Thursday, March 08, 2007
How liberals respond to laws they just don't like.
Panel tells Mich. how to bypass Prop 2: "A report by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission released Wednesday offers a roadmap for skirting Proposal 2 rather than a guidebook for complying with the new law, say critics, one of whom threatened to sue if the state follows the panel's recommendations."
» Sentences From Third-Rate SF Stories
» Sentences From Third-Rate SF Stories: "6> As one, the Spacemarines stood up, raised their spacerifles in salute, then marched out the spacedoors to the spacedock, where their spaceship was waiting to boldly take them where they’d all been before: Space! "
iowahawk: Let's Tone It Down, People
iowahawk: Let's Tone It Down, People: "ANN: I couldn't agree more Bill, you syphillitic commie scumnozzle. Because whether they are normal patriotic Americans or mincing San Francisco fudgepackers, all citizens of this country need to think first before using words intended to hurt or offend others."
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mark Steyn :: How Gore's massive energy consumption saves the world
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mark Steyn :: How Gore's massive energy consumption saves the world: "And, in fact, in the Reverend Al's case it's even better than that. Al buys his carbon offsets from Generation Investment Management LLP, which is 'an independent, private, owner-managed partnership established in 2004 and with offices in London and Washington, D.C.,' that, for a fee, will invest your money in 'high-quality companies at attractive prices that will deliver superior long-term investment returns.' Generation is a tax-exempt U.S. 501(c)3. And who's the chairman and founding partner? Al Gore."
Impeach those who fire federal prosecutors?
Amazing how tough it was to Google any mention of Clinton's mass firing of federal prosecutors.... or any analysis of his motives.
JWR Sowell archives 9-15-98
By firing all U.S. Attorneys shortly after becoming president -- something no other president had ever done before -- Bill Clinton got rid of the U.S. Attorney in Arkansas who was investigating the Whitewater-Madison Guaranty scandals and replaced him with Paula Casey, a Clinton protege and one of his political campaign workers.
The entire article:
Hillary Rodham Crook?
AFTER FINISHING HIS WORK on potentially impeachable offenses growing out of the Lewinsky scandal, Kenneth Starr is still investigating other activities by the president and others, which could add to the list of potentially impeachable offenses by the president and criminal indictments against others.
Billary: Like husband, like wife?Or is it the other way around? Let's go back to square one. This all started with the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into financial frauds in Arkansas, in institutions connected with Hillary and Bill Clinton.
The Clintons were partners with Jim and Susan McDougal in the Whitewater Development Corporation, whose accounts were kept in the Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan, run by Jim McDougal, with Hillary Clinton as an attorney. Federal bank examiners testified that Madison Guaranty was a "politically corrupt institution that routed millions of dollars to politically connected Arkansans."
In the more reserved language of an official report, Madison Guaranty was the scene of "embezzlement," "money laundering," "falsification of loan records and board minutes," "wire fraud" and "illegal campaign contributions" -- among other crimes.
Part of the money looted by Jim McDougal found its way into the Whitewater account and into Bill Clinton's political campaign funds. These frauds left the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to pay more than $60 million to depositors with accounts in Madison Guaranty. That was more than all the years of Kenneth Starr's investigations cost.
Why was a special prosecutor necessary? Because the Clintons had used their political clout to obstruct the investigations and corrupt the normal processes of government, at both the state and federal levels. This was not just Bill Clinton's method of operation when dealing with scandals in "his private sex life." It was a technique used by both Clintons in matters having nothing to do with sex, long before anyone ever heard of Monica Lewinsky.
When both state and federal investigators first moved in, Hillary Clinton was able to stop the state officials from closing down Madison Guaranty. She was more than just another lawyer appearing before state officials. She was the wife of the governor who appointed those officials.
The Clintons could not interfere with the feds, however -- at least not until they were in the White House. By then, Madison Guaranty had been closed down and federal investigators were on the trail of the frauds. By firing all U.S. Attorneys shortly after becoming president -- something no other president had ever done before -- Bill Clinton got rid of the U.S. Attorney in Arkansas who was investigating the Whitewater-Madison Guaranty scandals and replaced him with Paula Casey, a Clinton protege and one of his political campaign workers.
The president's Arkansas appointee had no experience as a prosecutor, but she had political ties to the people being investigated -- including the Clintons and Arkansas governor Jim Guy Tucker.
Other federal authorities who sent information to Ms. Casey for criminal investigations of Tucker and the Clintons got nowhere. She officially declined the criminal referrals. She even kept the information from reaching Justice Department headquarters in Washington, until others went over her head to tell the top brass at Justice in D.C.
Other investigators in another federal agency were told that higher-ups would take "a dim view" of their pursuing the Whitewater-Madison affair. When these investigators failed to take the hint, they were put on administrative leave in August 1994, without warning and without explanation.
Meanwhile, White House lawyers and the Clintons' private attorneys were being briefed repeatedly on how much dirt the feds had dug up on the Clintons back in Arkansas. It was a complete violation of the rules and practices for federal investigators to reveal what they had found out to those who were being investigated.
All that kept this cover-up and obstruction of justice from succeeding was the appointment of a special prosecutor. Kenneth Starr could not be put on administrative leave. He got more than 20 felony convictions out of an Arkansas jury in an overwhelmingly Democratic state, despite later White House spin that this was all just Republican "partisanship."
Against this background, it is easy to see why various records showing Hillary Clinton's work for Madison Guaranty were destroyed and others stolen by Webster Hubbell and "lost" in the White House.
JWR Sowell archives 9-15-98
By firing all U.S. Attorneys shortly after becoming president -- something no other president had ever done before -- Bill Clinton got rid of the U.S. Attorney in Arkansas who was investigating the Whitewater-Madison Guaranty scandals and replaced him with Paula Casey, a Clinton protege and one of his political campaign workers.
The entire article:
Hillary Rodham Crook?
AFTER FINISHING HIS WORK on potentially impeachable offenses growing out of the Lewinsky scandal, Kenneth Starr is still investigating other activities by the president and others, which could add to the list of potentially impeachable offenses by the president and criminal indictments against others.
Billary: Like husband, like wife?Or is it the other way around? Let's go back to square one. This all started with the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into financial frauds in Arkansas, in institutions connected with Hillary and Bill Clinton.
The Clintons were partners with Jim and Susan McDougal in the Whitewater Development Corporation, whose accounts were kept in the Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan, run by Jim McDougal, with Hillary Clinton as an attorney. Federal bank examiners testified that Madison Guaranty was a "politically corrupt institution that routed millions of dollars to politically connected Arkansans."
In the more reserved language of an official report, Madison Guaranty was the scene of "embezzlement," "money laundering," "falsification of loan records and board minutes," "wire fraud" and "illegal campaign contributions" -- among other crimes.
Part of the money looted by Jim McDougal found its way into the Whitewater account and into Bill Clinton's political campaign funds. These frauds left the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to pay more than $60 million to depositors with accounts in Madison Guaranty. That was more than all the years of Kenneth Starr's investigations cost.
Why was a special prosecutor necessary? Because the Clintons had used their political clout to obstruct the investigations and corrupt the normal processes of government, at both the state and federal levels. This was not just Bill Clinton's method of operation when dealing with scandals in "his private sex life." It was a technique used by both Clintons in matters having nothing to do with sex, long before anyone ever heard of Monica Lewinsky.
When both state and federal investigators first moved in, Hillary Clinton was able to stop the state officials from closing down Madison Guaranty. She was more than just another lawyer appearing before state officials. She was the wife of the governor who appointed those officials.
The Clintons could not interfere with the feds, however -- at least not until they were in the White House. By then, Madison Guaranty had been closed down and federal investigators were on the trail of the frauds. By firing all U.S. Attorneys shortly after becoming president -- something no other president had ever done before -- Bill Clinton got rid of the U.S. Attorney in Arkansas who was investigating the Whitewater-Madison Guaranty scandals and replaced him with Paula Casey, a Clinton protege and one of his political campaign workers.
The president's Arkansas appointee had no experience as a prosecutor, but she had political ties to the people being investigated -- including the Clintons and Arkansas governor Jim Guy Tucker.
Other federal authorities who sent information to Ms. Casey for criminal investigations of Tucker and the Clintons got nowhere. She officially declined the criminal referrals. She even kept the information from reaching Justice Department headquarters in Washington, until others went over her head to tell the top brass at Justice in D.C.
Other investigators in another federal agency were told that higher-ups would take "a dim view" of their pursuing the Whitewater-Madison affair. When these investigators failed to take the hint, they were put on administrative leave in August 1994, without warning and without explanation.
Meanwhile, White House lawyers and the Clintons' private attorneys were being briefed repeatedly on how much dirt the feds had dug up on the Clintons back in Arkansas. It was a complete violation of the rules and practices for federal investigators to reveal what they had found out to those who were being investigated.
All that kept this cover-up and obstruction of justice from succeeding was the appointment of a special prosecutor. Kenneth Starr could not be put on administrative leave. He got more than 20 felony convictions out of an Arkansas jury in an overwhelmingly Democratic state, despite later White House spin that this was all just Republican "partisanship."
Against this background, it is easy to see why various records showing Hillary Clinton's work for Madison Guaranty were destroyed and others stolen by Webster Hubbell and "lost" in the White House.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Steve has passed away.
County commissioner Steve Wisniewski passed away today, Monday, March 5, 2007.
A very good man. An irreplaceable County Commissioner. A wonderful father and husband. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Steve.
(in Monday's Muskegon Chronicle)
Commissioner, ill, bids farewell
Dear constituents, fellow commissioners and friends,
As I believe you are all aware, I have been battling a rare, fast-growing cancer for the last 20 months. During much of that time, I was able to continue working and representing the needs of the White Lake area at the county. As your elected county representative, I feel you deserve to know the current status of my health. After having had a bone marrow transplant and more chemotherapy, I have recently learned that my lymphoma is aggressively growing again and my prognosis is terminal.
To my constituents: As a lifelong resident of the White Lake area I remain devoted to its well-being. I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you through my previous business and as your commissioner. I am deeply saddened that my service to you as county commissioner from the 1st District is coming to an end. Thank you for electing me three times to represent you. Representing the "Jewel of the County" has been a privilege and an honor.
To my fellow commissioners: It has been a pleasure to be a member the board of commissioners with you. I am proud of our many accomplishments in the last four years and wish you continued success as you work toward the betterment of the county. You have my respect and admiration and I am pleased to count you among my friends. It is a joy to work with people so dedicated to public service.
To my many friends: Thank you for your support over the recent months. Thank you particularly for the warm greetings you extended when I was able to make a public appearance and for the support you have given Judy and me. It has been a great pleasure to be able to count so many of you among my friends. I wish I could tell each of you personally how much you mean to me.
I am grateful for so many things -- my wonderful family and friends, this beautiful area in which we live, and the opportunities life has presented me. I wish you all the same blessings in your lives.
Steve Wisniewski
Muskegon County Commissioner
1st District
Montague
A very good man. An irreplaceable County Commissioner. A wonderful father and husband. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Steve.
(in Monday's Muskegon Chronicle)
Commissioner, ill, bids farewell
Dear constituents, fellow commissioners and friends,
As I believe you are all aware, I have been battling a rare, fast-growing cancer for the last 20 months. During much of that time, I was able to continue working and representing the needs of the White Lake area at the county. As your elected county representative, I feel you deserve to know the current status of my health. After having had a bone marrow transplant and more chemotherapy, I have recently learned that my lymphoma is aggressively growing again and my prognosis is terminal.
To my constituents: As a lifelong resident of the White Lake area I remain devoted to its well-being. I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you through my previous business and as your commissioner. I am deeply saddened that my service to you as county commissioner from the 1st District is coming to an end. Thank you for electing me three times to represent you. Representing the "Jewel of the County" has been a privilege and an honor.
To my fellow commissioners: It has been a pleasure to be a member the board of commissioners with you. I am proud of our many accomplishments in the last four years and wish you continued success as you work toward the betterment of the county. You have my respect and admiration and I am pleased to count you among my friends. It is a joy to work with people so dedicated to public service.
To my many friends: Thank you for your support over the recent months. Thank you particularly for the warm greetings you extended when I was able to make a public appearance and for the support you have given Judy and me. It has been a great pleasure to be able to count so many of you among my friends. I wish I could tell each of you personally how much you mean to me.
I am grateful for so many things -- my wonderful family and friends, this beautiful area in which we live, and the opportunities life has presented me. I wish you all the same blessings in your lives.
Steve Wisniewski
Muskegon County Commissioner
1st District
Montague
HDTV tips from Kim Komando
KILLER TIP--THE WEEKLY QUESTION SENT IN FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU!I want to purchase a high-definition television set. But each time I go to the store, I get confused by all the choices. Can you tell me what I should look for?Ron in Nashville, TN, listening on WWTN 99.7 FMBuying a television used to be fairly simple. But these days, it helps to have a degree in rocket science.
First, let me explain HDTV. High definition television simply refers to the resolution of an image. HDTV resolution is either 1920x1080 (1080i and 1080p) or 1280x720 (720p).
The second number (1080 or 720) refers to the number of rows of pixels. Theoretically, the more pixels, the clearer the picture. But you won’t notice a difference between 1080 and 720. (Standard televisions can show 330 rows of pixels. You will notice a difference from that!)
P stands for progressive; i is interlaced. In progressive resolutions, the rows of pixels are refreshed electronically in a series (1,2,3,4, etc.) Interlaced screens skip lines when they refresh (1,3,5,7, etc., then 2,4,6,8, etc.) Either way works. Don’t worry about it. Some signals are broadcast in 720p, others in 1080i. (There are no 1080p signals, yet.) The type of broadcast is immaterial. Televisions convert signals to the proper resolution. Again, you need not worry about it.
Televisions are measured diagonally. HDTVs range from about 15 inches to over 100 inches. Additionally, most HDTVs are 16:9s—they measure 16 units (inches, if you like) horizontally to every 9 vertically. Standard TVs are 4:3—4 units horizontally to every 3 vertically.
The majority of high-definition broadcasts are 16:9. They are still in the minority; most broadcasts are standard 4:3. You can watch standard broadcasts on 16:9 HDTVs. They will leave bars on the sides. You can zoom the picture to fill the 16:9 opening. That slices off the bottom and top of the picture. But that usually isn’t a problem.
Now, in order for a television to pick up stations, it requires a tuner. To pick up high-def stations, it requires an HDTV tuner. Most HDTV sets include tuners. Some, called monitors, do not.
A tuner is necessary to receive over-the-air signals. You usually grab them with a roof antenna. If you have cable or satellite, a monitor will suffice. You’ll rent a cable or satellite box with the HD tuner. Sets without HDTV tuners are significantly cheaper. But you may have trouble finding monitors in stores. They’re available on the Internet, though.
Now, let’s look at the types of HD sets. They’re all good, but they all have their drawbacks. They fall into four categories: Projection, plasma, LCD and CRT.
Projection TVs are large and relatively inexpensive. They are also bulkier than plasma and LCD, so you can’t hang them on the wall. There are several types: DLP (digital light processing), LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon), LCD (liquid crystal display) and CRT (cathode ray tube).
DLP is probably the most common. These sets use mirrors mounted on a chip, along with a light, to create the picture. You may also see a rainbow effect. This is when you see the colors separate on the screen. Check the TV carefully in the store before buying.
Personally, I prefer plasma or LCD. They are much less bulky, and can be mounted on a wall. Both historically have had drawbacks, but makers have solved or mitigated them.
LCD sets are rapidly growing in popularity. They’re lighter than plasmas and use less power. Until recently, though, they had a problem with smearing. Motion would appear blurry on the screen. Newer sets don’t suffer this.
If you go with an LCD set, look at the response time carefully. This is the time it takes for the pixels to go on and off. I would aim for 8ms (milliseconds) or less. You’re much less likely to get smearing with a fast set.
LCDs also have a problem with black levels. If a show is dimly lit, gradations of black can be difficult to see.
You can pick up a smaller LCD for well under $1,000. But larger models are more expensive than plasma sets.
Plasmas have lovely pictures, although some experts consider LCDs superior. You won’t find plasmas under 37 inches. If you need something smaller, look at LCDs.
Plasma displays have a problem with reflections. So they work better in a dark room. Plasmas also have suffered from burn in, historically. A static image displayed too long would become permanently visible on the screen. Newer models are less likely to have this problem.
The fourth type of set is the CRT. These are similar to traditional televisions. They range up to 34 inches. Many consider CRT pictures the best of all. But this technology is dying.
Why? The sets are massive. Typically, the tube is about two feet deep on large sets. And the weight will approach 200 pounds. So, think carefully about where you will put such a set before buying.
HDTV prices are coming down rapidly. Lesser known brands are cutting prices deeply to gain market share. Everybody is suffering but the consumer! If you were put off by HDTV prices in the past, check again. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
For more pricing information for HDTVs, visit my Buying Guide. I've got more tips on my site that will interest you:
• Make sure your TV is HDCP-compliant• Play your games in high-def• Want a big screen but don’t have the room? Try a projector
First, let me explain HDTV. High definition television simply refers to the resolution of an image. HDTV resolution is either 1920x1080 (1080i and 1080p) or 1280x720 (720p).
The second number (1080 or 720) refers to the number of rows of pixels. Theoretically, the more pixels, the clearer the picture. But you won’t notice a difference between 1080 and 720. (Standard televisions can show 330 rows of pixels. You will notice a difference from that!)
P stands for progressive; i is interlaced. In progressive resolutions, the rows of pixels are refreshed electronically in a series (1,2,3,4, etc.) Interlaced screens skip lines when they refresh (1,3,5,7, etc., then 2,4,6,8, etc.) Either way works. Don’t worry about it. Some signals are broadcast in 720p, others in 1080i. (There are no 1080p signals, yet.) The type of broadcast is immaterial. Televisions convert signals to the proper resolution. Again, you need not worry about it.
Televisions are measured diagonally. HDTVs range from about 15 inches to over 100 inches. Additionally, most HDTVs are 16:9s—they measure 16 units (inches, if you like) horizontally to every 9 vertically. Standard TVs are 4:3—4 units horizontally to every 3 vertically.
The majority of high-definition broadcasts are 16:9. They are still in the minority; most broadcasts are standard 4:3. You can watch standard broadcasts on 16:9 HDTVs. They will leave bars on the sides. You can zoom the picture to fill the 16:9 opening. That slices off the bottom and top of the picture. But that usually isn’t a problem.
Now, in order for a television to pick up stations, it requires a tuner. To pick up high-def stations, it requires an HDTV tuner. Most HDTV sets include tuners. Some, called monitors, do not.
A tuner is necessary to receive over-the-air signals. You usually grab them with a roof antenna. If you have cable or satellite, a monitor will suffice. You’ll rent a cable or satellite box with the HD tuner. Sets without HDTV tuners are significantly cheaper. But you may have trouble finding monitors in stores. They’re available on the Internet, though.
Now, let’s look at the types of HD sets. They’re all good, but they all have their drawbacks. They fall into four categories: Projection, plasma, LCD and CRT.
Projection TVs are large and relatively inexpensive. They are also bulkier than plasma and LCD, so you can’t hang them on the wall. There are several types: DLP (digital light processing), LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon), LCD (liquid crystal display) and CRT (cathode ray tube).
DLP is probably the most common. These sets use mirrors mounted on a chip, along with a light, to create the picture. You may also see a rainbow effect. This is when you see the colors separate on the screen. Check the TV carefully in the store before buying.
Personally, I prefer plasma or LCD. They are much less bulky, and can be mounted on a wall. Both historically have had drawbacks, but makers have solved or mitigated them.
LCD sets are rapidly growing in popularity. They’re lighter than plasmas and use less power. Until recently, though, they had a problem with smearing. Motion would appear blurry on the screen. Newer sets don’t suffer this.
If you go with an LCD set, look at the response time carefully. This is the time it takes for the pixels to go on and off. I would aim for 8ms (milliseconds) or less. You’re much less likely to get smearing with a fast set.
LCDs also have a problem with black levels. If a show is dimly lit, gradations of black can be difficult to see.
You can pick up a smaller LCD for well under $1,000. But larger models are more expensive than plasma sets.
Plasmas have lovely pictures, although some experts consider LCDs superior. You won’t find plasmas under 37 inches. If you need something smaller, look at LCDs.
Plasma displays have a problem with reflections. So they work better in a dark room. Plasmas also have suffered from burn in, historically. A static image displayed too long would become permanently visible on the screen. Newer models are less likely to have this problem.
The fourth type of set is the CRT. These are similar to traditional televisions. They range up to 34 inches. Many consider CRT pictures the best of all. But this technology is dying.
Why? The sets are massive. Typically, the tube is about two feet deep on large sets. And the weight will approach 200 pounds. So, think carefully about where you will put such a set before buying.
HDTV prices are coming down rapidly. Lesser known brands are cutting prices deeply to gain market share. Everybody is suffering but the consumer! If you were put off by HDTV prices in the past, check again. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
For more pricing information for HDTVs, visit my Buying Guide. I've got more tips on my site that will interest you:
• Make sure your TV is HDCP-compliant• Play your games in high-def• Want a big screen but don’t have the room? Try a projector
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Kansas City Star | 03/04/2007 | Union mentality can be a roadblock to innovation
Kansas City Star 03/04/2007 Union mentality can be a roadblock to innovation: "One of the most cherished assumptions of organized labor is that a hefty increase in union membership would be good for the nation.
This is simply untrue. Having a union may be good for some workers. And certainly, some companies have botched employee relations so badly they deserve to have their workers represented by a union.
But for the economy as a whole, a large increase in the number of unionized businesses would be a tremendous drag on growth, especially in dynamic sectors such as technology.
Yet that’s exactly what union backers in Congress are pushing for with the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act. The measure was passed Thursday by the House. It’s expected to receive more skeptical reception in the Senate — where it deserves to die."
This is simply untrue. Having a union may be good for some workers. And certainly, some companies have botched employee relations so badly they deserve to have their workers represented by a union.
But for the economy as a whole, a large increase in the number of unionized businesses would be a tremendous drag on growth, especially in dynamic sectors such as technology.
Yet that’s exactly what union backers in Congress are pushing for with the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act. The measure was passed Thursday by the House. It’s expected to receive more skeptical reception in the Senate — where it deserves to die."
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Bill Maher Sorry the Assassination Attempt on Dick Cheney Failed | NewsBusters.org
Bill Maher Sorry the Assassination Attempt on Dick Cheney Failed NewsBusters.org: "Maher: But I have zero doubt that if Dick Cheney was not in power, people wouldn’t be dying needlessly tomorrow. (applause)
Scarborough: If someone on this panel said that they wished that Dick Cheney had been blown up, and you didn’t say…
Frank: I think he did.
Scarborough: Okay. Did you say…
Maher: No, no. I quoted that.
Frank: You don’t believe that?
Maher: I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact. "
Scarborough: If someone on this panel said that they wished that Dick Cheney had been blown up, and you didn’t say…
Frank: I think he did.
Scarborough: Okay. Did you say…
Maher: No, no. I quoted that.
Frank: You don’t believe that?
Maher: I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact. "
The Daily Ablution: The Guardian of Hypocrisy
The Daily Ablution: The Guardian of Hypocrisy: "More harmful are the accusations levelled against Al Gore - an intelligent, persuasive individual who has become a Green hero for his campaign urging (or hectoring, take your pick) all of us to pursue a Gaia-friendly lifestyle, lest disaster ensue.
For Mr. Gore, it's nothing less than a moral imperative to do so - it is, indeed, 'the most pressing moral issue of our time'.
The revelation that Mr. Gore's electricity consumption at just one of his homes is nearly 20 times that of the average American household has dented his image as the Green Moralist-in-Chief, and his self-defence is less than persuasive. Here it is, as presented at a 'progressive' website, through a spokesperson:"
For Mr. Gore, it's nothing less than a moral imperative to do so - it is, indeed, 'the most pressing moral issue of our time'.
The revelation that Mr. Gore's electricity consumption at just one of his homes is nearly 20 times that of the average American household has dented his image as the Green Moralist-in-Chief, and his self-defence is less than persuasive. Here it is, as presented at a 'progressive' website, through a spokesperson:"
Friday, March 02, 2007
Peoples Paradise?
Professionals Exit Venezuela - WSJ.com:
Chávez's Grip on PowerDrives Out Oil Experts; Support Hugo or You Go
By PETER MILLARDFebruary 15, 2007; Page A10
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Oil-rich Venezuela has experienced the kind of economic boom in recent years that should be flush with job opportunities. But an increasing number of professionals, many of them from the oil industry, are looking abroad for work, driven away by President Hugo Chávez's effort to extend state control over the economy, and by inflation verging on 20%.
Since his re-election in December, Mr. Chávez has pursued an agenda of "21st Century Socialism," painting a future of "communal cities" and state-run cooperatives dedicated to production, not profit.
"Chavez's electoral triumph and the radicalized discourse has increased the desire to emigrate," said Luis Vicente Leon, the head of Datanalisis, a Caracas polling firm.
Not everyone is dissatisfied. Mr. Chávez, who first took office in 1999, has gained a broad base of popular support among Venezuela's poor, largely by spending billions of dollars on social programs. And a newly rich class of Venezuelans with close connections to the government is likely to stick around as long as they can continue to profit from Mr. Chávez's rise.
Still, at the U.S. Embassy call center for visas in Caracas, the lines have been jammed since Mr. Chávez announced in early January the nationalization of the electricity industry and Venezuela's largest telecommunications firm. "It doubled practically overnight," said a U.S. diplomat.
The number of Venezuelans receiving U.S. legal permanent residence more than doubled from 2000 to 2005, when 10,870 got their green cards. In that period the overall number of green cards increased by a third. During that period the number of Venezuelan-born U.S. residents increased 42%, to 151,743, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The oil industry appears to be taking notice of the available talent. Qatar Petroleum has run ads in local papers this year, offering tax-free salaries for geologists, reservoir engineers and geophysicists.
Canadian immigration law firm Benchetrit & Associates recently held four days of seminars in Caracas on living and working in Canada. "A plan for your life," read an advertisement for the seminars.
A Canadian embassy spokesman said oil companies are the main recruiters on the ground in Caracas. Canada is developing extra-heavy oil reserves that are comparable to those in Venezuela's Orinoco river basin, providing a ready job market for current and former staffers at Venezuela's state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PdVSA. The number of work visas Canada granted Venezuelans more than doubled last year, to 340.
Any opposition-minded oil workers still left at PdVSA face a difficult environment. During the presidential campaign last year, PdVSA President Rafael Ramirez told company executives to join Mr. Chávez's political movement or hit the road. In 2003, Mr. Chávez sacked around 20,000 PdVSA staffers -- about half the company's work force -- for walking off the job, calling them "terrorists." A majority of them were the managers, accountants and field engineers who turned the state oil venture into a world-class oil company during a period of robust expansion in the 1990s.
Many found work elsewhere, including in Mexico, Canada and Saudi Arabia, at a time of high demand for experienced oil workers.
The lost expertise has taken a toll on PdVSA, the country's largest single employer. Its share of the global market for crude oil supply is shrinking, and accidents and outages are on the rise. Analysts say the cost to PdVSA of producing a barrel of oil has nearly doubled in the past five years to more than $4.50.
White-collar executives at Electricidad de Caracas, which provides 10% of the country's power, and CANTV, the leading telephone company, also are bracing for a politicized workplace after Mr. Chávez finishes nationalizing the two firms by the end of March. Employees there say many staffers are seeking early retirement and expect management to discourage political opposition to Mr. Chávez. In January, Mr. Chávez floated the idea of capping salaries for state employees, giving the most valuable technicians and managers at these firms another reason to move on.
This isn't the first time Venezuelan professionals have rushed for the exits. A multitude of professionals fled the country in 2003 after a nationwide general strike failed to remove Mr. Chávez from office.
According to Datanalisis, the number of Venezuelans who said they were interested in emigrating peaked at around 44% during the 2002-2003 political crisis, which saw the country run out of gasoline for two months. Interest in emigration started declining as the economy rebounded, but Datanalisis expects another spike this year.
Chávez's Grip on PowerDrives Out Oil Experts; Support Hugo or You Go
By PETER MILLARDFebruary 15, 2007; Page A10
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Oil-rich Venezuela has experienced the kind of economic boom in recent years that should be flush with job opportunities. But an increasing number of professionals, many of them from the oil industry, are looking abroad for work, driven away by President Hugo Chávez's effort to extend state control over the economy, and by inflation verging on 20%.
Since his re-election in December, Mr. Chávez has pursued an agenda of "21st Century Socialism," painting a future of "communal cities" and state-run cooperatives dedicated to production, not profit.
"Chavez's electoral triumph and the radicalized discourse has increased the desire to emigrate," said Luis Vicente Leon, the head of Datanalisis, a Caracas polling firm.
Not everyone is dissatisfied. Mr. Chávez, who first took office in 1999, has gained a broad base of popular support among Venezuela's poor, largely by spending billions of dollars on social programs. And a newly rich class of Venezuelans with close connections to the government is likely to stick around as long as they can continue to profit from Mr. Chávez's rise.
Still, at the U.S. Embassy call center for visas in Caracas, the lines have been jammed since Mr. Chávez announced in early January the nationalization of the electricity industry and Venezuela's largest telecommunications firm. "It doubled practically overnight," said a U.S. diplomat.
The number of Venezuelans receiving U.S. legal permanent residence more than doubled from 2000 to 2005, when 10,870 got their green cards. In that period the overall number of green cards increased by a third. During that period the number of Venezuelan-born U.S. residents increased 42%, to 151,743, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The oil industry appears to be taking notice of the available talent. Qatar Petroleum has run ads in local papers this year, offering tax-free salaries for geologists, reservoir engineers and geophysicists.
Canadian immigration law firm Benchetrit & Associates recently held four days of seminars in Caracas on living and working in Canada. "A plan for your life," read an advertisement for the seminars.
A Canadian embassy spokesman said oil companies are the main recruiters on the ground in Caracas. Canada is developing extra-heavy oil reserves that are comparable to those in Venezuela's Orinoco river basin, providing a ready job market for current and former staffers at Venezuela's state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PdVSA. The number of work visas Canada granted Venezuelans more than doubled last year, to 340.
Any opposition-minded oil workers still left at PdVSA face a difficult environment. During the presidential campaign last year, PdVSA President Rafael Ramirez told company executives to join Mr. Chávez's political movement or hit the road. In 2003, Mr. Chávez sacked around 20,000 PdVSA staffers -- about half the company's work force -- for walking off the job, calling them "terrorists." A majority of them were the managers, accountants and field engineers who turned the state oil venture into a world-class oil company during a period of robust expansion in the 1990s.
Many found work elsewhere, including in Mexico, Canada and Saudi Arabia, at a time of high demand for experienced oil workers.
The lost expertise has taken a toll on PdVSA, the country's largest single employer. Its share of the global market for crude oil supply is shrinking, and accidents and outages are on the rise. Analysts say the cost to PdVSA of producing a barrel of oil has nearly doubled in the past five years to more than $4.50.
White-collar executives at Electricidad de Caracas, which provides 10% of the country's power, and CANTV, the leading telephone company, also are bracing for a politicized workplace after Mr. Chávez finishes nationalizing the two firms by the end of March. Employees there say many staffers are seeking early retirement and expect management to discourage political opposition to Mr. Chávez. In January, Mr. Chávez floated the idea of capping salaries for state employees, giving the most valuable technicians and managers at these firms another reason to move on.
This isn't the first time Venezuelan professionals have rushed for the exits. A multitude of professionals fled the country in 2003 after a nationwide general strike failed to remove Mr. Chávez from office.
According to Datanalisis, the number of Venezuelans who said they were interested in emigrating peaked at around 44% during the 2002-2003 political crisis, which saw the country run out of gasoline for two months. Interest in emigration started declining as the economy rebounded, but Datanalisis expects another spike this year.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Bush Loves Ecology -- At Home
Bush Loves Ecology -- At Home: "
The 4,000-square-foot house is a model of environmental rectitude. "
The 4,000-square-foot house is a model of environmental rectitude. "
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Competitive Enterprise Institute: "In Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, the only facts and studies considered are those convenient to Gore's scare-them-green agenda. And in many instances, he distorts the evidence he cites. In fact, nearly every significant statement Gore makes regarding climate science and climate policy is either one sided, misleading, exaggerated, speculative, or wrong."
Oh, baby: $500 to all newborns? - sacbee.com
Oh, baby: $500 to all newborns? - sacbee.com: "Happy birthday, baby, here's $500 -- courtesy of California taxpayers.
Legislation announced Wed- nesday would provide a tax-free, long-term investment account to every baby born in California, regardless of the parents' financial or immigration status.
Senate Bill 752 is meant to persuade more families to invest for the future.
'If we ask people to invest in California, California must invest in its people,' said Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who is co-authoring the bill with Republican Sen. Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga.
'Every child ought to grow up knowing that they are worth investing in, from birth on,' Steinberg said.
The proposed account, called Kids Investment and Development Savings, or KIDS, is meant to grow until the child turns 18 and could withdraw the money for a house, education, vocational training or to roll over into a retirement account.
But critics say the state has more critical needs than padding accounts for children too young to say thanks. Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, said it's hard to support giving $500 to every newborn when the state says it doesn't have enough money to build prisons."
Legislation announced Wed- nesday would provide a tax-free, long-term investment account to every baby born in California, regardless of the parents' financial or immigration status.
Senate Bill 752 is meant to persuade more families to invest for the future.
'If we ask people to invest in California, California must invest in its people,' said Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who is co-authoring the bill with Republican Sen. Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga.
'Every child ought to grow up knowing that they are worth investing in, from birth on,' Steinberg said.
The proposed account, called Kids Investment and Development Savings, or KIDS, is meant to grow until the child turns 18 and could withdraw the money for a house, education, vocational training or to roll over into a retirement account.
But critics say the state has more critical needs than padding accounts for children too young to say thanks. Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, said it's hard to support giving $500 to every newborn when the state says it doesn't have enough money to build prisons."
FrontPage magazine.com :: The Inconvenient Truth About Al Gore by Michael Reagan
FrontPage magazine.com :: The Inconvenient Truth About Al Gore by Michael Reagan: "Gore has proven time and again to be a complete hypocrite. He preaches the need to eliminate man-made pollution. On his website advising people to fight global warming by discovering what their so-called carbon footprint is, he says, “You may be surprised by how much CO2 you are emitting each year,” and advises that you should “calculate your personal impact and learn how you can take action to reduce or even eliminate your emissions of carbon dioxide.”"
Alien technology the best hope to 'save our planet:' ex-defence boss
Alien technology the best hope to 'save our planet:' ex-defence boss: "former Canadian defence minister says be believes advanced technology from extraterrestrial civilizations offers the best hope to 'save our planet' from the perils of climate change.
Paul Hellyer, 83, is calling for a public disclosure of alien technology obtained during alleged UFO crashes -- such as the mysterious 1947 incident in Roswell, New Mexico -- because he believes alien species can provide humanity with a viable alternative to fossil fuels."
Paul Hellyer, 83, is calling for a public disclosure of alien technology obtained during alleged UFO crashes -- such as the mysterious 1947 incident in Roswell, New Mexico -- because he believes alien species can provide humanity with a viable alternative to fossil fuels."
The News Buckit: "Seven words you can never say on television"... but which are said on the Internet. A lot.
The News Buckit: "Seven words you can never say on television"... but which are said on the Internet. A lot.: "So how much more does the Left use Carlin's 'seven words' versus the Right? According to my calculations, try somewhere in the range of 18-to-1."
Taxing Wages - WSJ.com
Taxing Wages - WSJ.com: "In France, Germany and Belgium the tax wedge is truly expropriating: 50.2%, 52.5% and 55.4%, respectively. The average employee in these three countries takes home less than half of what it costs to employ him. Most of the money goes to the state through income and payroll taxes.
Yet when EU finance ministers met this week and railed against the rising gap between wages and company profits, Europe's enormous tax wedge didn't merit a mention. Corporate greed -- not government greed -- was blamed for the discrepancy."
Yet when EU finance ministers met this week and railed against the rising gap between wages and company profits, Europe's enormous tax wedge didn't merit a mention. Corporate greed -- not government greed -- was blamed for the discrepancy."
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Much hype. Little substance.
3.2% decline warrants disaster style coverage by the MSM? No wonder their viewership is dropping faster than Bill Clinton's pants.
American Thinker Blog: A Modest Proposal to Eco-Celebs
American Thinker Blog: A Modest Proposal to Eco-Celebs: "The day after Al Gore won an Oscar for his crockumentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, which warns that the earth is threatened with horrific catastrophes unless we all cut our energy consumption instantly, it turned out that the real inconvenient truth is that he, like the celebrity eco-warriors is a hypocrite "
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
FOXNews.com - Prince Charles Calls for Ban on McDonald's Restaurants and Big Macs - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News
FOXNews.com - Prince Charles Calls for Ban on McDonald's Restaurants and Big Macs - International News News of the World Middle East News Europe News: "The Prince of Wales told a nutritionist in Abu Dhabi Tuesday that the “key” to people eating healthily was to ban McDonald’s fast food restaurants."
NWA union sues over rewarding excellence
NWA union sues over new perks: "The union also complained about a new 'success-sharing' program that raises pilots' pay, saying that Northwest 'unilaterally determined' how the pilots should be rewarded. It also criticized the airline's move to create 'employee involvement teams' to discuss working conditions without union representatives."
Jeepers, just like the teeeechers unions who won't allow superior teachers to be rewarded. Seems like a pattern. Big surprise!
Jeepers, just like the teeeechers unions who won't allow superior teachers to be rewarded. Seems like a pattern. Big surprise!
ABC News: Al Gore Will Not Only Run, but He Can and Will Win in '08
ABC News: Al Gore Will Not Only Run, but He Can and Will Win in '08: "Make no mistake: Former Vice President Al Gore will be our next president. "
IBD Editorials: The Lion In Winter
IBD Editorials: The Lion In Winter: "In a speech before a joint session of Congress on Sept. 20, 2001, President Bush pointed out the real reasons the terrorists hate us and our British allies:
'They hate what they see right here in this chamber — a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.'
If we retreat, they will not sleep. The Democrats who want to retreat, to set a date certain for our exit from Iraq and to defund our troops fit Winston Churchill's definition of an appeaser:
'One who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.'
To al-Qaida, the Democrats want to ring the dinner bell. "
'They hate what they see right here in this chamber — a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.'
If we retreat, they will not sleep. The Democrats who want to retreat, to set a date certain for our exit from Iraq and to defund our troops fit Winston Churchill's definition of an appeaser:
'One who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.'
To al-Qaida, the Democrats want to ring the dinner bell. "
Al Gore's Own Inconvenient Truth - Wizbang
Al Gore's Own Inconvenient Truth - Wizbang: "Yikes! Gore is an energy glutton. Now compare this to President Bush's comparatively modest home in Crawford, Texas, which is a model of environmental friendliness:"
Very funny!
GOOD MORNING NIGERIA!: "You might also enjoy another favorite of mine. His name is Anthony Robbins. He also sells delightful motivational tapes. Although I would avoid the video version. He is a large man with enormous jaws, and after viewing his videos, I have had nightmares about horses biting me."
No business boom in Michigan
Toyota to build Miss. SUV plant: "Toyota Motor Corp. announced this morning plans to build a $1.3-billion assembly plant near Tupelo., Miss., expected to open in 2010."
Governorette Jenny demands federal money and trade destroying tarriffs while Red state Mississippi overcomes hurricanes and attracts business and jobs. Anyone wonder which state has the brightest future?
Governorette Jenny demands federal money and trade destroying tarriffs while Red state Mississippi overcomes hurricanes and attracts business and jobs. Anyone wonder which state has the brightest future?
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