Rocco's Modern Life:
"It would be hard to pack so much ignorance into one short paragraph if one were really trying.
We can deduce that Landesman doesn't even have to try."
A MUST READ!
Very scary the people our president surrounds himself with.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The ins and outs of Chapter 9 | Detroit
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The ins and outs of Chapter 9
"After watching a recent debate among candidates for Detroit City Council, it has become apparent that Detroiters need to be educated on the application of Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to Detroit's financial mess."
Detroit is going down..but who else will they bring with them?
"After watching a recent debate among candidates for Detroit City Council, it has become apparent that Detroiters need to be educated on the application of Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to Detroit's financial mess."
Detroit is going down..but who else will they bring with them?
Thomas Sowell On Economics Of Medical Care
Thomas Sowell On Economics Of Medical Care:
"Dr. Sowell has granted IBD permission to run one of the chapters of 'Applied Economics' — 'The Economics of Medical Care' — in its entirety.
We are doing so because of its relevance to the debate over health care reform.
The chapter will run in nine parts over the next week and a half.
The first part starts below and continues in the Issues & Insights section, where the other eight parts will appear"
Click the link and wrap yourself in brilliance.
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=510506
"Dr. Sowell has granted IBD permission to run one of the chapters of 'Applied Economics' — 'The Economics of Medical Care' — in its entirety.
We are doing so because of its relevance to the debate over health care reform.
The chapter will run in nine parts over the next week and a half.
The first part starts below and continues in the Issues & Insights section, where the other eight parts will appear"
Click the link and wrap yourself in brilliance.
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=510506
Efficient Market Theory and the Crisis
Jeremy J. Siegel: Efficient Market Theory and the Crisis
"in the 61 years from 1945 through 2006 the maximum cumulative decline in the average price of homes was 2.84% in 1991. If this low volatility of home prices persisted into the future, a mortgage security composed of a nationally diversified portfolio of loans comprising the first 80% of a home's value would have never come close to defaulting. The credit quality of home buyers was secondary because it was thought that underlying collateral—the home—could always cover the principal in the event the homeowner defaulted. These models led credit agencies to rate these subprime mortgages as 'investment grade.'
But this assessment was faulty. From 2000 through 2006, national home prices rose by 88.7%, far more than the 17.5% gain in the consumer price index or the paltry 1% rise in median household income. Never before have home prices jumped that far ahead of prices and incomes.
This should have sent up red flags and cast doubts on using models that looked only at historical declines to judge future risk. But these flags were ignored as Wall Street was reaping large profits bundling and selling the securities while Congress was happy that more Americans could enjoy the 'American Dream' of home ownershi"
"in the 61 years from 1945 through 2006 the maximum cumulative decline in the average price of homes was 2.84% in 1991. If this low volatility of home prices persisted into the future, a mortgage security composed of a nationally diversified portfolio of loans comprising the first 80% of a home's value would have never come close to defaulting. The credit quality of home buyers was secondary because it was thought that underlying collateral—the home—could always cover the principal in the event the homeowner defaulted. These models led credit agencies to rate these subprime mortgages as 'investment grade.'
But this assessment was faulty. From 2000 through 2006, national home prices rose by 88.7%, far more than the 17.5% gain in the consumer price index or the paltry 1% rise in median household income. Never before have home prices jumped that far ahead of prices and incomes.
This should have sent up red flags and cast doubts on using models that looked only at historical declines to judge future risk. But these flags were ignored as Wall Street was reaping large profits bundling and selling the securities while Congress was happy that more Americans could enjoy the 'American Dream' of home ownershi"
THE EVER-EXPANDING University of Phoenix.
THE EVER-EXPANDING University of Phoenix.
“In the world of for-profit higher education, and higher education in general, the University of Phoenix has historically been viewed as the 800-pound gorilla.
As of Tuesday, it may be more like a 1,000-pound gorilla.
As Phoenix’s parent company, the Apollo Group, reported its fourth quarter and annual earnings Tuesday, it announced that the university’s enrollment of degree-seeking students grew to 443,000 as of August 2009, up 22 percent from 362,000 in August 2008. . . . About two-thirds of the university’s new students as of August are female, 27.7 percent are African-American, and about half are 30 or over.”
“In the world of for-profit higher education, and higher education in general, the University of Phoenix has historically been viewed as the 800-pound gorilla.
As of Tuesday, it may be more like a 1,000-pound gorilla.
As Phoenix’s parent company, the Apollo Group, reported its fourth quarter and annual earnings Tuesday, it announced that the university’s enrollment of degree-seeking students grew to 443,000 as of August 2009, up 22 percent from 362,000 in August 2008. . . . About two-thirds of the university’s new students as of August are female, 27.7 percent are African-American, and about half are 30 or over.”
How Dems outmaneuvered GOP on ACORN
How Dems outmaneuvered GOP on ACORN
"Although the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- designed to deal with issues like mortgages and credit-card fees -- has nothing to do with community organizing, Democrats offered an amendment that could allow ACORN and groups like it to participate in the new agency."
Read it all. It's pretty disgusting.
"Although the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- designed to deal with issues like mortgages and credit-card fees -- has nothing to do with community organizing, Democrats offered an amendment that could allow ACORN and groups like it to participate in the new agency."
Read it all. It's pretty disgusting.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tax refugees staging escape from New York
Tax refugees staging escape from New York: "New Yorkers are fleeing the state and city in alarming numbers -- and costing a fortune in lost tax dollars, a new study shows.
More than 1.5 million state residents left for other parts of the United States from 2000 to 2008, according to the report from the Empire Center for New York State Policy.
More than 1.5 million state residents left for other parts of the United States from 2000 to 2008, according to the report from the Empire Center for New York State Policy.
It was the biggest out-of-state migration in the country.
The vast majority of the migrants, 1.1 million, were former residents of New York City -- meaning one out of seven city taxpayers moved out."
The vast majority of the migrants, 1.1 million, were former residents of New York City -- meaning one out of seven city taxpayers moved out."
I'm sure the democrat governor is happy that millionaire Rush Limbaugh is already gone.....right?
DC sniper Muhammad set to die by lethal injection
DC sniper Muhammad set to die by lethal injection
"The mastermind of the 2002 Washington, DC-area sniper attacks will die by lethal injection next month, Virginia officials said Tuesday.
John Allen Muhammad declined to choose between lethal injection and electrocution, so under state law the method defaults to lethal injection, Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman Larry Traylor said.
Muhammad is scheduled to be executed Nov. 10 for the October 2002 slaying of Dean Harold Meyers at a Manassas gas station during a string of shootings."
It will be a great day in America!
"The mastermind of the 2002 Washington, DC-area sniper attacks will die by lethal injection next month, Virginia officials said Tuesday.
John Allen Muhammad declined to choose between lethal injection and electrocution, so under state law the method defaults to lethal injection, Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman Larry Traylor said.
Muhammad is scheduled to be executed Nov. 10 for the October 2002 slaying of Dean Harold Meyers at a Manassas gas station during a string of shootings."
It will be a great day in America!
Pardon Me, but Your Sycophancy Is Showing
Pardon Me, but Your Sycophancy Is Showing
"Take Rocco Landesman, the new head of the National Endowment of the Arts.
In a speech in Brooklyn last week, he said of Barack Obama,
“This is the first president that actually writes his own books since Teddy Roosevelt and arguably the first to write them really well since Lincoln.”
Oh, dear, where do I begin?
Well, let’s start with grammar. It’s “the first president who,” not “the first president that.”
Second, he implicitly accuses Presidents Clinton, Bush 41, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Hoover, Coolidge, and Wilson of having had their memoirs, autobiographies, and other works ghosted."
Excellent article.
And why do we have a "head" of the NEA who is a ignorant political hack?!!!
"Take Rocco Landesman, the new head of the National Endowment of the Arts.
In a speech in Brooklyn last week, he said of Barack Obama,
“This is the first president that actually writes his own books since Teddy Roosevelt and arguably the first to write them really well since Lincoln.”
Oh, dear, where do I begin?
Well, let’s start with grammar. It’s “the first president who,” not “the first president that.”
Second, he implicitly accuses Presidents Clinton, Bush 41, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Hoover, Coolidge, and Wilson of having had their memoirs, autobiographies, and other works ghosted."
Excellent article.
And why do we have a "head" of the NEA who is a ignorant political hack?!!!
Agencies see an increased need for warm clothing
Agencies see an increased need for warm clothing
Didn't AlGore promise things would be warmer?
Didn't Gov. Granholm promise things would be better?
Isn't President Obama promising the same things?
Shouldn't we all be weary of promises from politicians?
Didn't AlGore promise things would be warmer?
Didn't Gov. Granholm promise things would be better?
Isn't President Obama promising the same things?
Shouldn't we all be weary of promises from politicians?
Don’t bring a knife to a coffee fight
"I politely demurred by hurling a cup of hot Starbucks at him while fishing my Beretta Jetfire out of the stupid pocket holster it was riding in.
After taking a face full of Columbia’s most popular legal export and confronted with a counter offer of bullets to his previous barter exchange concept, the young gentlemen decided that discretion was the better part of valor and made all due haste in a westerly direction"
Our new national weapon of choice?
How soon should we expect a "Brady" bill to restrict macho males from indiscriminately splashing innocent children?
Granholm CELEBRATES 100,000 residents in job training
Granholm CELEBRATES 100,000 residents in job training
Read this and fear for Michigan's future.
A compliant MSM is all she needs....and she's got 'em!
Read this and fear for Michigan's future.
A compliant MSM is all she needs....and she's got 'em!
Canada Single Payer Health Care System Hurts People [Mackinac Center]
Canada Single Payer Health Care System Hurts People [Mackinac Center]
"What Canadians Want You To Know About Their Health Care System"
"What Canadians Want You To Know About Their Health Care System"
Detroit Free Press circulation down almost 10%
theblogprof: Detroit Free Press circulation down almost 10%
"No surprise here.
It's pretty uniform across the major print publications, except for the Wall Street Journal, which is actually up!
What's the difference?
The WSJ is center right, the others (including the freep) and rabid far-left.
A correlation?
Cause-effect?
Kind of the same thing happening in cable news where everyone, including liberals, are flocking to FoxNews and leaving CNN, MSNBC and the other alphabet soup networks.
Could it be that a liberal slant keeps the liberal MSM from reporting important news?
Van Jones?
Hello?"
"No surprise here.
It's pretty uniform across the major print publications, except for the Wall Street Journal, which is actually up!
What's the difference?
The WSJ is center right, the others (including the freep) and rabid far-left.
A correlation?
Cause-effect?
Kind of the same thing happening in cable news where everyone, including liberals, are flocking to FoxNews and leaving CNN, MSNBC and the other alphabet soup networks.
Could it be that a liberal slant keeps the liberal MSM from reporting important news?
Van Jones?
Hello?"
Monday, October 26, 2009
BACK TO THE FUTURE: 1978 all over again?
BACK TO THE FUTURE: 1978 all over again?
“Why did things go south for Carter so fast?
Because America’s enemies had taken measure of the man during his first, change-filled year in office.
They saw weaknesses they could exploit. In the second year, they made their move.”
I’d say that at this point, a Carter-rerun is a best-case scenario."
“Why did things go south for Carter so fast?
Because America’s enemies had taken measure of the man during his first, change-filled year in office.
They saw weaknesses they could exploit. In the second year, they made their move.”
I’d say that at this point, a Carter-rerun is a best-case scenario."
Flying Imams Victory
Flying Imams Victory
"A suspect Islamist group is gloating that a cash settlement in the so-called Flying Imams case is a 'victory for civil rights.'
If it's a victory, it's one for future hijackers."
"A suspect Islamist group is gloating that a cash settlement in the so-called Flying Imams case is a 'victory for civil rights.'
If it's a victory, it's one for future hijackers."
Obama wins world chess championship
Obama wins world chess championship
"The World Chess Federation today announced that Barack Obama had become the world chess champion, nudging aside former undisputed champion Viswanathan Anand of India.
The news surprised some in the chess world, because Obama has never participated in tournament play.
But FIDE officials said they felt certain Obama could become world champion if he ever decided to try"
If you work hard, anything is possible!
"The World Chess Federation today announced that Barack Obama had become the world chess champion, nudging aside former undisputed champion Viswanathan Anand of India.
The news surprised some in the chess world, because Obama has never participated in tournament play.
But FIDE officials said they felt certain Obama could become world champion if he ever decided to try"
If you work hard, anything is possible!
Excellent simplicity!
An e-mail from Paula V:
Probably just another exercise in futility but here's what I sent to our two senators:
"I do not support the current legislation being considered by congress as part of an effort to "reform" health care.
I am basing my decision to oppose the legislation based on my disinclination to involve the federal government in further regulating health care delivery.
Please "reform" Medicare and Medicaid before trying to interfere with anything else. Otherwise, why don't you just give all Americans the same health plan that you and all the other congressmen have?
Paula V"
If they could answer Paula's question they'd win? ...........yeah right!
But more powerful is her request that Medicare and Medicaid stop their hemorrhaging before we dump a tsunami of our children's credit on another new swindle.
Isn't anyone listening?
Probably just another exercise in futility but here's what I sent to our two senators:
"I do not support the current legislation being considered by congress as part of an effort to "reform" health care.
I am basing my decision to oppose the legislation based on my disinclination to involve the federal government in further regulating health care delivery.
Please "reform" Medicare and Medicaid before trying to interfere with anything else. Otherwise, why don't you just give all Americans the same health plan that you and all the other congressmen have?
Paula V"
If they could answer Paula's question they'd win? ...........yeah right!
But more powerful is her request that Medicare and Medicaid stop their hemorrhaging before we dump a tsunami of our children's credit on another new swindle.
Isn't anyone listening?
RightMichigan.com || An Auction in Detroit
RightMichigan.com An Auction in Detroit
"Of the 9,000 Detroit properties put up for auction by Wayne County officials, more than eight in ten went without a single bid, this despite a required low minimum bid of $500."
"Of the 9,000 Detroit properties put up for auction by Wayne County officials, more than eight in ten went without a single bid, this despite a required low minimum bid of $500."
Yes, we can!
Right?
Right?
Will U2 be able to fill MSU stadium for its June 30 concert?
Daily Grit by Wes Thorp: Will U2 be able to fill MSU stadium for its June 30 concert?
"Detroit Free Press says this morning that U2 and Bono are coming to Spartan Stadium on June 30.
That's really a big deal for mid-Michigan.
Did you know that this Irish band played a concert at Dooley's Bar in East Lansing in the early 80s?"
click the comment below...Doug brings truth to this link.....party pooper!
"Detroit Free Press says this morning that U2 and Bono are coming to Spartan Stadium on June 30.
That's really a big deal for mid-Michigan.
Did you know that this Irish band played a concert at Dooley's Bar in East Lansing in the early 80s?"
click the comment below...Doug brings truth to this link.....party pooper!
I'd get one of these signs 'cept my whole block is packin'.....
.....except the nice teacher, two doors down, with the electric mower and Obama sticker on her car.
(click photo to biggify)
(click photo to biggify)
This used to be BIG news!
President Obama ties George W. Bush on golf
"President Barack Obama has only been in office for just over nine months, but he's already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years."
"President Barack Obama has only been in office for just over nine months, but he's already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years."
Well the liberal (REDUNDANCY ALERT!) MSM certainly doesn't care any more.
Maybe Barry needs golf more than Georgie...... is it a cultural thang?
10 WAYS GOVERNMENT HURTS THE POOR
10 WAYS GOVERNMENT HURTS THE POOR
"From the Illnois Policy Institute.
1. Minimum Wage If you charge more for something, you sell less of it. Labor is no different than any other commodity for sale...."
click it to see the prescription for the destruction of an economy.....prescribed by the demo-crooks and rino-crooks we elect to govern us.
"From the Illnois Policy Institute.
1. Minimum Wage If you charge more for something, you sell less of it. Labor is no different than any other commodity for sale...."
click it to see the prescription for the destruction of an economy.....prescribed by the demo-crooks and rino-crooks we elect to govern us.
Report: Michigan workers who finished retraining get, keep jobs
Report: Michigan workers who finished retraining get, keep jobs
"Most of those who completed job retraining during the first 18 months of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program either kept their jobs or gained new employment, according to a state review.
Of the nearly 34,360 people who finished training between August 2007 and February 2009, about 24,700, or 72%, either retained work or got a new job, while about 9,660, or 28%, were still looking for a job, according to the report being released Monday. It found more than 16,840 kept their jobs and about 7,860 found new employment.
No Worker Left Behind offers up to $10,000 over two years to workers who attend community colleges or other training programs. It’s overseen by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, which compiled the review."
A few questions from a Michigan citizen and taxpayer:
1. This has been pretty big news today on local radio, NPR, newspapers and media web sites.
But the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth hasn't made the full report public.
I just spent an hour searching their site and the web.
Shouldn't they be SO proud that they'd publish all the magic economic wizardry that confirms the brilliance of the "No Worker Left Behind" program?
And the original report is "disappeared" as far as us citizens/taxpayers are concerned.
Why?
2. The "report" tells us that more than 16,840 graduates (out of more than 102,000 who got the money and "training") from this state funded program "kept their jobs".
Was there any control group to compare non-grads keeping their jobs?
What jobs did they "keep"?
3. 7860 nice workers were able to enter the workforce. How nice!
But that is less than 8% success in job creation (even if we don't know what jobs were created).
Is 8% the success rate we should expect from the Democrats and Jennifer Granholm?
6. Are today's "journalists" so dull and uninterested in asking tough (any!) questions that they simply repeat every state generated synopsis and go home?
7. Does ANYONE really believe this garbage?
"Most of those who completed job retraining during the first 18 months of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program either kept their jobs or gained new employment, according to a state review.
Of the nearly 34,360 people who finished training between August 2007 and February 2009, about 24,700, or 72%, either retained work or got a new job, while about 9,660, or 28%, were still looking for a job, according to the report being released Monday. It found more than 16,840 kept their jobs and about 7,860 found new employment.
No Worker Left Behind offers up to $10,000 over two years to workers who attend community colleges or other training programs. It’s overseen by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, which compiled the review."
A few questions from a Michigan citizen and taxpayer:
1. This has been pretty big news today on local radio, NPR, newspapers and media web sites.
But the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth hasn't made the full report public.
I just spent an hour searching their site and the web.
Shouldn't they be SO proud that they'd publish all the magic economic wizardry that confirms the brilliance of the "No Worker Left Behind" program?
And the original report is "disappeared" as far as us citizens/taxpayers are concerned.
Why?
2. The "report" tells us that more than 16,840 graduates (out of more than 102,000 who got the money and "training") from this state funded program "kept their jobs".
Was there any control group to compare non-grads keeping their jobs?
What jobs did they "keep"?
3. 7860 nice workers were able to enter the workforce. How nice!
But that is less than 8% success in job creation (even if we don't know what jobs were created).
Is 8% the success rate we should expect from the Democrats and Jennifer Granholm?
4. What is the cost of providing this nifty $10,000/per worker edu-plunder and the state employees who administer it?
5. If this program is SO successful, wouldn't our Dear Leaders in Lansing put up bill boards (just like the cool highway billboards) touting their successes? With a nifty web-link for proof?
6. Are today's "journalists" so dull and uninterested in asking tough (any!) questions that they simply repeat every state generated synopsis and go home?
7. Does ANYONE really believe this garbage?
Newt mulls 2012 run
POLITICO CLICK: Newt mulls 2012 run
"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday that he hasn't ruled out a 2012 run."
"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday that he hasn't ruled out a 2012 run."
Are the GOPers that dumb?
Minors may no longer be required to submit to breath tests in the city of Kalamazoo
Minors may no longer be required to submit to breath tests in the city of Kalamazoo
"City officials said enforcement provisions of Kalamazoo’s current ordinance mirror laws in the cities of Troy and Bay City that failed recent court scrutiny.
In the Troy case, Robinson said the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that a preliminary breath test constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment, requiring either a search warrant or “unequivocal, specific, and freely and intelligently given” consent from the suspect.
In that case, the court dismissed the charges, ruling that the minors’ consents were not voluntary because Troy officers told them the breath tests were required by ordinance."
Great news! .......... for drunk kids and those who yearn for the destruction of "The American Way".
Do we really want our country to go down the drain this quickly?
"City officials said enforcement provisions of Kalamazoo’s current ordinance mirror laws in the cities of Troy and Bay City that failed recent court scrutiny.
In the Troy case, Robinson said the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that a preliminary breath test constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment, requiring either a search warrant or “unequivocal, specific, and freely and intelligently given” consent from the suspect.
In that case, the court dismissed the charges, ruling that the minors’ consents were not voluntary because Troy officers told them the breath tests were required by ordinance."
Great news! .......... for drunk kids and those who yearn for the destruction of "The American Way".
Do we really want our country to go down the drain this quickly?
Maybe we ought to spend more time on who we elect to our Michigan court of appeals?
Meebee.....
Chicago property tax: Bigger bills headed this way
Chicago property tax: Bigger bills headed this way
"In Chicago, the increase in the total property tax burden is even higher -- a little more than 6 percent."
And their sales tax is tops too!
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/chicago-gets-hi.html
"In Chicago, the increase in the total property tax burden is even higher -- a little more than 6 percent."
And their sales tax is tops too!
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/chicago-gets-hi.html
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