Chronicle shocked!
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "City faces some 'hard decisions,' new mayor says
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
By Nancy Stier
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
New Norton Shores Mayor Jerry Wiersma said the city faces some 'hard decisions' because voters last week rejected a new charter that would have allowed for gradual increases in property taxes.
But Wiersma, sworn in Monday as the new mayor after giving up the city council seat he has held for 18 years, plans to go slow at first.
He said that during his first few months in office he intends to 'feel my way along,' essentially preserving the status quo until the council collectively works with staff in February on the next city budget. "
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Irony?
The Chronicle posits that a wife cheater can't promote the institution of marriage. Suggesting "just go away". Never heard that during their Clinton crush. Hypocracy!
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "There is a certain irony here, especially in Cox's case, that bears a parting comment. This Attorney General was a poster boy for last year's anti-gay marriage amendment, and for taking away unmarried partner benefits in alliance with those who scream these are destroying 'the sacred institution of marriage.' Such hypocrisy.
Please, Mr. Cox and Mr. Fieger: Just go away. "
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "There is a certain irony here, especially in Cox's case, that bears a parting comment. This Attorney General was a poster boy for last year's anti-gay marriage amendment, and for taking away unmarried partner benefits in alliance with those who scream these are destroying 'the sacred institution of marriage.' Such hypocrisy.
Please, Mr. Cox and Mr. Fieger: Just go away. "
Chronicle idiocy about the NS millage
The Chronicle editorial board has no clue about how a city might "maintain services" other than to give polititians a blank check. Well, how 'bout demanding that our leaders articulate the specifics of the spending need? And show us how they've been thrifty in the past?
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "Voters left communities without answers
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The hard work of actually running local government became much more difficult last week after voters in Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, North Muskegon and Grand Haven, and a number of local townships, turned down ballot issues that, yes, would have raised taxes, but more importantly were aimed at keeping communities livable and safe.
So now that the voters have had their say at the ballot box on these various tax-related issues, what can local officials do to maintain the services people expect and deserve. Anyone? "
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "Voters left communities without answers
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The hard work of actually running local government became much more difficult last week after voters in Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, North Muskegon and Grand Haven, and a number of local townships, turned down ballot issues that, yes, would have raised taxes, but more importantly were aimed at keeping communities livable and safe.
So now that the voters have had their say at the ballot box on these various tax-related issues, what can local officials do to maintain the services people expect and deserve. Anyone? "
The Chronicle doesn't tell you this!
Amazing how the MSM kinda forgets this stuff....
This war is for real: "1. When did the threat to us start?
Many will say September 11, 2001. The answer, as far as the United States is concerned, is 1979 � 22 years prior to September 2001 � with the following attacks on us:
Iran Embassy Hostages, 1979;
Beirut, Lebanon, Embassy, 1983;
Beirut, Lebanon, Marine Barracks, 1983;
Lockerbie, Scotland, Pan-Am flight to New York, 1988;
First New York World Trade Center attack, 1993;
Oklahoma City � Murrah Federal Building, 1995;
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Khobar Towers Military complex, 1996;
Nairobi, Kenya, U.S. Embassy, 1998;
Dares Salaam, Tanzania, U.S. Embassy, 1998;
Aden, Yemen, USS Cole, 2000;
New York, World Trade Center, 2001;
Pentagon, 2001;
Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Plane Crash, 2001
(Note that during the period from 1981 to 2001 there were 7,581 terrorist attacks worldwide). "
This war is for real: "1. When did the threat to us start?
Many will say September 11, 2001. The answer, as far as the United States is concerned, is 1979 � 22 years prior to September 2001 � with the following attacks on us:
Iran Embassy Hostages, 1979;
Beirut, Lebanon, Embassy, 1983;
Beirut, Lebanon, Marine Barracks, 1983;
Lockerbie, Scotland, Pan-Am flight to New York, 1988;
First New York World Trade Center attack, 1993;
Oklahoma City � Murrah Federal Building, 1995;
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Khobar Towers Military complex, 1996;
Nairobi, Kenya, U.S. Embassy, 1998;
Dares Salaam, Tanzania, U.S. Embassy, 1998;
Aden, Yemen, USS Cole, 2000;
New York, World Trade Center, 2001;
Pentagon, 2001;
Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Plane Crash, 2001
(Note that during the period from 1981 to 2001 there were 7,581 terrorist attacks worldwide). "
Friday, June 17, 2005
Lots of complaints about Muskegon Cops, or the lack of...
If this isn't addressed soon the City may well go the way of Benton Harbor.
MLive.com: Muskegon Town Talk Forum
6462. ? about police dept.
by missygal, 6/17/05 9:10 ET
We had a problem in our area with teens/people destroying property during the night and when I asked why the patrol cars don't notice things going on I was told that we only have 4 patrol cars for the whole city at night and those officers have to answer all types of calls that come in. I was also told that there are more officers who work inside the dept. mostly during the day hours than really necessary. Instead of putting them on the road our chief has decided to have them "inside" even the new officers that we thought were going to be out on patrol. During the day we have a few more "community officers" on duty but they have other jobs to do under their job description too
MLive.com: Muskegon Town Talk Forum
6462. ? about police dept.
by missygal, 6/17/05 9:10 ET
We had a problem in our area with teens/people destroying property during the night and when I asked why the patrol cars don't notice things going on I was told that we only have 4 patrol cars for the whole city at night and those officers have to answer all types of calls that come in. I was also told that there are more officers who work inside the dept. mostly during the day hours than really necessary. Instead of putting them on the road our chief has decided to have them "inside" even the new officers that we thought were going to be out on patrol. During the day we have a few more "community officers" on duty but they have other jobs to do under their job description too
Senior Democrat gives aid to our enemies!
If there is any question about differences between the GOPers and the Democrats, Durban's sick rant should end the debate. He's the second highest ranking Demo senator. The Democrats are clearly the political party that supports the forces who would kill our soldiers. Disgusting. And the MSM won't let the masses know the truth.
Nets Target U.S. Military "Abuses," But Skip Dick Durbins "Nazi" Rant " -- 06/16/2005 - Media Research Center - Media Reality Check: "A Democratic Senate Senate Leader Compares American Soldiers To POL POT, Stalin's Gulag, and Nazis- Why Is That Not News?
Nets Target U.S. Military 'Abuses,'
But Skip Dick Durbins 'Nazi' Rant '
Complaints about the U.S. military's treatment of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay were once again featured on all three broadcast network evening newscasts Wednesday. Full stories on ABC, CBS and NBC cast the military on the defensive at congressional hearings. CBS Evening News anchor Bob Schieffer � who has likened Guantanamo to the 'Hanoi Hilton,' the infamous North Vietnamese prison camp � grumped that 'Congress asked a lot of questions today' about Guantanamo, but 'the problem is, they didn't get many answers.'
ABC followed up its story on yesterday's hearings with a second full report by ABC's Terry Moran, who zeroed in on a memo written more than two years ago by a Navy lawyer questioning the interrogation techniques at Guantanamo. Only in the last sentence of a nearly three-minute story did Moran allow how the issue is really moot, as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had 'dialed back' the rules of interrogation in early 2003.
But while the networks kept their spotlight on the U.S. military's conduct, none of last night's broadcasts bothered to note a Tuesday speech by Minority Whip Dick Durbin � the second highest ranking Democrat in the Senate. Describing the treatment of al-Qaeda terrorists at the Guantanamo prison � including allegations that inmates are kept too hot or too cold, or forced to stay awake � Durbin wildly charged that 'you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some "
Nets Target U.S. Military "Abuses," But Skip Dick Durbins "Nazi" Rant " -- 06/16/2005 - Media Research Center - Media Reality Check: "A Democratic Senate Senate Leader Compares American Soldiers To POL POT, Stalin's Gulag, and Nazis- Why Is That Not News?
Nets Target U.S. Military 'Abuses,'
But Skip Dick Durbins 'Nazi' Rant '
Complaints about the U.S. military's treatment of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay were once again featured on all three broadcast network evening newscasts Wednesday. Full stories on ABC, CBS and NBC cast the military on the defensive at congressional hearings. CBS Evening News anchor Bob Schieffer � who has likened Guantanamo to the 'Hanoi Hilton,' the infamous North Vietnamese prison camp � grumped that 'Congress asked a lot of questions today' about Guantanamo, but 'the problem is, they didn't get many answers.'
ABC followed up its story on yesterday's hearings with a second full report by ABC's Terry Moran, who zeroed in on a memo written more than two years ago by a Navy lawyer questioning the interrogation techniques at Guantanamo. Only in the last sentence of a nearly three-minute story did Moran allow how the issue is really moot, as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had 'dialed back' the rules of interrogation in early 2003.
But while the networks kept their spotlight on the U.S. military's conduct, none of last night's broadcasts bothered to note a Tuesday speech by Minority Whip Dick Durbin � the second highest ranking Democrat in the Senate. Describing the treatment of al-Qaeda terrorists at the Guantanamo prison � including allegations that inmates are kept too hot or too cold, or forced to stay awake � Durbin wildly charged that 'you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some "
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Legal opinion may break county impasse on board chair
Ain't legal opinions great?
Legal opinion may break county impasse on board chair: "Legal opinion may break county impasse on board chair
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Most Muskegon County commissioners have resisted making Bill Gill chairman of the county board, but it appears they may accept him in that role for at least six months due to the legal persuasion of Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague.
In an opinion released to commissioners last week, Tague wrote that Gill, vice chairman of the county board, automatically became chairman when former Commissioner Paul Baade resigned from the position in May.
According to Tague, Gill has the legal right to complete the balance of Baade's term"
Legal opinion may break county impasse on board chair: "Legal opinion may break county impasse on board chair
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Most Muskegon County commissioners have resisted making Bill Gill chairman of the county board, but it appears they may accept him in that role for at least six months due to the legal persuasion of Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague.
In an opinion released to commissioners last week, Tague wrote that Gill, vice chairman of the county board, automatically became chairman when former Commissioner Paul Baade resigned from the position in May.
According to Tague, Gill has the legal right to complete the balance of Baade's term"
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Enviro-hypocrites!
Where are the hoards of environmentalists on this never-ending disgrace. If this was a tax-paying business dumping endlessly the enviro-leftists would (correctly) be screaming bloody murder! But because it is "government" pissing in our water it's OK? What hypocrites!
Warning issued after sewage overflow: "Warning issued after sewage overflow
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
FROM LOCAL REPORTS
A no-contact advisory has been issued for the entire length of the Grand River in Ottawa County until Thursday.
The advisory was issued Monday because the city of Grand Rapids released an estimated 1.73 million gallons of untreated sewage Saturday. The advisory will expire at 8 a.m. Thursday according to the Ottawa County Health Department. "
Warning issued after sewage overflow: "Warning issued after sewage overflow
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
FROM LOCAL REPORTS
A no-contact advisory has been issued for the entire length of the Grand River in Ottawa County until Thursday.
The advisory was issued Monday because the city of Grand Rapids released an estimated 1.73 million gallons of untreated sewage Saturday. The advisory will expire at 8 a.m. Thursday according to the Ottawa County Health Department. "
Forgot the "F" word!
This editorial from the Milwaukee Sentinel is "exhibit one" in media bias. They intentionally mislabel Democrats as Dixiecrats (a term made up by the media. The Senators were members of the Democrat Party, not the dixiecrat party.) and, what a surprise! They forget to mention that the Democrats used the FILIBUSTER to defeat this bill when it was introduced. But our media somehow forgets to tell us that it was the Democrat filibuster that kept the lynching bill from passing. But when GOPers want to restrict the Filibuster it's a horror. Gimme a break....
JS Online: Editorial: Senate apology is first step: "Editorial: Senate apology is first step
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: June 13, 2005
For much of American history, the U.S. Senate did not acquit itself well on the issue of race. A particularly shameful chapter in that regard was the refusal of that august body in the first half of the last century to make lynching a federal crime. In defeating bills to do that time and again, Dixiecrats (as Southern Democrats were called) added insult to injury with oratory that described black men as beasts from whom white women needed protection, through lynchings.
JS Online: Editorial: Senate apology is first step: "Editorial: Senate apology is first step
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: June 13, 2005
For much of American history, the U.S. Senate did not acquit itself well on the issue of race. A particularly shameful chapter in that regard was the refusal of that august body in the first half of the last century to make lynching a federal crime. In defeating bills to do that time and again, Dixiecrats (as Southern Democrats were called) added insult to injury with oratory that described black men as beasts from whom white women needed protection, through lynchings.
"Free" Healthcare Horror cont.
More horror stories from the "free healthcare" front. This time it's our old friend "Canadian Style Health Care".
OpinionJournal - Featured Article: "Unsocialized Medicine
A landmark ruling exposes Canada's health-care inequity.
Monday, June 13, 2005 12:01 a.m. EDT
Let's hope Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy were sitting down when they heard the news of the latest bombshell Supreme Court ruling. From the Supreme Court of Canada, that is. That high court issued an opinion last Thursday saying, in effect, that Canada's vaunted public health-care system produces intolerable inequality."
OpinionJournal - Featured Article: "Unsocialized Medicine
A landmark ruling exposes Canada's health-care inequity.
Monday, June 13, 2005 12:01 a.m. EDT
Let's hope Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy were sitting down when they heard the news of the latest bombshell Supreme Court ruling. From the Supreme Court of Canada, that is. That high court issued an opinion last Thursday saying, in effect, that Canada's vaunted public health-care system produces intolerable inequality."
Monday, June 13, 2005
Sorta familiar...
I sat on a jury where the facts were pretty clear that the guy did rape the gal. The problem was that the guy seemed to be a pretty nice fellow and the victim and her mother were really bad folks. Liars and thieves as the defense proved. I'm pretty sure that the guy did it but most everyone on the jury hated the victim and her mother so much that the perp walked. I would have been the only holdout and it would have resulted in a hung jury. So I folded. Mike Jackson won because his jury hated the mother of the main witness. I can't believe the prosecutor will be reelected
The promise of college
This is so wrong on so many levels but what the heck did they spend $875,000 on? Alarm clocks? There is no tuition in that number. And that insightful comment by the Baker College President has me shaking my head. If students don't get a guarantee of free college they won't graduate from high school? Asinine!
The promise of college: Read it all but this is the raw meat:
In contrast, LEAD 2005 was made possible by an $875,000 federal grant that paid for the advocates and student activities and field trips over the six years. In addition, more than $600,000 in tuition and college living costs are expected to be paid by GVSU, MCC, Baker and the Community Foundation for the next school year alone.
Rick Amidon, president of Baker College, believes that if students have doubts about their ability to afford college, they have a "disincentive" to graduate from high school. He said Baker -- where average annual tuition is $7,000 -- provided the tuition incentive because "it's the right thing to do."
"The fact (the advocates) were consistently there every year from seventh grade made all the difference in the world, and that teaches us a lot of things about how students should be educated."
"It's taking the time to do something different," Foster said. "You have to change your thoughts about education."
"You can get a kid to college, but you need to get them to believe it."
The promise of college: Read it all but this is the raw meat:
In contrast, LEAD 2005 was made possible by an $875,000 federal grant that paid for the advocates and student activities and field trips over the six years. In addition, more than $600,000 in tuition and college living costs are expected to be paid by GVSU, MCC, Baker and the Community Foundation for the next school year alone.
Rick Amidon, president of Baker College, believes that if students have doubts about their ability to afford college, they have a "disincentive" to graduate from high school. He said Baker -- where average annual tuition is $7,000 -- provided the tuition incentive because "it's the right thing to do."
"The fact (the advocates) were consistently there every year from seventh grade made all the difference in the world, and that teaches us a lot of things about how students should be educated."
"It's taking the time to do something different," Foster said. "You have to change your thoughts about education."
"You can get a kid to college, but you need to get them to believe it."
'One Muskegon' aims to promote 'all for one' idea
Another abominable idea in a series of abominable ideas but this one is even more insidious because the co-chairman is the publisher of The Chronicle. That means that only one side of the story will be told to the citizens of Muskegon. Watch out Muskegon!
'One Muskegon' aims to promote 'all for one' idea: "'One Muskegon' aims to promote 'all for one' idea
Sunday, June 12, 2005
By Dave Alexander
CHRONICLE BUSINESS EDITOR
A group of community leaders have concluded that Muskegon needs a 'unified' government and they have now formed a committee to make that happen.
Government consolidation has gone from the back burner to the forefront because of fiscal problems that grip nearly every local government in Muskegon County these days. Now the 'One Muskegon Task Force' has a four-point program of not only talking about functional and political consolidation, but establishing an action plan.
Co-chaired by Norton Shores Mayor Nancy Crandall and Muskegon Chronicle Publisher Gary Ostrom, the newly forming government consolidation group represents community leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. It's an offshoot of the Muskegon Area Children's Agenda, a Community Foundation for Muskegon County initiative examining ways to make the area better for children. "
'One Muskegon' aims to promote 'all for one' idea: "'One Muskegon' aims to promote 'all for one' idea
Sunday, June 12, 2005
By Dave Alexander
CHRONICLE BUSINESS EDITOR
A group of community leaders have concluded that Muskegon needs a 'unified' government and they have now formed a committee to make that happen.
Government consolidation has gone from the back burner to the forefront because of fiscal problems that grip nearly every local government in Muskegon County these days. Now the 'One Muskegon Task Force' has a four-point program of not only talking about functional and political consolidation, but establishing an action plan.
Co-chaired by Norton Shores Mayor Nancy Crandall and Muskegon Chronicle Publisher Gary Ostrom, the newly forming government consolidation group represents community leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. It's an offshoot of the Muskegon Area Children's Agenda, a Community Foundation for Muskegon County initiative examining ways to make the area better for children. "
WorldNetDaily: How to stop suicide bombers
Does anyone doubt that this would work? This was written in 2002! Read the whole piece.
WorldNetDaily: How to stop suicide bombers: "One sure way to stop the suicide bombers in Israel is to hold the parents responsible for their child's crime. "
In exchange for sacrificing their child, they receive from Saddam Hussein or Saudi Arabia a cash payment of $35,000.
....will that stop the suicide bombers? No. But executing the parents will.
WorldNetDaily: How to stop suicide bombers: "One sure way to stop the suicide bombers in Israel is to hold the parents responsible for their child's crime. "
In exchange for sacrificing their child, they receive from Saddam Hussein or Saudi Arabia a cash payment of $35,000.
....will that stop the suicide bombers? No. But executing the parents will.
Counter the lies!
The Neo-Libs and the MSM don't want you to read this. Decision 08 links to one of the most respected "on site" commentators in Iraq. Arm yourself with the truth and forward it to other openminded folks.
Decision '08: "Today's Must-Read: Good News From Iraq
One could be forgiven for thinking that Iraq was the biggest disaster since - well, since Vietnam, the MSM's favorite point of comparison. Granted, everyone had hoped things would be better than they are by now; still, things aren't ALL bad, and Arthur Chrenkoff's latest installment of Good News from Iraq provides a welcome counterpoint to all the doom and gloom, and a good reminder of why we're there and what we're fight for... "
from Chrenkoff: "Recent polling data shows that fully two-thirds of Iraqis believe their country is headed in the right direction, Saboon said. While a poll in January showed only 11 percent of Sunni Muslims in Iraq shared that view, that percentage has since grown to 40, he said.
Decision '08: "Today's Must-Read: Good News From Iraq
One could be forgiven for thinking that Iraq was the biggest disaster since - well, since Vietnam, the MSM's favorite point of comparison. Granted, everyone had hoped things would be better than they are by now; still, things aren't ALL bad, and Arthur Chrenkoff's latest installment of Good News from Iraq provides a welcome counterpoint to all the doom and gloom, and a good reminder of why we're there and what we're fight for... "
from Chrenkoff: "Recent polling data shows that fully two-thirds of Iraqis believe their country is headed in the right direction, Saboon said. While a poll in January showed only 11 percent of Sunni Muslims in Iraq shared that view, that percentage has since grown to 40, he said.
The Neo-Lib Party
The Neo-Libs have stolen the Party from the average Democrat. Does anyone remember the days of Democrat patriots? How does the union member with an American flag on his pickup feel about the millionaire name callers?
My Way News: "WASHINGTON (AP) - Howard Dean said Saturday that positive responses from key supporters have reinforced his determination to keep talking tough. Some congressional Democrats have suggested that the party chairman should tone down his rhetoric.
'People want us to fight,' Dean told the national party's executive committee. 'We are here to fight.'
Over the past week, Dean described Republicans as 'pretty much a white, Christian party' and said many in the GOP 'never made an honest living.'"
My Way News: "WASHINGTON (AP) - Howard Dean said Saturday that positive responses from key supporters have reinforced his determination to keep talking tough. Some congressional Democrats have suggested that the party chairman should tone down his rhetoric.
'People want us to fight,' Dean told the national party's executive committee. 'We are here to fight.'
Over the past week, Dean described Republicans as 'pretty much a white, Christian party' and said many in the GOP 'never made an honest living.'"
One Night Changes a Life, and Calif. Town
Sometimes, with all the "bad news all the time" TV networks, we miss some really nice stories. Bring a hankie to this site. Enjoy.
One Night Changes a Life, and Calif. Town - Yahoo! News: "CLOVIS, Calif. - The chant began late in the fourth quarter in the basketball gym at Clovis East High. The students started it first, clapping their hands in unison and pounding the bleachers with their feet. It didn't take long for the parents to pick it up, too. The noise grew until the whole gym seemed to shake. 'We want Ryno. We want Ryno.' "
One Night Changes a Life, and Calif. Town - Yahoo! News: "CLOVIS, Calif. - The chant began late in the fourth quarter in the basketball gym at Clovis East High. The students started it first, clapping their hands in unison and pounding the bleachers with their feet. It didn't take long for the parents to pick it up, too. The noise grew until the whole gym seemed to shake. 'We want Ryno. We want Ryno.' "
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Maybe you missed this in The Chronicle?
Oops. Must have slipped their mind. Bloggers have long memories. Can you imagine if Byrd had been a Republican how the MSM would play this fact?
Captain's Quarters: "That's what made the recent debate over the use of the filibuster such a tragic joke. Having Senator Robert Byrd, a former KKK recruiter, get up in the well of the Senate and lecture the GOP and the nation that ending the filibuster presented a danger to the Republic amounted to historical revisionism of the worst kind. ........... Thanks to racists like Byrd, that tradition of filibustering continues today. In fact, Byrd (who isn't even mentioned in this article) filibustered the original Civil Rights Act in 1964, eating up 14 hours of debate before his own caucus finally put an end to his embarrassing display. It is a practice that allows the entire democratic process of the United States to be held hostage by a minority, even if it now requires a larger minority than before the rule changes which eliminated the need for continuous speechmaking. "
Captain's Quarters: "That's what made the recent debate over the use of the filibuster such a tragic joke. Having Senator Robert Byrd, a former KKK recruiter, get up in the well of the Senate and lecture the GOP and the nation that ending the filibuster presented a danger to the Republic amounted to historical revisionism of the worst kind. ........... Thanks to racists like Byrd, that tradition of filibustering continues today. In fact, Byrd (who isn't even mentioned in this article) filibustered the original Civil Rights Act in 1964, eating up 14 hours of debate before his own caucus finally put an end to his embarrassing display. It is a practice that allows the entire democratic process of the United States to be held hostage by a minority, even if it now requires a larger minority than before the rule changes which eliminated the need for continuous speechmaking. "
Liberal ideas destroy hope
The best columnist in the country hits the nail on the head again.
June 11, 2005
Why Liberal Ideas Are Counterproductive for the Poor?
By Thomas Sowell
Sometimes it seems as if liberals have a genius for producing an unending stream of ideas that are counterproductive for the poor, whom they claim to be helping. Few of these notions are more counterproductive than the idea of 'menial work' or 'dead-end jobs.'
Think about it: Why do employers pay people to do 'menial' work? Because the work has to be done. What useful purpose is served by stigmatizing work that someone is going to have to do anyway?
Is emptying bed pans in a hospital menial work? What would happen if bed pans didn't get emptied? Let people stop emptying bed pans for a month and there would be bigger problems than if sociologists stopped working for a year."
June 11, 2005
Why Liberal Ideas Are Counterproductive for the Poor?
By Thomas Sowell
Sometimes it seems as if liberals have a genius for producing an unending stream of ideas that are counterproductive for the poor, whom they claim to be helping. Few of these notions are more counterproductive than the idea of 'menial work' or 'dead-end jobs.'
Think about it: Why do employers pay people to do 'menial' work? Because the work has to be done. What useful purpose is served by stigmatizing work that someone is going to have to do anyway?
Is emptying bed pans in a hospital menial work? What would happen if bed pans didn't get emptied? Let people stop emptying bed pans for a month and there would be bigger problems than if sociologists stopped working for a year."
Isn't this Koran abuse?
Wouldn't a bunch of Koran's get blown up and desecrated in this little protest? Not to mention 20 or so Koran carriers. Where is the outrage?
Suicide bomber kills 20 at anti-Taliban cleric's funeral / Levon Sevunts A suicide bomber blew himself up at the funeral of a senior anti-Taliban Muslim cleric yesterday, killing 20 persons and wounding at least 40 others. (World)
Suicide bomber kills 20 at anti-Taliban cleric's funeral / Levon Sevunts A suicide bomber blew himself up at the funeral of a senior anti-Taliban Muslim cleric yesterday, killing 20 persons and wounding at least 40 others. (World)
Gitmo abuse
More proof of the hypocrisy of the anti-American media and the Amnesty International crowd. Amazing to me is that there is far more REPORTED abuse in US jails (murder, suicide, beatings, rape, etc, etc...) than has even been alleged at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo and the MSM seems to be ....silent? And if we hint that prisoners might be sent to other countries the lefties have a fit. Maybe it's a bit more challenging to be a prisoner in, say, Turkey than Gitmo? Selective outrage breeds contempt. Instapundit provides the link.
Instapundit.com -: "June 09, 2005
MAX BOOT:
All the headlines about 'Abuse of the Koran at Gitmo' are absolutely accurate. Brig. Gen. Jay Hood's internal investigation has uncovered some shocking incidents. On at least six occasions, Korans were ripped up. They were urinated on three times, and attempts were made to flush them down the toilet at least three other times.
Why aren't millions of Muslims rioting in response to these defilements? Because the perpetrators were prisoners, not guards. As John Hinderaker notes on weeklystandard.com, the most serious desecrations of the Koran at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility were committed by the Muslim inmates themselves.
Read the whole thing, which is quite justifiably harsh on the news media and NGO hysteria surrounding this report."
Instapundit.com -: "June 09, 2005
MAX BOOT:
All the headlines about 'Abuse of the Koran at Gitmo' are absolutely accurate. Brig. Gen. Jay Hood's internal investigation has uncovered some shocking incidents. On at least six occasions, Korans were ripped up. They were urinated on three times, and attempts were made to flush them down the toilet at least three other times.
Why aren't millions of Muslims rioting in response to these defilements? Because the perpetrators were prisoners, not guards. As John Hinderaker notes on weeklystandard.com, the most serious desecrations of the Koran at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility were committed by the Muslim inmates themselves.
Read the whole thing, which is quite justifiably harsh on the news media and NGO hysteria surrounding this report."
"Free" medicalcare horror story
This same thing is happening in Canada. Don't believe those who offer something for nothing. Read the whole story for a glimpse into our medical future.
OpinionJournal - Extra: "There's No Place Like Home
What I learned from my wife's month in the British medical system.
...Suddenly we were in the hands of British Health Service, and after a battery of tests we were being pressured into officially admitting my wife to UCL. As we discovered later, emergency care is free for everyone in Britain; it's only when one is officially admitted to a hospital that a foreigner begins to pay. I didn't know that. But I did know that I was not about to admit my wife to a hospital that could not diagnose an obviously life-threatening affliction. And even after having given her an MRI, the doctors could not tell if she had a stroke.
OpinionJournal - Extra: "There's No Place Like Home
What I learned from my wife's month in the British medical system.
...Suddenly we were in the hands of British Health Service, and after a battery of tests we were being pressured into officially admitting my wife to UCL. As we discovered later, emergency care is free for everyone in Britain; it's only when one is officially admitted to a hospital that a foreigner begins to pay. I didn't know that. But I did know that I was not about to admit my wife to a hospital that could not diagnose an obviously life-threatening affliction. And even after having given her an MRI, the doctors could not tell if she had a stroke.
Hump day at Guantanamo
Maybe this will make Amnesty International happy. Next thing, they'll want half-days on Fridays.
The Borowitz Report .com: "BUSH CONSIDERS CLOSING GUANTANAMO ON WEDNESDAYS
President's Proposal Falls Short of Gitmo Opponents Demands
Hoping to appease those who have called in recent days for the U.S. to close the detention center at Guantanamo, Cuba, President Bush announced today that he was considering closing the facility on Wednesdays.
Mr. Bush made the proposal in remarks in the White House Rose Garden today, telling reporters, "Under my plan, there would zero tolerance for abuse of prisoners in Guantanamo, on Wednesdays at least. "
The Borowitz Report .com: "BUSH CONSIDERS CLOSING GUANTANAMO ON WEDNESDAYS
President's Proposal Falls Short of Gitmo Opponents Demands
Hoping to appease those who have called in recent days for the U.S. to close the detention center at Guantanamo, Cuba, President Bush announced today that he was considering closing the facility on Wednesdays.
Mr. Bush made the proposal in remarks in the White House Rose Garden today, telling reporters, "Under my plan, there would zero tolerance for abuse of prisoners in Guantanamo, on Wednesdays at least. "
Friday, June 10, 2005
BLACKFIVE: The Third Rule of War
This has never been written with more eloquence. Please remember and honor the memory of all our fallen soldiers and airmen. Very moving.
BLACKFIVE: The Third Rule of War:
"The Last Full Measure
By Col. Brett Wyrick USAF
"The first rule of war is that young men and women die. The second rule of war is that surgeons cannot change the first rule. "
BLACKFIVE: The Third Rule of War:
"The Last Full Measure
By Col. Brett Wyrick USAF
"The first rule of war is that young men and women die. The second rule of war is that surgeons cannot change the first rule. "
Where's the Wendy's "chilli-finger" gal when we need her?
I hope someone brought the dip.
HoustonChronicle.com - Potato-chip can sits where woman's ashes were:
"Synagogue sued over missing ashes"
Potato-chip can found in place of woman's remains in mausoleum
By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Carlos Antonio Rios/Chronicle
The empty niche at left at Congregation Beth Israel's mausoleum once held the ashes of Vivian Shulman Lieberman. The niche of her husband, Seymour Lieberman, is at right.
When relatives of Vivian Shulman Lieberman went to visit her final resting place in a Houston mausoleum one year ago today, they discovered that the cedar chest containing her ashes was missing.
In its place, behind the locked, glass door of Lieberman's niche in Congregation Beth Israel's mausoleum, was a can of sour-cream-and-onion potato chips."
HoustonChronicle.com - Potato-chip can sits where woman's ashes were:
"Synagogue sued over missing ashes"
Potato-chip can found in place of woman's remains in mausoleum
By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Carlos Antonio Rios/Chronicle
The empty niche at left at Congregation Beth Israel's mausoleum once held the ashes of Vivian Shulman Lieberman. The niche of her husband, Seymour Lieberman, is at right.
When relatives of Vivian Shulman Lieberman went to visit her final resting place in a Houston mausoleum one year ago today, they discovered that the cedar chest containing her ashes was missing.
In its place, behind the locked, glass door of Lieberman's niche in Congregation Beth Israel's mausoleum, was a can of sour-cream-and-onion potato chips."
Interesting comment
LiamGadfly responds to my "brilliant" analysis: I respond to him.
MLive.com: Muskegon Town Talk Forum: "6410.4.1.1. Not so fast Gordo...
by LiamGadfly, 6/10/05 12:23 ET
Re: Cook's closed? by Barman241, 6/10/05
"... It's always sad when a business closes its doors but our system of competition and innovation has given us the world's greatest economy."
While I don't deny that the free market is the best of all possible worlds, to say that that the flood of cheap consumer goods that have inundated our economy is a result of a "free market" is disingenuous to say the least. (true, ours is not a perfect "free market", but it's the freest in the world today) It is more the result of one sided trade policy that gave us nothing in return. (nothing in return? They give us goods and we give them IOUs. Who comes out better in that deal?) It is also the result of low wage countries dumping underpriced goods on us. & when we have squandered the last of our wealth on all these trinkets & baubles, then where will we be? With nothing left to invest in our antiquated infrastructure, or to invest in attracting new business's or new manufacturing capacity, or a base from which we may support our government @ all levels, etc. etc. etc. We also will be left with no jobs to provide the wealth to keep it all going, including the current buying spree, as well as to support the minimum of government services, that we all have come to rely upon. (Interesting, but do you have any facts to support this doomed scenario?)
Gordo, to say that we have the worlds greatest economy is to truly view it through rose colored lenses. This is especially true of someone sitting in Muskegon - America's poster child, for a stagnating local economy. (Thankfully, the Muskegon/Michigan model for an economy is not shared by the rest of the country. Our national economy is, by almost every measure, as strong as it has ever been.)
There are some inherently disturbing trends in our economy that if not addressed could literally take us from solvency to a third rate entity in no time @ all. The loss of manufacturing is the most glaring. (Surely you're not suggesting that a job working in a foundry or steel mill is "better" than working at a bank, movie studio or software company or any of the other service sector jobs in America) The loss of markets & the loss of production acreage to urbanization in agriculture is another. (Come on, take an airplane ride and look out the window. Then tell me about the loss of production acreage. We have more land being paid not to farm than many countries have being farmed) A third is the over valuation of real estate markets due to easy monetary policy which has been used as a lubricant to fuel residential & commercial construction, in order to fill the void that the loss of manufacturing has left in the GNP. When even the usually taciturn Saint Greenspan speaks of a bubble in the housing markets, then I get nervous. (No arguement about a RE bubble in some markets but RE bubbles happen all the time. It's just that the media is selling it as something that's never happened before (it has, many times) and something that will affect the entire country in some massive and terrible manner. (It won't, never has before.) Add to all of that the increased Global demand for oil, & the Hundred Year War for oil that we have just begun to engage in, then I don't see the picture as being so rosy. But when you are caught in the middle of the throes of a shop till you drop frenzy, it is hard to be objective & not walk around in the high of denial. But believe me, a day of reckoning will come, & you are not going to like the result. Muskegon's economy may just be a early indicator (a canary in the coal mine) of what is to come on the economic front. It may be an example of the long term chronic economic stagnation that will become embedded & common in much of the rest of the country for some time to come. So enjoy your big flat screen TV while you can, because eventually you may have to cue up for expensive rolls of toilet paper just like they do in Russia, unless of course the dollar becomes worthless enough to use as a substitute. ;-)
(Pretty much the standard doom and gloom, half empty rather than half full argument I've seen repeated ever so many times. You're going to have to back up the gloom with some facts first. Thanks for the input.
MLive.com: Muskegon Town Talk Forum: "6410.4.1.1. Not so fast Gordo...
by LiamGadfly, 6/10/05 12:23 ET
Re: Cook's closed? by Barman241, 6/10/05
"... It's always sad when a business closes its doors but our system of competition and innovation has given us the world's greatest economy."
While I don't deny that the free market is the best of all possible worlds, to say that that the flood of cheap consumer goods that have inundated our economy is a result of a "free market" is disingenuous to say the least. (true, ours is not a perfect "free market", but it's the freest in the world today) It is more the result of one sided trade policy that gave us nothing in return. (nothing in return? They give us goods and we give them IOUs. Who comes out better in that deal?) It is also the result of low wage countries dumping underpriced goods on us. & when we have squandered the last of our wealth on all these trinkets & baubles, then where will we be? With nothing left to invest in our antiquated infrastructure, or to invest in attracting new business's or new manufacturing capacity, or a base from which we may support our government @ all levels, etc. etc. etc. We also will be left with no jobs to provide the wealth to keep it all going, including the current buying spree, as well as to support the minimum of government services, that we all have come to rely upon. (Interesting, but do you have any facts to support this doomed scenario?)
Gordo, to say that we have the worlds greatest economy is to truly view it through rose colored lenses. This is especially true of someone sitting in Muskegon - America's poster child, for a stagnating local economy. (Thankfully, the Muskegon/Michigan model for an economy is not shared by the rest of the country. Our national economy is, by almost every measure, as strong as it has ever been.)
There are some inherently disturbing trends in our economy that if not addressed could literally take us from solvency to a third rate entity in no time @ all. The loss of manufacturing is the most glaring. (Surely you're not suggesting that a job working in a foundry or steel mill is "better" than working at a bank, movie studio or software company or any of the other service sector jobs in America) The loss of markets & the loss of production acreage to urbanization in agriculture is another. (Come on, take an airplane ride and look out the window. Then tell me about the loss of production acreage. We have more land being paid not to farm than many countries have being farmed) A third is the over valuation of real estate markets due to easy monetary policy which has been used as a lubricant to fuel residential & commercial construction, in order to fill the void that the loss of manufacturing has left in the GNP. When even the usually taciturn Saint Greenspan speaks of a bubble in the housing markets, then I get nervous. (No arguement about a RE bubble in some markets but RE bubbles happen all the time. It's just that the media is selling it as something that's never happened before (it has, many times) and something that will affect the entire country in some massive and terrible manner. (It won't, never has before.) Add to all of that the increased Global demand for oil, & the Hundred Year War for oil that we have just begun to engage in, then I don't see the picture as being so rosy. But when you are caught in the middle of the throes of a shop till you drop frenzy, it is hard to be objective & not walk around in the high of denial. But believe me, a day of reckoning will come, & you are not going to like the result. Muskegon's economy may just be a early indicator (a canary in the coal mine) of what is to come on the economic front. It may be an example of the long term chronic economic stagnation that will become embedded & common in much of the rest of the country for some time to come. So enjoy your big flat screen TV while you can, because eventually you may have to cue up for expensive rolls of toilet paper just like they do in Russia, unless of course the dollar becomes worthless enough to use as a substitute. ;-)
(Pretty much the standard doom and gloom, half empty rather than half full argument I've seen repeated ever so many times. You're going to have to back up the gloom with some facts first. Thanks for the input.
More leftist hate
Victory, a Michigan blog, posts this outrage. No wonder "they hate us". The world's leftists spew a never ending tsunami of this hate inducing garbage to the citizens of their countries ever day.
Victory welfarE: "TV show depicts 9/11 as Bush plot
A fictional crime drama based on the premise that the Bush administration ordered the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington aired this week on German state television, prompting the Green Party chairman to call for an investigation."
And how 'bout this itty bit of "unbiased" reporting from the good folks at ABC.( courtesy MediaResearch.org)
3. ABC: North Koreans Hate Americans, Offer Great Music/Art for Kids North Koreans are isolated from outside information and fed a steady diet of anti-American propaganda, but that apparently doesn't make the anti-American comments from regime operatives, or citizens with minders standing nearby, unnewsworthy to ABC.
"There are large gaps in what the world knows about the North Korean leader and his people," World News Tonight anchor Elizabeth Vargas noted before asserting that "many North Koreans, it seems, have strong opinions about Americans." From Pyongyang, Bob Woodruff went aboard the captured USS Pueblo and relayed how the "officer who gave us a tour today said the ship's an example of American crimes and another reason Koreans don't like Americans." The uniformed woman declared: "They invaded to our territory, and they supplied information, so all Koreans were angry." Woodruff traveled to a collective farm where he found an 11-year-old girl who said of Americans: "They killed Korean people." Finally, Woodruff went to the "Children's Palace" where "5,000 North Korean kids are trained after school in music, art and sports." The video showed healthy kids in colorful uniforms paying instruments, painting and dancing.
Plus, they've got free health care!
Victory welfarE: "TV show depicts 9/11 as Bush plot
A fictional crime drama based on the premise that the Bush administration ordered the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington aired this week on German state television, prompting the Green Party chairman to call for an investigation."
And how 'bout this itty bit of "unbiased" reporting from the good folks at ABC.( courtesy MediaResearch.org)
3. ABC: North Koreans Hate Americans, Offer Great Music/Art for Kids North Koreans are isolated from outside information and fed a steady diet of anti-American propaganda, but that apparently doesn't make the anti-American comments from regime operatives, or citizens with minders standing nearby, unnewsworthy to ABC.
"There are large gaps in what the world knows about the North Korean leader and his people," World News Tonight anchor Elizabeth Vargas noted before asserting that "many North Koreans, it seems, have strong opinions about Americans." From Pyongyang, Bob Woodruff went aboard the captured USS Pueblo and relayed how the "officer who gave us a tour today said the ship's an example of American crimes and another reason Koreans don't like Americans." The uniformed woman declared: "They invaded to our territory, and they supplied information, so all Koreans were angry." Woodruff traveled to a collective farm where he found an 11-year-old girl who said of Americans: "They killed Korean people." Finally, Woodruff went to the "Children's Palace" where "5,000 North Korean kids are trained after school in music, art and sports." The video showed healthy kids in colorful uniforms paying instruments, painting and dancing.
Plus, they've got free health care!
Ummm. Good crow...
I love being wrong! I thought this deal was a bad one for the GOPers and the Country. It looks like I can eat my crow with a smile on my face. Decision 08 http://decision08.blogspot.com/ rubs it in.
Decision '08: "Today's Must-Read: The NY Times On Judicial Nominations
The true test of the compromise lies ahead, says the NY Times, but of course, that begs the point that critics of the deal were saying we would only get three nominees without a fight. Well, we've got five, and the Time article suggests the sixth will follow Monday. Remind me again what we lost? I'm having a hard time remembering. Ohio Republican Mike DeWine gets the last word:"
Decision '08: "Today's Must-Read: The NY Times On Judicial Nominations
The true test of the compromise lies ahead, says the NY Times, but of course, that begs the point that critics of the deal were saying we would only get three nominees without a fight. Well, we've got five, and the Time article suggests the sixth will follow Monday. Remind me again what we lost? I'm having a hard time remembering. Ohio Republican Mike DeWine gets the last word:"
Dean done?
I can't imagine a GOP Chairman lasting near this long with similar gaffs and the mis-leadership of Dean. What must democrats be thinking? One of the brightest of the group is Ford and he's not hiding his opinion.
JustOneMinute: Harold Ford Missed The "Get Behind Dean" Memo:
Harold Ford Missed The 'Get Behind Dean' Memo
Dems are rallying behind Dean, but Harold Ford of TN missed the memo. From his appearance on Imus this morning:
June 9, 2005
Imus: 'On another note here, speaking of the Democratic Party, which you are a member of, how's Howard Dean working for you?'
Rep. Harold Ford Jr.: '(Laughing) I won't have him down so many times in Tennessee on the campaign trail with me. He has made some comments as of late that really speak to a lack of understanding I think, of the country, a lack of understanding of faith and values. I'm a Democrat and I'm a God fearing one. I grew up in church. Christianity is not reserved for white males"
JustOneMinute: Harold Ford Missed The "Get Behind Dean" Memo:
Harold Ford Missed The 'Get Behind Dean' Memo
Dems are rallying behind Dean, but Harold Ford of TN missed the memo. From his appearance on Imus this morning:
June 9, 2005
Imus: 'On another note here, speaking of the Democratic Party, which you are a member of, how's Howard Dean working for you?'
Rep. Harold Ford Jr.: '(Laughing) I won't have him down so many times in Tennessee on the campaign trail with me. He has made some comments as of late that really speak to a lack of understanding I think, of the country, a lack of understanding of faith and values. I'm a Democrat and I'm a God fearing one. I grew up in church. Christianity is not reserved for white males"
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