This guy was President? My gosh, there is a world war going on with hundreds of thousands killed every year and "the Squirter" is worried that the US economy is causing a scientifically unproven global change? Oh, and ya gotta love "global inequality" as number 2.
Newsday.com: Clinton: Climate change is the world's biggest worry: "Clinton: Climate change is the world's biggest worry
By DAN PERRY
Associated Press Writer
January 28, 2006, 2:00 PM EST
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton told corporate chieftains and political bigwigs Saturday that climate change was the world's biggest problem _ followed by global inequality and the 'apparently irreconcilable' religious and cultural differences behind terrorism.
Clinton's comments provided something a freewheeling and philosophical finale _ ahead of Sunday's formal wrap-up _ to several days of high-powered discourse on the state of the world, and the mostly admiring audience seemed to hang on his every word.
'First, I worry about climate change,' Clinton said in an onstage conversation with the founder of the World Economic Forum. 'It's the only thing that I believe has the power to fundamentally end the march of civilization as we know it, and make a lot of the other efforts that we're making irrelevant and impossible.' "
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
How long do burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs last? - CNET Community Newsletter: Q&A Forums
Interesting if you want to save your CD/DVD photos etc.
1/27/06 How long do burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs last? - CNET Community Newsletter: Q&A Forums
1/27/06 How long do burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs last? - CNET Community Newsletter: Q&A Forums
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Michelle Malkin: THE MILWAUKEE 5 ON TRIAL
Michelle Malkin: THE MILWAUKEE 5 ON TRIAL
Don't be surprised you hadn't heard about this outrage.
Imagine how the "unbiased" MSM if a Republican Congressman's son had been involved in criminally keeping people from voting!
Don't be surprised you hadn't heard about this outrage.
Imagine how the "unbiased" MSM if a Republican Congressman's son had been involved in criminally keeping people from voting!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist' - Yahoo! News
Remember those who support this murderous dictator.
Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist' - Yahoo! News:
"By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela - The American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called President Bush 'the greatest terrorist in the world' on Sunday and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.
Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including the actor Danny Glover and the Princeton University scholar Cornel West that met the Venezuelan president for more than six hours late Saturday. Some in the group attended Chavez's television and radio broadcast Sunday.
'No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution,' Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast."
Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist' - Yahoo! News:
"By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela - The American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called President Bush 'the greatest terrorist in the world' on Sunday and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.
Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including the actor Danny Glover and the Princeton University scholar Cornel West that met the Venezuelan president for more than six hours late Saturday. Some in the group attended Chavez's television and radio broadcast Sunday.
'No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution,' Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast."
Does the MSM revere miners more than soldiers?
My Way - My Page: " My News
Top News - APJan 8, 8:59 pm ET
� U.S. Copter Down in Iraq; 12 Believed Dead
� Mourners Grieve Privately for 12 Miners"
Top News - APJan 8, 8:59 pm ET
� U.S. Copter Down in Iraq; 12 Believed Dead
� Mourners Grieve Privately for 12 Miners"
Falling birth rates not just a problem in Europe
The future?
Falling birth rates not just a problem in Europe: "In advanced Western society, we don't have to worry about that; we automatically have someone to provide for us in our old age: the state.
But the state -- at least in its modern social-democratic welfare incarnation -- needs children..... And the problem with much of the advanced world is that...... it is collectively barren...... Individually, it's made up of millions of fertile women, who voluntarily opt for no children at all or one designer kid at 39. In Italy, the home of the Church, the birth rate's down to 1.2 children per couple -- or about half ''replacement rate.'' You can't buck that kind of arithmetic."
Falling birth rates not just a problem in Europe: "In advanced Western society, we don't have to worry about that; we automatically have someone to provide for us in our old age: the state.
But the state -- at least in its modern social-democratic welfare incarnation -- needs children..... And the problem with much of the advanced world is that...... it is collectively barren...... Individually, it's made up of millions of fertile women, who voluntarily opt for no children at all or one designer kid at 39. In Italy, the home of the Church, the birth rate's down to 1.2 children per couple -- or about half ''replacement rate.'' You can't buck that kind of arithmetic."
from a soldier
MURTHA THE TURNCOAT
By KIERAN MICHAEL LALOR
LAST spring, I dropped by an anti-war rally in White Plains. When I made it clear that I was an Iraq vet who supported the war, the insults began to fly. Most slurs were boilerplate anti-war clichés, but one man struck a nerve: He marched up to me, looked me straight in the eye to ask, "You joined the military?" — and when I proudly answered "yes," responded, with utter disgust, "You are a sucker."
I felt the same rage last weekend just watching Rep. Jack Murtha declare on TV that, were he younger, he wouldn't join today's military.
I expect that kind of rhetoric from the washed-up anti-war rabble that congregate on street corners to relive their glory days — not from retired Marine colonels.
Murtha's call last year for a cut-and-run strategy in Iraq was one thing — irresponsible and unwise, but basically just stating a policy position. This is different.
What a nice New Year's treat for the beheaders and suicide bombers to know that a decorated Marine and lawmaker thinks the U.S. military is not only "broken" but not worth joining. Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi will no doubt use Murtha's words to inspire his band of thugs to hold out longer and kill a few more Americans assuring them that ultimately we will wilt like Murtha.
Why would Murtha not want to be part of a military that in the past four years has liberated 50 million souls and heroically brought aid to tsunami and earthquake victims, saving untold lives? Surely he knows that all was chaos in New Orleans in the wake of Katrina until Gen. Russell Honore's 1st Army and the 82nd Airborne came to town and provided relief and a security presence.
Evidently, Murtha doesn't think this is noble work.
Or, rather, the congressman doesn't like the way Iraq is going, so he disparaged the entire military — forgetting about our sailors working tirelessly to keep the seas open, Marines bravely guarding our embassies and soldiers standing watch in Korea and elsewhere to protect the democratic from the despotic.
Thirty-seven years in the Marine Corps should have taught Murtha that our military has historically been and continues to be the world's greatest meritocracy. No other institution has allowed people to climb the ranks and reach their potential regardless of their socioeconomic status like the U.S. military.
Similarly, Jack Murtha should know that millions of men and women have personally benefited from the discipline, training and structure of the military and used the traits learned in uniform to make countless contributions to civil society after their service.
If Murtha wouldn't want to be a part of a military that did in Afghanistan in three months what the Red Army couldn't do in seven years and that put genocidal maniac Saddam Hussein behind bars and his brutal sociopath sons in the ground, I am glad he is not.
But he's surely undermined military recruiting. Think he'll resign his committee assignments relevant to the military?
Last year, despite a media that overemphasizes the negative aspects of the war and an organized anti-recruitment effort, the Marine Corps exceeded its recruiting goals by 2 percent. The Navy and Air Force met their goals. The Army, which fell short of expectations last year, is exceeding them in Fiscal Year 2006 (which started in October).
Fortunately for the United States, a turncoat blowhard like Murtha won't stop the tens of thousands of good men and women inspired to serve this great nation.
Kieran Michael Lalor is the founder of Eternal Vigilance Society (eternalvigilancesociety.org), an independent organization supporting leaders who put protecting the nation ahead of politics.
Home
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: "MURTHA THE TURNCOAT
By KIERAN MICHAEL LALOR
LAST spring, I dropped by an anti-war rally in White Plains. When I made it clear that I was an Iraq vet who supported the war, the insults began to fly. Most slurs were boilerplate anti-war clich�s, but one man struck a nerve: He marched up to me, looked me straight in the eye to ask, 'You joined the military?' � and when I proudly answered 'yes,' responded, with utter disgust, 'You are a sucker.'
I felt the same rage last weekend just watching Rep. Jack Murtha declare on TV that, were he younger, he wouldn't join today's military.
I expect that kind of rhetoric from the washed-up anti-war rabble that congregate on street corners to relive their glory days � not from retired Marine colonels.
Murtha's call last year for a cut-and-run strategy in Iraq was one thing � irresponsible and unwise, but basically just stating a policy position. This is different.
What a nice New Year's treat for the beheaders and suicide bombers to know that a decorated Marine and lawmaker thinks the U.S. military is not only 'broken' but not worth joining. Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi will no doubt use Murtha's words to inspire his band of thugs to hold out longer and kill a few more Americans assuring them that ultimately we will wilt like Murtha.
Why would Murtha not want to be part of a military that in the past four years has liberated 50 million souls and heroically brought aid to tsunami and earthquake victims, saving untold lives? Surely he knows that all was chaos in New Orleans in the wake of Katrina until Gen. Russell Honore's 1st Army and the 82nd Airborne came to town and provided relief and a security presence.
Evidently, Murtha doesn't think this is noble work.
Or, rather, the congressman doesn't like the way Iraq is going, so he disparaged the en"
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Demos rig polls again!
Another reason to despise the MSM and their Democrat handlers. Read the last sentance.
Ankle Biting Pundits - How To Rig A Poll (or, Breaking Down The Latest AP/Ipsos Poll): " How To Rig A Poll (or, Breaking Down The Latest AP/Ipsos Poll)
Posted by bulldogpundit on Friday, 06 January 2006 (17:07:43) EST
You'll likely be hearing orgasmic Democrats and the MSM crowing about this AP Ipsos poll which has the headline 'Voters Seem More Ready To End GOP Control Of Congress'. The poll shows the following:Quote:
Who Do You Want To Control Congress - 49% - Democrats/36%- Republicans
Sounds bad, huh? Well, as we've said before you (and the GOP leaders) shouldn't use these polls as any kind of indicator as to what could happen in 2006, which is certainly how the MSM will spin it.
But here's what you won't see in the news stories. - the demography of the poll respondents
First, only 81% of respondents were even eligible to vote, and there's no indication of how many of them actually went to the polls in 2004..
1. Party Leanings - The poll is slanted 52-40% towards Democrats, even though the voters in the 2004 election were split evenly at 37% between Republicans and Democrats."
Ankle Biting Pundits - How To Rig A Poll (or, Breaking Down The Latest AP/Ipsos Poll): " How To Rig A Poll (or, Breaking Down The Latest AP/Ipsos Poll)
Posted by bulldogpundit on Friday, 06 January 2006 (17:07:43) EST
You'll likely be hearing orgasmic Democrats and the MSM crowing about this AP Ipsos poll which has the headline 'Voters Seem More Ready To End GOP Control Of Congress'. The poll shows the following:Quote:
Who Do You Want To Control Congress - 49% - Democrats/36%- Republicans
Sounds bad, huh? Well, as we've said before you (and the GOP leaders) shouldn't use these polls as any kind of indicator as to what could happen in 2006, which is certainly how the MSM will spin it.
But here's what you won't see in the news stories. - the demography of the poll respondents
First, only 81% of respondents were even eligible to vote, and there's no indication of how many of them actually went to the polls in 2004..
1. Party Leanings - The poll is slanted 52-40% towards Democrats, even though the voters in the 2004 election were split evenly at 37% between Republicans and Democrats."
Just the Facts
Just the Facts: "IT'S CONVENTIONAL WISDOM. In fact, it's more than conventional wisdom. It's an article of faith among the enlightened: There was no connection, at least no significant connection, between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Senate minority leader Harry Reid put it this way: 'There was [sic] no terrorists in Iraq.' His colleague, Carl Levin, member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, says Iraq's relationship with al Qaeda was 'nonexistent.'
Senators Reid and Levin are Democrats, to be sure. But few prominent Republicans have challenged these assertions. And the Bush administration has been as quiet as a mouse--and just as meek. So the conventional wisdom reigns.
We have long dissented from this conventional wisdom. We have argued in these pages that the connections between Saddam and terrorists were substantial and significant. Stephen Hayes--among others--has reported over the past three years on extensive evidence of terror ties to Saddam's regime. In our judgment, the evidence for such ties has become more convincing, not less, as more information has become available.
Can we ever really know the whole truth--or almost the whole truth? Yes. How? Let us--all of us--read the mass of documents captured after the fall of the Saddam regime. Stephen Hayes's reporting, including his article in this issue, suggests to us that these documents would confirm the argument for a terror connection. But let everyone make up his own mind, based on his own reading of the documents."
Senate minority leader Harry Reid put it this way: 'There was [sic] no terrorists in Iraq.' His colleague, Carl Levin, member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, says Iraq's relationship with al Qaeda was 'nonexistent.'
Senators Reid and Levin are Democrats, to be sure. But few prominent Republicans have challenged these assertions. And the Bush administration has been as quiet as a mouse--and just as meek. So the conventional wisdom reigns.
We have long dissented from this conventional wisdom. We have argued in these pages that the connections between Saddam and terrorists were substantial and significant. Stephen Hayes--among others--has reported over the past three years on extensive evidence of terror ties to Saddam's regime. In our judgment, the evidence for such ties has become more convincing, not less, as more information has become available.
Can we ever really know the whole truth--or almost the whole truth? Yes. How? Let us--all of us--read the mass of documents captured after the fall of the Saddam regime. Stephen Hayes's reporting, including his article in this issue, suggests to us that these documents would confirm the argument for a terror connection. But let everyone make up his own mind, based on his own reading of the documents."
Friday, January 06, 2006
Are they lying or just dumb?
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "Poll: Americans Oppose Judicial Legislation
From a Harris Poll on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court:
Opposition to the confirmation of Judge Alito would probably grow substantially if most people believed he would vote to make abortion illegal. A 69 to 31 percent majority of the public say they would oppose his confirmation if they thought he would vote to make abortion illegal. Majorities of Democrats (86%) and Independents (74%) feel this way. However, a majority of Republicans (56% vs. 44%) would support his confirmation if they believed he would vote to make abortion illegal.
Yeah, well, we would oppose Alito's confirmation if we believed he would vote to make abortion illegal--and we think Roe v. Wade is a monstrosity. Reversing Roe, however, would not make abortion illegal; it would merely make it possible for duly elected legislators to do so. The guys who write Harris polls know so little about constitutional law, they ought to be teaching it at the University of Virginia."
From a Harris Poll on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court:
Opposition to the confirmation of Judge Alito would probably grow substantially if most people believed he would vote to make abortion illegal. A 69 to 31 percent majority of the public say they would oppose his confirmation if they thought he would vote to make abortion illegal. Majorities of Democrats (86%) and Independents (74%) feel this way. However, a majority of Republicans (56% vs. 44%) would support his confirmation if they believed he would vote to make abortion illegal.
Yeah, well, we would oppose Alito's confirmation if we believed he would vote to make abortion illegal--and we think Roe v. Wade is a monstrosity. Reversing Roe, however, would not make abortion illegal; it would merely make it possible for duly elected legislators to do so. The guys who write Harris polls know so little about constitutional law, they ought to be teaching it at the University of Virginia."
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Good guys?
By Giles Elgood
LONDON (Reuters) - World leaders on Thursday expressed hopes Ariel Sharon would recover from his massive stroke but made clear the Israeli prime minister's dominance of Middle East politics was now over.
Only a miracle would allow the stricken former general to take up the political reins again before March 28 Israeli parliamentary elections -- and some in the region hoped he would succumb to his illness.
'Hopefully, the news that the criminal of Sabra and Shatila has joined his ancestors is final,' said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to the semi-official students' news agency ISNA.
Sabra and Shatila are the names of refugee camps in Beirut where pro-Israeli Christian militiamen massacred Palestinians after Sharon masterminded the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas accused Sharon of 'massacres and terrorism' and said: 'The whole region will be better off with him absent.'
Western leaders by contrast wished Sharon a speedy recovery, even while acknowledging that his political career was almost certainly at an end.
U.S. President George W. Bush praised Sharon, who has been crucial to his hopes for Middle East peacemaking, as a man of 'cou"
LONDON (Reuters) - World leaders on Thursday expressed hopes Ariel Sharon would recover from his massive stroke but made clear the Israeli prime minister's dominance of Middle East politics was now over.
Only a miracle would allow the stricken former general to take up the political reins again before March 28 Israeli parliamentary elections -- and some in the region hoped he would succumb to his illness.
'Hopefully, the news that the criminal of Sabra and Shatila has joined his ancestors is final,' said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to the semi-official students' news agency ISNA.
Sabra and Shatila are the names of refugee camps in Beirut where pro-Israeli Christian militiamen massacred Palestinians after Sharon masterminded the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas accused Sharon of 'massacres and terrorism' and said: 'The whole region will be better off with him absent.'
Western leaders by contrast wished Sharon a speedy recovery, even while acknowledging that his political career was almost certainly at an end.
U.S. President George W. Bush praised Sharon, who has been crucial to his hopes for Middle East peacemaking, as a man of 'cou"
A Bridge Too Far
Watching tonight this great movie. I had forgotten how much of the early part of the movie had the Germans speaking in German with subtitles. Horribly sad that movie makers couldn't do the same today in the USA because so many folks can't read subtitles.... or other important stuff. bummer....
New chairman in charge, for now
Pardon my "the rest of the story" here, but our Chronicle neglects to report that three years ago there were ZERO Republicans on the Muskegon County Commission. Today there are four out of eleven total. Rpublicans Scolnik, Wisnewski, Engel and newly elected vice chairman John Snider. Plus some high quality new Democrats. Chairman Derezinski, Chuck Buzzell, and Don Aley. It is the old guard of race baiters and union drones who long to keep Muskegon down.
What a surprise. Get rid of the power that those who kept Muskegon down and there will be screams of anguish? Bummer for them. Hope for the future of our County and City as these leaches are exposed and ignored.
New chairman in charge, for now: "By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
An unshakable coalition of Democratic and Republican county commissioners, long determined to remove Bill Gill as their chairman, finally flexed their collective muscle on Wednesday.
They started by installing Democrat James Derezinski as the new board chairman, replacing the controversial Gill, at least for the moment while legal maneuvers play out.
They also broke new ground by electing Republican Commissioner John Snider as vice chairman. It's the first time in memory that the county board chairman is from one party and the vice chairman from another. "
What a surprise. Get rid of the power that those who kept Muskegon down and there will be screams of anguish? Bummer for them. Hope for the future of our County and City as these leaches are exposed and ignored.
New chairman in charge, for now: "By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
An unshakable coalition of Democratic and Republican county commissioners, long determined to remove Bill Gill as their chairman, finally flexed their collective muscle on Wednesday.
They started by installing Democrat James Derezinski as the new board chairman, replacing the controversial Gill, at least for the moment while legal maneuvers play out.
They also broke new ground by electing Republican Commissioner John Snider as vice chairman. It's the first time in memory that the county board chairman is from one party and the vice chairman from another. "
Don't mess with Texas!
Does anyone think that Carl Rove (from Texas) had anything to do with USC (blue state) losing?
"Vince Young, with a state on his shoulders, needed only his feet to win the national championship, as No. 2 Texas defeated top-ranked USC, 41-38, in the Bowl Championship Series title game Wednesday night at the Rose Bowl."
"Vince Young, with a state on his shoulders, needed only his feet to win the national championship, as No. 2 Texas defeated top-ranked USC, 41-38, in the Bowl Championship Series title game Wednesday night at the Rose Bowl."
Yes, he's running as a Republican
My Way News: "Lynn Swann to Run for Pa. Governor
Jan 4, 10:08 PM (ET)
By PETER JACKSON
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Steelers star Lynn Swann declared his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday in the city where he made his name in professional football."
Jan 4, 10:08 PM (ET)
By PETER JACKSON
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Steelers star Lynn Swann declared his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday in the city where he made his name in professional football."
"Either we are serious...... or are we not"
Do the democrats really stand for not allowing us to listen to the foreign intercepts?
Politics News Article Reuters.com: "
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney strongly defended a secret domestic eavesdropping operation in use since the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying it was not violating American civil liberties and has helped fend off potential terrorist attacks.
'The enemy that struck on 9/11 is weakened and fractured yet it is still lethal and planning to hit us again. Either we are serious about fighting this war or we are not,' "
Politics News Article Reuters.com: "
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney strongly defended a secret domestic eavesdropping operation in use since the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying it was not violating American civil liberties and has helped fend off potential terrorist attacks.
'The enemy that struck on 9/11 is weakened and fractured yet it is still lethal and planning to hit us again. Either we are serious about fighting this war or we are not,' "
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The future?
OpinionJournal - Extra: "in your advanced industrial democracy, the political platforms of at least one party in the United States and pretty much all parties in the rest of the West are largely about what one would call the secondary impulses of society--government health care, government day care (which Canada's thinking of introducing), government paternity leave (which Britain's just introduced). We've prioritized the secondary impulse over the primary ones: national defense, family, faith and, most basic of all, reproductive activity--'Go forth and multiply,' because if you don't you won't be able to afford all those secondary-impulse issues, like cradle-to-grave welfare. "
Ace of Spades HQ
Check out this photo of a guy under major media scrutiny. Who is telling this guy how to dress? What a bozo.....
Ace of Spades HQ: "Abramoff's Plea Deal Requires He Dress Like B-Movie Heavy For Rest Of Life
Either that his public relations consultant is Toht from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Yeah, that's a good look for a man accused of serious crimes. Now all he needs to do is complete the ensemble by burning the relief of a $100 Indian casino chip into his palm."
Ace of Spades HQ: "Abramoff's Plea Deal Requires He Dress Like B-Movie Heavy For Rest Of Life
Either that his public relations consultant is Toht from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Yeah, that's a good look for a man accused of serious crimes. Now all he needs to do is complete the ensemble by burning the relief of a $100 Indian casino chip into his palm."
Bill Gill out! Democrat schism?
The County Commission has shown some real class. Rejecting the racebaiting of Bill Gill and his supporters, they elected a quality democrat and the supremely qualified republican, John Snider as vice-chairman.
For those Gill supporters, name one.... just one accomplishment of Bill Gill. What will be his legacy as a long term commissioner?
The next question is how does a democrat controlled county commission, 7 demos to 4 repubs, elect a republican as vice chair? What's up with the elected democrats?
For those Gill supporters, name one.... just one accomplishment of Bill Gill. What will be his legacy as a long term commissioner?
The next question is how does a democrat controlled county commission, 7 demos to 4 repubs, elect a republican as vice chair? What's up with the elected democrats?
Pension issues
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "Pension issues land at Muskegon's feet
Pension costs don't bedevil only big corporations, like personnel-heavy airlines or automakers. They're a big expenditure, too, for municipalities -- and taxpayers -- and must be addressed.
Retired city of Muskegon employees now actually outnumber active employees 300 to 275, and the city must set aside more than $1.8 million on an annual basis to fulfill its pension obligations to them. Those retirees are the lucky ones. Think of all the underfunded pension plans in the private sector that have been slimed by corporate skullduggery in recent years.
Personnel spending is the biggest component of a city's budget. It goes to police who patrol your neighborhood, the firefighters who respond quickly to an emergency, the men who plow your street in the middle of the night.
Obviously, local governments can't simply dissolve the pensions earned by such individuals, the way some troubled private corporations have done recently, nor should they. These are legal obligations that have to be met not just by force of law, but out of a sense of honor and decency that says -- or used to -- that a promise is a promise.
However, cities can and should find new ways of addressing those costs.
Muskegon took what looks like a good step when it changed the way it deals with its new employees. Instead of saying it will pay them a certain number of dollars for every year of service, it is requiring them to pay some of the cost. And it gives them a say in how those dollars are invested. That, and the fact that those benefits can transfer to a new employer, give workers a feeling of ownership and responsibility for their futures. More importantly, the new employees understand up front how the system works.
The city also is shifting non"
Pension costs don't bedevil only big corporations, like personnel-heavy airlines or automakers. They're a big expenditure, too, for municipalities -- and taxpayers -- and must be addressed.
Retired city of Muskegon employees now actually outnumber active employees 300 to 275, and the city must set aside more than $1.8 million on an annual basis to fulfill its pension obligations to them. Those retirees are the lucky ones. Think of all the underfunded pension plans in the private sector that have been slimed by corporate skullduggery in recent years.
Personnel spending is the biggest component of a city's budget. It goes to police who patrol your neighborhood, the firefighters who respond quickly to an emergency, the men who plow your street in the middle of the night.
Obviously, local governments can't simply dissolve the pensions earned by such individuals, the way some troubled private corporations have done recently, nor should they. These are legal obligations that have to be met not just by force of law, but out of a sense of honor and decency that says -- or used to -- that a promise is a promise.
However, cities can and should find new ways of addressing those costs.
Muskegon took what looks like a good step when it changed the way it deals with its new employees. Instead of saying it will pay them a certain number of dollars for every year of service, it is requiring them to pay some of the cost. And it gives them a say in how those dollars are invested. That, and the fact that those benefits can transfer to a new employer, give workers a feeling of ownership and responsibility for their futures. More importantly, the new employees understand up front how the system works.
The city also is shifting non"
Abramoff
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "
Abramoff scandal ticking time-bomb for Republicans
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The worst apparently isn't over for the reeling presidency of George W. Bush and the Republican majority in Congress, and the name of perhaps the most potent ticking political time-bomb is Jack Abramoff.
It's not as if the national GOP hasn't already blundered into the corruption minefield. A special prosecutor's probe into a potentially treasonous political smear against an Iraq war critic has forced the resignation of I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Cheney himself remains a person of interest in that investigation, as does President George W. Bush's political guru, Karl Rove -- and others.
U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, has been forced to step down from his role as Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives to face indictment on money laundering charges. Over on the U.S. Senate side, U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is under criminal scrutiny for ethics violations related to possible insider trading.
That's just the tip of the pyramid. The list of GOP political figures caught up in the net of the still-burgeoning Abramoff influence-peddling scandal has expanded exponentially as dozens of Republican legislators have been exposed for accepting tainted contributions from the powerful lobbyist and his associates.
That net is rapidly closing. Michael Scanlon, Abramoff's business partner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy last week in exchange for turning prosecution's witness in the case, which involves at its core hefty cash-for-legislative favors. The allegations include helping Indian tribe clients of Abramoff's secure sweetheart deals on Capitol Hill for their casino operations against competitors .
Abramoff's infl"
Abramoff scandal ticking time-bomb for Republicans
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The worst apparently isn't over for the reeling presidency of George W. Bush and the Republican majority in Congress, and the name of perhaps the most potent ticking political time-bomb is Jack Abramoff.
It's not as if the national GOP hasn't already blundered into the corruption minefield. A special prosecutor's probe into a potentially treasonous political smear against an Iraq war critic has forced the resignation of I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Cheney himself remains a person of interest in that investigation, as does President George W. Bush's political guru, Karl Rove -- and others.
U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, has been forced to step down from his role as Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives to face indictment on money laundering charges. Over on the U.S. Senate side, U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is under criminal scrutiny for ethics violations related to possible insider trading.
That's just the tip of the pyramid. The list of GOP political figures caught up in the net of the still-burgeoning Abramoff influence-peddling scandal has expanded exponentially as dozens of Republican legislators have been exposed for accepting tainted contributions from the powerful lobbyist and his associates.
That net is rapidly closing. Michael Scanlon, Abramoff's business partner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy last week in exchange for turning prosecution's witness in the case, which involves at its core hefty cash-for-legislative favors. The allegations include helping Indian tribe clients of Abramoff's secure sweetheart deals on Capitol Hill for their casino operations against competitors .
Abramoff's infl"
Gee what asurprise!
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "Gee, what a surprise
It seems President George W. Bush actually did have access to more sensitive intelligence information than members of Congress in spite of his angry speeches to the contrary.
Bush has said time and again that 'some of the most irresponsible comments about manipulating intelligence -- have come from politicians who saw the same intelligence I saw and then voted to authorize the use of force against Saddam Hussein.'
Our opinion has been that such claims by the president are just not believable, since so many policy experts have stated for the record that the White House inner circle and perhaps a few well-placed representatives are privy to far more detailed intelligence information than your average elected representative.
And even fewer have access to the original source material, or the insider debates about how to present such material, which are classified top secret.
Now, that viewpoint is official. A new congressional report made public last week by the bipartisan Congressional Research Service concludes that President Bush and his close advisors do indeed 'have access to a far greater volume of intelligence and to more sensitive intelligence information.'
Gee, what a surprise. The only other bigger surprise would be the president admitting he has been misleading the public on this vital point about his decision to go to war. "
It seems President George W. Bush actually did have access to more sensitive intelligence information than members of Congress in spite of his angry speeches to the contrary.
Bush has said time and again that 'some of the most irresponsible comments about manipulating intelligence -- have come from politicians who saw the same intelligence I saw and then voted to authorize the use of force against Saddam Hussein.'
Our opinion has been that such claims by the president are just not believable, since so many policy experts have stated for the record that the White House inner circle and perhaps a few well-placed representatives are privy to far more detailed intelligence information than your average elected representative.
And even fewer have access to the original source material, or the insider debates about how to present such material, which are classified top secret.
Now, that viewpoint is official. A new congressional report made public last week by the bipartisan Congressional Research Service concludes that President Bush and his close advisors do indeed 'have access to a far greater volume of intelligence and to more sensitive intelligence information.'
Gee, what a surprise. The only other bigger surprise would be the president admitting he has been misleading the public on this vital point about his decision to go to war. "
Rich Lowry on War & National Security Agency on National Review Online
Rich Lowry on War & National Security Agency on National Review Online: "Every administration, liberal or conservative, has claimed this warrantless surveillance power, and no court has ever denied it. The FISA court of review explained, citing the 14th Circuit's 1980 decision in a case involving the surveillance of a Vietnamese spy named David Truong, 'The Truong court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue, held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information.' The court added, 'We take it for granted that the President does have that authority.'"
Judge decideshe can't stopcounty boardchair election
Judge decideshe can't stopcounty boardchair election: "Judge decideshe can't stopcounty boardchair election
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
The Bill Gill county board chairmanship controversy rages on, following an inconclusive hearing Tuesday in 14th Circuit Court. "
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
The Bill Gill county board chairmanship controversy rages on, following an inconclusive hearing Tuesday in 14th Circuit Court. "
Any hope for Muskegon?
Probably not until they realize their problem is what the City does, not what employers do. When was the last time anyone (Chronicle?) asked a businessperson who chose to relocate elsewhere why they chose a location other than Muskegon? I guess it's best to not ask a question if you don't want to hear the answer. Bummer....
What's is it with democrats?
For what seems like the hundredth time a newly introduced, friendly democrat gave me a "compliment".
"gee, for a republican, you're not such a bad guy". Add "stupid", "greedy", "selfish" I received from others. My new democrat "friend" preened as she glowed in her good nature......
"gee, for a republican, you're not such a bad guy". Add "stupid", "greedy", "selfish" I received from others. My new democrat "friend" preened as she glowed in her good nature......
Guilty of murder?
St. Paul Pioneer Press 12/24/2005 Two charged in teen's heroin death: "Posted on Sat, Dec. 24, 2005Two charged in teen's heroin deathAssociated PressTwo people remain in jail Friday after being charged in the death of a 17-year-old Cedarburg girl who died of a heroin overdose shortly after getting her driver's license.Benjamin R. Stibbe, 23, of Grafton and Caitlin E. Schuette, 17, of Cedarburg were each charged Thursday with first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Angela Raettig, who died Nov. 30 of a heroin overdose, according to a criminal complaint.The two are being charged under Wisconsin's rarely used 1989 Len Bias law, which allows for someone who provides drugs that are a 'substantial factor' in a death to be prosecuted for homicide.Bias, a star basketball player at the University of Maryland and draft pick of the Boston Celtics, died of a drug overdose in 1986.Schuette and Stibbe face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the charges. Stibbe is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond and Schuette's bond is set at $30,000, jail officials said.According to the criminal complaint, Schuette, Raettig and 19-year-old Ryan Hinkle were at Hinkle's apartment Nov. 29.'(Schuette) stated that Angela had just gotten her driver's license and they had decided to go to Milwaukee to get some heroin,' the complaint said.Stibbe says Raettig called him on Scheutte's cell phone to set up the transaction, but Stibbe refused to deal with Raettig since he did not know her or Hinkle, the complaint said.He agreed to arrange the purchase once Schuette, whom he knew, got on the phone, and the complaint says Stibbe and the group met in Milwaukee with a heroin dealer.Stibbe told investigators Schuette gave him $50 and Raettig gave him two $20 bills, which he used to buy four bags of an unspecified amount of heroi"
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
better every year
Instapundit.com -: "Then again, maybe that attitude is explained by this passage: 'During an election year, D.C.'s standards of attractiveness -- already graded on a generous curve -- tracked to availability and not physical beauty. It's like the Special Olympics of sex, Melanie thought. Everyone's a winner!'
Unlike the lovers, the laptops get better every year . . . .
posted at 08:25 PM by Glenn Reynolds"
Unlike the lovers, the laptops get better every year . . . .
posted at 08:25 PM by Glenn Reynolds"
Global warming junk science
Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "
Global warming evidence is truly frightening
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference ended on a disturbing note -- and no, it wasn't the weaseling diplomatic posture of the United States in regards to its responsibilities as a member of the world community to reduce the so-called 'greenhouse gases' that may well be contributing to the phenomena of global warming. It was the actual evidence itself that keeps mounting up even as we Americans do our best to pretend nothing much out of the ordinary is really happening.
Two recent developments have added an additional chill to the other scientific warnings that have been piling up since the 1960s, when scientists recorded global temperatures inching higher. The first was a finding by a team of European researchers studying ice core samples drawn from the innermost recesses of Antarctica. They show that there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any point during the last 650,000 years.
The second is a more recent finding, that of the measurement of the currents that flow in the Atlantic Ocean that carries warmer Gulf Stream water toward Northern Europe. The overall circulation of these currents, say scientists from the National Oceanography Center in Great Britain, has slowed by some 30 percent since a similar set of measurements was examined back in 1957. The Atlantic Current directly impacts weather in Europe, and a slowdown would be expected to have a tremendous impact on conditions ranging from weather to ocean fisheries.
Meanwhile, an almost stunning range of climate-related data continues to pour in -- the melting of ancient glaciers worldwide, the shrinking of the North Pole and speculation that it might disappear entirely within our children's lifetimes, t"
Global warming evidence is truly frightening
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference ended on a disturbing note -- and no, it wasn't the weaseling diplomatic posture of the United States in regards to its responsibilities as a member of the world community to reduce the so-called 'greenhouse gases' that may well be contributing to the phenomena of global warming. It was the actual evidence itself that keeps mounting up even as we Americans do our best to pretend nothing much out of the ordinary is really happening.
Two recent developments have added an additional chill to the other scientific warnings that have been piling up since the 1960s, when scientists recorded global temperatures inching higher. The first was a finding by a team of European researchers studying ice core samples drawn from the innermost recesses of Antarctica. They show that there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any point during the last 650,000 years.
The second is a more recent finding, that of the measurement of the currents that flow in the Atlantic Ocean that carries warmer Gulf Stream water toward Northern Europe. The overall circulation of these currents, say scientists from the National Oceanography Center in Great Britain, has slowed by some 30 percent since a similar set of measurements was examined back in 1957. The Atlantic Current directly impacts weather in Europe, and a slowdown would be expected to have a tremendous impact on conditions ranging from weather to ocean fisheries.
Meanwhile, an almost stunning range of climate-related data continues to pour in -- the melting of ancient glaciers worldwide, the shrinking of the North Pole and speculation that it might disappear entirely within our children's lifetimes, t"
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