Saturday, January 24, 2009

Wolverine World Wide tannery closure means higher sewer rates

Wolverine World Wide tannery closure means higher sewer rates
"In anticipation of the footwear factory's closure, Rockford officials plan a 25 percent rate hike for sewer users"

Every utility bill in Michigan will be increasing significantly as our governmental leaders realize that we consumers will take any increase they foist on us with silence.

The "poor" and "minorities" will be spared the increases as they have a loud voice.

Take from the "rich", give to the poor.

Robin Hood, dudes!

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton cooperating with probe into denied access at inauguration

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton cooperating with probe into denied access at inauguration
"charging that there had been a 'failure in planning and organization and one that must be explained.'"

Remember, these are the same people who want to control our entire health care system!

Downtown Muskegon sculpture cleaned of graffiti

Downtown Muskegon sculpture cleaned of graffiti
'Muskegon, Together Rising,' the large-scale sculpture symbolizing the rebirth of the city's downtown, is as good as new.
The graffiti recently spray-painted on one side of the welded stainless steel sculpture was successfully removed."

Finally!

Friday, January 23, 2009

A LETTER FROM THE BOSS


A LETTER FROM THE BOSS
"Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now."

Excellent and chilling.

Read the entire letter.

I know of 3 business owners here in Muskegon thinking the EXACT same thing.

Exactly as Ayn Rand proffered in Atlas Shrugged.

DAVE PICKS GILLIBRAND AS LIBERAL DEMS HOWL

DAVE PICKS GILLIBRAND AS LIBERAL DEMS HOWL
"has chosen little-known, NRA-backed, upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as New York's junior senator, it was learned last night.
The surprising - and, for many Democrats shocking - decision to pick the conservative Gillibrand, 42"

Holy moley!
NY goes from a brain-dead Kennedy to a woman with REAL intelect and spunk.
Who'd of thunk?

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Graffiti mars downtown sculpture


Graffiti mars downtown sculpture
"The vandals who spray painted graffiti on the downtown Muskegon sculpture, 'Muskegon, Together Rising,' have not only disrespected its artist but also 'offended an entire community,' said the president of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County."

This crime happened Monday and it's still not repaired.

Just a sad blot on a sad, expensive, enormous can opener, in the land of grant writers, earmarks and unemployment.

Lotta folks who cheered President Obama's call for action seem to prefer others do the "action".

Explosive Video Reich, Obamas economic advisor no "White Male Construction Workers"

Explosive Video Reich, Obamas economic advisor no "White Male Construction Workers"

Holy shittake!

My letter to my local newspaper

A question to the managers of The Muskegon Chronicle

I've attached a link to an article about a local newspaper that is thriving in today's tough newspaper market.

Their formula is simple;
1. Don't give your product away for free
2. Make your product worth the customer's money

http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/us-newspaper-shuns-web-and-thrives.html

Also attached is another link

http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2009/01/newspapers-commit-suicide-read-all.html

It includes this letter to the WSJ that exemplifies what most of my friends say about our local paper:

" Exactly right, except the media do not take reports and put them into understandable context. They distort reports completely out of context, and call it truth. 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."

We simply don't get the real news from The Muskegon Chronicle therefore we won't pay for it any longer.

I've been a Chronicle subscriber since 1976.

When I recently dropped my subscription I wasn't asked why. There was no follow up call to see why they had lost another customer.

I sensed there really was no interest in hearing the truth.

Monopolies tend to produce inferior product and the loss of competitive skills.

Our county, cities and townships have serious problems ahead.

Muskegon County will lose approximately $3 million in state funding within 14 months.

There are offers from private companies to take over our airport and Brookhaven that could save the county $millions per year.

The county seems to be on the verge of tearing down the Herman Ivory Bus Terminal and building a very expensive multi-story parking ramp 50 yards away. And about 150 yards away from the parking ramp they just tore down!

Our schools are not educating our children, according to the MEAP scores.

And what do we hear from The Chronicle?..............zzzzzzzz

Where is the expose on the Hilton/Holiday Inn bond debacle?

Instead we get COLOR comics!

There is serious news to be reported and The Chronicle is a no show at every event.

Do I sound angry?

You bet!

A once great newspaper that provided essential information to our community has abrogated its responsibility and in so doing destroyed the jobs of its employees and soon, it seems, will finalize its own destruction.

I doubt there is the business acumen or the will, this late in the game, to become the trusted source of facts and truth that The Chronicle once was.

I'd sure love to be proven wrong.

GordoM-sad-to-see-a-future-similar-to-the-present-"journalism"

Patient care needs to be No. 1 priority

Patient care needs to be No. 1 priority
"Does any of this apply to the current layoff announcement? Only if fewer nurses translates into less attention to detail within the Mercy Health Care system."

Interesting editorial from the remains of the once great Muskegon Chronicle.

The editorialist seems to advocate for greater "attention" for patients yet past editorials have shown our local paper to be a tireless champion of government run health care.

Like our post office?
Our wonderful state unemployment office?
Our US Treasury?

Just where in the world is a government run health care system better than the USA?

The crocodile tears of The Chronicle betray their contempt for the patient in need of quality care.

Not Warming As Much as We Thought

Not Warming As Much as We Thought
"John Ray over at the Greenie Watch site found a little nugget from James Hansen and NASA: the warming trend has been projected downward. Since Hansen’s GISS data always seems to be at odds with satellite observations, it has come under close scrutiny as of late. The latest revision from Hansen and company is downward, to 0.15 degrees C per decade, which is a full 25% lower than the IPCC’s “gold standard” predictions (with 95% accuracy) of 0.20 degrees C per decade. No press release yet on this, however."

Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance

Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance: "Today 3:30 commissioners meet!
The big one here today is the Transportation committee and will they continue their quest to tear down the Herman Ivory bus terminal and replace it 50 yards away in the new parking ramp across from the Holiday Inn."

Today Thursday 3:30 4th floor County Building

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Geithner apologizes for not paying taxes

Geithner apologizes for not paying taxes
"Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner said Wednesday he was careless in failing to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes earlier this decade but declared 'I have paid what I owed' and apologized to Congress.
He told the Senate Finance Committee he was sorry that his past transgressions were now an issue in his confirmation at a time of deepening economic distress

This man will be our Treasury Secretary?
He got caught and now apologizes?
And that's OK?
What a way for Obama to start!

Snarky Huntress: Lessons In Reality: Bitches With Guns

Snarky Huntress: Lessons In Reality: Bitches With Guns
"But his size was not the only ominous thing.
He had a rope, coiled up on his arm in big circles.
Maryann recognized it right away as the type of rope used in rodeos and ranches.
He was grinning, but it was a cruel kind of grin.
Her surprise clearly registered on her face, and the giant man began to laugh, but his laugh was as mean as his smile.
Then he spoke.'I'm gonna have some REEEEEEAL fun now!!'"

Yikes!
Read it all and tell yourself you support "gun control".

GRCC hires Muskegon football coach Tony Annese

GRCC hires Muskegon football coach Tony Annese
"Grand Rapids Community College's search for a new head football coach has ended with the man the school wanted all along.
Tony Annese, who led Muskegon High School to state Division 2 championships in 2004, 2006 and last season, signed a one-year renewable contract Wednesday"

(hat tip to KegonMan at the Muskegon Forum)

Judge Obama on Performance Alone

Judge Obama on Performance Alone
"For example, Mr. Obama was forced to give a speech on race as a result of revelations that he'd long attended a church led by a demagogue. It was an ordinary speech. At best it was successful at minimizing a political problem. Yet some in the media equated it to the Gettysburg Address."

The liberal media will never judge Obama on merit alone.

They have judged him purely on the color of his skin and will continue to judge him on the deepness of his socialism.

All the while preaching to us about the racism of anyone who would criticize.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters needs mentors

Big Brothers, Big Sisters needs mentors
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore has launched a campaign to find mentors willing to help at-risk children who need positive role models.
Right now, there are 78 children on a waiting list in Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa and Mason counties."

This is an excellent program, though far more effective for Little Brothers than Little Sisters.

If you have the time and want to truly help a young person, give it a try.

You'll feel better about yourself and our entire community.

Making Michigan MORE expensive!

Making Michigan more expensive!
"Lastt week, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law a measure that should make Michigan's Great Lakes cleaner.
Beginning July 1, 2010, retailers can sell dish and laundry detergents only if they contain no more than 0.5 percent phosphorus. Right now, amounts are as high as 8.7 percent....

Legislators shouldn't stop with just soap. They should take a close look at Bay County, where a ban on phosphorus-based lawn fertilizers went into effect Jan. 1. Then the next logical step is to examine the economic impact of mandating environmentally friendly fertilizers for agriculture use.
In any case, the phosphorus detergent law is a good one -- and a good start."

Way to go Jenny!

We don't have any other problems in our state so more enviro-interference is just what the fiscal doctor ordered!

For the benefit of Indiana and Ohio that is.....

Michigan Chamber of Commerce upset over jobless claims logjam

Michigan Chamber of Commerce upset over jobless claims logjam
"But the Michigan Chamber of Commerce said Michigan's unemployment insurance agency and Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office should have anticipated the problem but instead focused on less pressing issues such as renaming the labor department. The unemployment system is financed through employer payroll taxes.
Callers to a phone line handling applications for jobless benefits sometimes can't get through. The Internet system for jobless claims is operational but at times has been slowed by heavy volume."

Don't worry Jenny, it's Engler's fault!

Climate Confusion

Climate Confusion :
"Here are three indisputable scientific facts about climate that are sufficient on their own to throttle any claims of manmade global warming.
First, we know from studies of Antarctic ice that, over the last 650,000 years or so, warmer temperatures have preceded increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by hundreds, if not thousands of years. The ice studies indicate that the carbon-dioxide-causes-global warming theory is precisely backwards.

Second, during the 20th century, there is simply no correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and global temperature. Not only did most of the century’s temperature rise occur before most of the century’s manmade greenhouse gas emissions, but during 1940-1975 global temperatures actually declined while atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide emission levels steadily increased.

Finally, the ultimate test of a scientific theory is whether it has predictive value. We used Newton’s laws of physics, for example, to land men on the moon. Unfortunately, there are no climate models that predict trends and changes in global climate with any degree of accuracy. Think about the recent failures with hurricane season predictions or even the risk of relying on what your local weatherman predicts for tomorrow’s weather - and you’ll start to get an idea of how far away science is from predicting global climate 10, 50 and 100 years from now."

Michigan "works"?

Students For A Free Economy:
"MichiganWorks! office somewhere in the Great Lakes State:"

click for a laugh...... and a groan.

(hat tip to the excellent http://www.rightmichigan.com/)

Alone among networks, Fox News gives Bush homecoming cheer

Alone among networks, Fox News gives Bush homecoming cheer
"Fox News was the only major national TV outlet that carried a live telecast of former President Bush's homecoming speech to cheering supporters in Midland, Texas."

Little surprise here from the "unbiased" main stream media.

Mission 1 Accomplished


Mission 1 Accomplished

This is needed

You may not agree with everything President Bush has done but he HAS kept us all safe from the Islamic monsters who have vowed to kill us all.

Click on this site and thank our President for standing tall when most cowered in fear.

Click further on to see the thousands of others who share your sentiments.

We are not alone!

My note of thanks:

Mr. President,

You have been our STONEWALL in the face of unbearable pressure. From friends and foe alike.

And your stalwart determination to make the world a better place for all God's children will be remembered forever.

Thank you, President Bush and Laura, for your strength and high honor over these last eight years.

God speed



Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Skier Gets Summons for Hit-and-Run

Skier Gets Summons for Hit-and-Run on Aspen Slope
"A Massachusetts man has been issued a summons for allegedly leaving the scene of a skiing accident in Aspen.
A Pitkin County sheriff's deputy served the summons to 61-year-old William Marsh at a condominium complex where he was staying on Saturday.
Marsh is accused of colliding with a skier earlier that day on Aspen Mountain.
Sheriff Patrol Director Ann Stephenson says Marsh stopped to give the other skier his contact information, but left the accident scene before the ski patrol arrived. That's a violation of the Colorado Skier Safety Act.
The other man, who was not identified, was treated for a shoulder injury at Aspen Valley Hospital, where a nurse reported the alleged safety act violation."

America passes a milestone!


America passes a milestone!
"We now have more poeple employed in government than manufacturing."

Tom Phillips - Humor Index "Plus"

Tom Phillips - Humor Index "Plus"

WHY KIDS LOVE BIODIESEL

WHY KIDS LOVE BIODIESEL
"When it gets cold it turns to goo... and they get a day off. Turns out the stuff wasn't realy made for our kind of winter. Who'd a thought?"

Verizon Femtocell Coming Soon

Verizon Femtocell Coming Soon
"Verizon Wireless is nearing the launch of its femtocell product, based on the Samsung Ubicell design already available from Sprint Nextel.
Employees at Verizon retails stores said they expect to be trained on the product imminently, as it’s due in stores as soon as next week. Various sources stated its price in the $199 to $249 range.
That would leave AT&T as the only U.S. Tier-1 wireless operator without a femtocell on the market. Testing is under way, the company said last month.
Even smaller T-Mobile has an in-home signal booster, although it works by using Wi-Fi instead of traditional home broadband systems."

This sounds great!

Detroit approves $27M plan for Tiger Stadium

Detroit approves $27M plan for Tiger Stadium
"The city of Detroit has granted preliminary approval to a nonprofit group's plans to preserve the remaining portion of historic Tiger Stadium.
The city's Economic Development Corp. approved a plan and budget by the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy in a letter to the group dated Friday.
The conservancy wants to develop the old ballpark as a commercial and community space at an estimated cost of $27 million."

And where will the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy get the $27 million?
Earmarks anyone?

Michigan Gas Utilities increases rates

Michigan Gas Utilities increases rates
"'Due to inflation, our costs have risen over the past five years, so we need this increase to recover those increased costs,' said utility President Chuck Cloninger. 'We are sensitive to our customers' frustration at energy costs, and we have held the increase to a minimum.'"

Wouldn't it be nice if this reporter told us of the "how much" and "when" about the last increase?

Grant to fund second phase of dock replacement at Grand Haven Municipal Marina - Muskegon News - The Latest News, Blogs, Photos & Videos – MLive.com#more#more#more

Grant to fund second phase of dock replacement at Grand Haven Municipal Marina
"The Grand Haven City Council Monday accepted a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the second phase of a dock replacement project at the Municipal Marina."

Is this the time to expand a marina?

The state tells us there is no money to plow the highways but lots-o-bucks for pork!!!!

And this waste goes on in every township, city and county in our state EVERY DAY!