Sunday, May 17, 2009
Michigan's broke, but it could be worse
Michigan's broke, but it could be worse
"Most of the economic stimulus money flowing into Lansing from Washington will go to keep state and school budgets in balance, not to fund hundreds of millions in job-creating infrastructure projects beyond those receiving stimulus money earmarked for that purpose"
So the "economic stimulus" is really not a stimulus but a public employee bailout just like the bailout for Chrysler and GM?
And about as successful too.
"Most of the economic stimulus money flowing into Lansing from Washington will go to keep state and school budgets in balance, not to fund hundreds of millions in job-creating infrastructure projects beyond those receiving stimulus money earmarked for that purpose"
So the "economic stimulus" is really not a stimulus but a public employee bailout just like the bailout for Chrysler and GM?
And about as successful too.
Column: Rumors of our demise premature
Column: Rumors of our demise premature
"I refer to the loose talk we've heard that The Muskegon Chronicle is going out of business, or has moved all of its employees to Grand Rapids, or has moved out of its downtown Muskegon building, or whatever else ignorant people are offering as their versions of truth these days.
None of the statements above is true."
It would be nice if The Chronicle continued its Terri Schiavo live-but-dying grip on life.
It would be way better if they started to report on what really is happening in our county, city/township governments and the MAISD and school spending vs how our kids are educated.
But that doesn't seem to be in the cards..... or Chairman Keep woulda told us, right?
"I refer to the loose talk we've heard that The Muskegon Chronicle is going out of business, or has moved all of its employees to Grand Rapids, or has moved out of its downtown Muskegon building, or whatever else ignorant people are offering as their versions of truth these days.
None of the statements above is true."
It would be nice if The Chronicle continued its Terri Schiavo live-but-dying grip on life.
It would be way better if they started to report on what really is happening in our county, city/township governments and the MAISD and school spending vs how our kids are educated.
But that doesn't seem to be in the cards..... or Chairman Keep woulda told us, right?
Gas-tax increase introduced
Gas-tax increase introduced
"Lawmakers and road advocates began what will be a months-long push to raise $1.8 billion in higher gas tax and registration fees over the next half-decade that they say is required to keep Michigan roads in decent repair."
The tax-increase tsunami is rollin' folks!
Call you legislators or forever hold your peace.
"Lawmakers and road advocates began what will be a months-long push to raise $1.8 billion in higher gas tax and registration fees over the next half-decade that they say is required to keep Michigan roads in decent repair."
The tax-increase tsunami is rollin' folks!
Call you legislators or forever hold your peace.
One-size-fits-all laws strain local resources
One-size-fits-all laws strain local resources
"And, as one state official put it, it's another instance of 'one size fits all' laws.
If that were the only recent unfunded mandate ordered by the state or federal government, the city would take it and run like a thief.
Of course, it isn't."
"And, as one state official put it, it's another instance of 'one size fits all' laws.
If that were the only recent unfunded mandate ordered by the state or federal government, the city would take it and run like a thief.
Of course, it isn't."
Biden Reveals Location of Secret VP Bunker
Biden Reveals Location of Secret VP Bunker
"Biden told his dinnermates about the existence of a secret bunker under the old U.S. Naval Observatory, which is now the home of the vice president.
The bunker is believed to be the secure, undisclosed location"
Not any more....
"Biden told his dinnermates about the existence of a secret bunker under the old U.S. Naval Observatory, which is now the home of the vice president.
The bunker is believed to be the secure, undisclosed location"
Not any more....
5 Reasons Ethanol is a Major Scam
5 Reasons Ethanol is a Major Scam:
"3. All fuels laced with ethanol reduce the vehicle's fuel efficiency, and the E85 blend drops gas mileage between 30% and 40%, depending on whether you use the EPA's fuel mileage standards or those of the Dept. of Energy."
"3. All fuels laced with ethanol reduce the vehicle's fuel efficiency, and the E85 blend drops gas mileage between 30% and 40%, depending on whether you use the EPA's fuel mileage standards or those of the Dept. of Energy."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
43 stun-gunned at prisons' Take Your Kids to Work Day
43 stun-gunned at prisons' Take Your Kids to Work Day
"A total of 43 children were directly and indirectly shocked by electric stun guns during simultaneous ''Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day'' events gone wrong at three state prisons, according to new information provided Friday by the Florida Department of Corrections."
"A total of 43 children were directly and indirectly shocked by electric stun guns during simultaneous ''Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day'' events gone wrong at three state prisons, according to new information provided Friday by the Florida Department of Corrections."
Judge blocks 'robo-calls' selling car warranties
Judge blocks 'robo-calls' selling car warranties
"A federal judge has issued two temporary restraining orders designed to stop what officials describe as a wave of deceptive 'robo-calls' warning people their auto warranties are expiring and offering to sell them new service plans."
"A federal judge has issued two temporary restraining orders designed to stop what officials describe as a wave of deceptive 'robo-calls' warning people their auto warranties are expiring and offering to sell them new service plans."
Anti-Gun Blacklist Bill Introduced in U.S. House
Anti-Gun Blacklist Bill Introduced in U.S. House
"H.R. 2159 would give 'the Attorney General the authority to deny the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearms or explosives license or permit to dangerous terrorists. . . . if the Attorney General determines that the transferee is known (or appropriately suspected) to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support thereof, and the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the prospective transferee may use a firearm in connection with terrorism.'
H.R. 2159 does not, however, impose any requirements or limits on the information the Attorney General could use to make a determination, and it proposes that 'any information which the Attorney General relied on for this determination may be withheld from the applicant if the Attorney General determines that disclosure of the information would likely compromise national security.'
In stark contrast to the scheme proposed in H.R. 2159, federal law (already!) establishes guidelines for the nine categories of persons currently prohibited from possessing firearms, and it protects the right of a person to be told why he is prohibited. The latter is important because a person who is not prohibited can be mistaken for someone who is, due to incomplete or incorrect records in the FBI's database of prohibited persons, or due to being mistaken for a prohibited person on the basis of a similar name or other personal information."
"H.R. 2159 would give 'the Attorney General the authority to deny the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearms or explosives license or permit to dangerous terrorists. . . . if the Attorney General determines that the transferee is known (or appropriately suspected) to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support thereof, and the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the prospective transferee may use a firearm in connection with terrorism.'
H.R. 2159 does not, however, impose any requirements or limits on the information the Attorney General could use to make a determination, and it proposes that 'any information which the Attorney General relied on for this determination may be withheld from the applicant if the Attorney General determines that disclosure of the information would likely compromise national security.'
In stark contrast to the scheme proposed in H.R. 2159, federal law (already!) establishes guidelines for the nine categories of persons currently prohibited from possessing firearms, and it protects the right of a person to be told why he is prohibited. The latter is important because a person who is not prohibited can be mistaken for someone who is, due to incomplete or incorrect records in the FBI's database of prohibited persons, or due to being mistaken for a prohibited person on the basis of a similar name or other personal information."
Obama to name Utah gov. envoy to China
Obama to name Utah gov. envoy to China
"A Republican governor whose name has come up as a potential challenger to President Barack Obama in 2012 intends go to work for the president as ambassador to China, a source close to the governor said.
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese from his days as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan, has accepted the appointment.....
He made headlines recently for encouraging the Republican Party to swing in a more moderate direction if it wanted to bounce back from the 2008 elections.....He signed an initiative that would set a regional cap-and-trade effort to reduce global warming.
"
"A Republican governor whose name has come up as a potential challenger to President Barack Obama in 2012 intends go to work for the president as ambassador to China, a source close to the governor said.
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese from his days as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan, has accepted the appointment.....
He made headlines recently for encouraging the Republican Party to swing in a more moderate direction if it wanted to bounce back from the 2008 elections.....He signed an initiative that would set a regional cap-and-trade effort to reduce global warming.
"
Friday, May 15, 2009
Gateway Pundit: Change!... Obama's Defense Cuts Cost St. Louis 30,000 Jobs
Lot's of nice, high-pay, American jobs gone, gone, gone!
Hope and change, baby!
ENCOUNTERING NEMESIS.
ENCOUNTERING NEMESIS.
The problem is that between 2003-2008 there was such hysterical antagonism to Bush that the combatants never worried about the often vicious means they used to achieve their supposedly lofty ends, and so now, finding themselves in a position of responsibility, are infuriated that anyone, well, would even conceive of playing hardball as they once did.
The striking thing about the sudden wounded-fawn Democratic syndrome is that Cheney is far milder than Gore was, that the CIA is not the firebrand Pelosi has been, and Bush has been silent about Obama in a way that even Clinton was not about Bush. If this softball stuff excites such outrage, what will happen if politics really get rough, say, as it was around 2007?
I expect we’ll find out."
The problem is that between 2003-2008 there was such hysterical antagonism to Bush that the combatants never worried about the often vicious means they used to achieve their supposedly lofty ends, and so now, finding themselves in a position of responsibility, are infuriated that anyone, well, would even conceive of playing hardball as they once did.
The striking thing about the sudden wounded-fawn Democratic syndrome is that Cheney is far milder than Gore was, that the CIA is not the firebrand Pelosi has been, and Bush has been silent about Obama in a way that even Clinton was not about Bush. If this softball stuff excites such outrage, what will happen if politics really get rough, say, as it was around 2007?
I expect we’ll find out."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’ (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’ (Update1) - Bloomberg.com: "President Barack Obama, calling current deficit spending “unsustainable,” warned of skyrocketing interest rates for consumers if the U.S. continues to finance government by borrowing from other countries."
Muskegon Democrats | Home
Muskegon Democrats
05/11/2009 QUOTE OF THE DAY:
'In the past year, despite a vice presidential nod that rocketed her to stardom, Sarah Palin's favorable ratings in her state have plunged from 86 percent to 54 percent. Jeez, you reveal yourself to be a connivin', scandal-dodgin', logic-twistin', ignorance embracin', witch doctor-lovin', bridge-to-nowhere thankin' then no-thankin', stimulus money rejectin' hypocrite and people just turn on ya. Oh well, at least Russia loves ya, ma'am. Look---they're wavin' at ya now.' Bill in Portland, Maine"
This is our Muskegon County democrat party official site.
They must be so proud!
05/11/2009 QUOTE OF THE DAY:
'In the past year, despite a vice presidential nod that rocketed her to stardom, Sarah Palin's favorable ratings in her state have plunged from 86 percent to 54 percent. Jeez, you reveal yourself to be a connivin', scandal-dodgin', logic-twistin', ignorance embracin', witch doctor-lovin', bridge-to-nowhere thankin' then no-thankin', stimulus money rejectin' hypocrite and people just turn on ya. Oh well, at least Russia loves ya, ma'am. Look---they're wavin' at ya now.' Bill in Portland, Maine"
This is our Muskegon County democrat party official site.
They must be so proud!
Palin: Obama believes same thing as anti-gay beauty queen
Palin: Obama believes same thing as anti-gay beauty queen
“What I find so remarkable is that these politically-motivated attacks fail to show that what Carrie and I believe is also what President Obama and Secretary Clinton believe — marriage is between a man and a woman,” Palin said."
“What I find so remarkable is that these politically-motivated attacks fail to show that what Carrie and I believe is also what President Obama and Secretary Clinton believe — marriage is between a man and a woman,” Palin said."
Pension issue isn't just about the teachers
Pension issue isn't just about the teachers
"it's against the law in Illinois to reduce the retirement benefits for any public employee -- a violation of Illinois' Constitution actually. You can't undo that without a Constitutional amendment, which nobody is proposing."
Aren't laws that public employees make for themselves great!
"it's against the law in Illinois to reduce the retirement benefits for any public employee -- a violation of Illinois' Constitution actually. You can't undo that without a Constitutional amendment, which nobody is proposing."
Aren't laws that public employees make for themselves great!
Granholm to Supreme Court? Serious tax issues fit Obama pattern
Granholm to Supreme Court? Serious tax issues fit Obama pattern
"The Ivory Tower reports this morning that Michigan's very own Governor Jennifer Granholm has landed smack dab on the Obama administration's short list of potential nominees to fill outgoing Justice David Souter's seat on the United States Supreme Court."
"The Ivory Tower reports this morning that Michigan's very own Governor Jennifer Granholm has landed smack dab on the Obama administration's short list of potential nominees to fill outgoing Justice David Souter's seat on the United States Supreme Court."
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What The EPA's Ruling Means For Business - Forbes.com
What The EPA's Ruling Means For Business
"The decision on CO2 emissions is likely a boon for cleantech; critics fear huge risk to the U.S. economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency ruled today that carbon dioxide, a suspected cause of global warming, is an air pollutant that it is legally bound to regulate, a decision likely to have a vast impact on the U.S. economy and the way American companies do business. It is also a boon for cleantech, and may turn investors away from carbon intensive industries for good.
Lisa Jackson, the EPA administrator, signed a so-called endangerment finding, stating that carbon dioxide and five other products of fossil fuel combustion are harmful to both the environment and to human health. As a result, the EPA could begin regulating automotive CO2 emissions as soon as June. The ruling also gives the EPA broad power to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from industry and electric power utilities for the first time."
"The decision on CO2 emissions is likely a boon for cleantech; critics fear huge risk to the U.S. economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency ruled today that carbon dioxide, a suspected cause of global warming, is an air pollutant that it is legally bound to regulate, a decision likely to have a vast impact on the U.S. economy and the way American companies do business. It is also a boon for cleantech, and may turn investors away from carbon intensive industries for good.
Lisa Jackson, the EPA administrator, signed a so-called endangerment finding, stating that carbon dioxide and five other products of fossil fuel combustion are harmful to both the environment and to human health. As a result, the EPA could begin regulating automotive CO2 emissions as soon as June. The ruling also gives the EPA broad power to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from industry and electric power utilities for the first time."
This is disturbing-"Mission Accomplished" deleted.
I posted this back in 2007 when a friend told me "Bush landed on the aircraft carrier, said "Mission Accomplished" and told the world that the war was over".
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/msm-keeps-repeating-democrat-lie.html
It is an oft told lie, made up by Bush-haters and the liberal MSM (redundancy alert!) so when I saw it again on the web I went back to my original post and clicked my link to the US government website http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/rm/20203.htm and found, voila! gone, deleted, out-of-there!
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/msm-keeps-repeating-democrat-lie.html
It is an oft told lie, made up by Bush-haters and the liberal MSM (redundancy alert!) so when I saw it again on the web I went back to my original post and clicked my link to the US government website http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/rm/20203.htm and found, voila! gone, deleted, out-of-there!
The US government had deleted the link and any mention of what President Bush said that day.
I even went to youtube and found only hate-Bush, misleading or shortened to the point of meaningless links to videos.
I even went to youtube and found only hate-Bush, misleading or shortened to the point of meaningless links to videos.
The entire Bush speech on video is nowhere to be found.
So the lie will be perpetuated and the truth buried.
Our brave new world with our great leader and his acolytes.
An aside:
My friend is an elderly gentleman who had no internet connection, so I went to the US government website and printed out the entire Bush "Mission Accomplished" speech on the USS Abe Lincoln.
He read it and responded, "you got this from the internet, right? Anyone could have written that. I don't believe things from the internet".
He gets most of his "news" from TV and Time magazine.
He had comfortably settled into his belief and no more information was needed.
State a lie often enough and people will see it as the truth.
My friend is an elderly gentleman who had no internet connection, so I went to the US government website and printed out the entire Bush "Mission Accomplished" speech on the USS Abe Lincoln.
He read it and responded, "you got this from the internet, right? Anyone could have written that. I don't believe things from the internet".
He gets most of his "news" from TV and Time magazine.
He had comfortably settled into his belief and no more information was needed.
State a lie often enough and people will see it as the truth.
MuskegonSummerCelebration to offer "Early-In Passes" $135
MUSKEGON, MI, May 13, 2009
The Muskegon Summer Celebration, ...., announces a chance for patrons to avoid the line and enter the Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge (Obama) Main Stage venue early for this year’s event, June 25 – July 5.
Up to 1000 patrons will be allowed into the concert venue beginning at 5:00 PM each day. Those patrons will either have purchased a special Sappi 11-Day Pass good for early entrance each night or a special ticket upgrade good for that particular night. There will be 400 Sappi 11-Day Early- In Passes available for $135 at the Downtown Summer Sampler/Sappi Pass Party, May 15 – 17, and 600 individual early-in upgrades for each night selling for $10 each.
This is a good idea.
Wait for the howls of angst from those who want free stuff!
US Speeding Towards Financial Crash
US Speeding Towards Financial Crash
"a warning from a top credit rating agency that the nation risked losing its triple A rating if it did not start putting its finances in order, is coming back to haunt us.
That warning from Moody’s focused on the exploding healthcare and Social Security costs that threaten to engulf the federal government in debt over coming decades. The facts show we’re in even worse shape now, and there are signs that confidence in America’s ability to control its finances is eroding."
"a warning from a top credit rating agency that the nation risked losing its triple A rating if it did not start putting its finances in order, is coming back to haunt us.
That warning from Moody’s focused on the exploding healthcare and Social Security costs that threaten to engulf the federal government in debt over coming decades. The facts show we’re in even worse shape now, and there are signs that confidence in America’s ability to control its finances is eroding."
Recession Drains Social Security and Medicare
Recession Drains Social Security and Medicare
"the Medicare fund that pays hospital bills for older Americans is expected to run out of money in 2017, two years sooner than projected last year. The Social Security trust fund will be exhausted in 2037, four years earlier than predicted"
And just where is this "Social Security TRUST FUND"?
In someone's lockbox?
Yeah, right......
Oh, our youth are just wild about big spendin' BarryO.
Wait till they realize the bill is theirs.
"the Medicare fund that pays hospital bills for older Americans is expected to run out of money in 2017, two years sooner than projected last year. The Social Security trust fund will be exhausted in 2037, four years earlier than predicted"
And just where is this "Social Security TRUST FUND"?
In someone's lockbox?
Yeah, right......
Oh, our youth are just wild about big spendin' BarryO.
Wait till they realize the bill is theirs.
Was It a Sucker's Rally?
Was It a Sucker's Rally?
"You can have a jobless recovery, but you can't have a profitless recovery. Consider: Earnings are subpar, Treasury's last auction was a bust because of weak demand, the dollar is suspect, the stimulus is pork, the latest budget projects a $1.84 trillion deficit, the administration is berating investment firms and hedge funds saying 'I don't stand with them,' California is dead broke, health care may be nationalized, cap and trade will bump electric bills by 30% . . . Shall I go on?"
"You can have a jobless recovery, but you can't have a profitless recovery. Consider: Earnings are subpar, Treasury's last auction was a bust because of weak demand, the dollar is suspect, the stimulus is pork, the latest budget projects a $1.84 trillion deficit, the administration is berating investment firms and hedge funds saying 'I don't stand with them,' California is dead broke, health care may be nationalized, cap and trade will bump electric bills by 30% . . . Shall I go on?"
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Chrysler Walks Away from Lemon Laws | The Truth About Cars
Chrysler Walks Away from Lemon Laws The Truth About Cars: "When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade (or glazed strawberry lemon streusel muffins). When Chrysler gives you lemons, you’re SOL. Since April 30, Judge Arthur Gonzales has to approve payment on claims against Chrysler incurred before C11. That includes “lemon law” settlement checks to customers who bought defective Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep products. Not happening. “San Diego attorney Ellen Turnage represents a client who reached a settlement with Chrysler over a 2006 Dodge Magnum with a bad suspension. The car has been returned to Chrysler, but the automaker’s check bounced. ‘Now he’s got no car and no money, so he can’t go buy a new one,’ Turnage said of her client. ‘He’s stuck. We’re hanging on to a glimmer of hope that at some point this will all be resolved.’” As the LA Times reports, Turnage’s pessimism is well-justified. Instead of saying, sorry, we’ll expedite this, the new Chrysler is telling aggrieved customers to FO&D.
The company said it had no plans at this point to ask the bankruptcy judge to approve payments to settle lemon law complaints. ”This is a complex process and there are a lot of issues being discussed,” said Chrysler spokesman Mike Palese. “This could be one of those issues that comes up in the course of the bankruptcy, but I can’t say that we have any plans to present it at this time.”
Chrysler advises customers with pending lemon law complaints to file a proof of claim form with the Bankruptcy Court and join the ranks of the automaker’s unsecured creditors.
“In that case, you’ll be lucky to get pennies on the dollar,” [Atlanta attorney Alex]"
The company said it had no plans at this point to ask the bankruptcy judge to approve payments to settle lemon law complaints. ”This is a complex process and there are a lot of issues being discussed,” said Chrysler spokesman Mike Palese. “This could be one of those issues that comes up in the course of the bankruptcy, but I can’t say that we have any plans to present it at this time.”
Chrysler advises customers with pending lemon law complaints to file a proof of claim form with the Bankruptcy Court and join the ranks of the automaker’s unsecured creditors.
“In that case, you’ll be lucky to get pennies on the dollar,” [Atlanta attorney Alex]"
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