Road agencies turn crumbling roads back to gravel
"Because of shrinking budgets and a bumper crop of potholes, unpaved sections are cropping up in populated areas, on roads that had been covered with blacktop for decades.
A growing number of county road agencies -- including Kent, Montcalm, and Ionia -- are choosing to grind deteriorating asphalt back to gravel, at least temporarily, until they can do resurfacing this summer. Oceana, Muskegon and other counties are considering it."
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Cash-strapped Clinton fails to pay bills
Cash-strapped Clinton fails to pay bills
"Hillary Rodham Clinton’s cash-strapped presidential campaign has been putting off paying hundreds of bills for months — freeing up cash for critical media buys but also earning the campaign a reputation as something of a deadbeat in some small-business circles.
A pair of Ohio companies owed more than $25,000 by Clinton for staging events for her campaign are warning others in the tight-knit event production community — and anyone else who will listen — to get their cash upfront when doing business with her"
"Hillary Rodham Clinton’s cash-strapped presidential campaign has been putting off paying hundreds of bills for months — freeing up cash for critical media buys but also earning the campaign a reputation as something of a deadbeat in some small-business circles.
A pair of Ohio companies owed more than $25,000 by Clinton for staging events for her campaign are warning others in the tight-knit event production community — and anyone else who will listen — to get their cash upfront when doing business with her"
Ballot shortages a continuing problem - Yahoo! News
Ballot shortages a continuing problem - Yahoo! News: "It's a simple question with no simple answer: Why do polling places across America keep running out of ballots when it's no secret that this contentious primary season keeps breaking voter turnout records?"
Best of the Web Today - WSJ.com
Best of the Web Today - WSJ.com: "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community,' Barack Obama said last week about his 'spiritual mentor,' the Rev. Jeremiah 'God Damn America' Wright. But now, CNN reports, Obama is changing his tune. Well, sort of:
In an interview scheduled to air Friday on ABC's 'The View'--excerpts of which aired on CNN on Thursday night--Obama talks about Wright's reaction to the controversy.
'Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were [sic] inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church,' the senator said.
Does this mean he would have left? Or does it mean he would have stayed but felt uncomfortable? And when did Wright apologize? Blogger Tom Maguire undertakes an extensive investigation, and the answer appears to be: Never"
In an interview scheduled to air Friday on ABC's 'The View'--excerpts of which aired on CNN on Thursday night--Obama talks about Wright's reaction to the controversy.
'Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were [sic] inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church,' the senator said.
Does this mean he would have left? Or does it mean he would have stayed but felt uncomfortable? And when did Wright apologize? Blogger Tom Maguire undertakes an extensive investigation, and the answer appears to be: Never"
Toronto Chinese Rally Turns Ugly
Epoch Times Toronto Chinese Rally Turns Ugly: "'Dalai Lama die there!' some Chinese shouted at a group of Tibetans who had gathered across the street from the square to protest. 'Leave Canada!' others urged."
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily » ‘21′ Holds Winning Hand At Box Office; ‘Superhero’ Is Superflop; ‘Stop-Loss’ DOA
Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily » ‘21′ Holds Winning Hand At Box Office; ‘Superhero’ Is Superflop; ‘Stop-Loss’ DOA: "I'm told #7 Stop-Loss opened to only $1.6 million Friday from just 1,291 plays and should eke out $4+M."
"It's not looking good," a studio source told me before the weekend. "No one wants to see Iraq war movies. No matter what we put out there in terms of great cast or trailers, people were completely turned off. It's a function of the marketplace not being ready to address this conflict in a dramatic way because the war itself is something that's unresolved yet. It's a shame because it's a good movie that's just ahead of its time."
"It's not looking good," a studio source told me before the weekend. "No one wants to see Iraq war movies. No matter what we put out there in terms of great cast or trailers, people were completely turned off. It's a function of the marketplace not being ready to address this conflict in a dramatic way because the war itself is something that's unresolved yet. It's a shame because it's a good movie that's just ahead of its time."
Friday, March 28, 2008
Terminal disgrace: Poor training and computer failings to blame for T5 chaos as flights fiasco to last into the weekend| News | This is London
Terminal disgrace: Poor training and computer failings to blame for T5 chaos as flights fiasco to last into the weekend News This is London: "Major blunders so far include:
• A lack of car parking space for baggage handlers arriving for the morning shift yesterday. Many were still driving round the airport looking for somewhere to park as the first passengers were checking in their bags
• A shortage of BAA security staff to let baggage handlers into the terminal"
• A lack of car parking space for baggage handlers arriving for the morning shift yesterday. Many were still driving round the airport looking for somewhere to park as the first passengers were checking in their bags
• A shortage of BAA security staff to let baggage handlers into the terminal"
Potomac Watch - WSJ.com
Potomac Watch - WSJ.com: "Her Bosnia misspeak is now serving as proxy for all the truths about the Clintons' non-truths, allowing even liberals to break free from their Clinton dependence."
Hillary's Last Hope - WSJ.com
Hillary's Last Hope - WSJ.com: "In other words, Florida Democrats acted as if their primary mattered just as much as other Democrats. By contrast, turnout in Michigan was only 23.7% of Kerry's 2004 vote, and it is an open primary. Michigan Democrats did not act like their primary mattered."
The Conspiracy to Keep You Poor and Stupid#3380340530600110005
The Conspiracy to Keep You Poor and Stupid#3380340530600110005: "the Democrats appear to be a party of lawyers. Only lawyers could have invented delegate selection rules as complicated and opaque as the ones the Democrats are struggling under. It also looks like only lawyers have a chance at the Democratic nomination. Harvard Law (Obama) and Yale Law (Clinton) candidates have survived, while University of North Carolina Law (Edwards), Syracuse Law (Biden), and the University of Louisville Law (Dodd) have been eliminated. And lawyers at the DNC Rules Committee will decide what happens next."
Limbaugh safe from voter-fraud charges
Thank God!
This could have been the end of Operation Chaos!
Limbaugh safe from voter-fraud charges: "Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has been telling his audience for days now that he could be indicted for encouraging Ohio Republicans to take a Democratic ballot in the March 4 primary in what he calls 'Operation Chaos.'
Could that actually happen?
Not likely, Ohio officials say."
This could have been the end of Operation Chaos!
Limbaugh safe from voter-fraud charges: "Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has been telling his audience for days now that he could be indicted for encouraging Ohio Republicans to take a Democratic ballot in the March 4 primary in what he calls 'Operation Chaos.'
Could that actually happen?
Not likely, Ohio officials say."
SCORCHED EARTH
SCORCHED EARTH Charlie Sykes: "If you had a shred of doubt that Hillary wouldn't wage a dead-ender campaign to derail Obama... watch this: questioning Obama's electability; his 'legitimacy' as nominee; and talking about a convention floor fight over delegates."
click link to see the video
click link to see the video
Monday forum to focus on $25 million school bond election - mlive.com
Monday forum to focus on $25 million school bond election - mlive.com: "If voters approve it in the May 6 election, the school district's taxpayers, who are currently paying off a 2001 bond issue, would continue to pay the current tax rate of 7.27 mills until 2037, 17 years later than the expiration of the current tax.
The additional money generated by the tax extension would pay for improvements to the district's facilities, alleviating some of the strain on the district's finances.
Among the items included in the proposed project are construction of a 48,450-square-foot early childhood center and a new transportation building, renovations to the three school buildings and installation of synthetic turf and additional bleachers at the football stadium"
The additional money generated by the tax extension would pay for improvements to the district's facilities, alleviating some of the strain on the district's finances.
Among the items included in the proposed project are construction of a 48,450-square-foot early childhood center and a new transportation building, renovations to the three school buildings and installation of synthetic turf and additional bleachers at the football stadium"
NAA Reveals Biggest Ad Revenue Plunge in More Than 50 Years
NAA Reveals Biggest Ad Revenue Plunge in More Than 50 Years: "The newspaper industry has experienced the worst drop in advertising revenue in more than 50 years."
Michael Calderone's Blog - Politico.com
Michael Calderone's Blog - Politico.com: "While I'm all for transparency on blogs, and have made mistakes corrected by readers, it's remarkable that Think Progress would allege that the Republican nominee for president plagiarized a speech without putting the two speeches before the campaign for comment. Or, apparently, checking the candidate's website first"
Personal income rises, inflation moderates
Personal income rises, inflation moderates
"U.S. personal income rose more than expected in February as the economy teetered on the brink of a recession, while both personal spending and a key price measure increased only slightly, a government report showed on Friday."
"U.S. personal income rose more than expected in February as the economy teetered on the brink of a recession, while both personal spending and a key price measure increased only slightly, a government report showed on Friday."
Troubled neighborhood store to change hands
Troubled neighborhood store to change hands
"The market at 1149 Wood was the scene of 106 police calls during 2007, Kleibecker said, and if allowed to remain open, 'will only continue to drain police resources.'"
"The market at 1149 Wood was the scene of 106 police calls during 2007, Kleibecker said, and if allowed to remain open, 'will only continue to drain police resources.'"
Poll: Nearly half of Detroiters say mayor should resign
Poll: Nearly half of Detroiters say mayor should resign: "A new poll shows nearly half of Detroit residents surveyed say Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick should resign because of perjury and other charges he faces after the release of sexually charged text messages between Kilpatrick and a top aide."
Census report: Motown lost more people than any city
Census report: Motown lost more people than any city: "Detroit lost more than three times as many people as any other metro area -- its population declined more than 27,300"
Granholm signs levy zoo tax bill
Granholm signs levy zoo tax bill: "Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation allowing voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to decide whether to use a property tax to help fund the Detroit Zoo.
The measure gives counties the power to form zoological authorities that will seek voter approval of a tax to support local zoos."
The measure gives counties the power to form zoological authorities that will seek voter approval of a tax to support local zoos."
Gore's Message To Climate Change Skeptics, Tells 60 Minutes That Doubting Global Warming Is Man-Made Is Akin To Believing Earth Is Flat
Gore's Message To Climate Change Skeptics, Tells 60 Minutes That Doubting Global Warming Is Man-Made Is Akin To Believing Earth Is Flat
"Al Gore says those who still doubt that global warming is caused by man - among them, Vice President Dick Cheney - are acting like the fringe groups who think the 1969 moon landing never really happened, or who once believed the world is flat."
"Al Gore says those who still doubt that global warming is caused by man - among them, Vice President Dick Cheney - are acting like the fringe groups who think the 1969 moon landing never really happened, or who once believed the world is flat."
Tri-Valley's leaders lash out
I'm a fan of charter schools but these MEAP scores tell a pretty sad story.
Grade 7
Reading 60% have not met standards
Writing 86.7% have not met standards
Math 86.7% have not met standards
There doesn't seem to much educating going on at Tri-Valley
Too bad the Chronicle chose to keep these scores out of the article.
Tri-Valley's leaders lash out
"Tri-Valley board President Nelson Miller said GVSU's actions amounted to lack of support for Tri-Valley's low-income and minority children. Miller said he plans to report GVSU's charter schools office to the university's vice president for inclusion and equity.
'GVSU has not lived up to its commitment to diversity,' Miller said. 'My concern is that the charter schools office shows a correlation between poverty and student achievement, and it has chosen not to serve children on that basis.
'We have done what is appropriate to educate the children, and I think we should have a conversation on that.'"
"Tri-Valley board President Nelson Miller said GVSU's actions amounted to lack of support for Tri-Valley's low-income and minority children. Miller said he plans to report GVSU's charter schools office to the university's vice president for inclusion and equity.
'GVSU has not lived up to its commitment to diversity,' Miller said. 'My concern is that the charter schools office shows a correlation between poverty and student achievement, and it has chosen not to serve children on that basis.
'We have done what is appropriate to educate the children, and I think we should have a conversation on that.'"
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Hillary's Minister Problem
"If you've never heard of The Fellowship (also known as The Family), it will sound like some shadowy organization in a John Grisham novel. (Indeed, as a Google search will demonstrate, critics consider it a cult.) The group was formed in the 1930s to minister to political and business leaders throughout the world, modeling itself as a kind of Christian Trilateral Commission."
NM school leaders get praises, raises - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com
NM school leaders get praises, raises - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com: "Weaver's evaluation was completed last week during a closed meeting of the board of education. Using a scale of 'commendable,' 'meets expectations,' and 'requires improvement,' he received 'commendable' ratings in the areas of relationships with the board, community relations and personal and job performance qualities. He received 'meets expectations' in the categories of business and finances, and superintendent-staff relations."
New Montague superintendent gets high marks
What a wonderful "rainbow" of specific areas!
I was kinda lookin' for another "specific area".....
..... like, maybe......
......"kids gettin' edjukated".....
Like an adult analysis of how the Superintendent is delivering his most important product.
An educated child!
I guess not too important when the, obviously, real goal is to impress his employees, the teacher union members.
Imagine a company that employed this same analysis...... oh, the Big 3 auto unions of so many years ago......
... and how well that worked!
New Montague superintendent gets high marks
"Based on a written evaluation submitted by the school board as a whole, high marks were issued in the six specific areas of his job --
board and superintendent relationships,
superintendent/staff relationships,
community relations,
business and finance,
educational leadership
and long-range planning.
The board approved the evaluation Monday."
I was kinda lookin' for another "specific area".....
..... like, maybe......
......"kids gettin' edjukated".....
Like an adult analysis of how the Superintendent is delivering his most important product.
An educated child!
I guess not too important when the, obviously, real goal is to impress his employees, the teacher union members.
Imagine a company that employed this same analysis...... oh, the Big 3 auto unions of so many years ago......
... and how well that worked!
New Montague superintendent gets high marks
"Based on a written evaluation submitted by the school board as a whole, high marks were issued in the six specific areas of his job --
board and superintendent relationships,
superintendent/staff relationships,
community relations,
business and finance,
educational leadership
and long-range planning.
The board approved the evaluation Monday."
Muskegon Film Festival declines because of global cooling?
Muskegon had an event in the winter and the apologists at The Chronicle blame the lousy attendance on inept publicity and one day of Michigan winter?
How 'bout the idiotic lack of convenient parking and the Chernobyl-like atmosphere of the few parking areas available?
Film Festival on track?
"Plenty of time to get film fest on track.
The numbers are in for the Muskegon Film Festival, which has become a hallmark winter attraction. The numbers weren't good, but the good news is, there's plenty of time to get things back on track for the next fest.
For the second year in a row, attendance has dropped for the independent film exhibit, which takes place at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Muskegon. The 2,000 in attendance this year was not an improvement over the approximately same number who attended in 2007. Those figures represent a big drop-off from the film fest's best year in 2006 and 2005 when the numbers were almost double.
It seemed then as if the festival was about to take off, but the attendance falloff has dashed such hopes. Nonetheless, the show will go on, according to organizers: 'Our plan is to keep going. We're already jumping on it. Our intention is to have one,' Mat Moore, the fest's president, told The Chronicle.
Part of the problem may be that the festival committee was hampered by a lack of publicity compelling enough to convince fans to come out in what was, at least for one of the dates, really rotten winter weather better for staying home and popping in a DVD. Organizers are looking at moving the festival to a nicer season, perhaps in June. Whatever works, we say."
How 'bout the idiotic lack of convenient parking and the Chernobyl-like atmosphere of the few parking areas available?
Film Festival on track?
"Plenty of time to get film fest on track.
The numbers are in for the Muskegon Film Festival, which has become a hallmark winter attraction. The numbers weren't good, but the good news is, there's plenty of time to get things back on track for the next fest.
For the second year in a row, attendance has dropped for the independent film exhibit, which takes place at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Muskegon. The 2,000 in attendance this year was not an improvement over the approximately same number who attended in 2007. Those figures represent a big drop-off from the film fest's best year in 2006 and 2005 when the numbers were almost double.
It seemed then as if the festival was about to take off, but the attendance falloff has dashed such hopes. Nonetheless, the show will go on, according to organizers: 'Our plan is to keep going. We're already jumping on it. Our intention is to have one,' Mat Moore, the fest's president, told The Chronicle.
Part of the problem may be that the festival committee was hampered by a lack of publicity compelling enough to convince fans to come out in what was, at least for one of the dates, really rotten winter weather better for staying home and popping in a DVD. Organizers are looking at moving the festival to a nicer season, perhaps in June. Whatever works, we say."
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