Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Starting today, new drivers must prove legal status
Starting today, new drivers must prove legal status: "Michiganders getting their driver's licenses for the first time will have to prove they are legal, permanent U.S. residents, under requirements that will go into effect today, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office."
Superintendent quitting to help district save money
Superintendent quitting to help district save money: "The superintendent of the cash-strapped Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools says he’s stepping down to save the district money — and hopefully save some teachers’ jobs.
Eric Palmu announced Monday he’ll resign later this year from his $93,000-a-year job."
Eric Palmu announced Monday he’ll resign later this year from his $93,000-a-year job."
FrontPage Magazine
FrontPage Magazine: "If John Kerry had been elected President of the United States in November 2004, especially with the incoming majority Democrat Congress, it is highly likely that Iraq would be in the midst of a civil war, Iran’s regional influence would have increased, Israel would be in more jeopardy than it is now, two Supreme Court seats would be occupied by clones of John Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg instead of by John Roberts and Samuel Alito, judicial decisions would have given even more “rights” to enemy combatants, domestic entitlements and earmarks would have skyrocketed, the Bush tax cuts would be history. And more!"
Cans for grades
ISIL Channels » Blog Archive » Cans for grades: "Later I find out that my daughter’s friend’s math teacher offers extra credit to the math class, also for bringing in cans of food."
Monday, January 21, 2008
Freakonomics - Stephen J. Dubner - Steven D. Levitt - Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - Endangered Species - New York Times
Freakonomics - Stephen J. Dubner - Steven D. Levitt - Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - Endangered Species - New York Times: "But before charging ahead with such plans, the new president might do well to first ask him- or herself the following question: What do a deaf woman in Los Angeles, a first-century Jewish sandal maker and a red-cockaded woodpecker have in common?"
Stock Markets Plunge Worldwide: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Stock Markets Plunge Worldwide: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Stocks fell sharply worldwide Monday following declines on Wall Street last week amid investor pessimism over the U.S. government's stimulus plan to prevent a recession.
U.S. markets were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the downbeat mood from last week's market declines there circled through Europe, Asia and the Americas. Britain's benchmark FTSE-100 slumped 5.5 percent to 5,578.20, France's CAC-40 Index tumbled 6.8 percent to 4,744.15, and Germany's blue-chip DAX 30 plunged 7.2 percent to 6,790.19."
U.S. markets were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the downbeat mood from last week's market declines there circled through Europe, Asia and the Americas. Britain's benchmark FTSE-100 slumped 5.5 percent to 5,578.20, France's CAC-40 Index tumbled 6.8 percent to 4,744.15, and Germany's blue-chip DAX 30 plunged 7.2 percent to 6,790.19."
FOXNews.com - Bankers Association Wants 'No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses' Policy - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
FOXNews.com - Bankers Association Wants 'No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses' Policy - Local News News Articles National News US News: "The group rolled out a 'No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses' program, which includes lobby signs asking customers to remove those items before approaching a teller.
Those who refuse would be directed to an area with more security or a more experienced teller.
'Bankers aren't just going to hope robbers won't come,' FBA president Alex Sanchez said. 'The 'No Hats' program is one more layer of protection for banks, employees and bank customers.'"
Those who refuse would be directed to an area with more security or a more experienced teller.
'Bankers aren't just going to hope robbers won't come,' FBA president Alex Sanchez said. 'The 'No Hats' program is one more layer of protection for banks, employees and bank customers.'"
Is this the same school system that can't teach kids reedin', ritin' or numbrs?
International School's goal: Prepare students for global economy - mlive.com:
"Editor's note: Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Colin Armstrong has proposed turning Steele Middle School into a K-8 charter school managed by the school district tentatively called the International School of Muskegon. An all-day drop-in information session about the proposed school will be Tuesday at Steele, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Based on public input, the school board is expected to decide in February whether to establish the school"
"Editor's note: Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Colin Armstrong has proposed turning Steele Middle School into a K-8 charter school managed by the school district tentatively called the International School of Muskegon. An all-day drop-in information session about the proposed school will be Tuesday at Steele, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Based on public input, the school board is expected to decide in February whether to establish the school"
Honor the Fallen
Sgt Hook - This We’ll Defend » Blog Archive » Honor the Fallen: "As most of you know by now, Major Andrew Olmsted, Soldier, Milblogger, Husband, and Patriot was recently killed in action while serving here in Iraq. His family has received numerous offers to honor this fallen hero and the family has repsonded with a dignified, classy request that captures the love and respect shared among those who serve and their families.
Major Olmsted’s family has requested of those who wish to do something in honor of him, they can send donations to a fund that has been set up for the four children of CPT Thomas Casey, who served under Andy and was killed while trying to help him. The address is here:
Capt. Thomas Casey Children’s fund
P.O. Box 1306
Chester, CA 96020
Thank you. Sgt Hook out."
Major Olmsted’s family has requested of those who wish to do something in honor of him, they can send donations to a fund that has been set up for the four children of CPT Thomas Casey, who served under Andy and was killed while trying to help him. The address is here:
Capt. Thomas Casey Children’s fund
P.O. Box 1306
Chester, CA 96020
Thank you. Sgt Hook out."
More "leadership" from our State
Michigan may add to regulations for indoor tanning salons:
Certainly, there is nothing more important than expanding our state's control over business.... and adding another "fee" to the goody bag.
"A bill pending in the state House would strengthen existing health code requirements that customers under 18 get a parent's permission to get that manufactured golden glow. All customers regardless of age would have to sign a statement indicating they had read a written health warning upon their first visit and signs noting the potential dangers of ultraviolet radiation would have to be posted.
Tanning parlors aren't now licensed in the state of Michigan. The House proposal would require indoor tanning operations to register with the state at the cost of $150 per year and give the Michigan Department of Community Health some limited oversight."
Certainly, there is nothing more important than expanding our state's control over business.... and adding another "fee" to the goody bag.
"A bill pending in the state House would strengthen existing health code requirements that customers under 18 get a parent's permission to get that manufactured golden glow. All customers regardless of age would have to sign a statement indicating they had read a written health warning upon their first visit and signs noting the potential dangers of ultraviolet radiation would have to be posted.
Tanning parlors aren't now licensed in the state of Michigan. The House proposal would require indoor tanning operations to register with the state at the cost of $150 per year and give the Michigan Department of Community Health some limited oversight."
No mention of Jenny?
WZZM13 - Confidence in West Michigan economy hits lowest level in 13 years:
How can our economy get better if we won't address the problem... miserable "leadership".
Imagine if she was a GOPer.....
How can our economy get better if we won't address the problem... miserable "leadership".
Imagine if she was a GOPer.....
Do we really want to pour more money into this money pit?
Ford teachers talk union:
Jeepers, their graduation rate is 11%.
Everyone sure deserves a raise!
http://www.onveon.com/college/graduation-statistics/henry-ford-community-college-48128.htm
"Part-time teachers at Henry Ford Community College hope to form a union this spring in an effort to gain higher wages and better working conditions.
Following a national movement to unionize among part-time faculty who increasingly teach heavier workloads for far less money than full-timers, adjunct professors formed an association last spring to explore unionization. The group is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan."
Jeepers, their graduation rate is 11%.
Everyone sure deserves a raise!
http://www.onveon.com/college/graduation-statistics/henry-ford-community-college-48128.htm
"Part-time teachers at Henry Ford Community College hope to form a union this spring in an effort to gain higher wages and better working conditions.
Following a national movement to unionize among part-time faculty who increasingly teach heavier workloads for far less money than full-timers, adjunct professors formed an association last spring to explore unionization. The group is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Political leaders=Quality of our State?
Primary revealed a miserable Michigan: "• ' an economically devastated place.' -- BBC Radio."
Our sad, racist Chronicle columnist "celebrates" MLK Day
Just who achieved his dream? No one yet - Muskegon Chronicle Opinion:
Incredible that GordoM would be forced to defend the evil Hillary.
"It started with Hillary Clinton's assertion that while King articulated the dream for justice and equality, it took President Lyndon Johnson to do the heavy lifting. It was Johnson, she said, who pushed for the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 and signed King's vision into fruition.
In her words, 'it took a president to get it done.'
All over America, people -- especially black people -- rolled their eyes at the suggestion that somehow Johnson did more for civil rights gains than King did."
No, Americans didn't roll their eyes. Only racist demagogues did.
And no, Hill never suggested that Johnson did more than King.
And both conveniently forgot that Eisenhower proposed the 1957 Civil Rights Act which Johnson and the democrats opposed and killed.
What would you do?
Imagine if only "white" boys suffered this fate?
"What changes would you recommend if I told you that African-American children were:
four to eight times as likely to be drugged with Ritalin and other stimulants, which pediatrician Leonard Sax, calls “academic steroids.”
reading much more poorly than are other students.
five times more likely to commit suicide.
two and a half times as likely to drop out of high school.
severely underrepresented in college and even more so among college graduates, thereby locking them out of today’s, let alone tomorrow’s, knowledge economy."
This day in history
1885 The roller coaster was patented by L.A. Thompson of Coney Island, NY.
Lawyers and loonies rejoice!
1942 Nazi officials held the Wannsee conference, during which they arrived at their "final solution" that called for exterminating Europe's Jews.
War is not the answer?
1961 John F. Kennedy is inaugurated for his first -- and tragically only -- term of office as the President of the United States.
Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Mafia girlfriends........
1981 U.S. hostages, held captive in Iran for 444 days, are released just minutes after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the fortieth president of the United States.
Jimmah let 'em get taken. Ronnie got 'em out. Maybe the threat of "war" was the answer?
Lawyers and loonies rejoice!
1942 Nazi officials held the Wannsee conference, during which they arrived at their "final solution" that called for exterminating Europe's Jews.
War is not the answer?
1961 John F. Kennedy is inaugurated for his first -- and tragically only -- term of office as the President of the United States.
Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Mafia girlfriends........
1981 U.S. hostages, held captive in Iran for 444 days, are released just minutes after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the fortieth president of the United States.
Jimmah let 'em get taken. Ronnie got 'em out. Maybe the threat of "war" was the answer?
Native Hawaiians Reclaiming Land
Native Hawaiians Reclaiming Land - TIME:
This is scary! The precedent covers the entire USA.
"More than 200 acres of land that belonged to the Kingdom of Hawaii before the United States took control a century ago will be returned to Native Hawaiians, according to terms of a $200 million tentative settlement announced Friday."
This is scary! The precedent covers the entire USA.
"More than 200 acres of land that belonged to the Kingdom of Hawaii before the United States took control a century ago will be returned to Native Hawaiians, according to terms of a $200 million tentative settlement announced Friday."
Folks getting all the money say everything is "OK".
This is great! The people who are getting all the money assure us that taxes aren't too high and that spending is not out of control.
"The idea that state taxes and spending are out of control is a myth and an impediment to getting Michigan's economy back on track, a group representing universities, cities and nonprofit agencies said Thursday."
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS:Same old, same old
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS: District spent $1.5 million on trips, catering: "Despite promises to scale back travel and other nonessential expenses, Detroit Public Schools spent more than $1.5 million on hotels, travel and catered meals in the year that ended Sept. 1."
"Till death do us part"
Husband pleads guilty to slaying wife hours after wedding:
"MARQUETTE - A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the slaying of his wife hours after the couple were married.
Derek Linklater faces life in prison when he is sentenced May 20 in federal court.
An autopsy had shown that 34-year-old Loretta Wandahsega died of blunt force trauma to her head."
"MARQUETTE - A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the slaying of his wife hours after the couple were married.
Derek Linklater faces life in prison when he is sentenced May 20 in federal court.
An autopsy had shown that 34-year-old Loretta Wandahsega died of blunt force trauma to her head."
Power Line: Bylines of brutality
Power Line: Bylines of brutality: "Today the New York Times resumes its coverage of our crazed killer vets with Deborah Sontag's 'An Iraq veteran's descent, a prosecutor's choice.' Contrast Sontag's long, long story with the minimalist coverage afforded by the Times to the posthumous Medal of Honor awarded to New York native son Michael Murphy. Clay Waters, among others, noted the Times's reluctance to cover the military heroism of Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan."
My Way News - Report: Sears to Reorganize Into Units
Sears to Reorganize Into Units: "Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) plans to reorganize into several companies in another bid to pull the ailing 121-year-old retailer out the doldrums, according to a report published Saturday."
Bush Makes the Best of a Bad Situation
Kudlow's Money Politic$: Bush Makes the Best of a Bad Situation: "President Bush has made the best of a bad situation by applying his so-called tax rebate proposal within the income-tax code, rather than positioning it as new federal spending, like Sen. Hillary Clinton’s $100 billion spending package. He’s going to oppose that. He’s right to oppose that. It’s essential to oppose that."
Criminal Alien Program still taking illegals arrested for minor offenses | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News
Criminal Alien Program still taking illegals arrested for minor offenses :
"TOP OFFENSES Since Sept. 1, 2006, Irving police have used the Criminal Alien Program to refer arrestees whose citizenship cannot be verified to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation. Here are the 15 most common charges against Irving jail detainees believed to be illegal immigrants from the program's start in Irving through Wednesday.
Charge* Total
Local misdemeanor
warrants 1,232
Outside misdemeanor warrants 896
No driver's license 515
Public intoxication 499
Other misdemeanors 410
Driving while intoxicated offenses 352
Driving with invalid license 131
Possession of drug(s) 105
Misdemeanor assault 101
Driving without insurance 99
Outside felony warrants 97
Failure to identify self as fugitive 86
Misdemeanor theft 76
Felony theft 44
Failure to display driver's license 36
Total charges** 5,013
Total people turned
over to ICE 2,172
* These are initial charges at the time of arrest and may be dropped or changed after review. Some individuals face multiple charges.
** 'Total charges' include the 15 categories listed here as well as others.
SOURCE: Irving Police Department"
"TOP OFFENSES Since Sept. 1, 2006, Irving police have used the Criminal Alien Program to refer arrestees whose citizenship cannot be verified to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation. Here are the 15 most common charges against Irving jail detainees believed to be illegal immigrants from the program's start in Irving through Wednesday.
Charge* Total
Local misdemeanor
warrants 1,232
Outside misdemeanor warrants 896
No driver's license 515
Public intoxication 499
Other misdemeanors 410
Driving while intoxicated offenses 352
Driving with invalid license 131
Possession of drug(s) 105
Misdemeanor assault 101
Driving without insurance 99
Outside felony warrants 97
Failure to identify self as fugitive 86
Misdemeanor theft 76
Felony theft 44
Failure to display driver's license 36
Total charges** 5,013
Total people turned
over to ICE 2,172
* These are initial charges at the time of arrest and may be dropped or changed after review. Some individuals face multiple charges.
** 'Total charges' include the 15 categories listed here as well as others.
SOURCE: Irving Police Department"
Coming to a county near you!
Maybe it's time to get a new budget director?
"ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Washtenaw County officials have to act fast to erase a looming budget deficit possibly ranging from $8 million to $10 million.
County Commissioner Leah Gunn, D-Ann Arbor, said the effect on employees and residents won't be known until officials decide on the best way to address the deficit.
The deficit was discovered two months after the 2008 budget was approved in November."
County Commissioner Leah Gunn, D-Ann Arbor, said the effect on employees and residents won't be known until officials decide on the best way to address the deficit.
The deficit was discovered two months after the 2008 budget was approved in November."
Imagine grades being important?
Proposal: Athletes must have B average
Under Greg Murray's proposal, student-athletes would be required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
The Detroit Free Press reports it's the first attempt to strengthen the state's two-decades-old standards that allow students to play sports with grades as low as four Ds and two Fs
Under Greg Murray's proposal, student-athletes would be required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
The Detroit Free Press reports it's the first attempt to strengthen the state's two-decades-old standards that allow students to play sports with grades as low as four Ds and two Fs
Will "green" signal the "end" of GR?
Mayor's State of the City: new jobs, 100% green:
Don't you love politicians who make expensive, job destroying promises that sound so ............ warm and friendly!
"Heartwell also pledged in the speech that by 2020, the city will get 100% of its energy for municipal use from renewable or 'green' sources.
.
'We are going to survive Michigan's economic tsunami because we have the people,' Heartwell said. 'That's our true wealth.'
But he acknowledged troubles with the Grand Rapids workforce: One in five of the city's adults cannot read. Tests show its children are struggling too.
Better education has been a goal of prior State of the City speeches and now, the mayor is pointing to some progress: higher reading scores for Grand Rapids Public Schools' fourth-graders. Heartwell also referenced a recent study of the city's kids, which concluded those with nothing to do after school cause problems.
'We will have an after-school program in every public school,' the mayor pledged. 'That's my commitment.'"
One of last year's long-term goals was to end homelessness by 2014. After the speech, we pointed out to the mayor that some shelters report seeing more people this year.
"Homelessness is growing in spite of our efforts we've put in place to end homelessness," the mayor acknowledged.
"To build and to unbuild and to rebuild as we dream," the mayor said, concluding his address.
How long before Grand Rapids is "Detroit West"?
Don't you love politicians who make expensive, job destroying promises that sound so ............ warm and friendly!
"Heartwell also pledged in the speech that by 2020, the city will get 100% of its energy for municipal use from renewable or 'green' sources.
.
'We are going to survive Michigan's economic tsunami because we have the people,' Heartwell said. 'That's our true wealth.'
But he acknowledged troubles with the Grand Rapids workforce: One in five of the city's adults cannot read. Tests show its children are struggling too.
Better education has been a goal of prior State of the City speeches and now, the mayor is pointing to some progress: higher reading scores for Grand Rapids Public Schools' fourth-graders. Heartwell also referenced a recent study of the city's kids, which concluded those with nothing to do after school cause problems.
'We will have an after-school program in every public school,' the mayor pledged. 'That's my commitment.'"
One of last year's long-term goals was to end homelessness by 2014. After the speech, we pointed out to the mayor that some shelters report seeing more people this year.
"Homelessness is growing in spite of our efforts we've put in place to end homelessness," the mayor acknowledged.
"To build and to unbuild and to rebuild as we dream," the mayor said, concluding his address.
How long before Grand Rapids is "Detroit West"?
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