Muskegon Heights council, residents, business owners lock horns over budget
"Despite the pleas and concerns expressed by the crime victim and other residents, the city council on Monday reiterated that the city doesn't have the money to continue employing that many officers. Other budget-cutting options just don't exist, frustrated city officials said repeatedly.
Think about that.
The city leaders of Muskegon Heights are telling their citizens and businesses that every other city spending area is MORE IMPORTANT than adequate police protection.
The city is doomed.
Why is the city of Muskegon following the same plan?
Monday, January 05, 2009
Term limits law churns Michigan Legislature
Term limits law churns Michigan Legislature
"The 110-member Michigan House will have 46 new lawmakers when it reconvenes for a new session this month. Forty-four of the seats were open in last year's election because the incumbents were term-limited.
Michigan's term limits law restricts House members to three terms of two years, or six years total.
The 38 members of the Michigan Senate are limited to two terms of four years, or eight years total. Senate seats were not up for election last year. Both the House and Senate will be up for election in 2010."
And our "progressive" Chronicle tells us that those 38 term limiteds are too important and have been too successful to look for new employment.
Yeah, right....
"The 110-member Michigan House will have 46 new lawmakers when it reconvenes for a new session this month. Forty-four of the seats were open in last year's election because the incumbents were term-limited.
Michigan's term limits law restricts House members to three terms of two years, or six years total.
The 38 members of the Michigan Senate are limited to two terms of four years, or eight years total. Senate seats were not up for election last year. Both the House and Senate will be up for election in 2010."
And our "progressive" Chronicle tells us that those 38 term limiteds are too important and have been too successful to look for new employment.
Yeah, right....
Huge success declared in effort to stamp out hunger
Huge success declared in effort to stamp out hunger
"All any sponsoring group had to do was put up 25 percent of the $780 it takes to buy and distribute 10,000 pounds of food from the Gleaners. The foundation promised to pay the rest.
'I was just astounded at how much could be done with so little funding,' Cherin said. 'This was something we could readily wrap our arms around.'
Since their decision, the foundation has 'statistically' rid Newaygo County of hunger, said John Arnold, executive director of the Gleaners"
According to a formula he's devised that uses, as factors, the number of people in poverty in a county, the pounds of food needed to feed them, and the amount actually distributed, Arnold has declared the Newaygo County Hunger Initiative's initial goal met.
"All any sponsoring group had to do was put up 25 percent of the $780 it takes to buy and distribute 10,000 pounds of food from the Gleaners. The foundation promised to pay the rest.
'I was just astounded at how much could be done with so little funding,' Cherin said. 'This was something we could readily wrap our arms around.'
Since their decision, the foundation has 'statistically' rid Newaygo County of hunger, said John Arnold, executive director of the Gleaners"
According to a formula he's devised that uses, as factors, the number of people in poverty in a county, the pounds of food needed to feed them, and the amount actually distributed, Arnold has declared the Newaygo County Hunger Initiative's initial goal met.
Michigan approves online, off-campus courses for 12 school districts
Michigan approves online, off-campus courses for 12 school districts
"State education officials have given 11 school districts and one charter school permission to let some students take part or all of their required classes on line and off campus......
The Avondale district in Auburn Hills received its waiver last month.
Avondale Superintendent George Heitsch tells the Detroit Free Press the online classes offers struggling students 'a shot at catching up.'"
I sure hope there is more to this story.... or less.
I do have a few observations:
1. Do our school districts already have an on line class program set up? When did that happen?
2. Or is this going to be another new bureaucracy that must be funded, and staffed and started from scratch? At enormous cost?
3. As Avondale Superintendent Heitsch so eloquently stated "the online classes offers struggling students "a shot at catching up."
What! Moving "STRUGGLING" kids from the teacher assisted classroom to their own home computer gives them " a shot at catching up"? !!!!!!!!!!
4. If computers are the answer for struggling students, will there be reductions in teaching positions? (little joke there...)
5. What if the little strugglers don't have a computer? A nifty high-speed internet connection.... any freakin' self control to keep them on their algebra lesson instead of all-day porn!!!!!!
6. Who authorized this idiocy? Seriously, what are their names!
Our state is broke.
Our school systems are broke.
And total loons are running the asylums.
"State education officials have given 11 school districts and one charter school permission to let some students take part or all of their required classes on line and off campus......
The Avondale district in Auburn Hills received its waiver last month.
Avondale Superintendent George Heitsch tells the Detroit Free Press the online classes offers struggling students 'a shot at catching up.'"
I sure hope there is more to this story.... or less.
I do have a few observations:
1. Do our school districts already have an on line class program set up? When did that happen?
2. Or is this going to be another new bureaucracy that must be funded, and staffed and started from scratch? At enormous cost?
3. As Avondale Superintendent Heitsch so eloquently stated "the online classes offers struggling students "a shot at catching up."
What! Moving "STRUGGLING" kids from the teacher assisted classroom to their own home computer gives them " a shot at catching up"? !!!!!!!!!!
4. If computers are the answer for struggling students, will there be reductions in teaching positions? (little joke there...)
5. What if the little strugglers don't have a computer? A nifty high-speed internet connection.... any freakin' self control to keep them on their algebra lesson instead of all-day porn!!!!!!
6. Who authorized this idiocy? Seriously, what are their names!
Our state is broke.
Our school systems are broke.
And total loons are running the asylums.
EPA 'Cow Tax' Could Charge $175 per Dairy Cow to Curb Greenhouse Gases
EPA 'Cow Tax' Could Charge $175 per Dairy Cow to Curb Greenhouse Gases
"Farm Bureau warns just this one rule may increase milk production costs up to 8 cents a gallon."
"Farm Bureau warns just this one rule may increase milk production costs up to 8 cents a gallon."
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?
Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?
"An open letter to the local daily paper -- almost every local daily paper in America:
I remember reading All the President's Men and thinking: That's journalism. You do what it takes to get the truth and you lay it before the public, because the public has a right to know.
This housing crisis didn't come out of nowhere."
"An open letter to the local daily paper -- almost every local daily paper in America:
I remember reading All the President's Men and thinking: That's journalism. You do what it takes to get the truth and you lay it before the public, because the public has a right to know.
This housing crisis didn't come out of nowhere."
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Newspapers Commit Suicide! Read All About It! - WSJ.com
Newspapers Commit Suicide! Read All About It! - WSJ.com: "Papers are not going out of business because bloggers will do reporters' work for free; papers are falling because they are confirming readers' belief that we cannot trust the mass media, ever, on anything, so why pay for lies? The blogosphere did not do this to you; you did it to yourselves."
Instapundit » Blog Archive » I’VE OFTEN ARGUED that the relationship between blogs and Big Media should be thought of as symbioti…
Instapundit » Blog Archive » I’VE OFTEN ARGUED that the relationship between blogs and Big Media should be thought of as symbioti…: "Smart news people — like Lail — are more interested in getting bloggers to deliver traffic than in complaining about blogger competition. And smart news organizations will take advantage of new technology to facilitate their hard-news reporting ability via the “Army of Davids” approach, rather than complaining that people who post breaking-news reports on blogs or Twitter don’t have journalism degrees."
InsideCatholic.com - The Christmas Classic that Almost Wasn't
InsideCatholic.com - The Christmas Classic that Almost Wasn't: "As a result, one of the great Christmas films of all time is once again protected by the law -- ironic, considering that it became a classic in significant part because it was legally unprotected. But God works in mysterious ways -- and sometimes the law does, too."
1-800-GOOG-411: Find and connect with local businesses for free from your phone.
1-800-GOOG-411: Find and connect with local businesses for free from your phone.
This is pretty cool.
I've tried it.
(thanks to Al M for the tip)
This is pretty cool.
I've tried it.
(thanks to Al M for the tip)
Friday, January 02, 2009
New Jersey Is the Perfect Bad Example
New Jersey Is the Perfect Bad Example
"Of course, there was one area where jobs did grow. From 2000 to 2007, says the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the government added 54,800 jobs. To put that in proper perspective, that works out to 93% of all jobs created in New Jersey over those seven years."
"Of course, there was one area where jobs did grow. From 2000 to 2007, says the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the government added 54,800 jobs. To put that in proper perspective, that works out to 93% of all jobs created in New Jersey over those seven years."
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Beware Third-Hand Smoke and Junk Science - Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
Beware Third-Hand Smoke and Junk Science
"Researchers have identified 'third-hand smoke,' an invisible evil that acts like a deadly Ghost of Cigarettes Past: Polluting the air, killing innocent babies and ottomans — even if they aren't present at the time."
"Researchers have identified 'third-hand smoke,' an invisible evil that acts like a deadly Ghost of Cigarettes Past: Polluting the air, killing innocent babies and ottomans — even if they aren't present at the time."
Daly said...... the PGA Tour suspended him for six months.
My Way - Sports News
"John Daly smashed one tee shot off the top of a beer can during a pro-am. At another tournament, he returned from a rain delay with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his caddie. And his most memorable photo this year came in an orange jail suit, eyes half-closed....
Daly said .....'Is it fair that I got suspended?' he said. 'It's not fair in reality, but it's probably fair in perception.'"
"John Daly smashed one tee shot off the top of a beer can during a pro-am. At another tournament, he returned from a rain delay with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his caddie. And his most memorable photo this year came in an orange jail suit, eyes half-closed....
Daly said .....'Is it fair that I got suspended?' he said. 'It's not fair in reality, but it's probably fair in perception.'"
Baltimore not as bloody in '08 with fewer killings
Baltimore not as bloody in '08 with fewer killings
"Police in the city once nicknamed 'Bodymore, Murdaland,' are going after the most entrenched criminals and are starting to see success. As of midnight Thursday, there were 234 homicides in 2008, down from 282 killings a year ago."
"Police in the city once nicknamed 'Bodymore, Murdaland,' are going after the most entrenched criminals and are starting to see success. As of midnight Thursday, there were 234 homicides in 2008, down from 282 killings a year ago."
Suspicious packages force mass evacuation in Aspen
Suspicious packages force mass evacuation in Aspen
"Suspicious packages and threatening notes were found at two banks, forcing the evacuation of a 16-block downtown area. A fireworks show was pushed back from 8:30 p.m. until midnight and then canceled altogether."
"Suspicious packages and threatening notes were found at two banks, forcing the evacuation of a 16-block downtown area. A fireworks show was pushed back from 8:30 p.m. until midnight and then canceled altogether."
The lightbulb of the future?
The lightbulb of the future?
Luxim's plasma lightbulb
Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. ..."
Luxim's plasma lightbulb
Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. ..."
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Today in Investor's Business Daily stock analysis and business news
Today in Investor's Business Daily stock analysis and business news: "As we've noted, 2008 has been a year of records for cold and snowfall and may indeed be the coldest year of the 21st century thus far. In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration registered 63 local snowfall records and 115 lowest-ever temperatures for the month of October.
Global thermometers stopped rising after 1998, and have plummeted in the last two years by more than 0.5 degrees Celsius. The 2007-2008 temperature drop was not predicted by global climate models. But it was predictable by a decline in sunspot activity since 2000.
When the sun is active, it's not uncommon to see sunspot numbers of 100 or more in a single month. Every 11 years, activity slows, and numbers briefly drop near zero. Normally sunspots return very quickly, as a new cycle begins. But this year, the start of a new cycle, the sun has been eerily quiet."
Global thermometers stopped rising after 1998, and have plummeted in the last two years by more than 0.5 degrees Celsius. The 2007-2008 temperature drop was not predicted by global climate models. But it was predictable by a decline in sunspot activity since 2000.
When the sun is active, it's not uncommon to see sunspot numbers of 100 or more in a single month. Every 11 years, activity slows, and numbers briefly drop near zero. Normally sunspots return very quickly, as a new cycle begins. But this year, the start of a new cycle, the sun has been eerily quiet."
Las Vegas public pension system broke
Las Vegas Business Press
"'We are the only state with no minimum age,' he said.
Nevada requires 20 years on the job to qualify for the pension.
More alarming, Hill said, were health care benefits offered retired public employees."
"'We are the only state with no minimum age,' he said.
Nevada requires 20 years on the job to qualify for the pension.
More alarming, Hill said, were health care benefits offered retired public employees."
Let There Be Dark?
Let There Be Dark?
"Moving past the term “controlling light wastage,” which seems to be little more than a euphemism for darker city streets, plenty of data link dim urban areas with higher crime rates. A 2004 study in the Journal of British Criminology, for example, studied 13 U.S. and British cities and concluded that improved street lighting, on average, was associated with a 20 percent decrease in crime. In contrast, I could find no data linking the inability to see the Milky Way with any sort of harm to anyone."
"Moving past the term “controlling light wastage,” which seems to be little more than a euphemism for darker city streets, plenty of data link dim urban areas with higher crime rates. A 2004 study in the Journal of British Criminology, for example, studied 13 U.S. and British cities and concluded that improved street lighting, on average, was associated with a 20 percent decrease in crime. In contrast, I could find no data linking the inability to see the Milky Way with any sort of harm to anyone."
Monday, December 29, 2008
Michelle O's a 'Goddess.' Palin is 'Worst Dressed' | NewsBusters.org
Fashion Writer: Michelle O's a 'Goddess.' Palin is 'Worst Dressed' NewsBusters.org: "It appears Obamamania has not only infiltrated British newspapers, but so has Palin Derangement Syndrome...even in the fashion section."
We must face facts!
THEY are always deranged about something/someone...
Bummer dudes!
We must face facts!
THEY are always deranged about something/someone...
Bummer dudes!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Muskegon outsourcing?
I just was told that the address we must use to send in our city of Muskegon property taxes is in Chicago.... yes, THAT Chicago.
The Chicago of Senators-for-sale, Governors making license plates, "The Dailey Machine", "SouthSidePolitical Machine", etc.
And, oh yeah, home of our President-elect.
Anyway, I have a few thoughts about Muskegon outsourcing our tax collection services.
1. WHY!!!!!!
I assume the "official" reason is that it is "cheaper/more efficient" to outsource a city duty to the 2nd most corrupt city in the midwest (imagine if we outsourced to Detroit!).
2. But if it is "cheaper/more efficient" where are the savings right here in Muskegon?
What jobs have been cut?
What net savings accrue to us poor Muskegonites by this fiscal efficiency?
3. Why the silence from the City of Muskegon?
Why are we not proudly told by the city of their brilliant move to save costs to the taxpayers?
4. Why isn't The Muskegon Chronicle front-paging the great news that the city of Muskegon is utilizing the same methods of efficiency that The Chronicle recently imposed, ITSELF, to save moolah, outsourcing?
5. And if not pride at the new efficiency:
Where is the outrage?
The angry, double-dog umbrage!
The "say it ain't so Joe!" in high dudgeon from the editorialistas of our Muskegon Chronicle who have long warned us of the evils of outsourcing?
6. The silence is... not deafening.... simply consistent from our city of Muskegon and its lapdog/newspaper of self-destruction.
7. Or it might just be that someone paid someone to make the deal and we, the taxpayers are screwed again.
Thank God for Indiana!
GordoM-prefers-Muskegon-but-is-comforted-that-Indiana-"self"-outsourcing-is-an-option
The Chicago of Senators-for-sale, Governors making license plates, "The Dailey Machine", "SouthSidePolitical Machine", etc.
And, oh yeah, home of our President-elect.
Anyway, I have a few thoughts about Muskegon outsourcing our tax collection services.
1. WHY!!!!!!
I assume the "official" reason is that it is "cheaper/more efficient" to outsource a city duty to the 2nd most corrupt city in the midwest (imagine if we outsourced to Detroit!).
2. But if it is "cheaper/more efficient" where are the savings right here in Muskegon?
What jobs have been cut?
What net savings accrue to us poor Muskegonites by this fiscal efficiency?
3. Why the silence from the City of Muskegon?
Why are we not proudly told by the city of their brilliant move to save costs to the taxpayers?
4. Why isn't The Muskegon Chronicle front-paging the great news that the city of Muskegon is utilizing the same methods of efficiency that The Chronicle recently imposed, ITSELF, to save moolah, outsourcing?
5. And if not pride at the new efficiency:
Where is the outrage?
The angry, double-dog umbrage!
The "say it ain't so Joe!" in high dudgeon from the editorialistas of our Muskegon Chronicle who have long warned us of the evils of outsourcing?
6. The silence is... not deafening.... simply consistent from our city of Muskegon and its lapdog/newspaper of self-destruction.
7. Or it might just be that someone paid someone to make the deal and we, the taxpayers are screwed again.
Thank God for Indiana!
GordoM-prefers-Muskegon-but-is-comforted-that-Indiana-"self"-outsourcing-is-an-option
SensaAbilities - Muskegon Opinion - The Muskegon Chronicle Online - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com
SensaAbilities
If you feel overwhelmed by too much stuff, too many responsibilities, and too little time and money, 'Voluntary Simplicity' may be for you. West Michigan Interfaith will sponsor the five-week discussion series 6-8 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 8-Feb. 5 at the Torrent House, across from Hackley Public Library.
Developed by Northwest Earth Institute, this program is for all who want a path away from environmental destruction and toward an increasing awareness of how personal choices impact physical, emotional and spiritual health. The study guide quotes wisdom from a variety of spiritual teachers and philosophers who have found both inner and outer peace in a simple lifestyle.
The series is FREE, but participants are expected to read a chapter each week from a study guide, which can be purchased from Northwest Institute for $25 each; guides may be shared. Call Connie at (616) 846-8465 to register."
"Free" is $25 bucks?
Newspeak it is!
If you feel overwhelmed by too much stuff, too many responsibilities, and too little time and money, 'Voluntary Simplicity' may be for you. West Michigan Interfaith will sponsor the five-week discussion series 6-8 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 8-Feb. 5 at the Torrent House, across from Hackley Public Library.
Developed by Northwest Earth Institute, this program is for all who want a path away from environmental destruction and toward an increasing awareness of how personal choices impact physical, emotional and spiritual health. The study guide quotes wisdom from a variety of spiritual teachers and philosophers who have found both inner and outer peace in a simple lifestyle.
The series is FREE, but participants are expected to read a chapter each week from a study guide, which can be purchased from Northwest Institute for $25 each; guides may be shared. Call Connie at (616) 846-8465 to register."
"Free" is $25 bucks?
Newspeak it is!
Detroit vs. Green Bay - Recap - December 28, 2008
Detroit vs. Green Bay - Recap - December 28, 2008: "The Detroit Lions own a distinction no team wants: worst in NFL history."
A PERFECT SEASON, dude!
A PERFECT SEASON, dude!
Indy tradition dead!
My Way - Sports News
"Earlier this week, the speedway began making changes as it closed its 45-year-old hotel, the Brickyard Crossing Inn, where some drivers used to stay in May and scenes from Paul Newman's movie 'Winning' were shot."
What, no bailout for Indy motels?
"Earlier this week, the speedway began making changes as it closed its 45-year-old hotel, the Brickyard Crossing Inn, where some drivers used to stay in May and scenes from Paul Newman's movie 'Winning' were shot."
What, no bailout for Indy motels?
Anger, sadness over fabricated Holocaust story
Anger, sadness over fabricated Holocaust story
"The damage is broad. Publishing, the most trusting of industries, has again been burned by a memoir that fact-checking might have prevented. Berkley is an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), which in March pulled Margaret B. Jones''Love and Consequences' after the author acknowledged she had invented her story of gang life in Los Angeles. Winfrey fell, as she did with James Frey, for a narrative of suffering and redemption better suited for television than for history."
"most trusting of...."?
Sounds more like laziness and wilful ignorance.
All in a business that thrives on both.
"The damage is broad. Publishing, the most trusting of industries, has again been burned by a memoir that fact-checking might have prevented. Berkley is an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), which in March pulled Margaret B. Jones''Love and Consequences' after the author acknowledged she had invented her story of gang life in Los Angeles. Winfrey fell, as she did with James Frey, for a narrative of suffering and redemption better suited for television than for history."
"most trusting of...."?
Sounds more like laziness and wilful ignorance.
All in a business that thrives on both.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Muskegon County sued by U.S. over sexual harassment - MLive.com
Muskegon County sued by U.S. over sexual harassment - MLive.com: "The federal lawsuit -- one of only 12 such filed this year in the United States -- alleges the county 'failed to respond with adequate remedial measures' to employee Eva Amaya's complaints of multiple instances of sexual harassment, and to similar complaints by other employees."
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Last minute love!
http://www.charitynavigator.org/
http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/01/07/best_and_worst_military_charities?blog=20
http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/Home.aspx
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.specialops.org/
http://www.operationhomefront.net/
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org/index1.html
It's the SPENDING Stupid!"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." -Patrick Henry, revolutionary (1736-1799)http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/
Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now.
http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/01/07/best_and_worst_military_charities?blog=20
http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/Home.aspx
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.specialops.org/
http://www.operationhomefront.net/
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org/index1.html
It's the SPENDING Stupid!"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." -Patrick Henry, revolutionary (1736-1799)http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/
Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now.
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