will determine the winner: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.
All eight of those states were carried by Obama in 2008.
Florida and Virginia are absolute must-win states for the Romney campaign.
If the president wins either, the election will be his.
It is quite reasonable to think the challenger can win these states but far from a sure thing.
Eight states, with a total of 95 Electoral College votes, remain toss-ups and will determine the winner: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.
All eight of those states were carried by Obama in 2008.
Florida and Virginia are absolute must-win states for the Romney campaign.
If the president wins either, the election will be his.
It is quite reasonable to think the challenger can win these states but far from a sure thing.
Chaos reigns at free gas fiasco
Chaos reigns at free gas fiasco - NYPOST.com
A Cuomo-administration source blamed the mix up on the military
A Cuomo-administration source blamed the mix up on the military
Voting advocates ask for investigation into missing absentee ballots in Oakland, Macomb counties
Voting advocates ask for investigation into missing absentee ballots in Oakland, Macomb counties | MLive.com
Auburn Hills Clerk Terri Kowal said last week that more than 800 absentee ballots mailed in early October never made it to voters.
Auburn Hills Clerk Terri Kowal said last week that more than 800 absentee ballots mailed in early October never made it to voters.
FEMA Taps Private Vendors to Meet Sandy Victim's Needs
FEMA Taps Private Vendors to Meet Sandy Victim's Needs
FEMA only began to solicit bids for vendors to provide bottled water for distribution to Hurricane Sandy victims on Friday, sending out a solicitation request for 2.3 million gallons of bottled water at the FedBizOpps.gov website.
Bidding closed at 4:30 pm eastern
FEMA only began to solicit bids for vendors to provide bottled water for distribution to Hurricane Sandy victims on Friday, sending out a solicitation request for 2.3 million gallons of bottled water at the FedBizOpps.gov website.
Bidding closed at 4:30 pm eastern
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Potential Paths to a 269 Predicament
Potential Paths to a 269 Predicament - ABC News
ABC News' Jon Karl has detailed how this election could actually result in a Romney/Biden administration.
ut in the event of an electoral college tie, there's one last-ditch possibility to avoid this bipartisan turn of events.
The actual convening of the Electoral College in their respective states is on Dec. 17.
ABC News' Jon Karl has detailed how this election could actually result in a Romney/Biden administration.
ut in the event of an electoral college tie, there's one last-ditch possibility to avoid this bipartisan turn of events.
The actual convening of the Electoral College in their respective states is on Dec. 17.
USS Enterprise sets out on its final mission
USS Enterprise sets out on its final mission • The Register
After decommissioning, which officially occurs on December 1, the US Navy will be left with only 10 aircraft carriers to protect itself, only eight more than its nearest rivals Italy and Spain.
After decommissioning, which officially occurs on December 1, the US Navy will be left with only 10 aircraft carriers to protect itself, only eight more than its nearest rivals Italy and Spain.
Bill Maher Warns Romney Supporters: 'Black People Know Who You Are and They Will Come After You'
Bill Maher Warns Romney Supporters: 'Black People Know Who You Are and They Will Come After You' | NewsBusters.org
Bill Maher on HBO's Real Time Friday might have said one of the most disgraceful things uttered during the 2012 campaign season.
"If you're thinking about voting for Mitt Romney, I would like to make this one plea: black people know who you are and they will come after you" (video follows with commentary):
Bill Maher on HBO's Real Time Friday might have said one of the most disgraceful things uttered during the 2012 campaign season.
"If you're thinking about voting for Mitt Romney, I would like to make this one plea: black people know who you are and they will come after you" (video follows with commentary):
Why Was There No October Surprise? Because Every Freakin’ Day for the Last Four Years Has Been an October Surprise
Zombie » Why Was There No October Surprise? Because Every Freakin’ Day for the Last Four Years Has Been an October Surprise
The Complete List of Barack Obama’s Scandals, Misdeeds, Crimes and Blunders
The Complete List of Barack Obama’s Scandals, Misdeeds, Crimes and Blunders
Mark Steyn: Biggest Big Government can't keep lights on
Mark Steyn: Biggest Big Government can't keep lights on | president, government, new - Opinion - The Orange County Register
I don't know whether Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan can fix things, but I do know that Barack Obama and Joe Biden won't even try – and that therefore a vote for Obama is a vote for the certainty of national collapse.
Look at Lower Manhattan in the dark, and try to imagine what America might look like after the rest of the planet decides it no longer needs the dollar as global reserve currency.
For four years, we have had a president who can spend everything but build nothing.
Nothing but debt, dependency, and decay.
As I said at the beginning, in different ways the response to Hurricane Sandy and Benghazi exemplify the fundamental unseriousness of the superpower at twilight.
Whether or not to get serious is the choice facing the electorate Tuesday.
I don't know whether Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan can fix things, but I do know that Barack Obama and Joe Biden won't even try – and that therefore a vote for Obama is a vote for the certainty of national collapse.
Look at Lower Manhattan in the dark, and try to imagine what America might look like after the rest of the planet decides it no longer needs the dollar as global reserve currency.
For four years, we have had a president who can spend everything but build nothing.
Nothing but debt, dependency, and decay.
As I said at the beginning, in different ways the response to Hurricane Sandy and Benghazi exemplify the fundamental unseriousness of the superpower at twilight.
Whether or not to get serious is the choice facing the electorate Tuesday.
Mark Steyn: Biggest Big Government can't keep lights on
Mark Steyn: Biggest Big Government can't keep lights on | president, government, new - Opinion - The Orange County Register
"A big storm requires Big Government," pronounced The New York Times.
But Washington is so big-hearted with Big Government it spends $188 million an hour that it doesn't have – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Ramadan.
And yet, mysteriously, multitrillion-dollar Big Government Obama-style can't do anything except sluice food stamps to the dependent class, lavish benefits and early retirement packages to the bureaucrats that service them, and so-called government "investment" to approved Obama cronies.
"A big storm requires Big Government," pronounced The New York Times.
But Washington is so big-hearted with Big Government it spends $188 million an hour that it doesn't have – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Ramadan.
And yet, mysteriously, multitrillion-dollar Big Government Obama-style can't do anything except sluice food stamps to the dependent class, lavish benefits and early retirement packages to the bureaucrats that service them, and so-called government "investment" to approved Obama cronies.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Venice hit by worst flooding in two years
Venice hit by worst flooding in two years | Reuters
Tourists in Venice put plastic bags over their legs and residents wore rubber boots as water rose to knee-high levels in many parts of the lagoon city on Thursday.
The median level of the Adriatic Sea swelled to about 1.4 metres (1.5 yards) above normal - the highest in nearly two years - sending water from the lagoon into St. Mark's Square and many narrow alleyways.
Wooden catwalks which are usually used to allow pedestrian passage over flooded areas were removed after the water rose above them, rendering them useless.
In some places, it was impossible to distinguish where canals ended and sidewalks began.
Much of Italy has been hit by heavy rain and strong winds over the past week.
Tourists in Venice put plastic bags over their legs and residents wore rubber boots as water rose to knee-high levels in many parts of the lagoon city on Thursday.
The median level of the Adriatic Sea swelled to about 1.4 metres (1.5 yards) above normal - the highest in nearly two years - sending water from the lagoon into St. Mark's Square and many narrow alleyways.
Wooden catwalks which are usually used to allow pedestrian passage over flooded areas were removed after the water rose above them, rendering them useless.
In some places, it was impossible to distinguish where canals ended and sidewalks began.
Much of Italy has been hit by heavy rain and strong winds over the past week.
Driving restrictions into Manhattan
Driving restrictions into Manhattan - New York News | NYC Breaking News
Police are stopping to check cars at the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Queensboro Bridge, RFK/Triborough Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, and Lincoln Tunnel to determine how many people are inside before they are allowed into the bridges or tunnel.
The check points reduced traffic to one lane.
The inspections appeared to be taking several seconds per vehicle.
Police are stopping to check cars at the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Queensboro Bridge, RFK/Triborough Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, and Lincoln Tunnel to determine how many people are inside before they are allowed into the bridges or tunnel.
The check points reduced traffic to one lane.
The inspections appeared to be taking several seconds per vehicle.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
« Press Man: The Prisoner of Zandi
« Press Man: The Prisoner of Zandi Commentary Magazine
In a news story about Obama’s plans for a big spending bill, in December 2008, the New York Times identified him as a “Republican economist advising Democrats.”
In reality, he was a Democratic economist who’d just got done advising a Republican, and “advising” is (probably) not the right word.
In a news story about Obama’s plans for a big spending bill, in December 2008, the New York Times identified him as a “Republican economist advising Democrats.”
In reality, he was a Democratic economist who’d just got done advising a Republican, and “advising” is (probably) not the right word.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Last Gasp of Union Power
The Last Gasp of Union Power | Hoover Institution
"We should be profoundly skeptical of any proposal that aims to improve the lot of the “people” by giving some people rights that necessarily bind others—in this instance, the public at large or the owners and employers of private firms.
The folks on the receiving end of these collective bargaining laws are people too.
No system has a prayer of long-term success if the gains that some people get by state coercion are smaller than the losses those laws inflict on others."
"We should be profoundly skeptical of any proposal that aims to improve the lot of the “people” by giving some people rights that necessarily bind others—in this instance, the public at large or the owners and employers of private firms.
The folks on the receiving end of these collective bargaining laws are people too.
No system has a prayer of long-term success if the gains that some people get by state coercion are smaller than the losses those laws inflict on others."
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