Thursday, July 02, 2009

Forget Green Shoots: They’re Just Weeds

Forget Green Shoots: They’re Just Weeds
"But when it comes to engendering an immediate economic recovery, the answer is a fairly simple three step process:
Commit to a zero interest rate policy for at least 2-3 years.
Enact a 100% tax holiday on business income and capital gains.
That’s not a deferral, it’s a full abatement.
Commit credibly to eliminate new regulations on business."

Congress's Travel Tab Swells

Congress's Travel Tab Swells
"The spending on overseas travel is up almost tenfold since 1995, and has nearly tripled since 2001, according to the Journal analysis of 60,000 travel records. Hundreds of lawmakers traveled overseas in 2008 at a cost of about $13 million. That's a 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago."

Obama's War on the American Dream

Tea Party Talking Points: Obama's War on the American Dream
"Creating or Saving Jobs?
The President set a benchmark of a 138.6 million jobs in the U.S. economy by the end of 2010. He is currently 6.4 million jobs short.
Yet with rising unemployment, the White House continues to take credit for jobs 'saved' without any empirical evidence to suggest this is true.
The stimulus bill did create jobs in one sector--the government--by nearly doubling the size of several federal agencies and creating a huge bureaucracy."

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Mississippi tops U.S. obesity rankings

Mississippi tops U.S. obesity rankings
"Rounding out the top five states among adults were West Virginia, with 31.2 percent of its population considered obese; Alabama, 31.1 percent; Tennessee, 30.2 percent; and South Carolina 29.7 percent."

Brace yourself for higher taxes

Brace yourself for higher taxes
"President Obama had said in September, 2008: 'I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.'
This pledge has already been broken, at least with respect to federal tobacco taxes.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

“The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows..............

“The Rasmussen Reports
"June 30, 2009
“The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 31% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President.
Thirty-three percent (33%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. That matches the lowest level yet recorded.”

Canada's Single-Prayer Health Care

Canada's Single-Prayer Health Care
"Ava Isabella Stinson was born last Thursday at St. Joseph's hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. Weighing only two pounds, she was born 13 weeks premature and needed some very special care. Unfortunately, there were no open neonatal intensive care beds for her at St. Joseph's — or anywhere else in the entire province of Ontario, it seems.
Canada's perfectly planned and cost-effective system had no room at the inn for Ava, who of necessity had to be sent across the border to a Buffalo, N.Y., hospital to suffer under our chaotic and costly system. She had no time to be put on a Canadian waiting list. She got the care she needed at an American hospital under a system President Obama has labeled 'unsustainable.'"

The 'Absentee' Senator

The 'Absentee' Senator
"The unfortunate lesson is that you don't need to win the vote on Election Day as long as your lawyers are creative enough to have enough new or disqualified ballots counted after the fact. "

When Envy is on the Menu

When Envy is on the Menu

CARPE DIEM: Banking Fact of the Day

Banking Fact of the Day
"Number of bank failures this year so far:
45 (FDIC data here, click on 'Produce Report').

Total Assets of the 45 failed banks: $36.965 billion

Total Bank Assets of All 8,246 FDIC-insured banks: $13.542 trillion (data here)

Failed Bank Assets as a Percent of Total Bank Assets: .27% (or about 1/4 of 1%)


Bottom Line: The worst of the banking crisis is behind us, the percent last year was 2.69%."

Gunfire wounds 7 Detroit teens; 3 critical

Gunfire wounds 7 Detroit teens; 3 critical
"Seven teenagers were shot near Cody Ninth Grade Academy this afternoon, leaving three in critical condition."

Apostrophe Abuse

Apostrophe Abuse

June Federal Receipts: The Dive Continues, As Does Media Near Silence

June Federal Receipts: The Dive Continues, As Does Media Near Silence
"Media coverage of the ongoing receipts dive has been minimal at best. A Google News search on 'federal receipts' (typed in quotes) returns on seven items, two of them originating from yours truly."

June Federal Receipts: The Dive Continues, As Does Media Near Silence


June Federal Receipts: The Dive Continues, As Does Media Near Silence
"Estimating on what I believe is the high side, it looks like total June 2009 receipts will come in at about $230 billion, consisting of about $198 billion in the line items identified above (i.e., another $13.2 billion will come in during the final two days) plus $32 billion in other receipts. That would be a 12% drop from last year's official total, but a 20% drop from last year's $287.8 billion in total receipts from economic activity."

U.K. First-Quarter GDP Drops 2.4%, Most Since 1958

U.K. First-Quarter GDP Drops 2.4%, Most Since 1958
"Gross domestic product fell 2.4 percent from the final three months of 2008,"

Obama’s Census to castrate American Caucasians

Obama’s Census to castrate American Caucasians:
"But infinitely more telling is what the new census form doesn’t ask.
It doesn’t ask if you are a citizen of the U.S.A., if you are an immigrant, or if you are a Muslim.
Naturally, the questions are in English and Spanish, lest anyone think that America is an Anglo nation. Many stand in violation of the Constitution which states that a national census should concern itself solely the number of individuals in a household.
For this reason, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is refusing to answer the “very intricate” and “very personal” questions.
But there are problems with the Obama census beyond the intrusive nature of the comprehensive survey.
To assist in the hiring of census takers, the Obama Administration has opted to partner with the following special interest groups (not one of which represents the despised race of whites who settled this country):
ACORN
100 Black Men of America
African American Women’s House of Imagene (sic) Shelter
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Arab American Institute
Asian American Federation
Asian American Justice Center
Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS
Association of Professors and Scholars of Iranian Heritage
Boat People SOS
Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute
Hispanic Federation
Fundacion Azteca
Latino Justice PDLDEF
Mas New Mexico
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Minority Access
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
National Alliance of Black School Educators
National American Indian Housing Council
NAACP National Voter Fund
NAACP (National Association of Colored People)
National Association for Black Social Workers
National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs
National association of Hispanic Federal Executives
National Association of Hispanic Publications
National Association of Latino Elected Officials
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Black Child Development Institute
National Black Justice Coalition
National Black Leadership Forum
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
National Congress of Black Women
National Federation of Filipino American Associations
National Hispanic Leadership Institute
National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse
National Latino Research Center
National Minority AIDS Council
National Puerto Rican Coalition
National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Rainbow Push Coalition
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Voto Latino


Get the picture? Notice a racial bias?

These agencies will be paid millions in taxpayers’ dollars to assist the President in conducting the census and to make sure that all minorities are included in the official count.

Not one of the groups represents the despised race of white Europeans who settled this country and gave their sweat and blood to make it the most prosperous nation on earth.
Excluded from the list of census partners are such groups, as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Elks Clubs, the Rotary Clubs, the Moose Lodge, and, of course, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick."

Monday, June 29, 2009

CARPE DIEM: More on the Male-Female SAT Math Test Gap


ADVICE TO REPUBLICANS, FROM DAN RIEHL: “Any real change has to start from the ground up.

ADVICE TO REPUBLICANS
“Any real change has to start from the ground up.
Ranting about witholding money might make you feel good. And there’s nothing wrong with doing it, provided you’re sending the right message as to what will be required to motivate you to support the GOP, again. You’d actually be better off to raise money yourself and give it to more conservative candidates, just as the Left did to some degree with politicians they liked.
I believe RedState already has that type of initiative. They’re even raising money specifically for a more conservative candidate to take on Boxer - Chuck Devore. That’s the way to get what you want by channeling money, not simply withholding it because one is angry.”"

6 Shot Dead In City This Past Weekend; Several Others Shot Or Stabbed And Wounded

6 Shot Dead In City This Past Weekend; Several Others Shot Or Stabbed And Wounded
"Shootings claimed the lives of six men in the city in a bloody and violent 24 hours over the weekend"

What is Obama's exit strategy to extricate American police and citizens from this quagmire?

Waxman-Markey promotes ‘Shower Nazi’

Waxman-Markey promotes ‘Shower Nazi’
"Section 217 of the bill provides for a “water efficient product incentive program” that would provide rebates, vouchers, direct installs and other forms of financial assistance for the installation of water-saving products.
During my radio interview last Friday with Bob Jamison (Kern Valley News, KNCQ 102.5 FM / Bakersfield, CA), Jamison, a motel owner, told me that he had been solicited by the seller of the “Shower Manager,” a water-saving device. Curious, I went to the Shower manager web site.
Here’s how the Shower Manager works:
The Shower Manager not only puts time limits on the shower, it also cuts the water flow when the time has expired. Our unique shower timer is a patented two-phase flow controller that permits a full-flow of water for a time period you select, (5, 8 or 11 minutes) and then restricts the water flow by two-thirds when that time limit expires. You set the full-flow Interval that best fits your lifestyle and lock it in using a special magnetic sensor."

Ya just know the Gorebal Warmists and their democrat comrades want this to be required in every home and hotel.

theblogprof: DPS to cut 1,900 jobs, still in deficit. To Robert Bobb: "MR. MANAGER - TEAR DOWN THIS DISTRICT!"

theblogprof: DPS to cut 1,900 jobs, still in deficit. To Robert Bobb: "MR. MANAGER - TEAR DOWN THIS DISTRICT!": "Can't they just scrap DPS and start all over again? Such would be the case if the children's education really were the central goal. It's not. Politics takes precedence. From The Detroit Free Press: Cuts can't erase Detroit Public Schools' deficits. The subline is: Goal is to avoid a complete shutdown. Thus my question: 'why?' I'd go farther and say shutter the entire absurdity already! A graduation rate of 1 in 4?"

The Debt Tsunami - washingtonpost.com



"Now comes the CBO with yet more news of the sort that neither Capitol Hill nor the White House is likely to welcome: its freshly released report on the federal government's long-term financial situation.

To put it bluntly, the fiscal policy of the United States is unsustainable.

Debt is growing faster than gross domestic product.

Under the CBO's most realistic scenario, the publicly held debt of the U.S. government will reach 82 percent of GDP by 2019 -- roughly double what it was in 2008. By 2026, spiraling interest payments would push the debt above its all-time peak (set just after World War II) of 113 percent of GDP. It would reach 200 percent of GDP in 2038."


This is the Washington Post?!!!!

Is there a tiny bit of light at the end of the Obam-edia tunnel?

Why stagflation is coming

Why stagflation is coming
"The policy decisions made by the Federal Reserve Board and Congress virtually assure we will enter a period of 1970s-like stagflation."

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Runaway Spending = Runaway Debt

Runaway Spending = Runaway Debt
"'Under current law,' said the Congressional Budget Office in its long-term budget outlook, released late last week, 'the federal budget is on an unsustainable path — meaning that federal debt will continue to grow much faster than the economy over the long run.'"

The forbidding arithmetic of healthcare reform

The forbidding arithmetic of healthcare reform
"THE FUZZY math behind the Massachusetts universal healthcare law is starting to add up - just as Washington studies the law as a possible model for the nation.
Because of a recession-related drop in state revenues and a surge in enrollment by the recently unemployed, the truth is emerging at an inconvenient time. Massachusetts doesn’t have enough money to pay for the coverage envisioned by the law. "

Axelrod: Obama Won't Rule Out Middle-Class Tax Hike

Axelrod: Obama Won't Rule Out Middle-Class Tax Hike
"White House senior adviser David Axelrod said the president won't rule out a health care reform bill that includes a middle-class tax hike."

Recipe for Detroit's political corruption

Recipe for Detroit's political corruption
"Conyers very early in her council career learned that her vote had value far beyond making the city work.
She could make some people a lot of money depending on how she cast her vote. That became even more true once she got on the city's cash-rich pension board.
Why shouldn't she be rewarded for her service?
So she started to think about how to make politics a bit more lucrative."

American Thinker: Breakthrough on the Authorship of Obama's 'Dreams'

American Thinker: Breakthrough on the Authorship of Obama's 'Dreams': "Their collective contribution should dispel the doubts of all but the willfully blind that Ayers played a substantial role, likely the primary role, in the writing of Dreams."

TheHill.com - Chambliss blocks regulatory pick over animal lawsuits

TheHill.com - Chambliss blocks regulatory pick over animal lawsuits: "Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) has blocked President Obama’s candidate for regulation czar, Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein, because Sunstein has argued that animals should have the right to sue humans in court."

The four-pronged attack on our future prosperity

The four-pronged attack on our future prosperity
"Death by a thousand cuts. Or in the case of the efficiency of the American economy, by at least four — energy policy, healthcare policy, trade-union resurgence, and fiscal madness."

The Volokh Conspiracy - -

The Volokh Conspiracy - -: "A few months ago, if someone had to figure out a way to spend as much money and create as few jobs as possible, the Stimulus Bill would be pretty much the ideal piece of legislation."

The Worst Emerging Disease of All

The Worst Emerging Disease of All
"I have had the misfortune to work with UN officials for many years, most recently at the meetings of the task force on biotechnology-derived foods of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a creature of the UN's WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that sets international food standards. The group established standards that were unscientific and excessively stringent and ensure that new, innovative foods will be so expensive to develop that they will remain largely unavailable to the poorest of the poor, who need them most.

During a meeting of the task force, Jorgen Schlundt, the director of the WHO department concerned with food safety, zoonoses [diseases that spread from animals to humans] and food-borne diseases, repeatedly exhorted the group to add ethical concerns about biotech foods to the regulatory barriers that already impede their adoption. He was more like a witless Monty Python character than an official entrusted with serious international responsibilities - including issues pertaining to swine flu, avian flu, West Nile Virus and SARS ."

Saving Phantom Jobs

Saving Phantom Jobs
"Of course, Mr. McGurn knows that a lot is explained by the journalists' sentiments toward President Obama. With Bush the younger many expressed their contempt by pouncing on any slip or error as evidence that he was a malicious liar. By contrast, these same journalists are highly sympathetic to the Obama administration and eager to see it enjoy success."

Chemical Ban Will Not Help Kids

Chemical Ban Will Not Help Kids
"Periodically, activists with an anti-chemical agenda pick up on these issues and start pressuring politicians at various levels of government to ban or restrict consumer products, based on nothing more than hypothetical dangers like this one."

TBO.com - News From AP

TBO.com - News From AP: "Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman whose boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean made him a pop-culture icon, has died. He was 50"

Friday, June 26, 2009

The Quisling Republicans - streiff’s blog - RedState

The Quisling Republicans - streiff’s blog - RedState

Tax dollars wasted on construction of stimulus signs

Tax dollars wasted on construction of stimulus signs
"'Those signs were required by the recovery act,' said Liz Boyd, Granholm's press secretary.

'The Federal Highway Administration has strongly recommended posting signs that indicate which projects are recovery projects.'

That sounds too much like political double-talk to us.

There is a distinct difference between 'required' and 'strongly recommended.'"

Thursday, June 25, 2009

United States presidential line of succession


United States presidential line of succession
"This is a list of the current presidential line of succession[1], as specified by the United States Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. § 19) and subsequent amendments to include newly created cabinet officers.

1 Vice President Joe Biden
2 Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi
3 President pro tempore of the Senate Robert Byrd
4 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
5 Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner

Pray, oh glory hallelaujah... pray for the safety of our President!

How Green Is a Nudist Vacation?


How Green Is a Nudist Vacation?
"With summer upon us, how many green vacationers’ fancies will turn to thoughts of nudism?
Going without clothes on beaches and other vacation spots is commonly called naturism — a description that implies helping the planet, as some practitioners claim to be doing.
Spending more time with nothing on stems waste and pollution in all sorts of ways, according to an article by Kathy Blanchard on The Naturist Society’s Web site"

6-25-1876 Custer's Last Stand


Custer's Last Stand: "Custer's Last Stand
Never comprehending the overwhelming odds against him, believing that the Indians were 'on the run', and thinking that between himself and Reno he could 'double them up' in short order, Custer had sealed his fate. It was about five miles from where Custer first saw the northern end of the village and where he attacked the center of the village. During this 5 mile ride, Custer never saw the complete magnitude of the Indian Camp. As he attacked, and rounded the bluff, he found himself confronted with thousands skilled and well equipped warriors, all ready for the fight. He had hoped to attack the center of the village unmolested, and to meet Reno's men there, coming from the other direction. Instead he faced an intense attack from the thickets and trees. He could not ignore the attack, and had to deal with the threat at hand. He had his men dismount, and begin engaging the fire coming from the thickets. This was a perilous move, as he was outnumbered ten to one at this point. Worse than that, hundreds of young braves had mounted their horses and dashed across the river below him, hundreds more were following and circling all about him. It is likely that this is the point that Custer realized that he was in trouble, and that he must cut his way out and escape the overwhelming enemy surrounding him.
His trumpeters sounded 'Mount!', and leaving many injured companions on the ground, the men ran for their mounts. With skill and daring, the Ogalallas and Brulés recognized the opportunity, and sprang to their horses, and gave chase. 'Make for the heights!' must have been Custer's order, for the first dash was eastward, and then more to the left as their progress was blocked."

Happy National Catfish Day!


National Catfish Day
"National Catfish Day is a national observance of the United States celebrating 'the value of farm-raised catfish.'
The day was designated as June 25, 1987, by President Ronald Reagan, who issued the Presidential Proclamation after the U.S. Congress called for the day to be established in House Joint Resolution 178."

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Germany: 'Nuclear' toy sparks alarm - Scotsman.com News

Germany: 'Nuclear' toy sparks alarm - Scotsman.com News: "A TOY nuclear power plant built by two six year-olds sparked an alert in Germany, only for authorities to discover the would-be security threat was the shell of a computer with a radiation warning sign stuck to it.

Fire services and police cordoned off streets and told people to stay indoors in the western town of Oelde after the two boys left their mock power station in the street when they went home for dinner on Monday evening.

'It wasn't a prank, they were just playing,' a police spokeswoman said. 'They tried to go back later but the fire brigade wouldn't let them through.'"

The Futurist: Eight Ways to Supercharge the US Economy

The Futurist: Eight Ways to Supercharge the US Economy

Gov. Sanford Admits Affair and Explains Disappearance

Gov. Sanford Admits Affair and Explains Disappearance
"Mark Sanford, the governor of South Carolina, said he had conducted an extra-marital affair with a woman in Argentina, ending a mystery over his week-long disappearance that had infuriated lawmakers and seemed to put his rising political career in jeopardy."

Another horndog GOPer politician who picked the wrong political party.
These IS a party for those who cheat, lie and steal.
The democrooks await your flip, scumbag.
Good riddance!

UPDATE:
He's up for de-election in 2010!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Sanford#Electoral_history
Out damned spot!

Audit: More than 250 ghost workers on payroll of Detroit Public Schools

Audit: More than 250 ghost workers on payroll of Detroit Public Schools
"More than 250 people may regularly cash Detroit Public Schools checks but aren't on the payroll, according to a recent audit."

Union Members Exempt from New Health Benefits Tax

Union Members Exempt from New Health Benefits Tax
"Union members and their families who receive healthcare benefits paid for by their employers would be exempted from a new tax on healthcare under one option being proposed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mt), according to a report by the Fox Business Channel’s Peter Barnes.

Baucus’s plan would tax health care benefits to raise from $161.9 billion to $418 billion over ten years to fund the nationalized “government provider” of health care benefits President Obama and Democrats want. Peter Barnes told me, “There would be preferential treatment for unions” under one version of the Baucus proposal.

As shown on page 3 of the Baucus outline published by Fox News under two of Baucus’ four options, healthcare benefits provided under collective bargaining agreements dated on or before January 1, 2013 would be exempt from the tax."

Warren Buffett to CNBC: U.S. Economy In "Shambles" .. No Signs of Recovery Yet

Warren Buffett to CNBC: U.S. Economy In "Shambles" .. No Signs of Recovery Yet "Buffett repeated his criticism of 'cap and trade' as a method to control pollution, saying it would be a huge, regressive tax"

"Early-In PassMuskegon Summer Celebration, June 26 - July 6, 2008

Muskegon Summer Celebration, June 26 - July 6, 2008
"Patrons who elect to purchase the Sappi 11-Day Early In Pass or an individual early-in upgrade will line up at a specific spot designated by signs on the sidewalk leading toward the Main Gate area. Those with regular admission passes or single day tickets can begin lining up at the bridge and back toward West Michigan Dock and Market. At 5:00 PM security and main gate personnel will instruct those with Early-In admission to proceed to the Main Gate to enter. It should be noted that the Early-In Passes and single day upgrades are valid ONLY until 5:30 PM. After 5:30 PM, patrons must use utilize the general admission line.
Concessions and beverage service will be available beginning at 5:00 PM.

Patrons should note those gaining early entrance are limited to two chairs each rather than the four normally allowed."

The Big Party! Muskegon Summer Celebration, June 26 - July 6, 2008

The Big Party! Muskegon Summer Celebration, June 26 - July 6, 2008: "Come early between 5:30 -7:30pm and enjoy “Happy Hour” pricing at all beverage stations. All alcoholic beverages are $1.00 off. Enjoy the opening night special “Happy Hour” pricing from 5:00pm-11:00pm."

Program Pays Girls $1 Per Day To Not Get Pregnant

Program Pays Girls $1 Per Day To Not Get Pregnant
"Brown said she hopes the program, which pays $1 each day to 12-to-18-year-old girls, will keep them from getting pregnant. In addition to remaining pregnancy-free, the girls must also attend weekly meetings.
The program is funded by a four-year grant from the state."

The world economy is tracking or doing worse than during the Great Depression (update) | vox - Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists

The world economy is tracking or doing worse than during the Great Depression (update) vox - Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists: "This is an update of the authors' 6 April 2009 column comparing today's global crisis to the Great Depression. World industrial production, trade, and stock markets are diving faster now than during 1929-30. Fortunately, the policy response to date is much better. The update shows that trade and stock markets have shown some improvement without reversing the overall conclusion -- today's crisis is at least as bad as the Great Depression."

Liquor stores crowded as customers grudgingly stock up

Liquor stores crowded as customers grudgingly stock up: "Liquor stores were jammed with mostly unhappy customers today as a province-wide strike looms for midnight tonight.
'Because they have a monopoly they can do this to the public,'"

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

New All-Time Lows for Both CBS & ABC Evening Newscasts

New All-Time Lows for Both CBS & ABC Evening Newscasts
"Breaking: TVNewser has learned the CBS Evening News has once again set an all-time low last week with 4.89 million Total Viewers and 1.42 million A25-54 viewers.
But it was also the lowest (since records began in the 1991-'92 season) for ABC's World News with Charles Gibson. The Gibson program drew 6.42 million Total Viewers and 1.77 million A25-54 viewers."

Free security software to protect your PC from malware

Free security software to protect your PC from malware - Kim's Security Center
"Buying a computer security suite is costly. But you don't need to spend a dime. I have links to all the free security software you need."

Excellent site with free security links!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Goldman Sachs to make record bonus payout

Goldman Sachs to make record bonus payout
"Last week, the firm predicted that President Barack Obama's government could issue $3.25tn of debt before September, almost four times last year's sum. Goldman, a prime broker of US government bonds, is expected to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profits from selling and dealing in the bonds"

No Country for Burly Men

No Country for Burly Men: "A 'man-cession.' That's what some economists are starting to call it. Of the 5.7 million jobs Americans lost between December 2007 and May 2009, nearly 80 percent had been held by men. Mark Perry, an economist at the University of Michigan, characterizes the recession as a 'downturn' for women but a 'catastrophe' for men."

Rangel unloads on N.Y. Pos

Rangel unloads on N.Y. Post
Ben Smith - POLITICO.com: "Rangel unloads on N.Y. Post
Charlie Rangel denounced a New York Post story accusing him of helping out a niece accused of corruption:
“It is going to be difficult for you to print this, but the only connection between that woman and me is she is a person of color,” Rangel said after attending graduation ceremonies at The Mott Hall School in Harlem with ex-president Bill Clinton.

“I have never heard of her, I don’t know anybody that knows her, and I don’t know why The Post would do this, except that I am a public official.”

“But...I am prepared to give a charity $1,000 if they can find any connection between this lady and me. I don’t know the woman.”

Asked a second time if he might be distantly related to Smith through blood or marriage, the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee denied any and all ties to her.

“Blood, marriage, fraternity, neighborhood - it is just as though (the Post editors) are drunk with ignorance and they wake up in the morning and say, ‘What can we make up?’” he said."

why that rogue cancer unit at the VA was able to persist.

MEGAN MCARDLE on why that rogue cancer unit at the VA was able to persist.
“Not because hospitals are above covering up malpractice, or because doctors don’t protect other doctors, but because any private hospital would have been terrified of getting sued. The VA is very hard to sue because of sovereign immunity.”"

Canada's Health Care System: Poor Value

Canada's Health Care System: Poor Value
"In 2007, waiting lists for access to health care in Canada reached a new all-time high of 18.3 weeks from general practitioner referral to treatment by a specialist. Despite substantial increases in both health spending and federal cash transfers to the provinces for health care over the last decade or so, this wait time is 54% longer than the overall median wait time of 11.9 weeks back in 1997."

Why getting out of Europe is the only way to save Britain

Why getting out of Europe is the only way to save Britain
"The desire to destroy our traditional nationhood through the promotion of mass immigration, multicultural diversity and surrender to the EU has been a key theme of this Government ever since 1997"

Lucas Glover Wins The U.S. Open

Lucas Glover Wins The U.S. Open
"So many amazing stories belonged to contenders all around him Monday at Bethpage Black, from Phil Mickelson's stirring bid to win for his beloved wife as she battles breast cancer, to David Duval coming out of nowhere to nearly win for the first time in eight years."

We were ALL pulling for Phil and his "beloved" (but not by Phil) wife....

Obama's poll numbers hit low


Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere: "The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 32% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2.
That’s the President’s lowest rating to date"

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Survival guide for 2009 Muskegon Summer Celebration

Survival guide for 2009 Muskegon Summer Celebration
"• No solicitation of any kind (political campaign materials, business advertisement fliers)."

Interesting as last year it was all-petitions-all-the-time for those waiting in line.
I wonder if this is a new policy or political solicitation is still OK outside the grounds.

Hawaii paying nearly twice market rate for solar power

Hawaii paying nearly twice market rate for solar power
"Taxpayers are paying what could amount to a multimillion-dollar premium for power from recently installed solar panels on the roofs of state-owned buildings, including several airports."

Saturday, June 20, 2009

My Way - Sports News

My Way - Sports News: "An Ohio prosecutor is opposing former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett's request for early release from prison to pursue an NFL career.
Clarett says the sooner he can be released, the sooner he can make a comeback, possibly in the NFL."

Obama's political play should shock no one

Obama's political play should shock no one
"It's amusing to watch the Washington political establishment feign shock, now that President Barack Obama's reform administration has used a clay foot to vigorously kick one inspector general and boot another out the door.

One inspector general foolishly investigated a friend of the president. Another inspector general audited those juicy bonuses given to AIG executives as part of $700 billion federal bailout of the financial industry.

It's a decent man-bites-dog story, at least until North Korea tries lobbing a few missiles toward Hawaii.

CARPE DIEM: Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine: 1961

CARPE DIEM: Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine: 1961

Muskegon school district closes $5 million funding gap

Muskegon school district closes $5 million funding gap
"as well as the receipt of federal stimulus funds are helping Muskegon Public Schools avoid 'ugly' budget cuts next year.
But Superintendent Colin Armstrong said that may not be the case in 2010-11, when stimulus funds won't be available"

"stimulus"?
A fat teacher pension and contract bailout.
Just like the auto unions.

How dumb ARE we?

Many roadblocks to getting wind energy going on Great Lakes

Many roadblocks to getting wind energy going on Great Lakes
"When the wind is blowing the hardest, the region's need for electrical power is at its lowest"

Well, duh,,,

Authorities probing string of Harley-Davidson thefts

Authorities probing string of Harley-Davidson thefts
"Roesler said investigators are uncertain whether the same suspects are responsible for all the thefts."

Used Harley ads are everywhere!

Thieves now targeting locked vehicles

Thieves now targeting locked vehicles
"The number of vehicle break-ins in the area has risen sharply since 2008, the sheriff said."

I can't wait til Jenny let's all her prisoners out of Michigan's prisons!

The World's Healthiest Foods

WHFoods: The World's Healthiest Foods
129 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating. Links to the articles about these foods can be found below."

Friday, June 19, 2009

Lieutenant-Commander Max Shean - Telegraph

Lieutenant-Commander Max Shean - Telegraph: "In September 1942 Shean volunteered for special and hazardous service without knowing what this meant. After only 10 days' training, some of the volunteers dropped out; Shean thought that this took a lot of courage, while for him it seemed easier to stand at the back and hope that no one noticed his fear. When he learned soon afterwards that he was to become a diver in a secret, 51ft, four-man submarine known as an X-craft, his knees began to shake"

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Sen. Ensign quits GOP post after admitting affair


Sen. Ensign quits GOP post after admitting affair
"Sen. John Ensign of Nevada resigned his Republican leadership post Wednesday, one day after confessing marital infidelity."

Good!

If you want to screw around, get a new job!

If you want to represent the American public, keep your pants on!

Go away...... never come back.

There is another political party that embraces your morals, you jerk!

You have violated a sacred trust.

Eddie Bauer Joins List of Retailers in Bankruptcy


Eddie Bauer Joins List of Retailers in Bankruptcy
"Eddie Bauer, the outdoor-clothing chain that sold goose-down coats to Mount Everest mountaineers and college students alike, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection"

EDDIE BAUER!!
OH, the humanity!

CARPE DIEM: Want Health Insurance? Go Out and Buy It. If You Can Afford A Cell Phone, You Can Afford Insurance


Well now.... why don't we have a "Cell Phone Czar" to guarantee the RIGHT of ALL residents (not just citizens) of America to have cell, text and picture phone care paid for by those rich folks who don't pay their fair share?

Michigan unemployment rate hits 14.1 percent in May


Michigan unemployment rate hits 14.1 percent in May
"the highest recorded in the state since 14.2 percent in July 1983."

At least, in 1983 we didn't have a multi-trillion debt with no end in sight.

Wasn't the "stimulus program" supposed to stimulate the economy and new jobs?

White House Admits Cap-And-Trade Tax Costs Triple Their Official Estimate


White House Admits Cap-And-Trade Tax Costs Triple Their Official Estimate
"Remember that these staggering costs of $1.3 to $1.9 trillion are for just the first 8 years of a 40 year program that gets much more expensive over time. This would be the final knock-out blow for a wobbly U.S. economy, and we can only hope that as people learn the facts they’ll oppose it strongly enough to force Congress and the White House back to the drawing board."

Barack Obama's Cap and Trade Program Is a Tax on the Working Class


Barack Obama's Cap and Trade Program Is a Tax on the Working Class
...Mr. Obama's budget director -- told Congress last year that 'Those price increases are essential to the success of a cap-and-trade program.'
Hit hardest would be the '95% of working families' Mr. Obama keeps mentioning, usually omitting that his no-new-taxes pledge comes with the caveat 'unless you use energy.'"

Scientists claim fish 'learn like humans'


Scientists claim fish 'learn like humans'
"According to a study by St Andrews and Durham universities the nine-spined stickleback can compare the behaviour of other sticklebacks with their own experience and make a series of choices which can potentially lead to better food supplies."

Amazing breakthrough!

This means it may be possible to teach economics to liberals!

Nearly 60 Percent Won't Graduate At South Side Bradwell Elementary School; Are Parents To Blame?


Nearly 60 Percent Won't Graduate At South Side Bradwell Elementary School; Are Parents To Blame?
"A startling number of children are falling through the cracks at one Chicago Public School."

So, how much do we spend on education?

And these same parents will be feeding and providing health information to their children?

And when Obama's enormous healthcare boondoggle is enacted... and the national health doesn't improve.... it'll be the parents fault?

Beijing orders 'Buy China' for stimulus projects


Beijing orders 'Buy China' for stimulus projects
"China has imposed a requirement for its stimulus projects to use domestically made goods -- a move that could strain ties with trading partners after Beijing criticized Washington's 'Buy American' stimulus provisions."

Oh, those dang unintended consequences......

Roskam Baking Co. plans to hire 1,500 with $65 million investment in former Steelcase plant in Kentwood

Roskam Baking Co. plans to hire 1,500 with $65 million investment in former Steelcase plant in Kentwood
"'These projects are vivid proof of the economic growth happening in West Michigan,' Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of the West Michigan economic development group The Right Place, Inc., said in a statement."

Interesting that her "vivid proof" of economic growth is moving into an empty building owned buy a company that didn't see vivid proof of any reason to remain in Michigan.

How many "targeted tax breaks" are we going to waste until we learn that it's the "miserable Michigan business climate, stupid" and the answer is to fix the problem, not phony "plans" or "promises" in lieu of real, statewide job expansion?

Muskegon's Johnson Technology adds 74 positions

Muskegon's Johnson Technology adds 74 positions
"the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board approved a state tax credit valued at $2 million over the next 12 years. The city of Muskegon is expected to consider a property tax abatement for the company....
The 74 direct jobs at Johnson Technology are expected to create another 93 indirect jobs, according to state estimates."

Ummm, they haven't added 74 positions, they've promised to add 74 positions over the next 12 years. It's pretty clear that would have happened anyway.

And doncha love the "93 indirect jobs" created! Those state estimators are really spot on!

Soon we're gonna hear about "indirect jobs saved". Guaranteed......

The $2+ million is a "tax stimulus". Imagine that!
Give a company a tax cut and they might hire new workers!

Too bad we got a giant pork spending bill instead of tax cuts to employers.

Family angry when paralyzed Marine Joshua Hoffman is denied free entrance to Michigan's Adventure


Family angry when paralyzed Marine Joshua Hoffman is denied free entrance to Michigan's Adventure
"Camille Jourden-Mark, general manager of Michigan's Adventure, said park policy does not allow any non-participants in free."

I imagine she regrets her first decision.
I also wonder if he was wearing his uniform (I doubt it) when trying to enter the park.
There is no question that this brave Marine deserved a break but using that photo is classic Chronicle sophistry.
The Chronicle shows its shamelessness again.

Lift-Tech International to close in Muskegon Heights

Lift-Tech International to close in Muskegon Heights
"Employees at Lift-Tech International on Tuesday got the news they were all hoping wouldn't come: The historic plant on Broadway Avenue will close.....
Muskegon Heights City Manager Natasha Henderson said the city had worked with state and local economic development agencies to try to keep the plant open, even offering to visit with corporate officials in Amherst, N.Y."

Imagine how IMPRESSED the lift-tech management would have been with that visit!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Ensign to Acknowledge Extramarital Affair

Ensign to Acknowledge Extramarital Affair
"Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) has acknowledged an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer in a statement released by his office. 'I deeply regret and am very sorry for my actions,' said Ensign. He is expected to announce the affair at a press conference at 6:30 pm tonight. The affair, which was with a woman who worked for both Ensign's re-election campaign and his Battle Born leadership political action committee, began in December 2007 and ended in August 2008. Ensign's wife, Darlene, said that the couple's 'marriage has become stronger' and added: 'I love my husband.'"

Scumbag!

Ohio Residents Ticketed for Parking in Own Driveways

Ohio Residents Ticketed for Parking in Own Driveways
"Residents of Toledo, Ohio, are complaining that they received $25 tickets for parking their vehicles in their own driveways.
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner says he stands by the citations handed out last week by the Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor. He says the tickets were issued under a city law against parking on unpaved surfaces, including gravel driveways.
During a news conference Monday, Finkbeiner ignored a reporter's question of whether the crackdown and fines were related to the city's budget crisis."

How "creative" these democrooks are!

Witt Buick owner fighting GM's decision to close dealership

Witt Buick owner fighting GM's decision to close dealership
"After nearly 100 years of service to Muskegon and more than 70 years of selling Buicks, Witt Buick is expected to be one of the dealerships forced by General Motors to shut down in 2010."

California Democrats Seek Tax Boost as Battle Looms

California Democrats Seek Tax Boost as Battle Looms
"Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat, said higher taxes and fees are needed instead of all $16 billion in cuts proposed by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His proposed reductions would eliminate entire welfare programs and leave 1 million children without health insurance. Democrats yesterday proposed a $15 automobile license fee and said they may consider a 9.9 percent per-barrel levy on oil produced in the state."

Dems ALWAYS want more taxes and spending!

They will tax any and everything... so watch out Americans.... they will take what they want unless we stand tall against them!

Sen. Coburn questions 100 stimulus projects

Sen. Coburn questions 100 stimulus projects
"Coburn also criticized a $3.4 million Florida Department of Transportation project for an 'eco-passage' - an underground wildlife road crossing for turtles and other wildlife in Lake Jackson, Fla., along U.S. 27.
'Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side of a stimulus project,' the Coburn report says."

Monday, June 15, 2009

SHOULD WE BE WORRYING ABOUT INFLATION?


SHOULD WE BE WORRYING ABOUT INFLATION?
With a troubling chart of money-supply growth.

The American Spectator : After the Tea Parties

After the Tea Parties: "What do conservatives do after the Tea Parties? What do you do when the protests are over? How do you harness all that energy? How do you turn it into a permanent force?"

IRS Proposes New Cell Phone Tax

IRS Proposes New Cell Phone Tax
"According to the WSJ the IRS is proposing to require employees to pay taxes on 25% of the cost of any employer provided cell phone. Taxpayers would be exempt if they could prove that they had a separate cell phone for private use. Talk may get a lot more expensive very soon under the Obama Adminstration's IRS proposal. Stay tuned . . ."

theblogprof

theblogprof: "Yet more data against the CO2 bogeyman. There's more, so click over and read the whole thing. As I have pointed out in many prior posts on the topic, there are many instances (I would say an overwhelming majority here) of actual observable scientific data that contradicts the view of the global warming alarmists. Here's a short list of the challenges facing global warming zealots (compiled from what can be found at WattsUpWithThat and other sources):"

$1.5 million in cuts includes 9 Reeths-Puffer teaching positions

$1.5 million in cuts includes 9 Reeths-Puffer teaching positions
"The district will cut 9.2 teaching positions next year -- three of them through layoffs, said Superintendent Stephen Cousins.
About $1.5 million in spending cuts are included in a proposed 2009-10 budget expected to be approved by the school board Monday. The cuts would have been deeper if not for $545,000 in special education stimulus funds, Cousins said.
'That'll keep some people working that otherwise would have been laid off,' Cousins said. 'Our concern is that we're using a lot of stimulus money to augment the budget, and that money's going to be gone next year.'"

Using "stimulus" money to offset current budget shortfalls is exactly like borrowing from your credit card to pay you current bills......except your kids co-signed and they will have to pay the credit card bill.

Crooks and idiots!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Rural Mich. counties turn failing roads to gravel

Rural Mich. counties turn failing roads to gravel
"Some Michigan counties have turned a few once-paved rural roads back to gravel to save money. .........
Reverting to gravel has happened in a few other states but it is most typical in Michigan. At least 50 miles have been reverted in the state in the past three years."

We call it "regraveling"!
This will bring in the new businesses and jobs.......right.......

Power Line - The Walpin Story

Power Line - The Walpin Story: "If, like me, you haven't had time over the last few days to keep up with the story of Barack Obama's firing of Gerald Walpin, the Inspector General who has responsibility for the AmeriCorps program, Byron York will bring you up to speed. The story is an interesting one that sheds light on the lawless, bullying nature of the Obama administration."