Editorial: Taxpayers can't sustain generous benefits for education employees The Detroit News
"A Detroit News survey of Metro Detroit school districts reveals that many have contracts in which teachers pay absolutely nothing for their health care -- in contrast with private sector workers who have faced increasing co-pays and deductibles.
Teachers union officials have responded that teachers have traded pay hikes for benefits.
But Michigan teachers remain relatively highly paid compared to their peers in other states while residents' income has been declining."
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Gulf Oil Spill Makes Alberta Tar Sands Look Good
"For example, BP is going to develop an Alberta oil sands (really tar sands) project that has 10 times the reserves as BP was drilling for with the Deepwater Horizon.
No worry a blow-out."
SpotCrime - Know Your Neighborhood
SpotCrime - Know Your Neighborhood
I can't say if this is accurate but it sure is interesting.
I've followed it for a month and it seems to be accurate.
I can't say if this is accurate but it sure is interesting.
I've followed it for a month and it seems to be accurate.
A Tale of Two Counties
A Tale of Two Counties [Mackinac Center]
"The Post calls attention to the association between collective bargaining and spendthrift public officials."
"The Post calls attention to the association between collective bargaining and spendthrift public officials."
QUIZ: Who said it — Democratic leaders or Communist Party USA?
"TAKE THE QUIZ — Which quotes come from Democrats, and which from CPUSA?"
Fact-Checking Gov. Granholm's Economic Diversity Claims about Michigan's economy
Mackinac Policy Conference: Fact-Checking Gov. Granholm's Economic Diversity Claims About Michigan's ... [Mackinac Center]
"The 919 MEDC projects over the eight years of the governor's tenure represents only a fraction one year's worth of business creation."
"The 919 MEDC projects over the eight years of the governor's tenure represents only a fraction one year's worth of business creation."
Arthur Laffer: Tax Hikes and the 2011 Economic Collapse
Arthur Laffer: Tax Hikes and the 2011 Economic Collapse - WSJ.com
"It shouldn't surprise anyone that the nine states without an income tax are growing far faster and attracting more people than are the nine states with the highest income tax rates.
People and businesses change the location of income based on incentives."
"It shouldn't surprise anyone that the nine states without an income tax are growing far faster and attracting more people than are the nine states with the highest income tax rates.
People and businesses change the location of income based on incentives."
Spill reveals Obama's lack of executive experience
Spill reveals Obama's lack of executive experience Washington Examiner
"Seven months later, after receiving the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama talked with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
At the time, the news was dominated by Hurricane Gustav, which was headed toward New Orleans and threatening to become a Katrina-like disaster.
'Some of your Republican critics have said you don't have the experience to handle a situation like this,' Cooper said to Obama.
'They in fact have said that Governor Palin has more executive experience. ...'
'Governor Palin's town of Wasilla has, I think, 50 employees,' Obama answered.
'We have got 2,500 in this campaign.
I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year.
You know, we have a budget of about three times that just for the month.
So, I think that our ability to manage large systems and to execute, I think, has been made clear over the last couple of years.'"
The man is a fool!
"Seven months later, after receiving the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama talked with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
At the time, the news was dominated by Hurricane Gustav, which was headed toward New Orleans and threatening to become a Katrina-like disaster.
'Some of your Republican critics have said you don't have the experience to handle a situation like this,' Cooper said to Obama.
'They in fact have said that Governor Palin has more executive experience. ...'
'Governor Palin's town of Wasilla has, I think, 50 employees,' Obama answered.
'We have got 2,500 in this campaign.
I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year.
You know, we have a budget of about three times that just for the month.
So, I think that our ability to manage large systems and to execute, I think, has been made clear over the last couple of years.'"
The man is a fool!
DIY Projects for Soon-to-Be Banned Plastic Bags
DIY Projects for Soon-to-Be Banned Plastic Bags - Popularmechanics.com
"In its latest environmentally friendly legislative move, California is planning on banning single-use plastic bags from its grocery stores."
The nanny state will take away EVERYTHING we use.......it's to save the earth.......right?
"In its latest environmentally friendly legislative move, California is planning on banning single-use plastic bags from its grocery stores."
The nanny state will take away EVERYTHING we use.......it's to save the earth.......right?
Cal Thomas column on Helen Thomas spiked
Cal Thomas column on Helen Thomas spiked No Silence Here knoxnews.com
"Cal Thomas column on Helen Thomas spiked
Below is the original Thomas column moved yesterday for release today.
About an hour later, the column was pulled with only this explanation from Tribune Media Services: This story has been deleted by the news provider.
The column, nonetheless, made it into at least one newspaper.
UPDATE: And the Washington Examiner.
And here are some others."
"Cal Thomas column on Helen Thomas spiked
Below is the original Thomas column moved yesterday for release today.
About an hour later, the column was pulled with only this explanation from Tribune Media Services: This story has been deleted by the news provider.
The column, nonetheless, made it into at least one newspaper.
UPDATE: And the Washington Examiner.
And here are some others."
British Defense Researchers Create Invisible Tank
British Defense Researchers Create Invisible Tank - Science News
"London's Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Sun all report on tests conducted by the Ministry of Defence last week in which a tank rolled across a field, completely invisible to observers standing at a certain point.
'This technology is incredible,' an unnamed soldier was quoted by the Daily Mail and Sun.
'If I hadn't been present I wouldn't have believed it. I looked across the fields and just saw grass and trees — but in reality I was staring down the barrel of a tank gun.'"
"London's Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Sun all report on tests conducted by the Ministry of Defence last week in which a tank rolled across a field, completely invisible to observers standing at a certain point.
'This technology is incredible,' an unnamed soldier was quoted by the Daily Mail and Sun.
'If I hadn't been present I wouldn't have believed it. I looked across the fields and just saw grass and trees — but in reality I was staring down the barrel of a tank gun.'"
Monday, June 07, 2010
Auctions for Overbooking
Auctions for Overbooking - WSJ.com
"The Department of Transportation, in its infinite wisdom, has announced new rules for airlines to compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight.
We have a better idea—or, more precisely, the late economist Julian Simon had one 30 years ago."
"The Department of Transportation, in its infinite wisdom, has announced new rules for airlines to compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight.
We have a better idea—or, more precisely, the late economist Julian Simon had one 30 years ago."
Bloody-Minded Union
Bloody-Minded Union - IBD - Investors.com
"Big Labor: Is there any low to which the SEIU won't stoop?
Now it's interrupting blood donations in a strike against the American Red Cross.
The Boy Scouts and Baptist churches are also on unions' enemies list."
"Big Labor: Is there any low to which the SEIU won't stoop?
Now it's interrupting blood donations in a strike against the American Red Cross.
The Boy Scouts and Baptist churches are also on unions' enemies list."
As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather
As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather - NASA Science
The sun is waking up from a deep slumber, and in the next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity.
At the same time, our technological society has developed an unprecedented sensitivity to solar storms.
The intersection of these two issues is what we're getting together to discuss.'"
The sun is waking up from a deep slumber, and in the next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity.
At the same time, our technological society has developed an unprecedented sensitivity to solar storms.
The intersection of these two issues is what we're getting together to discuss.'"
PBS' brand of 'civility'
PBS' brand of 'civility' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"PBS station managers made a big push last year to drive any trace of 'sectarian' Christianity out of the taxpayer-funded broadcasting system, banning any church services or religious lectures that appeared on a handful of stations.
They ultimately compromised and banned any new church programming.
But on at least one program, PBS sounds like it's declaring war on Christianity, including smears on Christianity that are not based on reality."
"PBS station managers made a big push last year to drive any trace of 'sectarian' Christianity out of the taxpayer-funded broadcasting system, banning any church services or religious lectures that appeared on a handful of stations.
They ultimately compromised and banned any new church programming.
But on at least one program, PBS sounds like it's declaring war on Christianity, including smears on Christianity that are not based on reality."
Chef In Gay Extort Bust
Chef In Gay Extort Bust - June 7, 2010
"Upon flying back to Detroit and conferring with his spouse, the man contacted the FBI about the shakedown plot. While claiming not to recall any 'homosexual liaison' in his hotel room, the man told investigators that he 'felt woozy and unclear' the morning after the purported encounter.
He also reported that his $20,000 Rolex was missing, along with a credit card and $200 in cash."
This is scary!
"Upon flying back to Detroit and conferring with his spouse, the man contacted the FBI about the shakedown plot. While claiming not to recall any 'homosexual liaison' in his hotel room, the man told investigators that he 'felt woozy and unclear' the morning after the purported encounter.
He also reported that his $20,000 Rolex was missing, along with a credit card and $200 in cash."
This is scary!
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Mosque at Ground Zero: Takbir!
Atlas Shrugs: Mosque at Ground Zero: Takbir!
"Here is CNN's piece on the offensive mosque at Ground Zero.
It is certainly more balanced than the interview I did with them on TV earlier this morning.
The interviewer was very hostile (shocka) and argumentative towards my position, while lobbing nerf balls to the disinformationalist Muslim journalist hurling Geller ad hominem attacks."
"Here is CNN's piece on the offensive mosque at Ground Zero.
It is certainly more balanced than the interview I did with them on TV earlier this morning.
The interviewer was very hostile (shocka) and argumentative towards my position, while lobbing nerf balls to the disinformationalist Muslim journalist hurling Geller ad hominem attacks."
22 Problems With The Senate's Illegal Immigration Bill
22 Problems With The Senate's Illegal Immigration Bill - Right Wing News (Conservative News and Views)
Read what the democrats are planning for America!
Read what the democrats are planning for America!
DNC, Obama Now Astroturfing Talk Radio
DNC, Obama Now Astroturfing Talk Radio - Big Journalism
"The shameless media manipulators at the DNC have a new campaign designed to promote Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court.
As with previous campaigns, the “Kagan for Justice Action Center” is run via a special website set up by Organizing for America.
It encourages people to write letters to the editors of newspapers nationwide
(And we can presume that, as before, local newspapers will publish DNC talking points without realizing it).
What’s new is that the DNC is now branching out to Astroturf talk radio as well.
Here’s how the page looks on their website:"
"The shameless media manipulators at the DNC have a new campaign designed to promote Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court.
As with previous campaigns, the “Kagan for Justice Action Center” is run via a special website set up by Organizing for America.
It encourages people to write letters to the editors of newspapers nationwide
(And we can presume that, as before, local newspapers will publish DNC talking points without realizing it).
What’s new is that the DNC is now branching out to Astroturf talk radio as well.
Here’s how the page looks on their website:"
FTC floats Drudge tax
EDITORIAL: FTC floats Drudge tax - Washington Times
"In other words, government policy would encourage a tax on websites like the Drudge Report, a must-read source for the news links of the day, so that the agency can redistribute the funds collected to various newspapers."
"In other words, government policy would encourage a tax on websites like the Drudge Report, a must-read source for the news links of the day, so that the agency can redistribute the funds collected to various newspapers."
U.S.’s $13 Trillion Debt Poised to Overtake GDP
U.S.’s $13 Trillion Debt Poised to Overtake GDP: Chart of Day - Bloomberg.com
"President Barack Obama is poised to increase the U.S. debt to a level that exceeds the value of the nation’s annual economic output, a step toward what Bill Gross called a “debt super cycle.”"
"President Barack Obama is poised to increase the U.S. debt to a level that exceeds the value of the nation’s annual economic output, a step toward what Bill Gross called a “debt super cycle.”"
Only through unfairness can fairness be achieved!
Only through unfairness can fairness be achieved!
"Only through unfairness can fairness be achieved!
I'm noticing a very peculiar trend in restrooms lately.
In government buildings, I am seeing floor after floor in which there are two types of restrooms, labeled thusly:
Women's Restroom
and
Unisex Restroom
While it's not the biggest deal in the world, I find myself having no other choice than to use the unisex restroom, but I wondered why women would have restrooms which no one else is allowed to use.
Is this some sort of twisted implementation of 'potty parity'?
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held hearings Wednesday on the 'Potty Parity Act,' a bill that seeks to address the unequal number of restroom facilities for women in federal buildings by requiring at least a 1-to-1 ratio for toilets, including urinals, in women's and men's restrooms.
Obviously the elimination of men's rooms (by simply converting them to 'unisex') achieves such parity without much expense, because it allows women to use 100% of the toilets, while forbidding men from using half of them.
Unless men object, women are thus over-enabled, and the 'problem' is solved."
"Only through unfairness can fairness be achieved!
I'm noticing a very peculiar trend in restrooms lately.
In government buildings, I am seeing floor after floor in which there are two types of restrooms, labeled thusly:
Women's Restroom
and
Unisex Restroom
While it's not the biggest deal in the world, I find myself having no other choice than to use the unisex restroom, but I wondered why women would have restrooms which no one else is allowed to use.
Is this some sort of twisted implementation of 'potty parity'?
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held hearings Wednesday on the 'Potty Parity Act,' a bill that seeks to address the unequal number of restroom facilities for women in federal buildings by requiring at least a 1-to-1 ratio for toilets, including urinals, in women's and men's restrooms.
Obviously the elimination of men's rooms (by simply converting them to 'unisex') achieves such parity without much expense, because it allows women to use 100% of the toilets, while forbidding men from using half of them.
Unless men object, women are thus over-enabled, and the 'problem' is solved."
Employee Records Hard to Come by at Mysterious State Child Care Agency
Employee Records Hard to Come by at Mysterious State Child Care Agency [Mackinac Center]
"The Michigan Home Based Child Care Council (MHBCCC), a controversial government agency that the legislature attempted to defund but was kept alive by the Michigan Department of Human Services, said in a June 2 letter it doesn't have a job description for its $80,000 executive director position and doesn't track the hours of its top executive.
But once contacted by Michigan Capitol Confidential, MHBCCC Executive Director D. Elizabeth Jordan stated Saturday in an e-mail the agency would provide a job description. Jordan's e-mail said there were no time sheets.
The government agency replied to a Freedom Of Information Act request by the Mackinac Center For Public Policy in a June 2 letter.
It stated:
'Executive Director Time Sheets or other records which demonstrate hours spent on the job on MHBCCC-related business and which explain the fulfillment of the aforementioned job description and requirements.
Please be advised that no such documents exist.'
Jordan signed the June 2 letter that stated there were no documents on her job.
Jordan's salary is $80,000 a year."
"The Michigan Home Based Child Care Council (MHBCCC), a controversial government agency that the legislature attempted to defund but was kept alive by the Michigan Department of Human Services, said in a June 2 letter it doesn't have a job description for its $80,000 executive director position and doesn't track the hours of its top executive.
But once contacted by Michigan Capitol Confidential, MHBCCC Executive Director D. Elizabeth Jordan stated Saturday in an e-mail the agency would provide a job description. Jordan's e-mail said there were no time sheets.
The government agency replied to a Freedom Of Information Act request by the Mackinac Center For Public Policy in a June 2 letter.
It stated:
'Executive Director Time Sheets or other records which demonstrate hours spent on the job on MHBCCC-related business and which explain the fulfillment of the aforementioned job description and requirements.
Please be advised that no such documents exist.'
Jordan signed the June 2 letter that stated there were no documents on her job.
Jordan's salary is $80,000 a year."
Mackinac ideas deserve aggressive action | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Mackinac ideas deserve aggressive action detnews.com
"For decades, Detroit has devolved into the poster child for all the failures of the entitlement world first envisioned by the Great Cities concept of President Lyndon Johnson.
For two decades, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce leadership conference has become the poster child for well meaning discussion of important issues, but no significant progress.
But now, in a span of just three hours, all of that has a chance to change"
"For decades, Detroit has devolved into the poster child for all the failures of the entitlement world first envisioned by the Great Cities concept of President Lyndon Johnson.
For two decades, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce leadership conference has become the poster child for well meaning discussion of important issues, but no significant progress.
But now, in a span of just three hours, all of that has a chance to change"
O.C. loses fight to keep pension data secretunty Register
O.C. loses fight to keep pension data secret - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register
"We won!
The Orange County Employees Retirement System must hand over the the names and yearly pension amounts of retirees collecting at least $100,000, a judge has ruled.
"We won!
The Orange County Employees Retirement System must hand over the the names and yearly pension amounts of retirees collecting at least $100,000, a judge has ruled.
Glenn Reynolds: Higher education's bubble is about to burst | Washington Examiner
Glenn Reynolds: Higher education's bubble is about to burst Washington Examiner: "the amount families pay for college has skyrocketed 439 percent since 1982. ... Normal supply and demand can't begin to explain cost increases of this magnitude.'"
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Sweden to boycott Israeli cargo
Sweden to boycott Israeli cargo
"Swedish dockworkers are set to launch a week-long boycott of Israeli ships and goods to protest Monday's takeover of a Gaza-destined aid flotilla, a union spokesman said Saturday."
"Swedish dockworkers are set to launch a week-long boycott of Israeli ships and goods to protest Monday's takeover of a Gaza-destined aid flotilla, a union spokesman said Saturday."
Busted
Busted - John J. Miller - The Corner on National Review Online
"Since the fall of the Soviet Union, statues of Joseph Stalin have been torn down all over Europe and even in the former Soviet Union itself.
The world is closer than ever before to a consensus on the evils of communism and Stalin's primary role in the worst crimes of the last century.
And yet a statue of Stalin is included in the National D-Day Memorial, to be dedicated in Bedford, Virginia, this Sunday, June 6."
"Since the fall of the Soviet Union, statues of Joseph Stalin have been torn down all over Europe and even in the former Soviet Union itself.
The world is closer than ever before to a consensus on the evils of communism and Stalin's primary role in the worst crimes of the last century.
And yet a statue of Stalin is included in the National D-Day Memorial, to be dedicated in Bedford, Virginia, this Sunday, June 6."
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