Thursday, August 05, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit
Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit Detroit Free Press
"The intent was to start small: Build a 3-mile light-rail line that would run from Hart Plaza to the New Center in Detroit.
From there, stakeholders would try to build upon the system, ultimately turning it into a $10-billion system of light rail, commuter trains and high-speed buses spanning metro Detroit.
That start-small idea got a big boost Monday when Detroit Mayor Dave Bing received a gleaming endorsement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood"
"The intent was to start small: Build a 3-mile light-rail line that would run from Hart Plaza to the New Center in Detroit.
From there, stakeholders would try to build upon the system, ultimately turning it into a $10-billion system of light rail, commuter trains and high-speed buses spanning metro Detroit.
That start-small idea got a big boost Monday when Detroit Mayor Dave Bing received a gleaming endorsement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood"
Michigan court sets new standard in injury lawsuits
Michigan court sets new standard in injury lawsuits Detroit Free Press
"Dissenting were Justices Maura Corrigan, Stephen Markman and Robert Young Jr., who criticized the majority for reversing course abruptly and potentially threatening the financial integrity of the no-fault system, which is premised on limiting lawsuits in exchange for more generous and efficiently administered benefits.
Peter Kuhnmeunch, of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, said it is too soon to know whether the new standard will result in a dramatic increase in lawsuits and higher premiums."
"Dissenting were Justices Maura Corrigan, Stephen Markman and Robert Young Jr., who criticized the majority for reversing course abruptly and potentially threatening the financial integrity of the no-fault system, which is premised on limiting lawsuits in exchange for more generous and efficiently administered benefits.
Peter Kuhnmeunch, of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, said it is too soon to know whether the new standard will result in a dramatic increase in lawsuits and higher premiums."
New State Data Shows Michigan Public Schools Spent Record Amount Per-Student
New State Data Shows Michigan Public Schools Spent Record Amount Per-Student [Mackinac Center]: "Combined taxes from local, state and federal sources pumped $19.59 billion in the public school system last year.
This gross receipts figure was actually down $200 million from the previous year, but since the number of students dropped by an unprecedented 31,000 from 2007-2008, the amount of money spent per student increased by $200, to just over $13,000."
This gross receipts figure was actually down $200 million from the previous year, but since the number of students dropped by an unprecedented 31,000 from 2007-2008, the amount of money spent per student increased by $200, to just over $13,000."
Dangers of Status Quo Budgeting in Higher Education
Analysis: Dangers of Status Quo Budgeting in Higher Education [Mackinac Center]
"One of the biggest changes in higher education lately has been the growth of overhead employment.
The number of administrators and service staff in Michigan's 15 state universities increased from 19,576 in 2005 to 22,472 in 2009.
And in addition to all the new employees, average compensation increased by 13 percent as well."
"One of the biggest changes in higher education lately has been the growth of overhead employment.
The number of administrators and service staff in Michigan's 15 state universities increased from 19,576 in 2005 to 22,472 in 2009.
And in addition to all the new employees, average compensation increased by 13 percent as well."
GVSU buys building hikes tuition
GVSU buys building hikes tuition
"The tuition hike of 5.3% -- about $229 per semester -- comes along with a one-year wage freeze for university employees."
"The tuition hike of 5.3% -- about $229 per semester -- comes along with a one-year wage freeze for university employees."
WMU raises tuition 7.4 percent
WMU raises tuition 7.4 percent
"The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees on Friday approved a 7.4 percent increase in tuition and required fees.
Officials said in a news release the increase will allow the 'university to make strategic investments in academic areas and boost academic resources available to students but still maintain its position as one of the nation's best values in higher education.'
The increases for the 2010-11 academic year will amount to $312 per semester or $624 per year for an in-state resident who is a full-time freshman or sophomore. The increased rates adopted by the board include fee increases that account for 0.5 percent of the total increase.
The fee changes include modest increases to existing technology and recreation fees of $25 and $15 per semester, respectively, and a new sustainability fee of $8 per semester approved by a vote of the WMU student body during the spring 2010 semester."
"The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees on Friday approved a 7.4 percent increase in tuition and required fees.
Officials said in a news release the increase will allow the 'university to make strategic investments in academic areas and boost academic resources available to students but still maintain its position as one of the nation's best values in higher education.'
The increases for the 2010-11 academic year will amount to $312 per semester or $624 per year for an in-state resident who is a full-time freshman or sophomore. The increased rates adopted by the board include fee increases that account for 0.5 percent of the total increase.
The fee changes include modest increases to existing technology and recreation fees of $25 and $15 per semester, respectively, and a new sustainability fee of $8 per semester approved by a vote of the WMU student body during the spring 2010 semester."
Newcomers will be plentiful in Michigan Legislature with all 148 seats on the line
Newcomers will be plentiful in Michigan Legislature with all 148 seats on the line
More than half the lawmakers now in the Legislature will be gone from their current seats next year, one of the largest turnovers in decades.
Only nine of 38 seats in the Senate are held by an incumbent seeking re-election, along with 58 of 110 seats in the House.
More than half the lawmakers now in the Legislature will be gone from their current seats next year, one of the largest turnovers in decades.
Only nine of 38 seats in the Senate are held by an incumbent seeking re-election, along with 58 of 110 seats in the House.
Norton Shores to ask for approval of ballot language for public safety millage
Norton Shores to ask for approval of ballot language for public safety millage MLive.com
"The Norton Shores City Council voted unanimously Monday to ask the state attorney general’s office to approve ballot language for a dedicated public safety millage, one of the last hurdles before the question may be put before voters.
The attorney general’s office will decide whether language for the proposed 10-year, 2-mill property tax increase — which only would be used for public safety-related expenses — is sufficient, city officials said."
"The Norton Shores City Council voted unanimously Monday to ask the state attorney general’s office to approve ballot language for a dedicated public safety millage, one of the last hurdles before the question may be put before voters.
The attorney general’s office will decide whether language for the proposed 10-year, 2-mill property tax increase — which only would be used for public safety-related expenses — is sufficient, city officials said."
Mau-Mauing the Free Press
The American Spectator : Mau-Mauing the Free Press
"Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia University, host to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and newly appointed head of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, says government should get into the business of subsidizing journalism.
Like other Obama appointees, he says he is concerned that, with the changes in the financial structure of journalism, Americans might be deprived 'of the essential information they need as citizens.'
It's not difficult to imagine that one of those 'needs' would be a more 'balanced' view of President Obama.
Can anyone doubt that an administration that was willing to Madoff General Motors' bondholders in favor of its own union supporters would not exercise maximum bias in subsidizing the press?
Mr. Bollinger, practicing the glib and oily art to speak and purpose not, is a harbinger of Venezuelan-style gangster journalism."
"Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia University, host to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and newly appointed head of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, says government should get into the business of subsidizing journalism.
Like other Obama appointees, he says he is concerned that, with the changes in the financial structure of journalism, Americans might be deprived 'of the essential information they need as citizens.'
It's not difficult to imagine that one of those 'needs' would be a more 'balanced' view of President Obama.
Can anyone doubt that an administration that was willing to Madoff General Motors' bondholders in favor of its own union supporters would not exercise maximum bias in subsidizing the press?
Mr. Bollinger, practicing the glib and oily art to speak and purpose not, is a harbinger of Venezuelan-style gangster journalism."
Monday, August 02, 2010
Heroism in ambush may yield top valor awards
Heroism in ambush may yield top valor awards - Navy News, news from Iraq - Navy Times
"With no air or artillery support, the Marines of Embedded Training Team 2-8 were trapped deep in a kill zone in eastern Afghanistan.
Their radios worked only sporadically, and dozens of insurgents fired on them repeatedly from three sides.
“We’re surrounded!” Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson yelled into his radio in the early-morning hours of Sept. 8, 2009.
“They’re moving in on us!”"
"With no air or artillery support, the Marines of Embedded Training Team 2-8 were trapped deep in a kill zone in eastern Afghanistan.
Their radios worked only sporadically, and dozens of insurgents fired on them repeatedly from three sides.
“We’re surrounded!” Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson yelled into his radio in the early-morning hours of Sept. 8, 2009.
“They’re moving in on us!”"
The Secret History of Climate Alarmism
The Secret History of Climate Alarmism The Weekly Standard
"Changes in the earth’s atmosphere, the additional greenhouse effect and the resultant changes in the climate . . . represent a global danger for humanity and the entire biosphere of the earth.
If no effective counteracting measures are taken, dramatic consequences are to be expected for all of the earth’s regions.
This warning will undoubtedly seem familiar, perhaps even mind-numbingly so.
But if the substance sounds like the same-old same-old, the date on which it was issued might seem surprising.
It was not in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit or indeed anytime in the last decade.
The above passage is nearly two decades old.
It comes from a resolution adopted by the German Bundestag in September 1991."
"Changes in the earth’s atmosphere, the additional greenhouse effect and the resultant changes in the climate . . . represent a global danger for humanity and the entire biosphere of the earth.
If no effective counteracting measures are taken, dramatic consequences are to be expected for all of the earth’s regions.
This warning will undoubtedly seem familiar, perhaps even mind-numbingly so.
But if the substance sounds like the same-old same-old, the date on which it was issued might seem surprising.
It was not in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit or indeed anytime in the last decade.
The above passage is nearly two decades old.
It comes from a resolution adopted by the German Bundestag in September 1991."
Obama's Immigration Power Play
The American Spectator : Obama's Immigration Power Play
"Last week, the Obama administration got Clinton-appointed Judge Susan Bolton to at least temporarily throw out key provisions of Arizona's immigration law.
Within 24 hours came more evidence that they weren't done eviscerating immigration enforcement yet.
That proof came in the form of an astonishing internal memo outlining ways the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) could effectively legalize at least tens of thousands of illegal immigrants even if Congress fails to enact amnesty.
Some would be granted resident status with the USCIS simply giving them green cards.
Others would be allowed to evade deportation, possibly indefinitely."
"Last week, the Obama administration got Clinton-appointed Judge Susan Bolton to at least temporarily throw out key provisions of Arizona's immigration law.
Within 24 hours came more evidence that they weren't done eviscerating immigration enforcement yet.
That proof came in the form of an astonishing internal memo outlining ways the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) could effectively legalize at least tens of thousands of illegal immigrants even if Congress fails to enact amnesty.
Some would be granted resident status with the USCIS simply giving them green cards.
Others would be allowed to evade deportation, possibly indefinitely."
Climate Profiteers
Climate Profiteers - IBD - Investors.com
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"
Climate Profiteers
Climate Profiteers - IBD - Investors.com
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"
"And what are those goals, and just what has GEPAC accomplished thus far? 'On climate change,' Rice wrote, 'we were able to work closely with key authors of the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives. If this bill is enacted into law, it will benefit many GE businesses.'"
Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force
Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force
"East St. Louis has been crippled by crime and poverty for decades. Police officials say the cuts will mean fewer officers for patrols, investigations and juvenile cases.
Fire officials said the region should be upset because the department will have fewer people at the ready to fight fires on some of the region’s major highways and bridges"
"East St. Louis has been crippled by crime and poverty for decades. Police officials say the cuts will mean fewer officers for patrols, investigations and juvenile cases.
Fire officials said the region should be upset because the department will have fewer people at the ready to fight fires on some of the region’s major highways and bridges"
Oops! Obama mama passport 'destroyed'
Oops! Obama mama passport 'destroyed'
"Last week, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the State Department released passport records of Stanley Ann Dunham, President Obama's mother – but those records for the years surrounding Obama's 1961 birth are missing.
The State Department claims that a 1980s General Services Administration directive had resulted in the destruction of many passport applications and other 'non-vital' passport records, including Dunham's 1965 passport application and any other passports she may have applied for or held prior to 1965.
Destroyed, then, would also be any records shedding light on whether Dunham did or did not travel out of the country around the time of Barack Obama's birth."
DOH...?
"Last week, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the State Department released passport records of Stanley Ann Dunham, President Obama's mother – but those records for the years surrounding Obama's 1961 birth are missing.
The State Department claims that a 1980s General Services Administration directive had resulted in the destruction of many passport applications and other 'non-vital' passport records, including Dunham's 1965 passport application and any other passports she may have applied for or held prior to 1965.
Destroyed, then, would also be any records shedding light on whether Dunham did or did not travel out of the country around the time of Barack Obama's birth."
DOH...?
Pastor sticks up for modern view of God
Pastor sticks up for modern view of God - Religion - NewsObserver.com
"As Duke's campus minister for the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Mark Rutledge helped lead weekly worship services - reading Scripture and reciting the creed. He counseled students about their faith and took part in interfaith activities on campus.
But Rutledge is the first to admit he does not believe in a supernatural God with supernatural powers.
'The cosmic guy in the sky is not a credible image of God,' he said."
"As Duke's campus minister for the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Mark Rutledge helped lead weekly worship services - reading Scripture and reciting the creed. He counseled students about their faith and took part in interfaith activities on campus.
But Rutledge is the first to admit he does not believe in a supernatural God with supernatural powers.
'The cosmic guy in the sky is not a credible image of God,' he said."
Chicago: Where Criminals No Longer Fear the Police
Pajamas Media » Chicago: Where Criminals No Longer Fear the Police
"(Chicagoans might find some comfort in the knowledge that the murder rate in Detroit is almost twice as high as theirs, and New Orleans’s is more than three times as high.)"
"(Chicagoans might find some comfort in the knowledge that the murder rate in Detroit is almost twice as high as theirs, and New Orleans’s is more than three times as high.)"
Sunday, August 01, 2010
The Auto Bailout Payback
The Auto Bailout Payback [Mackinac Center]
"President Barack Obama went on the TV show 'The View' and told the cast that all the taxpayer money his administration spent to bail out General Motors and Chrysler will be repaid.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy experts talk about their take on the impact of the auto bailouts"
"President Barack Obama went on the TV show 'The View' and told the cast that all the taxpayer money his administration spent to bail out General Motors and Chrysler will be repaid.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy experts talk about their take on the impact of the auto bailouts"
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Paperwork nightmare: A struggle to fix new law
Paperwork nightmare: A struggle to fix new law
"Tucked into the new health care law is a requirement that could become a paperwork nightmare for nearly 40 million businesses.
They must file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods."
"Tucked into the new health care law is a requirement that could become a paperwork nightmare for nearly 40 million businesses.
They must file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods."
Congress Passed an Arizona-Like Immigration Law in 1996
Congress Passed an Arizona-Like Immigration Law in 1996 - Chris Battle (usnews.com
"The federal law that has been on the books for more than decade … empowers state and local law enforcement to impose immigration law. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 60 jurisdictions in states across the country have taken advantage of this law."
"The federal law that has been on the books for more than decade … empowers state and local law enforcement to impose immigration law. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 60 jurisdictions in states across the country have taken advantage of this law."
NUGENT: It is us
NUGENT: It is us - Washington Times
"NUGENT: It is us
We're the ones who allowed anti-Americans to take over America"
"NUGENT: It is us
We're the ones who allowed anti-Americans to take over America"
Administration considers going around Congress to let illegal immigrants stay
Administration considers going around Congress to let illegal immigrants stay Washington Examiner
The Obama administration, unable to push an immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to let undocumented immigrants stay in the United States, according to an agency memo."
The Obama administration, unable to push an immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to let undocumented immigrants stay in the United States, according to an agency memo."
From the "You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up" File: ADA vs. Chipotle; Happy 20th Birthday ADA
CARPE DIEM: From the "You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up" File: ADA vs. Chipotle; Happy 20th Birthday ADA
"'The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that customers in wheelchairs are being denied the full 'Chipotle experience' of watching their food being prepared because Chipotle's 45-inch counters are too high.'"
"'The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that customers in wheelchairs are being denied the full 'Chipotle experience' of watching their food being prepared because Chipotle's 45-inch counters are too high.'"
Friday, July 30, 2010
California fiscal emergency declared by governor
California fiscal emergency declared by governor Reuters
"In the declaration, Schwarzenegger ordered three days off without pay per month beginning in August for thousands of state employees to preserve the state's cash to pay debt obligations, and for essential services."
We Michiganders are on our way there if we don't stop the spending NOW!
"In the declaration, Schwarzenegger ordered three days off without pay per month beginning in August for thousands of state employees to preserve the state's cash to pay debt obligations, and for essential services."
We Michiganders are on our way there if we don't stop the spending NOW!
The Volt - G.M.’s Electric Lemon
"For starters, G.M.’s vision turned into a car that costs $41,000 before relevant tax breaks ... but after billions of dollars of government loans and grants for the Volt’s development and production.
And instead of the sleek coupe of 2007, it looks suspiciously similar to a Toyota Prius.
It also requires premium gasoline, seats only four people (the battery runs down the center of the car, preventing a rear bench) and has less head and leg room than the $17,000 Chevrolet Cruze, which is more or less the non-electric version of the Volt.
In short, the Volt appears to be exactly the kind of green-at-all-costs car that some opponents of the bailout feared the government might order G.M. to build.
Unfortunately for this theory, G.M. was already committed to the Volt when it entered bankruptcy.
And though President Obama’s task force reported in 2009 that the Volt “will likely be too expensive to be commercially successful in the short term,” it didn’t cancel the project."
Not a Real News Network Anyway, MSNBC Announces Name and Format Change: Welcome to MPTV - Big Journalism#more-101193#more-101193
Watch for BIG changes in MSNBC in september!
"O boy, is this great!"
the Origins of the 'Acting White' Phenomenon
Author John McWhorter Dissects the Origins of the 'Acting White' Phenomenon
"a crucial reason for the gap in scholarly performance between even middle-class black students and white ones was that to be Young, Gifted and Black is often to also find oneself tarred as ''acting white'' by black peers"
There seems to not be an issue to the NAACP or it's personal political party, the democrats.
But Andrew Breitbart is a BIG deal!
Anyone sense a lack if seriousness here....
"a crucial reason for the gap in scholarly performance between even middle-class black students and white ones was that to be Young, Gifted and Black is often to also find oneself tarred as ''acting white'' by black peers"
There seems to not be an issue to the NAACP or it's personal political party, the democrats.
But Andrew Breitbart is a BIG deal!
Anyone sense a lack if seriousness here....
Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License!
Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License! [Mackinac Center]: "Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License!By Ken Braun July 27, 2010
Motorist with three or more unpaid parking tickets at one time should be looking warily over their shoulder at what state politicians are doing with legislation that has cleared the Michigan House but come to a stall in the Senate.
House Bill 4726, sponsored by Rep. Roy Schmidt, D-Grand Rapids, would have the Secretary of State deny a driver license renewal to any motorist with as few as three unpaid parking tickets. The bill cleared the Michigan House last October on a vote of 68-37."
"No other problems happenin' here folks....just workin' on the things that REALLY matter folks...."
This is your democrat party in Michigan folks!
Motorist with three or more unpaid parking tickets at one time should be looking warily over their shoulder at what state politicians are doing with legislation that has cleared the Michigan House but come to a stall in the Senate.
House Bill 4726, sponsored by Rep. Roy Schmidt, D-Grand Rapids, would have the Secretary of State deny a driver license renewal to any motorist with as few as three unpaid parking tickets. The bill cleared the Michigan House last October on a vote of 68-37."
"No other problems happenin' here folks....just workin' on the things that REALLY matter folks...."
This is your democrat party in Michigan folks!
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