Thursday, May 02, 2013

School Funding at All-Time High

School Funding at All-Time High [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"New data from the state (available in this online database) show that despite constant calls from school officials and government employee union bosses for more funding, public schools in Michigan received more money in 2011 than ever before — about $13,405 per pupil.
Total school spending, however, did drop from its all-time high in 2010 — by less than 1 percent.
Schools spent $12,778 per pupil last year overall, with $11,561 of that spent on day-to-day operating expenses."

After Boston, concern over another terror attack rises, poll shows - CBS News

After Boston, concern over another terror attack rises, poll shows - CBS News:
"As many as 68 percent of Americans approve of Mr. Obama's response to the bombings, and 56 percent approve of his handling of terrorism generally.
However, his overall job approval is lower, at 47 percent -- similar to last month.
Many Republicans give the president credit for his handling of the Boston attacks (47 percent approve), but just 12 percent approve of the overall job Mr. Obama is doing as president.
Mr. Obama said Tuesday that law enforcement did an "exemplary job responding to the bombings, and Americans seem to agree: 84 percent said they approve of the way federal and local law enforcement handled the attack.
On the other hand, some think more could have been done to prevent it: 41 percent of Americans think U.S. intelligence agencies had information that could have prevented the bombings at the Boston Marathon, but 45 percent do not."

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

DRUDGE REPORT 2013®

DRUDGE REPORT 2013®:
"CABLE NEWS RACE
TUES., APRIL 30, 2013

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 2,713,000
FOXNEWS THE FIVE 2,027,000
CMDY DAILY SHOW 1,867,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,814,000
CMDY COLBERT 1,752,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 1,677,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 1,395,000
MSNBC MADDOW 673,000
MSNBC O'DONNELL 685,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 613,000
CNN BLITZER 551,000
MSNBC SHARPTON 549,000
CNNHN GRACE 510,000
CNN BURNETT 509,000
MSNBC HAYES 496,000
CNNHN DR DREW 482,000
CNN PIERS MORGAN 433,000"

'Catastrophic' cyberattack could hit utilities like PG&E

'Catastrophic' cyberattack could hit utilities like PG&E - Marin Independent Journal:
Hackers are increasingly targeting electric, natural gas and other vital utilities, threatening a disaster of epic proportions that experts say firms are doing too little to guard against.
"We will see catastrophic outages," PG&E Chief Information Security Officer James Sample warned state regulators at a recent forum, though not specifically referring to his company. 
"We are dealing with a very intelligent adversary."
The threat is regarded by U.S. officials and others as among the most worrisome the nation faces. 
A cyberattack could so severely damage a utility that millions of people might be left without power for months, experts say, shutting down water and transportation systems, threatening the sick and elderly, and causing billions of dollars in damage........
"The agency, which held the forum Sample attended, warned in a recent report that utilities are becoming increasingly vulnerable as their networks add smart meters and other computerized gear.
But while federal rules require certain facilities and power lines to be protected from hackers, most are not.
The CPUC's study said, 
"80-90 percent or more of the electric infrastructure currently does not fall under any required standards and cybersecurity practices of the utilities are not monitored."

Police say liberal student activist threatened herself with rape in Facebook hoax, framed conservatives

Police say liberal student activist threatened herself with rape in Facebook hoax, framed conservatives:
"A well-known female liberal blogger and radio host at the University of Wyoming (UW) is being accused by police of fabricating a rape threat against herself to appear as if it came from a conservative."

British families at risk from smart meters, campaigners tell MPs

British families at risk from smart meters, campaigners tell MPs - Telegraph:
"Dr Liz Evans, a campaigner, said there are hundreds of studies showing "evidence of harm could be acute", including possible "chronic effects from long term exposure such as cancer, infertility, dementia, genetic damage, immune system dysfunction and damage to foetuses".
"We are many of organisations calling for a precautionary approach, particularly for children," she said.
Mike Mitcham, another campaigner, said there is evidence that it could be 140 to 800 times more powerful than mobile phones.
He said the exposure to radiation from smart meters is "very short in the same way a a bullet from a rifle your exposure to that is very shortlived for that tiny fraction of a time that it enters the body".

Jessica Heeringa's alleged abduction prompts Michigan elected officials, law enforcement to consider safety law for clerks

Jessica Heeringa's alleged abduction prompts Michigan elected officials, law enforcement to consider safety law for clerks | MLive.com:
"State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright, D-Muskegon, Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, and State Rep. Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, each said Wednesday, May 1, they are going to explore ways to get a law in place in Michigan that would protect convenience store employees.
“I’m definitely planning to explore the possible legislation to protect people working in those convenience stores,” Hovey-Wright said."

Classic moronic government (redundancy alert!) response.
1. We don't know what happened.
2. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are open late with only one employee and employee abductions are an absolute aberration. 
3. Let's pass a very expensive (to the small businesses we so pretend to love) law that will not prevent future abductions.
4. Have their "publicists" in the media tell everyone how wonderful the politicians are.
5. If the perp turns out to be a many-times-convicted, many-times-freed felon, move on to more important issues like T-Party members who use pressure cookers for cooking! 

MDOT to close lanes on Moses J. Jones Parkway in Muskegon for $650,000 resurfacing project

MDOT to close lanes on Moses J. Jones Parkway in Muskegon for $650,000 resurfacing project | MLive.com:
"The Michigan Department of Transportation will enact single and double lane closures on the Moses J. Jones Parkway, also known as Shoreline Drive, starting May 6 for a resurfacing project."

AKA "Shoreline Dr."?
Who'd of guessed?

50 Free Awesome Android Apps

50 Free Awesome Android Apps - Datamation:

BENGHAZIGATE: Obama’s Secret Gun-Running Program

BENGHAZIGATE: Obama’s Secret Gun-Running Program - Katie Kieffer - Page 1:
"We now know that President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and then-CIA Director David Petraeus were likely behind a mishandled gun-trafficking program that ended up arming the radical jihadist rebels who stormed the U.S. consulate and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya on that fateful day."

The Freeman : Foundation for Economic Education

The Freeman : Foundation for Economic Education:

'via Blog this'

Obama Extols Organized Labor in ‘Workers Memorial Day’ Proclamation

Obama Extols Organized Labor in ‘Workers Memorial Day’ Proclamation | CNS News:
"With high praise for labor unions and criticism for the manufacturing industry’s history, President Barack Obama declared Sunday to be “Workers Memorial Day.”
In the proclamation, Obama cited deplorable work conditions in factories during the early 20th Century.
“A combination of shoddy equipment and fatigue from long shifts made serious injury and death all too common,” the president said.
“Career-ending injuries often led to poverty and starvation.
From mine shafts to railroads to factory floors, workers began to speak out.”
He then praised organized labor and government regulation stopping these injuries and deaths."

The politically incorrect truth about violence and fundamental Islam

The politically incorrect truth about violence and fundamental Islam | Washington Times Communities:
"The truth is that the Koran directly compels Muslims to commit violent acts against disbelievers.
While the ultimate goal of Judaism and Christianity, the most prominent Western religions, is individual salvation, the ultimate goal of Islam is collective domination and for the entire world to be under Islamic control and Sharia law.
Muslims are instructed to do all that they can to facilitate this goal, including to kill and subjugate disbelievers and America MUST understand this or watch as our culture crumbles and our citizens continue to die."

Pelosi: 'Unleash' Women With 'Affordable Quality Childcare for All'

Pelosi: 'Unleash' Women With 'Affordable Quality Childcare for All' | CNS News

Michigan 'brain drain' bill would give tax credits to college graduates who stay in state, pay loans

Michigan 'brain drain' bill would give tax credits to college graduates who stay in state, pay loans | MLive.com:
"Michigan is working to keep college graduates in the state, and new legislation seeks to slow the "brain drain" with an additional incentive:
A tax credit for student loan payments.
"For me, it's kind of a first step in talent retention," said sponsoring state Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing,
"We have some of the best colleges and universities in the world, but people get educated here and then leave for Chicago or San Francisco or some place else.
We need to keep them in Michigan, and we need to keep them in our cities."

NH Man Loses Life Savings On Carnival Game

NH Man Loses Life Savings On Carnival Game « CBS Boston:
"The 30-year-old from Epsom says he kept trying to win back his moneyby going double or nothing. He dropped $300 in just a few minutes, then says he went home to get $2,300 more and soon lost all of that as well.
“You just get caught up in the whole ‘I’ve got to win my money back.’
......Gribbohm says he is considering a lawsuit.
“For once in my life I happened to become that sucker,” said Gribbohm. 
“It was foolish for putting up my life savings.”

Crony Capitalism at Work

Crony Capitalism at Work - Scottie Hughes - Page 1:
"Ready for the next Solyndra? 
If you haven’t heard of GreenTech Automotive, that’s going to change. And fast.
The “green energy” company that boasts about building electric cars has recently been vaulted into the national spotlight because of its ties to top Clinton donors and Obama administration officials, and most disturbingly, because of its assault on freedom of speech by suing the Franklin Center and its independent journalism arm Watchdog.org."

Muskegon leaders contemplate branding project; What are outsiders saying about the community?

Muskegon leaders contemplate branding project; What are outsiders saying about the community? | MLive.com
"WMSRDC environmental planner Kathy Evans said Monday night’s discussions and feedback will be used to see if there is support for perception research and a full community branding project.
The Great Lakes Commission is offering a $12,000 grant for the initial research and the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership would contribute $1,000 to a $24,000 research effort.
Domine said that the research and its analysis that would lead to Muskegon’s “story” and the creative logos, slogans and advertising materials to support that would cost a total of about $80,000 and take a year to develop.
The community would have to find the financial resources to support the effort, Evans said."

Michigan road funding: House panel debates 20% registration fee increase, more for electric/hybrids

Michigan road funding: House panel debates 20% registration fee increase, more for electric/hybrids | MLive.com:
"Phil Lombard, a Ferndale resident who owns a Toyota Prius, told the panel that the proposed fees would create "a separate an unequal standard" for hybrid vehicles.
He pointed out that not all hybrids get great gas mileage while many traditional vehicles do, and he suggested that the proposed fee increase would generate more revenue than the state is currently losing as a result of hybrid technology.
"Hybrid owners aren't asking for thanks for leaving more gas at the tank for others, and we're not asking thanks for emitting less air pollution than other vehicles," he said.
"We're just looking for equitable, fair treatment. House Bill 4632 is unreasonable and punitive to hybrid vehicle owners."

Muskegon County, Michigan

Muskegon County, Michigan:
"Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee Meeting
When: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Location: 4th Floor Hall of Justice Board Room, 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49442

Ways & Means Committee
When: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 4:00pm
Location: 4th Floor Hall of Justice Board Room, 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49442
Click Here for Agenda

Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Citizens' Review Committee
When: May 7, 2013, 5:30pm
Location: South Campus Training Center Room #203, 133 East Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442

Port Advisory Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Location: GVSU MAREC, 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon, MI 49440"