President Obama Finances Offshore Drilling in Brazil
"You read that headline correctly.
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is financing oil exploration off Brazil.
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil's Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Chenille Sisters in concert Friday
Chenille Sisters in concert Friday
"Sweet, silly, serious and satisfying is what listeners can expect from the Chenille Sisters in concert this Friday."
See them!
"Sweet, silly, serious and satisfying is what listeners can expect from the Chenille Sisters in concert this Friday."
See them!
Wednesday is count day for schools across Michigan
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114184&catid=48
"Last year, Grand Rapids Public Schools had its best count day in nearly a decade, beating enrollment projections by fifty percent."
50% INCREASE!
Sup wit dat?????
Don't the teachers take ATTENDANCE EVERY DAY?
Why use 2 freak days a year when the ACTUAL date is right there?
Oh...meebee we already no...dont wee.....$$$$$$$...ours not theirs.......
"Last year, Grand Rapids Public Schools had its best count day in nearly a decade, beating enrollment projections by fifty percent."
50% INCREASE!
Sup wit dat?????
Don't the teachers take ATTENDANCE EVERY DAY?
Why use 2 freak days a year when the ACTUAL date is right there?
Oh...meebee we already no...dont wee.....$$$$$$$...ours not theirs.......
Airliner crash simulation planned at airport Wednesday
Airliner crash simulation planned at airport Wednesday
"Despite visible flames, an actual fuselage and 90 “victims,” the emergency-type situation at the Muskegon County Airport scheduled for this morning was only a drill.
A full-scale simulation of a commercial airliner crash was being held to help train Norton Shores firefighters in the event an actual, similar crash takes place at the airport."
Ok..... now where are the ....... airliners?
Seriously, there is an enormous amount of tax payer dollars spent on this rarely used airport.
The state is broke, the county is broke, Norton Shores is broke.
When will someone suggest privatizing this white elephant
"Despite visible flames, an actual fuselage and 90 “victims,” the emergency-type situation at the Muskegon County Airport scheduled for this morning was only a drill.
A full-scale simulation of a commercial airliner crash was being held to help train Norton Shores firefighters in the event an actual, similar crash takes place at the airport."
Ok..... now where are the ....... airliners?
Seriously, there is an enormous amount of tax payer dollars spent on this rarely used airport.
The state is broke, the county is broke, Norton Shores is broke.
When will someone suggest privatizing this white elephant
“how to date a tall chick.”…
“how to date a tall chick.”…: "FROM SUSANNAH BRESLIN, advice on “how to date a tall chick.”"
Supreme Court Takes Case on Reach of Gun Rights
Supreme Court Takes Case on Reach of Gun Rights
"The Supreme Court will decide whether the constitutional right of individuals to own firearms trumps state and local laws, reviving the legal battle over gun rights in America."
They're baaarack....
"The Supreme Court will decide whether the constitutional right of individuals to own firearms trumps state and local laws, reviving the legal battle over gun rights in America."
They're baaarack....
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com: "A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of Socialism’s slow collapse."
Officials: Fed will need to boost rates quickly - Yahoo! Finance
Officials: Fed will need to boost rates quickly - Yahoo! Finance: "To prevent inflation from taking off, the Federal Reserve will need to start boosting interest rates quickly and aggressively once the economy is back on firmer footing, Fed officials warned Tuesday."
Monday, September 28, 2009
$25 million in U.S. aid on the way-Detroit to get lion's share of state package
$25 million in U.S. aid on the way
"The most recent wave of economic stimulus funding will infuse more than $25 million into cash-strapped Michigan communities to spur job creation, clean up blight, stave off foreclosures and fix crumbling bridges, roads and water mains."
"The most recent wave of economic stimulus funding will infuse more than $25 million into cash-strapped Michigan communities to spur job creation, clean up blight, stave off foreclosures and fix crumbling bridges, roads and water mains."
Does Asset Allocation Still Work?
Pension Pulse: Does Asset Allocation Still Work?
"Richard Bookstaber, author of A Demon of Our Own Design, recently wrote an excellent piece in Seeking Alpha, Why I'm Skeptical About Asset Allocation:"
"Richard Bookstaber, author of A Demon of Our Own Design, recently wrote an excellent piece in Seeking Alpha, Why I'm Skeptical About Asset Allocation:"
No government immunity for pension fund trustees
No government immunity for pension fund trustees
"A class action suit seeking to hold the Detroit General Retirement pension fund (DGR) trustees accountable for their investment decisions has been approved in what is said to be a precedent setting case.
Wayne County Circuit Court judge Amy Hathaway has certified a class action filed on behalf of over 9,000 pension plan participants and beneficiaries alleging the responsibility of several present and former DGR trustees' for losses of over US$100m."
"A class action suit seeking to hold the Detroit General Retirement pension fund (DGR) trustees accountable for their investment decisions has been approved in what is said to be a precedent setting case.
Wayne County Circuit Court judge Amy Hathaway has certified a class action filed on behalf of over 9,000 pension plan participants and beneficiaries alleging the responsibility of several present and former DGR trustees' for losses of over US$100m."
Pumped-up pensions squeeze city
Pumped-up pensions squeeze city
"In 2001 and 2005, the Atlanta City Council approved substantial increases in pension benefits for city workers — but didn’t figure out how to pay for them.
Those decisions are not only hobbling city finances now, they threaten to cripple the city budget for years to come."
"In 2001 and 2005, the Atlanta City Council approved substantial increases in pension benefits for city workers — but didn’t figure out how to pay for them.
Those decisions are not only hobbling city finances now, they threaten to cripple the city budget for years to come."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Furor Over Alan Carlin, a Climate Change Skeptic - NYTimes.com
Furor Over Alan Carlin, a Climate Change Skeptic - NYTimes.com: "It is true that Dr. Carlin’s supervisor refused to accept his comments on a proposed E.P.A. finding, since adopted, that greenhouse gases endangered health and the environment, and that he did so in a dismissive way."
Gates hints at more Iran nuke sites
Gates hints at more Iran nuke sites
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates strongly hinted on Sunday that Iran may be concealing other nuclear facilities in the country, beyond the uranium enrichment facility disclosed Friday by President Barack Obama and other leaders at the G-20 Summit.
This Week host George Stephanopoulos asked Gates if the newly discovered site is 'the only secret site that we know of.'
After a pause, Gates said, 'I'm not going to get into that. I would just say that we are watching closely.'"
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates strongly hinted on Sunday that Iran may be concealing other nuclear facilities in the country, beyond the uranium enrichment facility disclosed Friday by President Barack Obama and other leaders at the G-20 Summit.
This Week host George Stephanopoulos asked Gates if the newly discovered site is 'the only secret site that we know of.'
After a pause, Gates said, 'I'm not going to get into that. I would just say that we are watching closely.'"
If the police won't tackle young thugs any more, then what ARE they for?
MELANIE PHILLIPS: If the police won't tackle young thugs any more, then what ARE they for?
"Ten days ago, I happened to be on a panel of 'talking heads' at the annual conference of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales. Against a backdrop of concern about the impact of looming public expenditure cuts, the panel were asked to name one thing they thought the police might usefully stop doing.
"Ten days ago, I happened to be on a panel of 'talking heads' at the annual conference of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales. Against a backdrop of concern about the impact of looming public expenditure cuts, the panel were asked to name one thing they thought the police might usefully stop doing.
I suggested they should drop their obsession with 'diversity' and, rather than pursuing people under 'hate crime' laws for giving offence to others, should concentrate on tackling the yobbery on housing estates where besieged residents felt the police had abandoned them.
It is fair to say my remarks were not greeted with widespread acclaim.
It is fair to say my remarks were not greeted with widespread acclaim.
Officers seemed stunned that I could challenge the sacred cow of 'diversity'.
I thought about this discussion when I read of the appalling case of Fiona Pilkington, who was driven to set fire to herself and her 18-year- old daughter Francecca in her car as a result of a decade of harassment they had suffered at the hands of local yobs.
The details of this awful case make you weep. For more than ten years, the Pilkingtons lived under siege in Barwell, Leicestershire, from a gang of thugs who pelted the house with stones, set fences on fire, pushed fireworks through the front door, taunted Francecca, who had a mental age of four, and threatened and assaulted Mrs Pilkington's son, Anthony, now 19.
The inquest has yet to reach its verdict. But the coroner has said the tragedy could have been prevented if the police and council authorities had taken the family's complaints seriously.
And the evidence produced at the inquest was sufficiently horrifying for the Home Secretary to be reportedly planning to highlight the case in his speech to this week's Labour conference.
For although she called them no fewer than 33 times, none of the criminals who were making her life so unbearable was ever charged with a criminal offence.
When asked to explain this failure, the police response was astounding.
Superintendent Steve Harrod told the inquest that 'low-level anti-social behaviour is mainly the responsibility of the council'.
Come again, Superintendent? So what are the police for? Whatever happened to the first duty of the police to 'preserve public tranquillity'? No wonder the Home Secretary is spitting tacks.
Certainly, the local councils in this case can also be faulted in failing to share information about this family's situation. But at one point Anthony was marched at knife-point into a shed and threatened with an iron bar. If this isn't a police responsibility, what is?
Many, many other unfortunate people are being forced to live in a similar state of siege from local yobs, with the police unable or unwilling to end the attacks. Other police forces, accused of ignoring the plight of terrorised residents, have claimed that the hurdles erected by prosecutors mean they can't get criminals to court.
There may be something in that. But to Superintendent Harrod it appears that the police can only prevent crime if the criminal justice system is avoided altogether. The police, he said, had to avoid youngsters being 'criminalised' because if they went to jail they were more likely to re-offend.
And the evidence produced at the inquest was sufficiently horrifying for the Home Secretary to be reportedly planning to highlight the case in his speech to this week's Labour conference.
For although she called them no fewer than 33 times, none of the criminals who were making her life so unbearable was ever charged with a criminal offence.
When asked to explain this failure, the police response was astounding.
Superintendent Steve Harrod told the inquest that 'low-level anti-social behaviour is mainly the responsibility of the council'.
Come again, Superintendent? So what are the police for? Whatever happened to the first duty of the police to 'preserve public tranquillity'? No wonder the Home Secretary is spitting tacks.
Certainly, the local councils in this case can also be faulted in failing to share information about this family's situation. But at one point Anthony was marched at knife-point into a shed and threatened with an iron bar. If this isn't a police responsibility, what is?
Many, many other unfortunate people are being forced to live in a similar state of siege from local yobs, with the police unable or unwilling to end the attacks. Other police forces, accused of ignoring the plight of terrorised residents, have claimed that the hurdles erected by prosecutors mean they can't get criminals to court.
There may be something in that. But to Superintendent Harrod it appears that the police can only prevent crime if the criminal justice system is avoided altogether. The police, he said, had to avoid youngsters being 'criminalised' because if they went to jail they were more likely to re-offend.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1216561/MELANIE-PHILLIPS-If-police-wont-tackle-young-thugs-ARE-for.html#ixzz0SMVZsCRk
This story made me cry.
This story made me cry.
If AIDS Went the Way of Smallpox
If AIDS Went the Way of Smallpox
"Millions of children across Africa still die of measles simply because the vaccine doesn’t reach them,” said Barry Coleman, founder of Riders for Health, a British charity that buys and fixes motorcycles for African health workers. People with AIDS don’t need, he added, “another breakthrough that does not reach those who need it most.”"
It's not about children... it's about more money from the west to the crooks who control these scum countries.
"Millions of children across Africa still die of measles simply because the vaccine doesn’t reach them,” said Barry Coleman, founder of Riders for Health, a British charity that buys and fixes motorcycles for African health workers. People with AIDS don’t need, he added, “another breakthrough that does not reach those who need it most.”"
It's not about children... it's about more money from the west to the crooks who control these scum countries.
More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation - Yahoo! News
More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation
"Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school.
'Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here,' Duncan told the AP. 'I want to just level the playing field.'
While it is true that kids in many other countries have more school days, it's not true they all spend more time in school."
Another scam to shovel more money from us taxpayers to the big teacher's unions!!!
Fight this outrage!
"Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school.
'Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here,' Duncan told the AP. 'I want to just level the playing field.'
While it is true that kids in many other countries have more school days, it's not true they all spend more time in school."
Another scam to shovel more money from us taxpayers to the big teacher's unions!!!
Fight this outrage!
Despite pressure, McChrystal to hold firm on request for troops
Despite pressure, McChrystal to hold firm on request for troops
"McChrystal also stated that he had only spoken to Obama once in 70 days since taking over as commander in the eight-year-old war."
"McChrystal also stated that he had only spoken to Obama once in 70 days since taking over as commander in the eight-year-old war."
Social Security strained by early retirements
Social Security strained by early retirements
"Big job losses and a spike in early retirement claims from laid-off seniors will force Social Security to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes the next two years
"Big job losses and a spike in early retirement claims from laid-off seniors will force Social Security to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes the next two years
Fresh doubts over Hitler's death after tests on skull reveal it is a woman's
Fresh doubts over Hitler's death after tests on skull reveal it is a woman's
"Adolf Hitler may not have shot himself dead and perhaps did not even die in his bunker, it emerged yesterday.
A skull fragment believed for decades to be the Nazi leader’s has turned out to be that of a woman under 40 after DNA analysis."
"Adolf Hitler may not have shot himself dead and perhaps did not even die in his bunker, it emerged yesterday.
A skull fragment believed for decades to be the Nazi leader’s has turned out to be that of a woman under 40 after DNA analysis."
Mich. stares down 2nd govt. shutdown in 3 years
Mich. stares down 2nd govt. shutdown in 3 years
"Economically beleaguered Michigan faces a possible government shutdown - shuttering highway rest areas, state parks, construction projects and the state lottery - if lawmakers fail to reach a budget deal in the next few days.
The state with the nation's highest unemployment rate has a nearly $3 billion shortfall.
Federal recovery act money will fill more than half the gap, but the spending cuts or tax increases needed to fill the rest have caused bitter infighting at the state Capitol."
"Economically beleaguered Michigan faces a possible government shutdown - shuttering highway rest areas, state parks, construction projects and the state lottery - if lawmakers fail to reach a budget deal in the next few days.
The state with the nation's highest unemployment rate has a nearly $3 billion shortfall.
Federal recovery act money will fill more than half the gap, but the spending cuts or tax increases needed to fill the rest have caused bitter infighting at the state Capitol."
Meet blonde martial arts ace Ashley Wolfe who battled two squaddies
Meet blonde martial arts ace Ashley Wolfe who battled two squaddies
"The 5ft 3in martial arts ace - who was invited to the bash at Woolwich Barracks in South East London with her husband - admitted knocking a sergeant out cold.
She said: 'I gave him a left hook to the side of the head. He was tall and well built - but fell down like a house of cards.'"
"The 5ft 3in martial arts ace - who was invited to the bash at Woolwich Barracks in South East London with her husband - admitted knocking a sergeant out cold.
She said: 'I gave him a left hook to the side of the head. He was tall and well built - but fell down like a house of cards.'"
ROTTEN TOMATOES: Worst of the Worst 2009
ROTTEN TOMATOES: Worst of the Worst 2009: "Over the last decade, we've collected reviews for thousands of movies. Most films, even profoundly mediocre ones, can expect to receive at least cursory support from the pundits. However, once in a while, a film will take such a critical drubbing that further attention is warranted. That's where our Worst of the Worst list comes in. We've compiled a veritable cornucopia of dull, foolhardy, and outright terrible films, from legendary duds (Battlefield Earth) to chuckle-deficient comedies (Epic Movie), from hapless sequels (Basic Instinct 2) to scare-free would-be fright fests (Alone in the Dark)."
Homeowners fight against the wind
Homeowners fight against the wind
"In the Champagne household, there are two opinions on the whirling wind turbines that surround the family's home of 35 years. Gene Champagne is bothered by the thumping, rumbling sound of the blades that loom like giants over the house.
The noise disturbs his sleep and destroys his TV reception.
Flickering shadows from sun on the blades run around rooms."
"In the Champagne household, there are two opinions on the whirling wind turbines that surround the family's home of 35 years. Gene Champagne is bothered by the thumping, rumbling sound of the blades that loom like giants over the house.
The noise disturbs his sleep and destroys his TV reception.
Flickering shadows from sun on the blades run around rooms."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Barack Obama's amazingly consistent smile
Barack Obama's amazingly consistent smile
"Ladies and gentlemen, your President is a robot.
Or a wax sculpture.
Maybe a cardboard cutout.
All I know is no human being has a photo smile this amazingly consistent."
This is weird!
"Ladies and gentlemen, your President is a robot.
Or a wax sculpture.
Maybe a cardboard cutout.
All I know is no human being has a photo smile this amazingly consistent."
This is weird!
Sardine Room going out of business
Sardine Room going out of business
"The Sardine Room, 2536 Henry, will go out of business after serving its last customers Sunday, co-owner Chris Anderson said."
Sad... for the owners and Muskegon county.
With so many Muskegon companies biting the dust it's amazing there's any dust left in Muskegon.
"The Sardine Room, 2536 Henry, will go out of business after serving its last customers Sunday, co-owner Chris Anderson said."
Sad... for the owners and Muskegon county.
With so many Muskegon companies biting the dust it's amazing there's any dust left in Muskegon.
MSU coaching records after 30 games
MSU coaching records after 30 games: "MSU coaching records after 30 games
MD: 17-13
JLS: 17-13
BW: 16-14
NS: 17-12-1
GP: 13-16-1
MW: 9-21
DR: 16-12-2
DS: 16-13-1
Does it really even matter who the coach at MSU is? Good coaches, bad coaches, young coaches, old coaches, veteran coaches, rookie coaches - the results are the same."
MD: 17-13
JLS: 17-13
BW: 16-14
NS: 17-12-1
GP: 13-16-1
MW: 9-21
DR: 16-12-2
DS: 16-13-1
Does it really even matter who the coach at MSU is? Good coaches, bad coaches, young coaches, old coaches, veteran coaches, rookie coaches - the results are the same."
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ensign receives handwritten confirmation
Ensign receives handwritten confirmation
"Ensign receives handwritten confirmation
This doesn't happen often enough.
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance.
Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it 'Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold.'
The note was a follow-up to Ensign's questioning at the markup."
"Ensign receives handwritten confirmation
This doesn't happen often enough.
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance.
Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it 'Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold.'
The note was a follow-up to Ensign's questioning at the markup."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
HSBC bids farewell to dollar supremacy
HSBC bids farewell to dollar supremacy
"The dollar looks awfully like sterling after the First World War,' said David Bloom, the bank's currency chief.
'The whole picture of risk-reward for emerging market currencies has changed.
It is not so much that they have risen to our standards, it is that we have fallen to theirs.
It used to be that sovereign risk was mainly an emerging market issue but the events of the last year have shown that this is no longer the case.
Look at the UK – debt is racing up to 100pc of GDP,' he said"
"The dollar looks awfully like sterling after the First World War,' said David Bloom, the bank's currency chief.
'The whole picture of risk-reward for emerging market currencies has changed.
It is not so much that they have risen to our standards, it is that we have fallen to theirs.
It used to be that sovereign risk was mainly an emerging market issue but the events of the last year have shown that this is no longer the case.
Look at the UK – debt is racing up to 100pc of GDP,' he said"
Detroit Public Schools-SAY WHAT!!
Detroit Public Schools
"The Detroit News today writes about a possible scandal regarding building construction and land purchases by Detroit Public Schools.
The district paid more than $156.2 million for services it may have obtained for $15 million, according to The News"
A $100 million scam!!!!!
This isn't the biggest story of the month?
How low have we sunk?
"The Detroit News today writes about a possible scandal regarding building construction and land purchases by Detroit Public Schools.
The district paid more than $156.2 million for services it may have obtained for $15 million, according to The News"
A $100 million scam!!!!!
This isn't the biggest story of the month?
How low have we sunk?
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