No mention of teacher compensation?

Tight-budgeted Michigan schools turn to outsourcing: "A new report says a growing number of Michigan school districts are hiring private contractors to serve meals, mop floors and drive buses.
The free-market-oriented Mackinac Center says about 35 percent of public schools privatized at least one service last year. That's up from 31 percent in 2001.
The trend has led to backlashes that have included at least two recall campaigns against school board members."

Photos that damn Hezbollah | Herald Sun

Photos that damn Hezbollah Herald Sun

Rove Blasts Journalists' Role in Politics

Rove Blasts Journalists' Role in Politics: "Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the 'corrosive role' their own coverage plays in politics and government"

Local News

Local News: "Studies that link a spike in hurricane intensity with global warming are spotting 'artificial upward trends' because they rely on bad historical data, a paper suggested today in the journal Science.
Hurricane intensity is measured by the storms' surface winds. Sometimes those winds are estimated by looking at satellite pictures, using a subjective technique invented in 1972."

Global warming's effect on hurricane strength disputed in new report: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Global warming's effect on hurricane strength disputed in new report: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Scientists linking the increased strength of hurricanes over recent years to global warming have not accounted for outdated technology that may have underestimated storms' power decades ago, researchers said in a report published Friday."

Gateway Pundit: John Bolton Embarrasses a Confused Senator Kerry (Video)

Gateway Pundit: John Bolton Embarrasses a Confused Senator Kerry (Video): "John Kerry: This has been going on for five years, Mr. Ambassador.

John Bolton: It's the nature of multilateral negotiations, Senator.

John Kerry: Why not engage in a bilateral one and get the job done? That's what the Clinton Administration did.


John Bolton: And, very poorly since the North Koreans violated the agreed framework almost from the time it was signed."

Captain's Quarters

Captain's Quarters: "Haaretz reports that Israel has penetrated Hezbollah communications, and Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has quite a different spin on events internally than externally. While issuing public statements full of bombast and dire predictions for Israelis, his private communications acknowledges the shock of Israeli military action has taken a toll on operational capability and morale:"

WSJ.com - Tony & Tacky

WSJ.com - Tony & Tacky: "EYE OBJECT!: An NCAA football referee is suing to get his job back. James Filson was fired when officials learned that he only had one eye, according to a report on the July 17 Chicago CBS 2 News. After losing his eye in a 2000 accident, Mr. Filson returned to his job as a referee without mentioning the incident to Big Ten conference officials. But when they learned about the situation, they decided to terminate him. How did Mr. Filson hide his impairment, which, according to the conference, included lacking a 'full field of vision'? Performance reviews were, he claims, 'on average, substantially better than the reviews he received in the eight years preceding the loss of his eye.'"

WSJ.com - London Is So Dry, It's Planting Cactus In Place of Begonias

WSJ.com - London Is So Dry, It's Planting Cactus In Place of Begonias: "A gardener named Paul Stone is trying to wean the English off their immaculate lawns, replace privet hedges and marigolds with lavender "

Liberal humor?

7/25/2006-- Media Research Center: " In a week of bad news, CBS's Bob Schieffer found good news and uplifted his spirits by reading obituaries. In his commentary at the end of Sunday's Face the Nation, the CBS Evening News anchor contended that 'the awful news of last week reminded me just how much we need newspapers' since 'the joy of reading a newspaper...comes from finding information we were not looking for.' He related how 'the main news was so grim I found myself turning to the newspapers for a little relief. Deep in the Times one day last week, surrounded by all of that war news, I found an obituary of Robert Brooks, who founded the Hooter's restaurant chain. The writer said that Hooters was known for spicy chicken wings and even spicier waitresses. Now who could read that and not at least smile?' How about his widow? And: 'I found another story about the death of Arthur Haggerty. I learned he was credited with making dog training into a respectable profession and was known to legions of dogs as 'he who must be obeyed.' Hadn't known of him myself, but I won't forget him after reading that.' "

Flying on holiday 'a sin', says bishop | the Daily Mail

Flying on holiday 'a sin', says bishop the Daily Mail: "Flying abroad for a foreign holiday is 'a sin' against the planet, one of the country's leading bishops has declared.
Like murder, adultery and stealing, choosing to travel on jet planes has moral consequences, according to the Bishop of London because flights are doing too much damage to the environment.
In a highly controversial statement, Richard Chartres, 59 - who admits to regular visits to Russia - urged Christians to stop taking endless flights and to live a more 'eco-friendly' lifestyle.
He said: 'There is now an overriding imperative to walk more lightly upon the earth and we need to make our lifestyle decisions in that light.
'Making selfish choices such as flying on holiday or buying a large car are a symptom of sin.
'Sin is not just a restricted list of moral mistakes. It is living a life turned in on itself where people ignore the consequences of their actions.'
But the timing of his remarks means that millions of people who need to listen to his message will not be around to hear it.
An estimated 2.1 million holidaymakers crowded into Britain's airports at the weekend at the start of the school summer holidays.
They will be followed by millions more over the next few weeks as Britons' love of holidays abroad continues to boom.
Figures show we are taking more holidays than ever, with the total up 6.9 million last year to 66.3 million.
No political party would dare to say anything as outspoken as the bishop for fear of losing all support among their holiday-loving voters.
Resorts such as Blackpool, Brighton and the Cornish coast are still hugely popular, but millions of people will only settle for a foreign escape.
But a family of four flying to Spain comes at "

CBC News: Inuit sign language may get legal status in Nunavut

CBC News: Inuit sign language may get legal status in Nunavut: "Nunavut already recognizes four languages: English, French, Inuktitut and Innuinaqtun. Now it is considering legal status for two sign languages, one of them apparently unique to deaf Inuit.
If that happens, the territory would be the first jurisdiction in Canada to recognize an indigenous sign language. It would also have to develop more services for deaf people.
There are about 155 deaf people in Nunavut"

Terrorist links may not lead to spot on no-fly list: sources

Terrorist links may not lead to spot on no-fly list: sources: "OTTAWA (CP) - Being a member of a terrorist organization won't necessarily land someone on Canada's no-fly list, The Canadian Press has learned.
Proposed criteria would limit inclusion on the roster to those who pose 'an immediate threat to aviation security,' say internal briefing notes prepared by Transport Canada.
Draft regulations, disclosed by a source familiar with details of the plan, confirm the no-fly list will be tightly focused and reviewed every 30 days to keep it up to date.
'You cannot be put on the list on the sole basis that you're a member of a 'terrorist group',' said the source. 'In addition, you have to be a demonstrable threat to aviation safety.' "

King Day 'punishment' doesn't fit 'crime'

King Day 'punishment' doesn't fit 'crime': "The Muskegon Community Solidarity group may have thought it was aiming high in an attempt to punish the city of Norton Shores for its failure to institutionalize a Martin Luther King Day holiday, but it's not. The punishment it is proposing to inflict doesn't fit the crime. Nor does it really affect its intended victims. "

My Way News - Arrested Bush Dissenters Eye Courts

My Way News - Arrested Bush Dissenters Eye Courts: "In the months before the 2004 election, dozens of people across the nation were banished from or arrested at Bush political rallies, some for heckling the president, others simply for holding signs or wearing clothing that expressed opposition to the war and administration policies.
Similar things have happened at official, taxpayer-funded, presidential visits, before and after the election. Some targeted by security have been escorted from events, while others have been arrested and charged with misdemeanors that were later dropped by local prosecutors."

Telegraph | News | American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless

Telegraph News American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless: "The people of Iceland are about to join one of the world's smallest clubs - those nations without armed forces on their territory to defend their borders.
The United States, which had assured Iceland's defence for decades, stunned the country in March when it announced that it would be closing its bases on the island, withdrawing its F-15 fighters and thousands of servicemen in the space of just six months.

An American serviceman at a naval station in Keflavik"

Telegraph | News | American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless

Telegraph News American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless: "The people of Iceland are about to join one of the world's smallest clubs - those nations without armed forces on their territory to defend their borders."

"I'm tired"

Lt. Col's Letter re Iraq: "I'm Tired"7/20/06 LtCol Joe Repya, USA "I'm Tired" Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.
I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:
I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.
I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough. I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.
I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.
I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night. I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.
I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.
I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.
I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.
I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.
Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.
Sincerely, Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, 101st Airborne Division
"One cannot appease aggressors if one values the lives of the innocent." - Margaret Thatcher

Carrot registration next?

Monroe man charged after hitting wife in the eye with a carrot: "A Monroe man was charged with assault after police said he threw a carrot at his wife that put out her eye."

PJStar.com - Journal Star News

PJStar.com - Journal Star News: "One afternoon in November 1965, the 10-year-old was playing tag with one of her brothers in the front yard of their home on Peoria's south end. Her head down as she merrily dashed from his grasp, she didn't see two military men slowly walking toward the house until she banged into one of them.
She looked up and saw the pair, clad in dress uniforms. Grim-faced, they asked if her parents were home.
The siblings instantly realized the reason for the visit. The girl burst into tears and ran inside, while her brother simply muttered, 'Oh, no.'"

OpinionJournal - Featured Article

OpinionJournal - Featured Article: "Reagan generated massive antiwar and anti-American demonstrations around the world, far larger and more numerous protests than those Mr. Bush has occasioned. He famously denounced the Soviet 'evil empire' headed for 'the ash-heap of history.' He was treated by the press as a cowboy warmonger, just as Mr. Bush has been. Ill will? "

Flying Heritage Collection

Flying Heritage Collection

Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page

Mlive.com's Printer-Friendly Page: "


Gas pump mistake sparks traffic jam
Monday, July 10, 2006
FROM LOCAL REPORTS
One cell phone call was all it took to create a traffic jam at Grand Haven and Airport roads Saturday after a gas station clerk mistakenly set the price at 31.9 cents a gallon at the pump.
Norton Shores police were called to Jack's Corner Store, 4190 Grand Haven, at 12:24 p.m. about a disturbance and an 'overwhelming' number of vehicles trying to get into the BP station there to buy gas.
Lt. Jon Gale said the station clerk was changing gas prices and accidentally set the pump at 31.9 cents a gallon for premium gas instead of $3.19.
'Apparently one customer started calling people, and before the station was aware of the mistake, the lot was packed, creating a lot of congestion,' Gale said.
The pumps were shut off, traffic was cleared and the correct price was then put on the pump, he said.
The 'price drop' went on 'for about 20 minutes before they got it shut down,' Gale said. The owner of the station declined comment.



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� 2006 Michigan Live. All Rights Reserved."

Hoekstra: CIA Group Is Undermining Administration | Sweetness & Light

Hoekstra: CIA Group Is Undermining Administration Sweetness & Light

Ally Warned Bush on Keeping Spying From Congress - New York Times

Ally Warned Bush on Keeping Spying From Congress - New York Times: "'I have learned of some alleged intelligence community activities about which our committee has not been briefed,' Mr. Hoesktra wrote. 'If these allegations are true, they may represent a breach of responsibility by the administration, a violation of the law, and, just as importantly, a direct affront to me and the members of this committee who have so ardently supported efforts to collect information on our enemies.'
He added: 'The U.S. Congress simply should not have to play Twenty Questions to get the information that it deserves under our Constitution.'"

RealClearPolitics - Articles - The Big-Bang Story of U.S. Private Business

RealClearPolitics - Articles - The Big-Bang Story of U.S. Private Business: "Did you know that just over the past 11 quarters, dating back to the June 2003 Bush tax cuts, America has increased the size of its entire economy by 20 percent? In less than three years, the U.S. economic pie has expanded by $2.2 trillion, an output add-on that is roughly the same size as the total Chinese economy, and much larger than the total economic size of nations like India, Mexico, Ireland, and Belgium."

New Lightning II

F-16.net :: Media Gallery - F-35 Photographs

Villainous Company: NYTimes Contradicts Itself Again

Villainous Company: NYTimes Contradicts Itself Again

The University of North Dakota | Fighting Sioux Nickname Informaion

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux Nickname Informaion

A List Of Companies Advertising In The New York Times | Sweetness & Light

A List Of Companies Advertising In The New York Times Sweetness & Light