Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What I Learned At Dartmouth

Gonzalo Lira: What I Learned At Dartmouth
What I didn’t realize at the time—because I was too young—and which I would slowly come to realize over the years, was what the episode taught me, about America’s elite.
About the cowardice of the American elite.
A moral cowardice that, I understand now, is far more significant than practically anything else that I learned at Dartmouth College

Unsustainable UC tuition

As We See It: Unsustainable UC tuition - Santa Cruz Sentinel
UC President Mark Yudof spoke about "reality" -- a $650 million budget cut this year that could grow -- and asked for yet another tuition increase, from 8-16 percent annually to cover an anticipated $2.5 billion shortfall over the next four years because of rising pension, health care and other costs.

Bombardier Cuts CRJ Line, Appoints Travolta

AVwebBizBombardier Cuts CRJ Line, Appoints TravoltaComplete Issue#205401#205401
said John Travolta. "On top of that, I'm a pilot -- I love to fly.
Bombardier designs aircraft as much for the person flying them as for the passenger.
I'm proud to represent their aircraft."

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Right-to-work correspondence rebuffed again by Muskegon County board

Right-to-work correspondence rebuffed again by Muskegon County board MLive.com
Plummer called the other county's resolution “garbage” and asked when the board would quit receiving some items?
What especially drew Plummer's ire was the resolution's mention of words attributed to President John F. Kennedy.
Both resolutions state, “Whereas, we agree with President John F. Kennedy's executive order regarding federal employees, that all persons 'should have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization,' and of equal importance, 'or to refrain from any such activity.'”
Plummer said the resolutions twisted JFK's words and the remainder of the resolutions were “a pack of lies” in order to support that cause.

West Michigan senators' partial-birth abortion ban bills set for vote Wednesday

West Michigan senators' partial-birth abortion ban bills set for vote Wednesday MLive.com
A state partial-birth abortion ban, based on two companion pieces of legislation sponsored by two West Michigan state senators, is expected to be put to a vote this week by the state Senate.
State Sens. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, and Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, introduced their bills earlier this year that essentially would outlaw physicians from performing partial-birth abortions in Michigan, except to save the mother's life, and establish sentencing guidelines making it a two-year felony.

10 Outrageous Facts About the Income Tax

10 Outrageous Facts About the Income Tax Chris Edwards Cato Institute: Daily Commentary

Michigan proposal expected to target Internet sales

Michigan proposal expected to target Internet sales - theoaklandpress.com
The Michigan Retailers Association is making a renewed push to require more businesses selling items over the Internet to collect the state’s 6 percent sales tax.

Hitler Discovers ATTACKWATCH is a Joke!

Lt. Gen. Kelly On The Two That Stood Their Ground

BLACKFIVE: Lt. Gen. Kelly On The Two That Stood Their Ground
On Nov 13, 2010 Lt General John Kelly, USMC, gave a speech to the Semper Fi Society of St. Louis, MO.
This was only 4 days after his son, Lt Robert Kelly, USMC was killed by an IED while on his 3rd Combat tour.
During his speech, General Kelly spoke about the dedication and valor of the young men and women who step forward each and every day to protect us.
During the speech, he never mentioned the loss of his own son.
He closed the speech with the moving account of the last 6 seconds in the lives of 2 young Marines who died with rifles blazing to protect their brother Marines.

Read it all.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Heinz Creates New Ketchup Packet, 'Dip and Squeeze'

Heinz Creates New Ketchup Packet, 'Dip and Squeeze' - WSJ.com
As the name promises, "Dip and Squeeze" ketchup can be squeezed out through one end or the lid can be peeled back for dipping.
The red, bottle-shaped packets hold three times the ketchup as traditional packets.
The new containers are more expensive than the old sleeves, but Heinz hopes customers learn not to grab more than one or two.

New poll: More than 60% of Michigan voters support new Detroit-Windsor bridge

New poll: More than 60% of Michigan voters support new Detroit-Windsor bridge MLive.com
A new poll says 61.5% of state voters support the New International Trade Crossing plan for a publicly-owned bridge between Detroit and Windsor.
That includes the 40.7% of voters who say they strongly support the NITC bridge.
Just 32.5% oppose the project

FLASHBACK: Obama Says You Don't Raise Taxes In A Recession



My, how times fly by....

Michigan Red Cross blood workers rescind strike notice, continue negotiations

Michigan Red Cross blood workers rescind strike notice, continue negotiations MLive.com
The unions rescinded their strike notice Sunday morning, Stoneking said.
It was the third strike notice in 15 months, and the work stoppage would have begun Wednesday.

The Best Aircraft of Oshkosh Air Show 2011 - AirVenture Oshkosh

The Best Aircraft of Oshkosh Air Show 2011 - AirVenture Oshkosh - Popular Mechanics
The annual extravaganza of all things aviation came to Wisconsin last week, as aircraft enthusiasts flocked to the AirVenture Oshkosh.
We found the new (Boeing's 787 Dreamliner), the old (the last flying B-29) and the record setters (Sikorsky's 290-mph chopper demo).

T-53AThe U.S. Air Force Academy has decided that the Cirrus SR20 is the best plane for finding out whether a cadet has the right stuff to go on to full-fledged pilot training.
So it is taking delivery of 25 of them, and the aircraft will be designated the T-53A.
......The T-53s replace a fleet of leased Diamond DA-40s that were made in Canada.
Cirrus was recently acquired by China's state-owned CAIGA aircraft company.

The U.S. Bails Out A Profligate EU

Editorial: The U.S. Bails Out A Profligate EU - Investors.com
Bailouts: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was dispensing advice in Europe Friday as the Fed began printing massive amounts of money to bail out the EU. Our government seems more worried about Europe than the U.S.

Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts

Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts - NYTimes.com
As Washington looks to squeeze savings from once-sacrosanct entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, another big social welfare system is growing as rapidly, but with far less scrutiny: the health and pension benefits of military retirees.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

House Votes to Ban Automatic Dues Deductions For School Unions

House Votes to Ban Automatic Dues Deductions For School Unions [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Eight Republicans vote to continue using school resources for government union funding.

GOP Representatives Ben Glardon (Owosso), Kenneth Horn (Frankenmuth), Earl Poleski (Jackson), Holly Hughes (Montague), Sharon Tyler (Niles), Deb Shaughnessy (Charlotte) Kenneth Kurtz (Coldwater) and Paul Muxlow (Brown City) all voted against the bill.

Ponzi! Ponzi! Ponzi!

Ponzi! Ponzi! Ponzi! - Reason Magazine
Ponzi! Ponzi! Ponzi!
There, I said it.
To the extent people believe there are trust funds with their names on them, Social Security is absolutely a Ponzi scheme.
So is Medicare.
People need to hear it.

Two men injured in fiery Norton Shores single-vehicle crash

Two men injured in fiery Norton Shores single-vehicle crash MLive.com
Norton Shores Fire Chief David Purchase said the vehicle involved was a Ford GT, a high-performance car with a rear engine.

UBS CEO not resigning, loss mounts to $2.3 billion

My Way News - UBS CEO not resigning, loss mounts to $2.3 billion
The fact that the fraud took place over three years raises serious questions about the bank's ability to manage its risk.

And meebee the fact that he lost/stole $2.3 BILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Behold, The Circle of Government Life

CARPE DIEM: Behold, The Circle of Government Life
"So to recap:
massive government subsidies created 1,100 "green jobs" that never would've existed but for those massive government subsidies.

And when those fake jobs disappeared because the subsidized employer company couldn't compete in the market, the workers blamed China (instead of what's easily one of the worst business plans ever drafted) in order to receive... wait for it... more government subsidies.

Behold, the Circle of Government Life."

Friday, September 16, 2011

The EPA’s Most-Wanted List

The EPA’s Most-Wanted List - By Hans A. von Spakovsky - The Corner - National Review Online
But did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency also has its own FBI-type list of 18 most-wanted environmental fugitives?

Their menacing violations include “multiple counts for the blending of motor fuel” (oh my!), selling “R-12 Freon, an ozone depleting substance” (gadzooks!), importing “automobiles that did not meet” U.S. emissions standards (horrors!), giving “indications that the oil-content monitor downstream of the [freighter] vessel’s oily-water separator had been bypassed” (heavens to Betsy!) and aiding and abetting “false entries into an Oil Record Book” (bring out the guillotine!).

LightSquared: Another Solyndra?

Pajamas Media » LightSquared: Another Solyndra?
A pattern of providing White House support to favored companies — at taxpayer risk — is emerging.

THE LETTER. Chrysler Chairman Letter To UAW President Has Detroit Talking

THE LETTER. Chrysler Chairman Letter To UAW President Has Detroit Talking - GM Inside News Forum
Instead, Marchionne's pointed pen has painted King in the worst possible light for a union leader: as unreliable.

The Letter:
http://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA75571915.PDF

Slight of Chrysler CEO leaves UAW's organizing drive in tatter

COMMENT: Slight of Chrysler CEO leaves UAW's organizing drive in tatters Crain's Detroit Business: Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne punctured it at 10 p.m. Detroit time last night in a letter he sent to the UAW president, questioning whether King and the UAW had really changed.

MoveOn.org | Federal Student Loan Forgiveness | The Daily Caller

MoveOn.org Federal Student Loan Forgiveness The Daily Caller
The calls to forgive students loans are not alone in the wilderness. Democratic Michigan Rep. Hansen Clarke has introduced legislation to end all student loan debt as a way to stimulate the economy.

Talkin’ Sh*t

iOwnTheWorld.com » Blog Archive » Talkin’ Sh*t
Talkin’ Sh*t

Click the link and read it.
Hard to argue with that sh*t.

Michigan House votes to ban domestic partner benefits

Michigan House votes to ban domestic partner benefits MLive.com
Democrats who opposed the legislation....

Sandwich-in-lap defense results in non-guilty verdict for Hudson city manager charged with indecent exposure

Sandwich-in-lap defense results in non-guilty verdict for Hudson city manager charged with indecent exposure MLive.com
Hartsel testified that he had an Arby’s submarine sandwich in his lap and was pulling red onions from it, the Telegram reported, and that a police officer who said the city manager had admitted to the offense was mistaken.

According to a police report, Hartsel initially told police that the woman must have seen the sandwich and thought he was exposing himself, but later admitted that he was fondling himself.

"Arby's, It's good mood food"......

Muskegon-area committee recommends another double-digit increase to wholesale sewer rate

Muskegon-area committee recommends another double-digit increase to wholesale sewer rate MLive.com
Utility Financial Systems, the consulting firm that conducted the system's rate study, proposed a five-year rate track, calling for a 22-percent hike for 2012 and 6.4-percent increases each of the next four years.
County Wastewater staff recommended a 21.5-percent increase this year.

NATO chief urges Kosovo, Serbia for restraint

NATO chief urges Kosovo, Serbia for restraint - seattlepi.com
NATO will not allow the Balkan region to slip back into violence amid simmering tensions between Kosovo and Serbia over a border dispute

AGAIN?!!

Michigan House passes school union dues proposal

Michigan House passes school union dues proposal MLive.com
The Republican-led Michigan House on Thursday narrowly approved a proposal that would prohibit public schools from automatically deducting union dues from the paychecks of teachers and other employees.

Houston, We Have a Solution

Houston, We Have a Solution - Mario Loyola - National Review Online
Detroit, conversely, is proof of concept for the liberal vision of government, which seeks to solve every problem through government, to shape economic development through government, to redress grievances through government, to attain social justice through government, and, finally, to insinuate government into every aspect of our lives.

The problems Detroit faced in the latter half of the 20th century would have been enormously challenging no matter what policies it embraced.
But it embraced the worst ones and so plunged recklessly down the slope of decline.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

NFL wants pat downs from ankles up at all stadiums

NFL wants pat downs from ankles up at all stadiums
The NFL wants all fans patted down from the ankles up this season to improve fan safety.

Obama sticker led cops to shooting suspect

Obama sticker led cops to shooting suspect - BostonHerald.com
He’s a guy from Somerville, so I was surprised he was supporting Obama,” Devlin said.

Sounds like Somerville is a pretty smart town!

Michigan farmers on front line of Gov. Rick Snyder's war on obesity, poor health

Michigan farmers on front line of Gov. Rick Snyder's war on obesity, poor health MLive.com
The MDARD is also investigating ways to expand on the “Double Up Food Bucks” program provided to Bridge card food assistance program users this summer that allowed them to get twice as much food for the dollar at participating farmer's markets, thanks to support from foundations and the Fair Food Network, who matched every dollar spent.

Lots of free food from lots of free money!
What a country!

Howard Stern Exposes Anti-Semitism at Ny Fashion Week.

The Obama Jobs Plan Is a Blue-State Bailout in Disguise

Peterson and Nadler: The Obama Jobs Plan Is a Blue-State Bailout in Disguise - WSJ.com
Last Thursday, the president urged Congress to pony up roughly $200 billion in taxpayer money to "provide more jobs for teachers [and] more jobs for construction workers" and more money to carry out other state and local activities.
He urges Congress to spend this money even after handing out hundreds of billions of dollars for similar purposes as part of the 2009 stimulus package, as well as a score and more billion dollars again in 2010.

"More $$ for state workers and teachers simlpy puts off the time when their spendthrift greed bankrupts the system.

Huntington Bank forecloses on Baker Lofts, saying Holland developer Scott Bosgraaf owes millions on projects around the state

Huntington Bank forecloses on Baker Lofts, saying Holland developer Scott Bosgraaf owes millions on projects around the state MLive.com
But now court documents show his real estate entities and other businesses owe millions to Huntington Bank.
To recover more than $6 million in unpaid real estate loans, the bank foreclosed on Baker Lofts and Woodard Station and has filed a lawsuit for loan default for Central Lofts

Ah yes, the watermelon greens: green on the outside, red, red, red on the inside.
Who'd of guessed?

Great news: Green-jobs subsidies created 1 job for every $5.44 million spent

Great news: Green-jobs subsidies created 1 job for every $5.44 million spent « Hot Air
When Barack Obama loaded his 2009 Porkulus with nearly $40 billion in subsidies to the green-tech industry, he promised that it would produce an explosion of jobs in a new, green US economy, starting with 65,000 directly created from his largesse.
With half of the money gone, how many jobs has Obama’s investment created?

Gov. Rick Snyder unveils plan to make Michigan residents healthier

Gov. Rick Snyder unveils plan to make Michigan residents healthier MLive.com
Noting that Michigan ranks 10th in the nation for obesity, said changes are needed.
"We have a broken system," he said.
At a news conference announcing his initiatives, he weighed himself -- 194 pounds -- and had his blood pressure measured -- 142 over 80.
Snyder said he plans to post his health statistics on a website, so the public can track his attempts to live a healthier lifestyle.
He also said he wants doctors to monitor the body weight of young patients and to report their body mass index to a state registry.
The children's identity would remain anonymous, and the data would be used to monitor pediatric obesity.

Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Resigns Over Global Warming

Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Resigns Over Global Warming Fox News
"In the APS it is ok to discuss whether the mass of the proton changes over time and how a multi-universe behaves, but the evidence of global warming is incontrovertible?" he wrote in an email to Kate Kirby, executive officer of the physics society.

Obama Even Loses the Name of His Jobs Bill

» Incompetence: Obama Even Loses the Name of His Jobs Bill - Big Government
But Obama did no such thing. Not only was there no bill when he delivered the speech, even this many days after the speech the bill has never been introduced in the House of Representatives where such bills might begin the legislative process.
That means that there was no bill called the “American Jobs Act of 2011″ in the House, so Rep. Gohmert was under no compulsion not to use it as a name for his own bill.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Ex-drain commissioner crashes motorcycle again

Ex-drain commissioner crashes motorcycle again
White Lake Beacon - Whitehall and Montague, Michigan
Thursday, at 4:50 p.m., Hepler was attempting to pass a car which turned into his motorcycle when pulling into a private drive on Whitehall Road, just south of Tyler Road in Dalton Township.

Muskegon County Deputy John Yax said Hepler, 47, of Muskegon, was traveling behind the southbound car on Whitehall Road when the car stopped to turn left into the drive. Hepler, he said, attempted to pass the vehicle on the left of the centerline into oncoming traffic, when the vehicle turned into his motorcycle, pushing it off the road and into a double-post sign.

See full story in Beacon print edition or e-edition

Government Spending Doesn't Create Jobs

Perry gets it right on Social Security

Gary Galles: Perry gets it right on Social Security social, security, benefits - Opinion - The Orange County Register
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is being attacked by some people, including some of his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination, for calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme that is unfair to the young.
The critics are partly correct in that Social Security is only partly a Ponzi scheme.
And it has actually been a series of Ponzi schemes.

Coast Guard closes area’s air stations for season

Coast Guard closes area’s air stations for season Grand Haven Tribune
The Coast Guard’s Great Lakes air stations closed their seasonal air facilities in Muskegon, Mich., and Waukegan, Ill., on Sept. 6.

Japan Earthquake: Six Months Later

Japan Earthquake: Six Months Later - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic
Gathered here are some recent images from the region, including 12 before-and-after photo pairs (starting with photo number two) that you can click on each photo to see the difference six months can make

Michelle Obama: “All This Just For a Flag”

TRR: Michelle Obama: “All This Just For a Flag” - Washington Times
As police and firefighters fold the flag to the sound of marching bagpipers, a skeptical looking Mrs. Obama leans to her husband and appears to say, “all this just for a flag.”
She then purses her lips and shakes her head slightly as Mr. Obama nods

Wayne County | Owners escape tax debt by rebuying foreclosed homes

Wayne County Owners escape tax debt by rebuying foreclosed homes The Detroit News
Landlord Jeffrey Cusimano didn't pay property taxes on seven of his east-side rentals for three years, owing the city of Detroit more than $131,800.
Typically, that would mean losing the properties.
But Cusimano not only got to keep them — his debt, including interest, fees and unpaid water bills, was virtually wiped free.

Republican Last Won N.Y.'s Ninth District in 1920

Republican Last Won N.Y.'s Ninth District in 1920 - NYTimes.com
But in Tuesday’s election, the Republican candidate, Bob Turner, may very well pull off an upset, if recent polls are any guide.
He would become the first Republican to carry the district since 1920, when Andrew N. Petersen, a Danish-born manufacturer of ornamental iron products, toppled freshman Representative David J. O’Connell.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

10 Things Pension Plans Won't Tell You

10 Things Pension Plans Won't Tell You - SmartMoney.com

Muskegon County offers Saturday hours for marriage licenses, passports, other items

Muskegon County offers Saturday hours for marriage licenses, passports, other items MLive.com: MUSKEGON COUNTY — Some services provided by the Muskegon County Clerk's Office and the Muskegon County Equalization Department will be available to residents during a special event Saturday.
Called Full Service Saturday, the event allows residents to complete applications for marriage licenses, passports and becoming a registered notary, along with registering a business name.
Residents can access specific information about the services offered by the clerk's office at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk and for passports at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/equalization.

Full Service Saturday is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the county clerk's office, 141 E. Apple. Equalization department staff are set to process passport applications across the hall.

This is a great idea from county clerk Nancy Waters.
Pass the word on to everyone who can't make it to the county building during the week!

Mich. GOP Lawmakers More Intimidated by Government Unions?

Mich. GOP Lawmakers More Intimidated by Government Unions? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
The relatively small number of non-government workers in unions may explain an interesting legislative voting pattern that may be at work here:
Republican lawmakers appear less united in challenging the powers and privileges of government employee unions than those which organize workers in the private sector.

Here's why:
Michigan’s most powerful government employee union, the MEA teachers union, is currently bankrolling recall campaigns against Republicans who voted for these and some other reforms.
The outcome of those recalls may well determine whether there will be any further votes on legislation trimming the perks and power of government employees and their unions.

Do we really want the MEA running our state?

Teacher Right-to-Work Looking Like a Done Deal

Teacher Right-to-Work Looking Like a Done Deal [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Chances look good for passage and enactment of legislation to provide right-to-work status for Michigan public school teachers.
Under the measure, called the “Freedom to Teach Act,” teachers would no longer be required to join or support a union as a condition of employment...

Lawmakers and political observers are often reluctant to predict the chances of passage for any specific piece of legislation, but in this case the stars seem to be aligning in a very favorable fashion.
By all indications, the measure is likely to be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Wow!
Choice for teachers!
Who could possibly be against choice?

U.S. rallies opposition to Palestinian statehood bid

U.S. rallies opposition to Palestinian statehood bid - Washington Times

And it does add another murderous rogue state to the voting rolls of the UN.

Why the new Detroit bridge matters to West Michigan

Viewpoint: Why the new Detroit bridge matters to West Michigan MLive.com

Public workers paid better than private workers

Feds: Public workers paid better than private workers - OC Watchdog - The Orange County Register
Here’s the latest on who makes what from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (whose workers, we’ll point out here, happen to be public employees):
Workers in the private sector made an average of $28.13 per hour in total compensation in June (wages contributed $19.81 to that, and benefits added $8.32)
While state and local government workers made an average of $40.40 per hour (wages were $26.41, and benefits, $13.99).

What Job 'Training' Teaches? Bad Work Habits

James Bovard: What Job 'Training' Teaches? Bad Work Habits - WSJ.com

Last Thursday, President Obama proposed new federal jobs and job-training programs for youth and the long-term unemployed.
The federal government has experimented with these programs for almost a half century.
The record is one of failure and scandal......


After CETA became a laughingstock, Congress replaced it in 1982 with the Job Training Partnership Act. JTPA spent lavishly—to expand an Indiana circus museum, teach Washington taxi drivers to smile, provide foreign junkets for state and local politicians, and bankroll business relocations.
According to the Labor Department's inspector general, young trainees were twice as likely to rely on food stamps after JTPA involvement than before since the "training" often included instructions on applying for an array of government benefits.

For years the Labor Department scorned the mandate in the 1982 legislation to speedily and thoroughly evaluate whether the programs actually benefitted trainees.
Finally, in 1993, it released a study that showed participation in JTPA "actually reduced the earnings of male out-of-school youths."
Young males enrolled in JTPA programs had 10% lower earnings than a control group that never participated......
Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office reported that there were 47 different federal employment and training programs, costing taxpayers $18 billion a year.
There is massive overlap and duplication, and few programs seriously evaluate their impact on trainees.

If federal job training efforts worked, Congress would not have thrown out the programs it has created every decade or so and enacted new ones.
In reality, government training has always been driven by bureaucratic convenience, or politicians' re-election considerations.
There is no reason to believe the latest round of proposals will be any different.

This is, or should be, a national scandal!

Techniques for Untruth

Techniques for Untruth
Two recent NPR stories display some techniques available to journalist-activists, allowing them to misrepresent truth while at the same time maintaining an appearance of objectivity.
One of these stories, ironically enough, presented itself as a fact check of the recent Republican presidential candidate debate;

Tea Party Bringing The Sunset to Public Sector Labor Unions?

Tea Party Bringing The Sunset to Public Sector Labor Unions? - West Palm Beach Republican Examiner.com
There is however a more far reaching change that will be likely occurring in Wisonsin, and across the nation.
As unions can no longer automatically deduct union dues from teachers paychecks, according to a recent article in The Economist, when this has happened in the past, the percentage of union members paying their dues collapses quickly.
The first such case was in 1992, when such a law was passed in Washington State, and as a result, the percentage of members paying dues dropped from 82% to just 11%.
When Utah enacted such a ban on collections in 2001, a year later there were 90% fewer dues paying members.
By 2011, Indiana has observed a 90% decline in union membership since automatic deductions were ceased in 2005.
And, finally, in 2001, when Colorado passed a law requiring an annual vote to "re-authorize" automatic deductions of union dues, union membership fell by 70% [in that first year].

Greece imposes new property tax to meet deficit targets

Greece imposes new property tax to meet deficit targets - Monsters and Critics
According to reports, foreign auditors have pressed Greece to speed up privatizations and focus on structural reforms and spending cuts, namely cutting down on the large number of civil servants.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Pure Michigan: MSU

Red Cross blood workers' agreement includes 'union security,' pay for strike days, union says

Red Cross blood workers' agreement includes 'union security,' pay for strike days, union says MLive.com: The Red Cross also restored the “union security” clause of the blood workers' contract, which had expired in 2009 with the rest of the contract, Marutiak said.
The clause requires new hires to join a union.

Security for the employees or security for the union leaders?

'Timebomb' fear as 'rationing by stealth' of operations hits NHS

'Timebomb' fear as 'rationing by stealth' of operations hits NHS - Telegraph
"Rationing by stealth" is hitting the NHS, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has claimed, after official figures were released showing a steep fall in the number of people referred to hospital by GPs.

Unions on the warpath

PATTERSON: Unions on the warpath - Washington Times
In the wild, a wounded animal is the most dangerous kind.
Right now, the labor movement in the United States is such an animal, reeling from a string of devastating injuries that have eroded its ability to raise money, organize and influence elections.
Consider, just this past year:

Sharia Lobby Shifts into 5th Gear

Sharia Lobby Shifts into 5th Gear
He insisted, though, that western Muslims don’t “favor” these aspects of Islam and none seek to impose them.
Evidence that they do abounds (here, here, here, here, here) but Reza said his broad web search found none.

What to Say to the Totalitarian Left on 9/11/11

Pajamas Media » What to Say to the Totalitarian Left on 9/11/11
Ethnic Arab Muslims are genocidally slaughtering black African Muslims, Christians, and animists in Darfur; Muslims are blowing each other up when they pray in mosques in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia; Muslim men are shooting down and beheading their own intellectuals and dissidents in unimaginable numbers. According to one compelling source, such numbers far outpace anything the combined American and Israeli forces have done in the last 50 years.
The estimated number of Third World Muslim violent deaths at the hands of other Third World Muslims, country by country, vastly exceeds that of Third World Muslim deaths in so-called “white imperial” wars.

With Gibson, Obama 'actively discouraging' jobs

With Gibson, Obama 'actively discouraging' jobs Campaign 2012

Meet the Democratic Party, Up Close and Personal

Meet the Democratic Party, Up Close and Personal Power Line
You might think that the union member is a low-life from the gutter, but the remarkable thing is that in all probability, he makes more money than you do:
In 2007, average annual full-time wages for 15,000 workers at 29 West Coast ports topped $136,000, according to the Pacific Maritime Association, which negotiates and administers contracts between ports and the ILWU.
Longshoremen earned an average of more than $125,000, clerks more than $145,000 and foremen more than $200,000.
Workers also get benefits packages worth $50,000 per year, according to the association’s 2007 report.
This is the ugly face of union privilege and entitlement that the Obama administration is determined to preserve.

West Michigan Symphony plans 'great experiment' this weekend

West Michigan Symphony plans 'great experiment' this weekend MLive.com
For the first time in recent history, the West Michigan Symphony will kick off its season with a rousing pops concert that Scott Speck hopes will have the audience dancing in the aisles and singing along.

I've always wondered why they've not done this yet.
Seems like a winner!

Disney | The Path to 9/11

Disney The Path to 9/11 Hillary Clinton The Daily Caller
“The Path to 9/11,” first aired on ABC in 2006, portrayed President Bill Clinton’s administration as ignoring warnings and signs that Osama bin Laden and al Qaida were planning a major attack on the United States — a finding supported by The 9/11 Commission Report.
But since 2006 Disney CEO Bob Iger has repeatedly refused to rebroadcast it, or to sell the rights to other broadcasters.

French Cows listening to American Jazz

Greek Prime Minister’s Promises Ring Hollow

Greek Prime Minister’s Promises Ring Hollow
Those difficult decisions, as noted here and here, have involved raising the Value-Added Tax rate, seeking out tax-evaders, selling off state-owned assets, firing 20,000 government workers and cutting the salaries of others, and imposing a one-time “solidarity contribution” tax

September 11th: My Thanks to Joel Surnow and His Fellow Hollywood Subversives

Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » September 11th: My Thanks to Joel Surnow and His Fellow Hollywood Subversives
For fear of missing one, I won’t attempt to name everyone in Hollywood who did the right thing, who openly supported our military and refused to participate in the resume-enhancing undermining of our country.
Within the context of the whole of the entertainment business, however, they make up a heartbreakingly short list.
But you know who are and we know who you are and we thank you.
The rest of you can burn in Hell

Jackie Evancho first audition Americas Got Talent full with result and c...

Jackie Evancho & Sarah Brightman "Time to Say Goodbye" on America's Got ...



TEN YEARS OLD??!!!!!!!
WOW!!

Boost Your WiFi Signal Using Only a Beer Can

Boost Your WiFi Signal Using Only a Beer Can : Discovery Channel

Saturday, September 10, 2011

500 Tea Party Protesters Storm a Government Building, Take Hostages

500 Tea Party Protesters Storm a Government Building, Take Hostages - Big Journalism
Got your attention?
Good.
Because it seems that unless a story has negative implications for the tea party no one (even Fox News) is going to make a stink about it.

8 beers Americans no longer drink

8 beers Americans no longer drink - Business - US business - msnbc.com

Panties are not optional in this year’s Miss Universe pageant

WLS 890AM
Panties are not optional in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
After making several appearances in tiny skirts without panties, Colombian Miss Universe contestant, Catalina Robayo has been told she must wear underwear during the contest.

It's the culture, stupid!

Let’s Roll Over - Mark Steyn

Let’s Roll Over - Mark Steyn - National Review Online
And so we commemorate an act of war as a “tragic event,” and we retreat to equivocation, cultural self-loathing, and utterly fraudulent misrepresentation about the events of the day.
In the weeks after 9/11, Americans were enjoined to ask, “Why do they hate us?”
A better question is: “Why do they despise us?”

And the quickest way to figure out the answer is to visit the Peace Quilt and the Wish Tree, the Crescent of Embrace and the Hole of Bureaucratic Inertia.

President Obama Needs a Better Umbrella Holder

President Obama Needs a Better Umbrella Holder -- Daily Intel

God Bless America: A 9-11 Tribute from Herman Cain

PBS alters transcript to hide Obama gaffe

Blog: PBS alters transcript to hide Obama gaffe
At one point Mr. Obama made a major gaffe; he identified Abraham Lincoln as the founder of the Republican Party.

Lincoln did not join the Republicans until 1856, over two years after the party was founded.
The first Republican convention was held in Ripon, Wisconsin in 1854.

Such a gaffe would have brought huge amounts of ridicule and derision on George W. Bush, but in the case of Obama the media yawned.

Actually, they did more than yawn; government-funded PBS has altered the transcript of the President's speech, removing the offending comment.

More Leeches!

More Leeches! Power Line
"This chart, which I created from standard sources and have posted several times before, suggests that there may actually be an inverse relationship between government spending–careless, wasteful government spending, anyway–and jobs:"

Friday, September 09, 2011

UNIONS: Longshoreman Gives Rational and Coherent Statement to Media

Instapundit » Blog Archive » UNIONS: Longshoreman Gives Rational and Coherent Statement to Media…Just Kidding, He Threatens Ev…
This is the face of one of Obama’s core constituencies.
This is what you voted for when you voted for “hope and change.”
He can’t even curse creatively.

Obama and the lunatic left

KUHNER: Obama and the lunatic left - Washington Times
Any reasonable person would change course - but not Mr. Obama.
He is a big-government liberal who worships at the altar of statism.
The fact that we are broke and can no longer afford his borrow-and-spend policies means nothing.
Like all fanatics, he is disconnected from reality

Taxpayers deserve more information about public employee contracts

Viewpoint: Taxpayers deserve more information about public employee contracts MLive.com
Some recent union contract specifics might be of interest to those who will be paying for the contracts:
A union contract approved by the county board last February included an increase of four paid days off that brought the total paid days off for senior employees to 58. Yes, that's 58 paid days off for the year.

You might note that we have 52 weeks in a year.

Or that 58 days is almost 3 months of work days.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Trumka to sit in Michelle's box at Obama speech

Trumka to sit in Michelle's box at Obama speech Campaign 2012

Comprehensive List of Obama Tax Hikes

Americans for Tax Reform :: Comprehensive List of Obama Tax Hikes
Which one of these tax hikes will destroy the most jobs?

Wind Farms, Renewable Portfolio Standard

Wind Farms, Renewable Portfolio Standard [Mackinac Center]
The Michigan Legislature created the inevitable land use conflicts by passing a requirement that at least 10 percent of electricity come from renewable sources.
The renewable energy standard was bad policy when it was passed and Michigan residents are just starting to experience the negative consequences of the legislation.
Michigan legislators should repeal the renewable energy standard

Classic bad government.
Create the problem.
Demonize those who were hurt.
Make the problem worse.
Everyone loses except those with tight political connections.
Gimme a break!

Obama blows another billion on green fantasies

KEENE: Obama blows another billion on green fantasies - Washington Times
You see, Mr. Chu and his boss have been there and done that already in California, using tax money to guarantee a massive investment in a company that was going to help usher in a brave, new and a very green world.
That company, Solyndra, declared bankruptcy not 48 hours after Mr. Chu announced his faith in Genesis. Solyndra’s founders managed to procure and eat up roughly half a billion dollars in federally guaranteed loans without making a penny in profit before declaring bankruptcy.

Bernanke puzzled by weak consumer spending

My Way News - Bernanke puzzled by weak consumer spending
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he's surprised by how cautious consumers have been in the two years since the recession officially ended.
But the Fed chief offered no hints of any steps the Fed would take to boost the weak economy.

Good God, we're led by idiots!

Editorial: Jail mail: Letters vs. postcards: Revised policy makes a good compromise

Editorial: Jail mail: Letters vs. postcards: Revised policy makes a good compromise MLive.com

I'm not sure I agree with their goals but this small group of young folks has had quite an impact.

Judge Judy - Here's Who You Support With Taxes



You've gotta watch this one to the end!

Teamster Boss Jimmy Hoffa: “Lets take these son of bitches out”

Teamster Boss Jimmy Hoffa: “Lets take these son of bitches out”… NetRight Daily

State launches $2.4 million Pure Michigan fall campaign

State launches $2.4 million Pure Michigan fall campaign MLive.com#comments
This week, the state's nearly $2.4 million Pure Michigan fall campaign will hit the airwaves.
The television and radio ads, including seven partner ads, will air regionally and statewide through early October.
The tall ad budget includes $295,000 in funding committed by private sector partners as part of the Travel Michigan Ad Partnership Program

I love the ads and I hear they are effective.
But why is the state funding ads for private businesses?
If the ads are so effective, why wouldn't the private companies run own?
And save the state the money of producing them?