Friday, August 13, 2010

Passenger: Slater Gave Impression He Was Drinking

Passenger: Slater Gave Impression He Was Drinking « CBS New York
"But, as CBS 2′s Pablo Guzman reports, where he has told ”one” story, passengers are saying there was a whole other side of him that’s quite different from the folk hero and victim he’s been made out to be."

American "hero" or just another TV induced "reality"-narcissist?

Memorial service for crew of World War II submarine U.S.S. Flier might bring closure for families

Memorial service for crew of World War II submarine U.S.S. Flier might bring closure for families MLive.com
"The submarine in the film, discovered in 330 feet of water, was confirmed as the U.S.S. Flier in February 2010, Herzhaft said.

Alvin Jacobson was one of 14 crew members on the submarine’s top deck, who were thrown into the sea when a mine blew a hole in the side of the submarine.
The U.S.S. Flier sank in about one minute, drowning 72 crew members.

Six of the 14 initial survivors died in the 18-hour swim to Mantangula Island, which had no fresh water.
The eight remaining survivors then swam to another island, where sympathetic Filipinos assisted them until they were picked up by the U.S.S. Redfin, another submarine."

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Civil servants paid more like masters

Editorial: Civil servants paid more like masters federal, workers, pay - Opinion - The Orange County Register
"Workers in the federal government now earn, on average, double what private-sector workers make, according to a USA Today study released Aug. 10.
'Federal civil servants earned average pay and benefits of $123,049 in 2009 while private workers made $61,051 in total compensation,' the paper said.
'Public employee unions say the compensation gap reflects the increasingly high level of skill and education required for most federal jobs and the government contracting out lower-paid jobs to the private sector in recent years.'

The report was based on numbers from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The federal pay and benefits also were much higher than the $69,912 average for state and local government workers."

Tom Izzo's recruiting explosion

Tom Izzo's recruiting explosion - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
"In the past year or so, we've seen some truly remarkable recruiting efforts.
The most notable, of course, have come from Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose back-to-back No. 1 overall recruiting classes are likely to be followed by a third in 2011, which could be his best class ever.
Since he brought his talents to Lexington, Ky., Calipari is dominating the national talent scene in a way few -- if any -- of his peers can match.

But Tom Izzo sure is going to try.
Over the past 12 days, Izzo has landed five verbal commitments, filling out his rosters for the 2011 and 2012 seasons in less than two weeks.

Lansing State Journal beat reporter Joe Rexrode says he's never seen so many commitments flock to Michigan State in such a short span of time."

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Great hockey comment!

You've got to love this Guy!! DON CHERRY of hockey night in Canada , was asked on a local live radio talk show, just what he thought about the allegations of torture of suspected terrorists.
His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.


HIS STATEMENT:

"If hooking up one rag head terrorist prisoner's testicles to a car battery to get the truth out of the lying little camel shagger will save just one Canadian life, then I have only three things to say:

'Red is positive, black is negative, and make sure his nuts are wet."

Grand Rapids urban market to be non-profit

Grand Rapids urban market to be non-profit, operate on land owned by for-profit corporation MLive.com
"A new downtown urban market would be run by a new non-profit organization with the property owned by a for-profit corporation, according to a deal approved this morning."

"Non-profit".......well...duh...

“Shut up! You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!”

“Shut up! You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!” The Foundry: Conservative Policy News

"Take heed, America.
The next time you visit Washington, D.C., feel free to stand in awe of the monuments to our greatest leaders, but do not — DO NOT — sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial.
It turns out that doing so is a violation of federal law.

A group of high school students from around the country learned that lesson the hard way on June 25 when they sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Lincoln Memorial.
A United States Park Police officer told them to pipe down because their singing was considered an illegal demonstration, as Fox News reports. The students, who are members of the Young America’s Foundation, were visiting the city for a conservative leadership conference.

What law, exactly, was being violated?
According to Fox News:

U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain ‘completely content neutral.’”"

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Are federal workers overpaid?

Are federal workers overpaid? - wtop.com
"WASHINGTON - When it comes to pay, federal workers receive benefits that averaged about $41,791 in 2009.
When you factor in salaries and those benefits, which include pensions, federal civil servants earned about $123,049 in 2009.

By comparison, private workers made $61,051 in total compensation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis."

Mexican President Calls on U.S. to Close the Border to Illegal Arms| AHN

Mexican President Calls on U.S. to Close the Border to Illegal Arms AHN
"Mexican President Felipe Calderon is renewing his call for the United States to stop the flow of illegal arms into Mexico that he says is making his country's drug war more deadly."

If You Tax Something, You Get Less of It

CARPE DIEM: If You Tax Something, You Get Less of It
"In this previous CD post, it was reported that world-class Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won't be competiting in this weekend's Aviva London Grand Prix because of a new U.K. tax rule that imposes a top rate of income tax of 50 percent on athletes, not just on the income earned in the U.K., but also on a proportion of their worldwide sponsorship and endorsement income.

Now it looks like some of the leading professional golfers aren't so sure they want to play in this year's Ryder Cup, scheduled to take place in Wales in October.
The European Tour's director of public relations said today taht the tax rule was 'seriously hampering our efforts.'"

Hillary for Vice President?

Hillary for Vice President? - WSJ.com
"Former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder, his state's first African-American governor, touched off the controversy.
Writing at Politico.com last week, Mr. Wilder argued that Mr. Biden's tenure has been undistinguished and chock full of 'too many YouTube moments.'
He charged that Mr. Biden 'has continued to undermine what little confidence the public may have had in him.'

By way of contrast, Mr. Wilder says that Hillary Clinton has excelled in her role. 'Clinton has been nothing but a team player who has earned good marks since being asked to serve as secretary of state.'
Having Mrs. Clinton join the 2012 ticket, he said, would revive the Democratic Party and reestablish the party's working-class voters who found her appealing during the 2012 primaries against Mr. Obama."

Those Racist Cops Are At It Again

American Thinker: Those Racist Cops Are At It Again
"there was a loud roar of criticism from civil rights groups recently when the NYPD released its data on Stop and Frisk interactions for 2009.

It seems that cops made 575,000 pedestrian stops last year, 55 percent involving blacks.

Critics quickly pointed out that blacks are only 23 percent of the population, while whites, who comprise 35 percent of the city's residents, were only involved in 10 percent of the stops.

So, as is typical with all these race-baiting groups, the implication is that the police are racists who enjoy harassing black people by asking them a few questions during circumstances that aroused the officers' suspicion."

Did the Stimulus Stimulate?

Did the Stimulus Stimulate? The Weekly Standard
"This is the economic equivalent of assuming there are 1,000 angels on the head of a pin, observing that we have 10 pins, and therefore calculating that we must have 10,000 angels.

The math is fine.

But it sheds no light on the key policy issue—were the recently passed acts of government stimulus cost effective?

The degree of cost effectiveness was an assumed number, not one calculated using any version of the scientific method."

Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"

American Thinker: Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"
"The ad was refused. When I asked on what grounds, CBS Outdoor told me that the city said that 'images of 911 were not allowed.'

I was floored. I said, 'It is American history. How can it be banned? What about Pearl Harbor? Is that censored too? On what grounds are 911 images banned? It is unconscionable.'

The CBS Outdoor representative told me: 'You can't run the plane.'"

Monday, August 09, 2010

Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute

Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com
"A JetBlue flight attendant apparently upset with an uncooperative passenger on a just-landed flight unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on the public-address system, pulled the emergency-exit chute, slid off the plane and fled Kennedy International Airport, a law enforcement official said."

The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien Régime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people

The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien Régime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people – Telegraph Blogs
"It is the kind of impunity that has been highlighted on the world stage this week by Michelle Obama’s hugely costly trip to Spain, which has prompted a New York Post columnist Andrea Tantaros to dub the First Lady a contemporary Marie Antoinette.
As The Telegraph reports, while the Obamas are covering their own vacation expenses such as accommodation, the trip may cost US taxpayers as much as $375,000 in terms of secret service security and flight costs on Air Force Two."

U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing

U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing - CNN.com
"Experts on the nation's electricity system point to a frighteningly steep increase in non-disaster-related outages affecting at least 50,000 consumers."

Pelosi Economics

Pelosi Economics [Mackinac Center]
"Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. Speaker of the House, recently said that unemployment benefits are creating jobs faster than practically any other program.
'It injects demand into the economy,' Pelosi said. 'It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.'

Some public policy experts and national media writers sound off on Pelosi's comments:"

Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]

Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]
"A 94-year-old nursing home resident was held in a 'hammerlock' position so she could not move while a Medicaid provider forced her to give an impression for dentures. She had been without teeth for 50 years and didn't want them. When she left the exam room, her face, neck and dress were covered with impression plaster."

86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections

FOXNews.com - 86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections
"In New Jersey, a 'Tea Party' candidate surfaces but local activists haven't heard of him.
In Michigan, a Democratic operative appears closely tied to a slate of candidates running under the Tea Party banner."

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success

Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success--Editorial - NYPOST.com
"How's this for hubris: President Obama extolling his 'new strategy' in Iraq -- even though it never would have succeeded had his original vision prevailed?

The president struck a triumphal tone this week about the Iraq mission coming to an end -- but shunned the word 'success.'
He spoke of 'ending' the war, but took pains to avoid context.

Sen. John McCain rightly called the address 'small-minded' and 'bizarre.'"

The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights

The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights [Mackinac Center]
"In Sterling Heights, Police Chief Michael Reese made $132,310 in 2009.

He was only the third highest paid employee in his department.

Sgt. Paul Korell's $146,256 and Sgt. Guy Holmes' $138,322 were the two highest annual paychecks in a department where 50 of the 254 full and part-time employees made six figures."

LET THEM EAT CAKE...

LET THEM EAT CAKE... Newsradio 620 Charlie Sykes
"*'Modern-Day Marie Antoinette' Andrea Tantaros at New York Daily News is the first to make the call.
The problem for her, though, is not so much the excess itself as the excess on the public dime, as well as the hypocrisy:
[Sacrifice] was a key theme in President Obama's inaugural address to the nation ...

But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns--or forgoing them altogether--the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice ...
To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another.
Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny ...
I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard.
We all need downtime--the First Family included.

It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonization of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy"

Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund lansingstatejournal.com
"The Lansing Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to ask voters in November to support a property tax increase for building repairs.

The move comes after three years of studying the issue.

Superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. said the proposal, if approved, 'enhances the opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn.'"

Bullshit!
The teachers took all the money and now there's none left to fix the buildings.
And aren't the MEAP scores just.......disgusting!

Catching our breath

Catching our breath - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"It's all happening too fast, isn't it?
MSU's getting a football or basketball recruit every 12 minutes, preseason polls are coming out, Barry Alvarez is giving strong hints again, Rich Rodriguez is making more unwanted headlines ... and it's not like this has been your typical slow summer anyway."

Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds

Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Hamtramck officials say the city is no longer paying its monthly Detroit Water and Sewerage bill in response to a feud with the City of Detroit over a tax agreement."

A template for NS and RP vs Muskegon Heights?

Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal

Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal MLive.com
"And critics such as the Education Action Group argue the bill isn't about education, but is more of a bail-out for teachers unions, designed to spare members from making wage and benefit concessions."

ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”: Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be…

Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”
Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be President.

Michelle’s $375,000 Spanish vacation — with the Daily Mail dubbing her a “modern-day Marie Antoinette” — is further proof of my thesis.
What man who wanted to be re-elected (or see his party do well in November) would let his wife go off on such an “excellent adventure” in these economic times?
Of course no one denies the right of people to have vacations – I’m coming to the end of one myself on my beloved Bainbridge Island — but closing Mediterranean beaches while booking 60-plus rooms in a five star Marbella hotel for her entourage?
It is beyond tone deaf, perhaps to the level of subconscious (or even deliberate) self-sabotage.

At the very least, something most peculiar is going on.
The first lady goes off on a jaunt worthy of 18th Century aristocracy at the very moment of her husband’s birthday."

Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President?

Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President? - Yahoo! News
"Detroit's official unemployment rate is 24%, the highest among major U.S. cities.
But officials here believe the actual jobless rate may be 50%, since the official statistics fail to include people who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits or have stopped looking for work.

To put this in historical context: a decade ago, Detroit's jobless rate was 6.7%

At the height of the Great Depression, in 1933, about one-quarter of Americans were unemployed."

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts'

Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts' MLive.com:
"He returned home after having several drinks only to fall asleep, and wake up with only a stump left of his big right toe.
Kiko, sleeping nearby, had blood on its face.

At the hospital, where the infected toe was later amputated, Douthett learned the dog likely saved his life.
He indeed had Type 2 diabetes, and his blood-sugar levels were dangerously high.
He's now on the mend.
He's taking diabetes medication, and notes that Kiko was to be released today from the 'house quarantine' Kent County authorities had the terrier under in case of rabies.
Just to be safe, Douthett sleeps in his shoes."