Sunday, November 02, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Pension Fund Problem to Come at The Brian Sullivan Blog
The Pension Fund Problem to Come at The Brian Sullivan Blog: "According to a new report from Mercer, large corporations saw their pension plans lose a collective $70 billion off their combined funded status during the volatile first quarter. Adrian Hartshorn, a principal in Mercer’s financial strategy group, pointed out that pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies are now only 98% funded."
Pension Time Bomb
Pension Time Bomb
"Mayor Osby Davis, who has lived in this waterfront city across San Pablo Bay from San Francisco for 60 of his 62 years, says: 'If you have a can that's leaking two ounces a minute and you put an ounce a minute in it, it's going to get empty.' He is describing his city's coffers."
"Mayor Osby Davis, who has lived in this waterfront city across San Pablo Bay from San Francisco for 60 of his 62 years, says: 'If you have a can that's leaking two ounces a minute and you put an ounce a minute in it, it's going to get empty.' He is describing his city's coffers."
Erica Jong Tells Italians Obama Loss 'Will Spark the Second American Civil War. Blood Will Run in the Streets' | The New York Observer
Erica Jong Tells Italians Obama Loss 'Will Spark the Second American Civil War. Blood Will Run in the Streets'
"'The record shows that voting machines in America are rigged.'
'My friends Ken Follett and Susan Cheever are extremely worried. Naomi Wolf calls me every day. Yesterday, Jane Fonda sent me an email to tell me that she cried all night and can't cure her ailing back for all the stress that has reduces her to a bundle of nerves.'
'My back is also suffering from spasms, so much so that I had to see an acupuncturist and get prescriptions for Valium.'
'After having stolen the last two elections, the Republican Mafia…'
'If Obama loses it will spark the second American Civil War. Blood will run in the streets, believe me. And it's not a coincidence that President Bush recalled soldiers from Iraq for Dick Cheney to lead against American citizens in the streets.'
'Bush has transformed America into a police state, from torture to the imprisonment of reporters, to the Patriot Act.'"
"'The record shows that voting machines in America are rigged.'
'My friends Ken Follett and Susan Cheever are extremely worried. Naomi Wolf calls me every day. Yesterday, Jane Fonda sent me an email to tell me that she cried all night and can't cure her ailing back for all the stress that has reduces her to a bundle of nerves.'
'My back is also suffering from spasms, so much so that I had to see an acupuncturist and get prescriptions for Valium.'
'After having stolen the last two elections, the Republican Mafia…'
'If Obama loses it will spark the second American Civil War. Blood will run in the streets, believe me. And it's not a coincidence that President Bush recalled soldiers from Iraq for Dick Cheney to lead against American citizens in the streets.'
'Bush has transformed America into a police state, from torture to the imprisonment of reporters, to the Patriot Act.'"
California Cities Cut Police Budgets - WSJ.com
California Cities Cut Police Budgets - WSJ.com: "When the economic crisis deepened this fall, this city already was losing scores of police and firefighters because it could no longer afford the rich salaries and benefits it offered after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Now, with crime on the rise and tax revenue sinking, this San Francisco Bay area city faces more cuts in police and fire department budgets."
If GM-Chrysler merge, more state retraining
If GM-Chrysler merge, more state retraining: "Granholm says the state can cope with a smaller domestic auto industry but has to deal with the fallout of laid-off workers who will need retraining and other help."
Flint spends $6,000 on ceremonial keys to city
Flint spends $6,000 on ceremonial keys to city
"The struggling industrial city has shelled out $6,000 over the past year to a pawn shop owned by the mayor's wife to buy at least 200 ceremonial keys to the city as gifts."
"The struggling industrial city has shelled out $6,000 over the past year to a pawn shop owned by the mayor's wife to buy at least 200 ceremonial keys to the city as gifts."
What you were never intended to know in this election
What you were never intended to know in this election
"The Bradley Effect. Don’t believe these polls for a second. I just went over our numbers and found that we have next to no chance in the following states: Missouri, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire and Nevada. Ohio leans heavily to McCain, but is too close to call it for him. Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa are the true “toss up states”. The only two of these the campaign feels “confident” in are Iowa and New Mexico. The reason for such polling discrepancy is the Bradley Effect, and this is a subject of much discussion in the campaign. In general, we tend to take a -10 point percentage in allowing for this, and are not comfortable until the polls give us a spread well over this mark. This is why we are still campaigning in Virginia and Pennsylvania! This is why Ohio is such a desperate hope for us! What truly bothers this campaign is the fact that some pollsters get up to an 80% “refuse to respond” result. You can’t possibly include these into the polls. The truth is, people are afraid to let people know who they are voting for. The vast majority of these respondents are McCain supporters. Obama is the “hip” choice, and we all know it."
"The Bradley Effect. Don’t believe these polls for a second. I just went over our numbers and found that we have next to no chance in the following states: Missouri, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire and Nevada. Ohio leans heavily to McCain, but is too close to call it for him. Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa are the true “toss up states”. The only two of these the campaign feels “confident” in are Iowa and New Mexico. The reason for such polling discrepancy is the Bradley Effect, and this is a subject of much discussion in the campaign. In general, we tend to take a -10 point percentage in allowing for this, and are not comfortable until the polls give us a spread well over this mark. This is why we are still campaigning in Virginia and Pennsylvania! This is why Ohio is such a desperate hope for us! What truly bothers this campaign is the fact that some pollsters get up to an 80% “refuse to respond” result. You can’t possibly include these into the polls. The truth is, people are afraid to let people know who they are voting for. The vast majority of these respondents are McCain supporters. Obama is the “hip” choice, and we all know it."
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Kentucky.com State & Regional - Wire
Kentucky.com State & Regional - Wire: "A University of Kentucky student and another man were arrested Thursday, accused of hanging a life-sized likeness of Barack Obama from a tree on the campus."
How Detroit Drove Into a Ditch
How Detroit Drove Into a Ditch
"With little fanfare, a new car factory opened in America earlier this month. The new Honda assembly plant in Greensburg, Ind., will produce 200,000 compact Civic models annually after reaching full capacity late next year. The contrast couldn't be starker between Detroit's woes and the continuing U.S. expansion of Japanese, German and Korean car companies -- in both market share and manufacturing capacity. There are two American auto industries, one generally thriving and the other drastically shrinking."
That's Indiana, not India!
Maybe Jenny ought to talk to some of the folks down south of our Michigan border?
Ya think!
"With little fanfare, a new car factory opened in America earlier this month. The new Honda assembly plant in Greensburg, Ind., will produce 200,000 compact Civic models annually after reaching full capacity late next year. The contrast couldn't be starker between Detroit's woes and the continuing U.S. expansion of Japanese, German and Korean car companies -- in both market share and manufacturing capacity. There are two American auto industries, one generally thriving and the other drastically shrinking."
That's Indiana, not India!
Maybe Jenny ought to talk to some of the folks down south of our Michigan border?
Ya think!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What It Will Take to Build a Rightroots Movement | The Next Right
What It Will Take to Build a Rightroots Movement The Next Right: "Put more succinctly, I've had people tell me conservative bloggers feel 'dirty' asking for money. This sense of modesty and restraint is not felt by the likes of Daily Kos, MyDD, and Open Left. Note the huge blue fundraising graphics that are the first thing you see when you visit their sites. And I'm sure you're probably thinking: 'Well, we don't want to be like Kos.' Well, if not being like Kos means not winning, then I certainly can appreciate the intellectual rectitude at play here. But for those of you who want to move the Republican Party in a different direction, you might want to try something else.
Ace encapsulates the right's reluctance to engage electorally, and what I suspect is going to be the rude awakening that comes as a result of that approach:
I never was all that big into this idea. I think it's now necessary if we're ever going to start winning like we used to.
The GOP needs to do its part, too. It shouldn't be up to John Hawkins to compile a list of House GOP challengers. The GOP needs a permanent online liaison, not just charged with sending out press releases and that sort of thing, but with providing information about candidates -- who's vulnerable, who's a solid challenger, etc."
Ace encapsulates the right's reluctance to engage electorally, and what I suspect is going to be the rude awakening that comes as a result of that approach:
I never was all that big into this idea. I think it's now necessary if we're ever going to start winning like we used to.
The GOP needs to do its part, too. It shouldn't be up to John Hawkins to compile a list of House GOP challengers. The GOP needs a permanent online liaison, not just charged with sending out press releases and that sort of thing, but with providing information about candidates -- who's vulnerable, who's a solid challenger, etc."
Althouse: If Obama is so far ahead...
Althouse: If Obama is so far ahead...: "If Obama is so far ahead...
... why isn't he that far ahead?
How weird would it be if McCain won? How would people go about absorbing it?"
A McCain/Palin win could make Bush Derangement Syndrome look like a sad day for a Cubs fan.
... why isn't he that far ahead?
How weird would it be if McCain won? How would people go about absorbing it?"
A McCain/Palin win could make Bush Derangement Syndrome look like a sad day for a Cubs fan.
CARPE DIEM: King Dollar Hits A 30-Month High
CARPE DIEM: King Dollar Hits A 30-Month High
"The dollar is king of the hill again -- at least for now.
Amid the cascading credit crisis, the U.S. currency has reclaimed its status as the world's haven in tumultuous times."
"The dollar is king of the hill again -- at least for now.
Amid the cascading credit crisis, the U.S. currency has reclaimed its status as the world's haven in tumultuous times."
The U.S. dollar index (vs. major currencies) hit a 30-month high today, reaching the highest level since April 14, 2006 (see chart above).
No MSM coverage here....
The October Surprise—Suit To Remove Barack Obama From The Ballot. Barack Obama Is A Citizen Of ?
Watch it!
Obama could end this now but won't.
Why?
Bra-Stuffing Bribe Scandal Probe Grows
Bra-Stuffing Bribe Scandal Probe Grows
"The federal probe into an embattled Massachusetts state senator who was clandestinely videotaped stuffing alleged bribe money into her bra by the FBI has expanded to include three Boston City Council members, the state senate president and several state liquor board officials, ABC News has learned."
Giving new meaning to the term "falsies".
(yes, she is a democrat)
"... are those guns or am I gonna be happy to see you....?"
"The federal probe into an embattled Massachusetts state senator who was clandestinely videotaped stuffing alleged bribe money into her bra by the FBI has expanded to include three Boston City Council members, the state senate president and several state liquor board officials, ABC News has learned."
Giving new meaning to the term "falsies".
(yes, she is a democrat)
"... are those guns or am I gonna be happy to see you....?"
Rally At Trinity Protests Racially Offensive Web Post
Rally At Trinity Protests Racially Offensive Web Post
"If the college wishes to end hate on campus, Williams said, it could, by changing its policies to not admit students who are intolerant, increasing student and faculty diversity, and making diversity a central goal."
"If the college wishes to end hate on campus, Williams said, it could, by changing its policies to not admit students who are intolerant, increasing student and faculty diversity, and making diversity a central goal."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
25 Worst Markets to Find a Job
25 Worst Markets to Find a Job
"7. Visalia, Calif.
Unemployment rate: 11 percent
Last year: 8.9 percent
Job growth: 0.3 percent
15. Muskegon, Mich.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent
Last year: 8.1 percent
Job growth: -0.3 percent"
"7. Visalia, Calif.
Unemployment rate: 11 percent
Last year: 8.9 percent
Job growth: 0.3 percent
15. Muskegon, Mich.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent
Last year: 8.1 percent
Job growth: -0.3 percent"
The Columbus Dispatch : Judge rules Ohio homeless voters may list park benches as addresses
The Columbus Dispatch : Judge rules Ohio homeless voters may list park benches as addresses: "A federal judge in Ohio has ruled that counties must allow homeless voters to list park benches and other locations that aren't buildings as their addresses.
U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus also ruled that provisional ballots can't be invalidated because of poll worker errors."
U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus also ruled that provisional ballots can't be invalidated because of poll worker errors."
No worries!
Voter fraud don't exist!
Effigy of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose creates uproar in West Hollywood - Los Angeles Times
Effigy of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose creates uproar in West Hollywood
"'While these residents have the legal right to display Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin in effigy, I strongly oppose political speech that references violence -- real or perceived,' Prang said in a statement. 'I urge these residents to take down their display and find more constructive ways to express their opinion.'
Whitmore said that potential hate crimes are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the same display had been made of a Barack Obama-like doll, for example, authorities would have to evaluate it independently, Whitmore said."
Different laws for different races?
Nothing new here.....and how sick is that?
"'While these residents have the legal right to display Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin in effigy, I strongly oppose political speech that references violence -- real or perceived,' Prang said in a statement. 'I urge these residents to take down their display and find more constructive ways to express their opinion.'
Whitmore said that potential hate crimes are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the same display had been made of a Barack Obama-like doll, for example, authorities would have to evaluate it independently, Whitmore said."
Different laws for different races?
Nothing new here.....and how sick is that?
Thomas Sowell : Obama and the Law
Thomas Sowell : Obama and the Law
"One of the biggest and most long-lasting 'change' to expect if Barack Obama becomes President of the United States is in the kinds of federal judges he appoints. These include Supreme Court justices, as well as other federal justices all across the country, all of whom will have lifetime tenure.
Senator Obama has stated very clearly what kinds of Supreme Court justices he wants-- those with 'the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old.'
Like so many things that Obama says, it may sound nice if you don't stop and think-- and chilling if you do stop and think. Do we really want judges who decide cases based on who you are, rather than on the facts and the law?
If the case involves a white man versus a black woman, should the judge decide that case differently than if both litigants are of the same race or sex?"
If you are still "on the fence" remember that many of Obama's (Rev Wright's?) judicial appointments may not be colorblind, genderblind or even interested in our Constitution.
And many may outlive you and me!
"One of the biggest and most long-lasting 'change' to expect if Barack Obama becomes President of the United States is in the kinds of federal judges he appoints. These include Supreme Court justices, as well as other federal justices all across the country, all of whom will have lifetime tenure.
Senator Obama has stated very clearly what kinds of Supreme Court justices he wants-- those with 'the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old.'
Like so many things that Obama says, it may sound nice if you don't stop and think-- and chilling if you do stop and think. Do we really want judges who decide cases based on who you are, rather than on the facts and the law?
If the case involves a white man versus a black woman, should the judge decide that case differently than if both litigants are of the same race or sex?"
If you are still "on the fence" remember that many of Obama's (Rev Wright's?) judicial appointments may not be colorblind, genderblind or even interested in our Constitution.
And many may outlive you and me!
Tight, tighter, tightest!
IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll: Day Fifteen
"After seesawing between 3.2 and 3.9 points over the weekend, Obama's lead slipped to 2.8 Monday. Battleground also has Obama up 3, and other polls have tightened, including Rasmussen, Zogby and Gallup to 5. Some polls show swings in independents, but IBD/TIPP has them in a stable, 5-point range."
"After seesawing between 3.2 and 3.9 points over the weekend, Obama's lead slipped to 2.8 Monday. Battleground also has Obama up 3, and other polls have tightened, including Rasmussen, Zogby and Gallup to 5. Some polls show swings in independents, but IBD/TIPP has them in a stable, 5-point range."
(click on poll to enlarge)
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Age of Prosperity Is Over
The Age of Prosperity Is Over
"But unfortunately in this world there is no tooth fairy. And the government doesn't create anything; it just redistributes. Whenever the government bails someone out of trouble, they always put someone into trouble, plus of course a toll for the troll. Every $100 billion in bailout requires at least $130 billion in taxes, where the $30 billion extra is the cost of getting government involved.
If you don't believe me, just watch how Congress and Barney Frank run the banks. If you thought they did a bad job running the post office, Amtrak, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the military, just wait till you see what they'll do with Wall Street."
"But unfortunately in this world there is no tooth fairy. And the government doesn't create anything; it just redistributes. Whenever the government bails someone out of trouble, they always put someone into trouble, plus of course a toll for the troll. Every $100 billion in bailout requires at least $130 billion in taxes, where the $30 billion extra is the cost of getting government involved.
If you don't believe me, just watch how Congress and Barney Frank run the banks. If you thought they did a bad job running the post office, Amtrak, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the military, just wait till you see what they'll do with Wall Street."
RedState: Stunning results in early voting in California. Smile redstaters
RedState: Stunning results in early voting in California. Smile redstaters: "The results are simply shocking. The polls showed Barack Obama with an 18 point lead in California just a few days ago. The results thus far are the complete opposite. In the most liberal state in the entire country,the results are that 99,000 Republicans have voted and 96,000 Democrats voted. In the mail-in balloting the results so far are that 9,000 Democrats sent in their ballots and that 5,000 Republicans did so. So with nearly 210,000 people having voted,the Democrats have only a 1,000 vote advantage !
If we take the liberty of assuming that all Republicans will vote for John McCain and all Democrats will vote for Obama,then the race is incredibly close."
If we take the liberty of assuming that all Republicans will vote for John McCain and all Democrats will vote for Obama,then the race is incredibly close."
The REAL Obama!
Shame, Cubed
"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
Barack Obama, in 2001:
You know, if you look at the victories and failures of the civil-rights movement, and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to vest formal rights in previously dispossessed peoples. So that I would now have the right to vote, I would now be able to sit at a lunch counter and order and as long as I could pay for it, I’d be okay, but the Supreme Court never entered into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society.
And uh, to that extent, as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution — at least as it’s been interpreted, and Warren Court interpreted it in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties: [It] says what the states can’t do to you, says what the federal government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf.
Very scary stuff!
Read it all, it gets worse.
And the media is too busy covering Sarah Palin's wardrobe to report the truth about Barry O.
Disgusting!
"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
Barack Obama, in 2001:
You know, if you look at the victories and failures of the civil-rights movement, and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to vest formal rights in previously dispossessed peoples. So that I would now have the right to vote, I would now be able to sit at a lunch counter and order and as long as I could pay for it, I’d be okay, but the Supreme Court never entered into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society.
And uh, to that extent, as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution — at least as it’s been interpreted, and Warren Court interpreted it in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties: [It] says what the states can’t do to you, says what the federal government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf.
Very scary stuff!
Read it all, it gets worse.
And the media is too busy covering Sarah Palin's wardrobe to report the truth about Barry O.
Disgusting!
States find a can of worms in bottle deposit laws
States find a can of worms in bottle deposit laws
"But illegal returns are a real-life phenomenon and are no laughing matter in 11 states that encourage recycling by adding a refundable deposit to beer, soft drink and other beverage containers.
Michigan would have at least $10 million a year more for environmental cleanup if not for people redeeming containers that were bought in other states."
"But illegal returns are a real-life phenomenon and are no laughing matter in 11 states that encourage recycling by adding a refundable deposit to beer, soft drink and other beverage containers.
Michigan would have at least $10 million a year more for environmental cleanup if not for people redeeming containers that were bought in other states."
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Democrat James Carville's racist prediction!
CNN.com - Transcripts:
"CARVILLE:
Let me be clear, I said you can call the dogs and light the fire and leave the house. I think it sounds over.
Now let me be clear here, if Obama goes in this race with a 5- point lead and losing this election, the consequences are -- bull, man. I mean I don't think that's going to happen, but I think David it's a point to bring up
But you stop and contemplate this country if Obama goes in and he has a consistent five point lead and loses the election, it would be very, very, very dramatic out there."
"CARVILLE:
Let me be clear, I said you can call the dogs and light the fire and leave the house. I think it sounds over.
Now let me be clear here, if Obama goes in this race with a 5- point lead and losing this election, the consequences are -- bull, man. I mean I don't think that's going to happen, but I think David it's a point to bring up
But you stop and contemplate this country if Obama goes in and he has a consistent five point lead and loses the election, it would be very, very, very dramatic out there."
The Spectator
The Spectator: "The impact of the financial crisis on the American presidential election has somewhat obscured the most important reason why the prospect of an Obama presidency is giving so many people nightmares. This is the fear that, if he wins, US defences will be emasculated at a time of unprecedented international peril and the enemies of America and the free world will seize their opportunity to destroy the west."
Orlando Sentinel - Obama campaign cuts off WFTV after interview with Joe Biden by Hal Boedeker
Orlando Sentinel - Obama campaign cuts off WFTV after interview with Joe Biden by Hal Boedeker: "Biden so disliked West's line of questioning that the Obama campaign canceled a WFTV interview with Jill Biden, the candidate's wife.
'This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election,' wrote Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign."
'This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election,' wrote Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign."
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