Crush the Obamedia narrative: Look who’s “gripped by insane rage”
"The Obamedia is attempting to set yet another false narrative: The narrative of the McCain “mob.” McCain-Palin rallies are out of control, they wheedle. Conservatives are mad! They’re yelling mean things about Obama and calling him names! It’ scaaaaary!"
Sunday, October 12, 2008
JammieWearingFool
JammieWearingFool: "While the media obsesses over a couple of isolated comments at McCain/Palin rallies, the angry left is busy throwing Molotov cocktails at McCain supporters."
GOP frets about McCain's strategy, prospects
GOP frets about McCain's strategy, prospects: "Several Republicans, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid angering McCain, said the campaign should have sought to plant doubts about Obama's associations with 1960s-era radical William Ayers and others months ago, rather than waiting until the campaign's final weeks. Doing so now, they said, makes the 72-year-old McCain come off as angry, grouchy and desperate, playing into Democrats' hands."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times #2
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times
"Turmoil on Wall Street should abate once the presidential election signals what direction the next administration will take on economic policy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Friday."
..."Although not anticipating the recent market free-fall, Granholm said her administration made cautious revenue estimates for the current budget and is continuing tight-fisted policies on hiring and spending.
The budget should have a small surplus at the end of the year, "but we are still going to be extremely conservative in how we operate," she said.
Granholm said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. would provide a $400,000 grant in support of the partnership between Mariah Power, based in Reno, Nev., and Manistee-based MasTech Manufacturing LLC.
Mariah produces the Windspire, a 30-foot-high, vertical-axis wind turbine that sells for $5,000 each and can produce enough power to meet 25 percent of the typical home's needs. The company next year will release another model designed to provide 100 percent of the average home's energy, CEO Mike Hess said."
"tight-fisted"?????
"Turmoil on Wall Street should abate once the presidential election signals what direction the next administration will take on economic policy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Friday."
..."Although not anticipating the recent market free-fall, Granholm said her administration made cautious revenue estimates for the current budget and is continuing tight-fisted policies on hiring and spending.
The budget should have a small surplus at the end of the year, "but we are still going to be extremely conservative in how we operate," she said.
Granholm said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. would provide a $400,000 grant in support of the partnership between Mariah Power, based in Reno, Nev., and Manistee-based MasTech Manufacturing LLC.
Mariah produces the Windspire, a 30-foot-high, vertical-axis wind turbine that sells for $5,000 each and can produce enough power to meet 25 percent of the typical home's needs. The company next year will release another model designed to provide 100 percent of the average home's energy, CEO Mike Hess said."
"tight-fisted"?????
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times
"That makes it all the more important to continue promoting industries such as wind power, she said while announcing a partnership that will mass produce wind turbines in Manistee for home and business use.
'For Michigan, this is the long-term strategy,' Granholm said.
The Democratic governor has made alternative energy the centerpiece of a push to diversify a state economy long dependent on automobile manufacturing. Disclosures that GM may announce more plant closings and production cuts next week provided a fresh reminder of that linkage."
None of the "new" business sell a product that has buyers unless the product price is subsidized..... by us taxpayers in Michigan.
None of these businesses would even be in business if we taxpayers in Michigan didn't subsidize their existance.
They pay ZERO net taxes to our state.
Just another Ponzi scheme that will collapse as soon as the publice scam money runs out.
"That makes it all the more important to continue promoting industries such as wind power, she said while announcing a partnership that will mass produce wind turbines in Manistee for home and business use.
'For Michigan, this is the long-term strategy,' Granholm said.
The Democratic governor has made alternative energy the centerpiece of a push to diversify a state economy long dependent on automobile manufacturing. Disclosures that GM may announce more plant closings and production cuts next week provided a fresh reminder of that linkage."
None of the "new" business sell a product that has buyers unless the product price is subsidized..... by us taxpayers in Michigan.
None of these businesses would even be in business if we taxpayers in Michigan didn't subsidize their existance.
They pay ZERO net taxes to our state.
Just another Ponzi scheme that will collapse as soon as the publice scam money runs out.
Friday, October 10, 2008
elementary particle jokes
The Volokh Conspiracy
"Lightening Up:
A genre of humor of which I was previously unaware (courtesy of my daughter):
elementary particle jokes.
So a neutron walked into a bar and says, 'i'd like a beer, please.' And the bartender gives him one and the neutron says, 'thanks, how much?' and the bartender says, 'For you? No charge.'
So one ion runs into another ion and says, 'Hey, can you help me? I think I lost an electron.' And the second ion says, 'Wow, are you sure?' and the first one says, 'Yeah, I'm positive!'
28 Comments"
"Lightening Up:
A genre of humor of which I was previously unaware (courtesy of my daughter):
elementary particle jokes.
So a neutron walked into a bar and says, 'i'd like a beer, please.' And the bartender gives him one and the neutron says, 'thanks, how much?' and the bartender says, 'For you? No charge.'
So one ion runs into another ion and says, 'Hey, can you help me? I think I lost an electron.' And the second ion says, 'Wow, are you sure?' and the first one says, 'Yeah, I'm positive!'
28 Comments"
Sorry, Dad, I'm Voting for Obama - The Daily Beast
Sorry, Dad, I'm Voting for Obama
"The son of William F. Buckley has decided—shock!—to vote for a Democrat.
Let me be the latest conservative/libertarian/whatever to leap onto the Barack Obama bandwagon. It’s a good thing my dear old mum and pup are no longer alive. They’d cut off my allowance."
Holy shirt!
"The son of William F. Buckley has decided—shock!—to vote for a Democrat.
Let me be the latest conservative/libertarian/whatever to leap onto the Barack Obama bandwagon. It’s a good thing my dear old mum and pup are no longer alive. They’d cut off my allowance."
Holy shirt!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Most area school buses pass safety inspections
Most area school buses pass safety inspections
"Of Muskegon Heights' 11 buses, four were given red tags and seven passed. The school district's transportation supervisor could not be reached for comment."
"Of Muskegon Heights' 11 buses, four were given red tags and seven passed. The school district's transportation supervisor could not be reached for comment."
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
American Thinker Blog: Archives prove Obama was a New Party member
American Thinker Blog: Archives prove Obama was a New Party member: "Fusion, fortunately for the country, died in 1997. William Rehnquist, writing for a 6-3 Supreme Court, found the concept was not a protected constitutional right. It was two years too late to stop Obama.
Obama's career bears many signs of being helped along by the radical left. At the critical moment when he entered electoral politics, he was part of a movement to take over an established political party and direct it to the task of building a socialist America."
Interesting!
Obama's career bears many signs of being helped along by the radical left. At the critical moment when he entered electoral politics, he was part of a movement to take over an established political party and direct it to the task of building a socialist America."
Interesting!
Congress mulls major 401(k) changes
Congress mulls major 401(k) changes
"A wide range of sweeping changes to the 401(k) system were proposed Tuesday at a hearing on how the market crisis has devastated retirement savings plans.
Chief among them was eliminating $80 billion in tax savings for higher-income people enrolled in 401(k) retirement savings plans.
This was suggested by the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor.
“With respect to the 401(k), it appears to be a plan that is not really well-devised for the changes in the market,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said."
And just who are those "higher income people" who will lose their 401k and Roth IRA promises from our wonderful government?
"A wide range of sweeping changes to the 401(k) system were proposed Tuesday at a hearing on how the market crisis has devastated retirement savings plans.
Chief among them was eliminating $80 billion in tax savings for higher-income people enrolled in 401(k) retirement savings plans.
This was suggested by the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor.
“With respect to the 401(k), it appears to be a plan that is not really well-devised for the changes in the market,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said."
And just who are those "higher income people" who will lose their 401k and Roth IRA promises from our wonderful government?
Investment advice in a time of angst
As some of you may know, old Gordo has decades of experience in the investment world.
As a novice investor, stock broker and the new moniker, "financial advisor".
Now a retiree, I have fiscal and physical health recommendations for all of you.
I want to give al the visitors of MuskegonPundit my best advice concerning the stock market collapse AND some timely health advice.
When your monthly September statement from your 401k or brokerage account arrives, do this:
1. Do not open the envelope.
2. If you access your account via the web, change your password AND login name to something you will never remember...... until notified by GordoM.
3. If you receive your statement via mail, do NOT open the reverse, sticky side of you envelope.
4. Take your monthly statement (in the unopened envelope) to your shredder.
5. Shred the ENTIRE statement AND unopened envelope.
6. Take a breath, have a drink.
7. Repeat as often as necessary until notified by GordoM.
GordoM-rarely-offers-advice-so-do-this-NOW
As a novice investor, stock broker and the new moniker, "financial advisor".
Now a retiree, I have fiscal and physical health recommendations for all of you.
I want to give al the visitors of MuskegonPundit my best advice concerning the stock market collapse AND some timely health advice.
When your monthly September statement from your 401k or brokerage account arrives, do this:
1. Do not open the envelope.
2. If you access your account via the web, change your password AND login name to something you will never remember...... until notified by GordoM.
3. If you receive your statement via mail, do NOT open the reverse, sticky side of you envelope.
4. Take your monthly statement (in the unopened envelope) to your shredder.
5. Shred the ENTIRE statement AND unopened envelope.
6. Take a breath, have a drink.
7. Repeat as often as necessary until notified by GordoM.
GordoM-rarely-offers-advice-so-do-this-NOW
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
"GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road…
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken’s intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he’s GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks."
READ IT ALL!
"GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road…
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken’s intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he’s GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks."
READ IT ALL!
Too funny!
Cox presses for more openness in state government
Cox presses for more openness in state government
"Attorney General Mike Cox wants Michigan residents to be a click away from learning how state government spends every tax dollar and is pushing for a Web site to make that possible.
Cox and three state representatives touted more 'transparent' government during a brief press conference today in Detroit.
With the state fiscal year starting this week, Cox said residents should be able to see how Michigan will spend an estimated $42 billion."
Brave man!
Excellent idea!
"Attorney General Mike Cox wants Michigan residents to be a click away from learning how state government spends every tax dollar and is pushing for a Web site to make that possible.
Cox and three state representatives touted more 'transparent' government during a brief press conference today in Detroit.
With the state fiscal year starting this week, Cox said residents should be able to see how Michigan will spend an estimated $42 billion."
Brave man!
Excellent idea!
‘Mail Goggles' might prevent regrets
"Here's the scenario: It's Friday night, and what began as an innocent happy-hour margarita morphed into a few pitchers. After all, those tacos were salty.
Bidding friends adieu, you jump in a cab, head home and decide a quick e-mail check is in order. And there it is: a message from your ex. Or your boss. Or that friend you're secretly mad at.
If you're the kind of person who types tipsy and regrets it in the morning, Google's Mail Goggles, a new test-phase feature in the free Gmail service, might save you some angst.
The Goggles can kick in late at night on weekends. The feature requires you to solve a few easy math problems in short order before hitting “send.” If your logical thinking skills are intact, Google is betting you're sober enough to work out the repercussions of sending that screed you just drafted."
Bidding friends adieu, you jump in a cab, head home and decide a quick e-mail check is in order. And there it is: a message from your ex. Or your boss. Or that friend you're secretly mad at.
If you're the kind of person who types tipsy and regrets it in the morning, Google's Mail Goggles, a new test-phase feature in the free Gmail service, might save you some angst.
The Goggles can kick in late at night on weekends. The feature requires you to solve a few easy math problems in short order before hitting “send.” If your logical thinking skills are intact, Google is betting you're sober enough to work out the repercussions of sending that screed you just drafted."
Granholm named possible supreme court candidate
Granholm named possible supreme court candidate
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm is on the short list of potential supreme court nominees that could accompany a Barack Obama presidency, The Washington Post reported."
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm is on the short list of potential supreme court nominees that could accompany a Barack Obama presidency, The Washington Post reported."
Imagine a lifetime job for Jenny......
State's foster system gets fed monitor
State's foster system gets fed monitor
"A court-appointed monitor will oversee what a federal judge on Tuesday described as a historic agreement to improve the health and safety of Michigan's 19,000 foster children.
The deal approved by U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds ends a class-action lawsuit brought in 2006 by Children's Rights, a national advocacy group based in New York, alleging Michigan's foster care system was broken and harming kids.
It also could mean $50 million a year in additional costs for cash-strapped Michigan's Department of Human Services."
Our state is bankrupt and now unelected judges are demanding we spend ANOTHER $50 million!
And yet, state spending continues to increase!
"A court-appointed monitor will oversee what a federal judge on Tuesday described as a historic agreement to improve the health and safety of Michigan's 19,000 foster children.
The deal approved by U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds ends a class-action lawsuit brought in 2006 by Children's Rights, a national advocacy group based in New York, alleging Michigan's foster care system was broken and harming kids.
It also could mean $50 million a year in additional costs for cash-strapped Michigan's Department of Human Services."
Our state is bankrupt and now unelected judges are demanding we spend ANOTHER $50 million!
And yet, state spending continues to increase!
Macomb County budget cuts fail!
Macomb County budget cuts go slowly
"As the budget clock continues to tick for Macomb County to eliminate a record $33-million deficit next year, commissioners cut about $650,000 Tuesday but acknowledged they have a long way to go with little time left.
"Tuesday's cuts largely came from freezing vacant positions throughout the county.
"We're chipping away, but we still have a lot of cutting to do," Commissioner Andrey Duzyj, D-Warren, said after the Budget Committee meeting.
As the Dec. 31 deadline nears to adopt a balanced budget -- as required by law -- some commissioners expressed frustration that cuts weren't deeper.
"This deficit is not going to magically disappear," said Commissioner Peter Lund, R-Shelby Township. "We're talking about a $33-million deficit, and we cut just about 2%. That's not big enough. When are we going to find ways to save millions of dollars?"
Commissioners said after the meeting that they have no idea how they will eliminate the deficit.
The only plan to cut a significant chunk from the deficit hinges on labor unions agreeing to concessions on health care benefits for employees and retirees at a savings of $6 million.
But unions aren't budging, and commissioners now say they doubt a new contract will be inked by Dec. 31.
That leaves commissioners, who have resisted a tax increase, with less than two months to eliminate the county's largest-ever deficit.
Commissioners are to consider plans this morning to reduce a projected $7-million subsidy next year to keep afloat the county's nursing home, Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility in Mt. Clemens.
Fueling the budget shortfall are drops in revenue from declining property taxes and rising pension costs for some employees who can retire as young as 50 years old.
"As the budget clock continues to tick for Macomb County to eliminate a record $33-million deficit next year, commissioners cut about $650,000 Tuesday but acknowledged they have a long way to go with little time left.
"Tuesday's cuts largely came from freezing vacant positions throughout the county.
"We're chipping away, but we still have a lot of cutting to do," Commissioner Andrey Duzyj, D-Warren, said after the Budget Committee meeting.
As the Dec. 31 deadline nears to adopt a balanced budget -- as required by law -- some commissioners expressed frustration that cuts weren't deeper.
"This deficit is not going to magically disappear," said Commissioner Peter Lund, R-Shelby Township. "We're talking about a $33-million deficit, and we cut just about 2%. That's not big enough. When are we going to find ways to save millions of dollars?"
Commissioners said after the meeting that they have no idea how they will eliminate the deficit.
The only plan to cut a significant chunk from the deficit hinges on labor unions agreeing to concessions on health care benefits for employees and retirees at a savings of $6 million.
But unions aren't budging, and commissioners now say they doubt a new contract will be inked by Dec. 31.
That leaves commissioners, who have resisted a tax increase, with less than two months to eliminate the county's largest-ever deficit.
Commissioners are to consider plans this morning to reduce a projected $7-million subsidy next year to keep afloat the county's nursing home, Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility in Mt. Clemens.
Fueling the budget shortfall are drops in revenue from declining property taxes and rising pension costs for some employees who can retire as young as 50 years old.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Dr. Seuss and the Bailout Plan
Dr. Seuss and the Bailout Plan:
"That Uncle Sam!
That Congress-man!
We do not like your bailout plan!
We do not like your taxing plan!
Should we pay so stocks don’t tank?
Should we pay for Barney Frank?"
read the rest.....funny in a scary sort of way.
"That Uncle Sam!
That Congress-man!
We do not like your bailout plan!
We do not like your taxing plan!
Should we pay so stocks don’t tank?
Should we pay for Barney Frank?"
read the rest.....funny in a scary sort of way.
Granholm signs Mich. energy package into law
Granholm signs Mich. energy package into law
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed into law a package that will require more electricity to come from renewable sources, raise residential rates, restrict competition among power companies and encourage energy efficiency.....
Among other provisions, the package requires that 10 percent of Michigan's power come from renewable sources by the end of 2015. More than half of U.S. states have such requirements or goals, causing concerns that the state was falling behind."
Remember Jenny when your electric and heating bills skyrocket.
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed into law a package that will require more electricity to come from renewable sources, raise residential rates, restrict competition among power companies and encourage energy efficiency.....
Among other provisions, the package requires that 10 percent of Michigan's power come from renewable sources by the end of 2015. More than half of U.S. states have such requirements or goals, causing concerns that the state was falling behind."
Remember Jenny when your electric and heating bills skyrocket.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Study: Wind turbines could boost energy tenfold
Study: Wind turbines could boost energy tenfold
"Michigan could produce more than 10 times the amount of current peak electricity if nearly 100,000 offshore wind turbines operated on the Great Lakes, according to a new study."
"Michigan could produce more than 10 times the amount of current peak electricity if nearly 100,000 offshore wind turbines operated on the Great Lakes, according to a new study."
State grant makes fluorescent bulbs cheap
State grant makes fluorescent bulbs cheap
"Starting Wednesday, about 500,000 compact fluorescent bulbs will be available for as little as 99 cents at Kroger, Meijer and Menards stores across the state. They also will be sold at Ace Hardware stores in the Lansing area and Upper Peninsula.
The bulbs are cheaper thanks in part to a state grant."
"Starting Wednesday, about 500,000 compact fluorescent bulbs will be available for as little as 99 cents at Kroger, Meijer and Menards stores across the state. They also will be sold at Ace Hardware stores in the Lansing area and Upper Peninsula.
The bulbs are cheaper thanks in part to a state grant."
Interesting Michigan facts
MICHIGAN
Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.
Detroit's Davidson Freeway is the oldest expressway in the U.S.
Alpena is the home of the world's largest cement plant.
Rogers City boasts the world's largest limestone quarry.
Elsie is the home of the world's largest registered Holstein dairy herd.
Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.
Colon is home to the world's largest manufacture of magic supplies.
The state Capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing in l879.
Although Michigan is often called the ( Wolverine State ) There are no longer any wolverines in Michigan. (However, on e was spotted in 2007, so there are some.)
Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations. (This was true till two years ago. The sagging economy now has Florida a little ahead of Michigan.)
The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first Air-conditioned car in 1939.
The oldest county (based on date of incorporation) is Wayne in 1815.
Sault Ste. Marie was founded by Father Jacques Marquette in 1668. It is the Third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.
In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states.
It was founded by priests. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit, the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841
.
The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach Stop #6, or No.VI.
Michigan State University has the largest single campus student body of any Michigan university.
It is the largest institution of higher learning in the state and one of the largest universities in the country. Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was t he first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.
The largest village in Michigan is Caro.
Michigan's state stone, The Petoskey is the official state stone. It is found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Connecting the upper
and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It spans 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Mighty Mac took 3 years to complete and was opened to traffic in 1957.
Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and became the 38th president of the United States . He attended the University of Michigan where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
The Kellogg Company has made Battle Creek the Cereal Capital of the World. The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered the process for producing flaked cereal products and sparked the beginning of the dry cereal industry.
The painted turtle is Michigan's state reptile.
The western shore of Michigan has many sand dunes. The Sleeping Bear Dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan. Living among the dunes is the dwarf lake iris the official state wildflower.
Vernor's ginger ale was created in Detroit and became the first soda pop made in the United
States. In 1862, pharmacist James Vernor was trying to create a new beverage when he was called away to serve our country in the Civil War. When he returned, 4 years later, the drink he had stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.
The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cageless, open-exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam.
Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J. W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.
Indian River is the home of the largest crucifix in the world. It is called the Cross in the Woods.
Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world.
Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.
The Ambassador Bridge was named by Joseph Bower, the person credited with making the bridge
a reality, who thought the name ( Detroit-Windsor International Bridge ) as too long and lacked emotional appeal. Bower wanted to symbolize the visible expression of friendship of two peoples with like Ideas and ideals.
Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
Michigan has 116 lighthouses and navigational lights.
Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver has been guiding ships since 1895. The working light also functions as a museum, which houses Early 1900's furnishings and maritime artifacts.
Forty of the state's 83 counties adjoin at least one of the Great Lakes . Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.
Standing anywhere in the state a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.
Michigan includes 56,954 square miles of land area; 1,194 square miles of inland waters; and 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area.
Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.
Michigan was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of public libraries.
Michigan was the first state to guarantee every child the right to tax-paid high school education.
Four flags have flown over Michigan - French, English, Spanish and United States.
Isle Royal Park shelters one of the largest moose herds remaining in the United States.
Some of the longest bulk freight carriers in the world operate on the Great Lakes. Ore carriers 1,000 feet long sail Michigan's inland seas.
The Upper Michigan Copper Country is the largest commercial deposit of native copper in the world.
The 19 chandeliers in the Capitol in Lansing are one of a kind and designed especially for the building by Tiffany's of New York . Weighing between 800-900 pounds apiece they are composed of copper, iron and pewter.
The first auto traffic tunnel built between two nations was the mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River.
The world's first international submarine railway tunnel was opened between Port Huron,
Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in 1891.
The nation's first regularly scheduled air passage service began operation between Grand Rapids and Detroit in 1926.
In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.
In 1929, the Michigan State Police established the first state police radio system in the world.
Grand Rapids is home to the 24-foot Leonardo da Vinci horse, called Il Gavallo. It is the largest equestrian bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.
Was that interesting or what ?
Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.
Detroit's Davidson Freeway is the oldest expressway in the U.S.
Alpena is the home of the world's largest cement plant.
Rogers City boasts the world's largest limestone quarry.
Elsie is the home of the world's largest registered Holstein dairy herd.
Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.
Colon is home to the world's largest manufacture of magic supplies.
The state Capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing in l879.
Although Michigan is often called the ( Wolverine State ) There are no longer any wolverines in Michigan. (However, on e was spotted in 2007, so there are some.)
Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations. (This was true till two years ago. The sagging economy now has Florida a little ahead of Michigan.)
The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first Air-conditioned car in 1939.
The oldest county (based on date of incorporation) is Wayne in 1815.
Sault Ste. Marie was founded by Father Jacques Marquette in 1668. It is the Third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.
In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states.
It was founded by priests. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit, the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841
.
The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach Stop #6, or No.VI.
Michigan State University has the largest single campus student body of any Michigan university.
It is the largest institution of higher learning in the state and one of the largest universities in the country. Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was t he first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.
The largest village in Michigan is Caro.
Michigan's state stone, The Petoskey is the official state stone. It is found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Connecting the upper
and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It spans 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Mighty Mac took 3 years to complete and was opened to traffic in 1957.
Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and became the 38th president of the United States . He attended the University of Michigan where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
The Kellogg Company has made Battle Creek the Cereal Capital of the World. The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered the process for producing flaked cereal products and sparked the beginning of the dry cereal industry.
The painted turtle is Michigan's state reptile.
The western shore of Michigan has many sand dunes. The Sleeping Bear Dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan. Living among the dunes is the dwarf lake iris the official state wildflower.
Vernor's ginger ale was created in Detroit and became the first soda pop made in the United
States. In 1862, pharmacist James Vernor was trying to create a new beverage when he was called away to serve our country in the Civil War. When he returned, 4 years later, the drink he had stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.
The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cageless, open-exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam.
Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J. W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.
Indian River is the home of the largest crucifix in the world. It is called the Cross in the Woods.
Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world.
Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.
The Ambassador Bridge was named by Joseph Bower, the person credited with making the bridge
a reality, who thought the name ( Detroit-Windsor International Bridge ) as too long and lacked emotional appeal. Bower wanted to symbolize the visible expression of friendship of two peoples with like Ideas and ideals.
Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
Michigan has 116 lighthouses and navigational lights.
Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver has been guiding ships since 1895. The working light also functions as a museum, which houses Early 1900's furnishings and maritime artifacts.
Forty of the state's 83 counties adjoin at least one of the Great Lakes . Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.
Standing anywhere in the state a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.
Michigan includes 56,954 square miles of land area; 1,194 square miles of inland waters; and 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area.
Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.
Michigan was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of public libraries.
Michigan was the first state to guarantee every child the right to tax-paid high school education.
Four flags have flown over Michigan - French, English, Spanish and United States.
Isle Royal Park shelters one of the largest moose herds remaining in the United States.
Some of the longest bulk freight carriers in the world operate on the Great Lakes. Ore carriers 1,000 feet long sail Michigan's inland seas.
The Upper Michigan Copper Country is the largest commercial deposit of native copper in the world.
The 19 chandeliers in the Capitol in Lansing are one of a kind and designed especially for the building by Tiffany's of New York . Weighing between 800-900 pounds apiece they are composed of copper, iron and pewter.
The first auto traffic tunnel built between two nations was the mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River.
The world's first international submarine railway tunnel was opened between Port Huron,
Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in 1891.
The nation's first regularly scheduled air passage service began operation between Grand Rapids and Detroit in 1926.
In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.
In 1929, the Michigan State Police established the first state police radio system in the world.
Grand Rapids is home to the 24-foot Leonardo da Vinci horse, called Il Gavallo. It is the largest equestrian bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.
Was that interesting or what ?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Analysis: Fact-Checkers Fall Short in Criticizing NRA's Anti-Obama Ads
Analysis: Fact-Checkers Fall Short in Criticizing NRA's Anti-Obama Ads
"But what are the facts? Were the NRA ads this bad? How accurate are the fact checkers? FactCheck.org, which is regularly relied on by FOX News, had the longest critical discussion of the ads. Here is a review of their most critical comments."
"But what are the facts? Were the NRA ads this bad? How accurate are the fact checkers? FactCheck.org, which is regularly relied on by FOX News, had the longest critical discussion of the ads. Here is a review of their most critical comments."
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
No bidders?
The talk of the federal "bailout" perplexes me.
Why do "we" need a federal bailout?
I don't get the illiquidity of the giant mortgage pools.
They're not illiquid at all.
The owners of the mortgage pools simply want more money for the pools than the market will pay.
My proof?
I'll offer $100 (CASH) for every $10 billion of "illiquid" bunch of mortgages the wizards of wall street can't sell.
Maybe Warren Buffet would outbid me, probably.
But my point is that there ARE bidders for these mortgages but the sellers (Wall Street crooks) want more money than anyone will pay. More money than they are currently worth.
And they think they can con us dopey taxpayers into paying our tax dollars to buy their crappy investments for far more than they are worth.
Much like homeowners who say "my house is worth $xxxx and I won't sell it for anything less".
The difference is that dufus homeowners can't get innocent taxpayers to bail them out.
Wall street crooks can....maybe......
Only if our elected politicians allow it.
And only if we voters let them do it to us again.
Why do "we" need a federal bailout?
I don't get the illiquidity of the giant mortgage pools.
They're not illiquid at all.
The owners of the mortgage pools simply want more money for the pools than the market will pay.
My proof?
I'll offer $100 (CASH) for every $10 billion of "illiquid" bunch of mortgages the wizards of wall street can't sell.
Maybe Warren Buffet would outbid me, probably.
But my point is that there ARE bidders for these mortgages but the sellers (Wall Street crooks) want more money than anyone will pay. More money than they are currently worth.
And they think they can con us dopey taxpayers into paying our tax dollars to buy their crappy investments for far more than they are worth.
Much like homeowners who say "my house is worth $xxxx and I won't sell it for anything less".
The difference is that dufus homeowners can't get innocent taxpayers to bail them out.
Wall street crooks can....maybe......
Only if our elected politicians allow it.
And only if we voters let them do it to us again.
Debates Don't Always Reveal Character
Debates Don't Always Reveal Character
"As everyone saw that evening, he was not a politician. He was a fighter-pilot ace, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a wonderful dad and human being. During his eight years as a POW, he slit his scalp and beat his face with a stool to prevent his captors from parading him in the streets for propaganda purposes. He gave starving men his food rations when he himself was starving. And at home, after his release in 1973, he was a respected leader, scholar and writer. He considered himself a philosopher."
Read the entire article about our American hero.
"As everyone saw that evening, he was not a politician. He was a fighter-pilot ace, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a wonderful dad and human being. During his eight years as a POW, he slit his scalp and beat his face with a stool to prevent his captors from parading him in the streets for propaganda purposes. He gave starving men his food rations when he himself was starving. And at home, after his release in 1973, he was a respected leader, scholar and writer. He considered himself a philosopher."
Read the entire article about our American hero.
James H Warner- How we got here
This was sent to me by my friend itazuke:
The BEST explanation of the current crisis I've read.
JAMES H. WARNER
20511 Bent Willow Road
Rohrersville, Maryland 21779
(301) 432-4935.
http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/w/w063.htm
The Democrats are correct. The financial crisis was caused by "failed policies," including a refusal to permit meaningful regulation of financial institutions. However, they are deliberately lying when they associate these policies with President Bush. Since taking the oath of office, President Bush has called, 18 times, for adequate regulation of the financial institutions which have done the most to create this crisis: two government-sponsored entities (GSE's), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ("Freddie Mac") and the Federal National Mortgage Corp. ("Fannie Mae"). Each time it was Democrats, not Republicans, who willfully blocked regulation. Why?
The Democrats have been protecting the failed policies of Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. In 1977, under Jimmy Carter, the Democrat controlled Congress passed the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which was designed to stop the practice of "redlining" by forcing banks to invest in low income neighborhoods. In 1995, the Clinton administration rewrote the regulations governing the manner in which the CRA ratings were applied to banks. The new regulations require banks to make mortgage loans to borrowers who would not normally qualify – “subprime” mortgages. Frequently these subprime loans were made without a down payment or any documentation from the borrower.
The CRA, with the new regulations, gave “community organizers” a powerful tool with which to pressure banks to do their bidding. Before any bank can open a new branch, or merge with another bank, it has to petition the bank regulatory authorities for permission. This calls for a review which includes review of the bank’s CRA compliance. Complaints, even if spurious, by "community organizers" could threaten permission for the proposed move. In order to prevent such complaints, banks began to buy off the “community organizers.” By the year 2000 these groups had received nearly $10 billion from the banking industry. In that year, the banking industry came up with a proposal under which “community organizers" would receive funding over the next several years. For example, ACORN Housing was scheduled to receive $760 million. (ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, has been investigated repeatedly for fraudulent voter registration attempts.) While this is legal, it bears a very close resemblance to extortion.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae bought subprime mortgages and created "securitized" packages -- bundles of mortgages which included some of the sub primes and some sound mortgages. These are the dubious investment instruments which are leading to the failures of so many financial institutions. Freddie and Fannie themselves failed because their portfolios were very heavily invested in subprime mortgages. When Andrew Cuomo was Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) he stated that he wanted these mortgages to be 50% of their portfolios. As they were two of the largest financial institutions in the country, it was clear to observers that the situation posed a serious threat to the economic stability of the country.
The need for regulation was made clearer when the CEO of Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines, was forced to step down in 2004. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) accused him of being complicit in accounting irregularities, which resulted in overstating earnings by more than $6 billion, making it possible for the senior executives of Fannie Mae, including Raines himself, to receive huge performance bonuses. He is reported to have received more than $100 million during his five years as CEO of Fannie Mae.
When a congressional subcommittee investigated this, the Democrats on the subcommittee saw nothing wrong and saw no need for regulation over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. This at a time when other banks were required to have 10% reserves behind their mortgages, and Freddie Mae back and Fannie Mae were required to have only 2 1/2%.
The failed policies that led to the current crisis were the policies of Democrats, not Republicans. It was Democrats, not Republican, who blocked regulation. In 1933, when FDR took office, banks were failing all over the country. Roosevelt proposed, and Congress enacted, a number of regulatory measures designed to prevent a repeat of the events that led to the economic collapse. Roosevelt recognized that the greater the economic enterprise, the greater the threat to the country if it should collapse, and for this reason felt that regulation was absolutely necessary to protect the country against foolish speculation by such institutions. Thus, FDR asked for the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The same reasoning led President Bush repeatedly to request meaningful regulation of the GSE's. It also led Sen. John McCain, in 2005, to introduce legislation to create a body with authority to exercise oversight over these GSE's. The legislation failed because Democrats blocked it.
It was Democratic policies that forced banks to grant subprime mortgages to people who were not creditworthy, and in amounts that could not help but put the country at risk ( in 2006, banks were forced to issue $600 billion in subprime mortgages). Rational economists, but not Democrats, trembled to contemplate what might happen if these mortgages started to turn bad.
The only argument Democrats have that the subprime mortgages issued pursuant to CRA were not the cause of the crisis is the fact that a large number of these loans were made by independent mortgage brokers who are not subject to CRA. This is irrelevant since the independent mortgage brokers were acting as agents for banks or sold the mortgages they issued to banks, which needed to have them in their portfolios in order to show compliance with CRA.
I agree with the Democrats that greed was a contributing factor to this crisis. It was greed on the part of the Democratic executives at Fannie Mae that caused them to lie about their earnings in order to be granted large multimillion-dollar bonuses.
I agree with the Democrats that foolish speculation helped cause the crisis. Forcing banks to grant subprime mortgages was every bit as foolish as any speculations made by financiers during the roaring twenties.
I agree with the Democrats that the people whose failed policies caused this crisis should not be trusted to fix it -- they are the failed policies of Democrats. I agree with the Democrats that it was a lack of effective regulation that permitted the two largest holders of subprime mortgages to fail -- it was congressional Democrats, including Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi who blocked John McCain’s attempt to impose regulations and who failed to heed President Bush when he warned the Congress about the risk of these entities failing.
If, 85 years after the multiple bank failings of 1933 pushed the country deeper into the Great Depression, the Democrats do not have the same good sense that Franklin Roosevelt had to recognize that large financial entities should be regulated and should not take such foolish gambles as granting billions of dollars of subprime mortgages to people who are not credit worthy, then they cannot be trusted to govern. Furthermore, when they lie about their own complicity, one wonders if it is even worthwhile to continue to listen to them.
James H. Warner is a retired attorney. He served as a domestic policy advisor to President Ronald Reagan from 1985 until 1989.
The BEST explanation of the current crisis I've read.
JAMES H. WARNER
20511 Bent Willow Road
Rohrersville, Maryland 21779
(301) 432-4935.
http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/w/w063.htm
The Democrats are correct. The financial crisis was caused by "failed policies," including a refusal to permit meaningful regulation of financial institutions. However, they are deliberately lying when they associate these policies with President Bush. Since taking the oath of office, President Bush has called, 18 times, for adequate regulation of the financial institutions which have done the most to create this crisis: two government-sponsored entities (GSE's), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ("Freddie Mac") and the Federal National Mortgage Corp. ("Fannie Mae"). Each time it was Democrats, not Republicans, who willfully blocked regulation. Why?
The Democrats have been protecting the failed policies of Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. In 1977, under Jimmy Carter, the Democrat controlled Congress passed the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which was designed to stop the practice of "redlining" by forcing banks to invest in low income neighborhoods. In 1995, the Clinton administration rewrote the regulations governing the manner in which the CRA ratings were applied to banks. The new regulations require banks to make mortgage loans to borrowers who would not normally qualify – “subprime” mortgages. Frequently these subprime loans were made without a down payment or any documentation from the borrower.
The CRA, with the new regulations, gave “community organizers” a powerful tool with which to pressure banks to do their bidding. Before any bank can open a new branch, or merge with another bank, it has to petition the bank regulatory authorities for permission. This calls for a review which includes review of the bank’s CRA compliance. Complaints, even if spurious, by "community organizers" could threaten permission for the proposed move. In order to prevent such complaints, banks began to buy off the “community organizers.” By the year 2000 these groups had received nearly $10 billion from the banking industry. In that year, the banking industry came up with a proposal under which “community organizers" would receive funding over the next several years. For example, ACORN Housing was scheduled to receive $760 million. (ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, has been investigated repeatedly for fraudulent voter registration attempts.) While this is legal, it bears a very close resemblance to extortion.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae bought subprime mortgages and created "securitized" packages -- bundles of mortgages which included some of the sub primes and some sound mortgages. These are the dubious investment instruments which are leading to the failures of so many financial institutions. Freddie and Fannie themselves failed because their portfolios were very heavily invested in subprime mortgages. When Andrew Cuomo was Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) he stated that he wanted these mortgages to be 50% of their portfolios. As they were two of the largest financial institutions in the country, it was clear to observers that the situation posed a serious threat to the economic stability of the country.
The need for regulation was made clearer when the CEO of Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines, was forced to step down in 2004. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) accused him of being complicit in accounting irregularities, which resulted in overstating earnings by more than $6 billion, making it possible for the senior executives of Fannie Mae, including Raines himself, to receive huge performance bonuses. He is reported to have received more than $100 million during his five years as CEO of Fannie Mae.
When a congressional subcommittee investigated this, the Democrats on the subcommittee saw nothing wrong and saw no need for regulation over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. This at a time when other banks were required to have 10% reserves behind their mortgages, and Freddie Mae back and Fannie Mae were required to have only 2 1/2%.
The failed policies that led to the current crisis were the policies of Democrats, not Republicans. It was Democrats, not Republican, who blocked regulation. In 1933, when FDR took office, banks were failing all over the country. Roosevelt proposed, and Congress enacted, a number of regulatory measures designed to prevent a repeat of the events that led to the economic collapse. Roosevelt recognized that the greater the economic enterprise, the greater the threat to the country if it should collapse, and for this reason felt that regulation was absolutely necessary to protect the country against foolish speculation by such institutions. Thus, FDR asked for the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The same reasoning led President Bush repeatedly to request meaningful regulation of the GSE's. It also led Sen. John McCain, in 2005, to introduce legislation to create a body with authority to exercise oversight over these GSE's. The legislation failed because Democrats blocked it.
It was Democratic policies that forced banks to grant subprime mortgages to people who were not creditworthy, and in amounts that could not help but put the country at risk ( in 2006, banks were forced to issue $600 billion in subprime mortgages). Rational economists, but not Democrats, trembled to contemplate what might happen if these mortgages started to turn bad.
The only argument Democrats have that the subprime mortgages issued pursuant to CRA were not the cause of the crisis is the fact that a large number of these loans were made by independent mortgage brokers who are not subject to CRA. This is irrelevant since the independent mortgage brokers were acting as agents for banks or sold the mortgages they issued to banks, which needed to have them in their portfolios in order to show compliance with CRA.
I agree with the Democrats that greed was a contributing factor to this crisis. It was greed on the part of the Democratic executives at Fannie Mae that caused them to lie about their earnings in order to be granted large multimillion-dollar bonuses.
I agree with the Democrats that foolish speculation helped cause the crisis. Forcing banks to grant subprime mortgages was every bit as foolish as any speculations made by financiers during the roaring twenties.
I agree with the Democrats that the people whose failed policies caused this crisis should not be trusted to fix it -- they are the failed policies of Democrats. I agree with the Democrats that it was a lack of effective regulation that permitted the two largest holders of subprime mortgages to fail -- it was congressional Democrats, including Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi who blocked John McCain’s attempt to impose regulations and who failed to heed President Bush when he warned the Congress about the risk of these entities failing.
If, 85 years after the multiple bank failings of 1933 pushed the country deeper into the Great Depression, the Democrats do not have the same good sense that Franklin Roosevelt had to recognize that large financial entities should be regulated and should not take such foolish gambles as granting billions of dollars of subprime mortgages to people who are not credit worthy, then they cannot be trusted to govern. Furthermore, when they lie about their own complicity, one wonders if it is even worthwhile to continue to listen to them.
James H. Warner is a retired attorney. He served as a domestic policy advisor to President Ronald Reagan from 1985 until 1989.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Mind the gap! The world's biggest cruise ship squeezes out of dock and sets sail
Mind the gap! The world's biggest cruise ship squeezes out of dock and sets sail
"Mind the gap! The world's biggest cruise ship squeezes out of dock and sets sail"
"Mind the gap! The world's biggest cruise ship squeezes out of dock and sets sail"
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Comparison of original Paulson bailout to compromise proposal
Comparison_of_original_Paulson_bailout_to_compromise_proposal
"House Republican Whip Roy Blunt's office provides this side-by-side comparison of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's original Wall Street bailout proposal with the final compromise agreed to over the weekend by congressional and Treasury negotiators:
********************
Side-by-Side Comparison of Rescue Legislation"
"House Republican Whip Roy Blunt's office provides this side-by-side comparison of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's original Wall Street bailout proposal with the final compromise agreed to over the weekend by congressional and Treasury negotiators:
********************
Side-by-Side Comparison of Rescue Legislation"
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