GETZ: Honoring a fallen Marine - Washington Times
"Cpl.Wilson eloped with his fiancee, Hannah, just before he deployed to Afghanistan.
Now, at age 20, she is a widow.
The current wars have created several thousand young widows.
If you would console yourself with the idea that these young women were married such a short time and have so much life still ahead of them, that the loss they feel is somehow mitigated, you should meet Hannah McVeigh-Wilson.
She was brave enough to marry a Marine headed for combat who told her he didn't want to wait until he returned because, in case he didn't come home, he wanted to know he'd had all the experiences he could have in life, and one of the most important was to marry her.
It tears at the heart to see her living with that legacy and loss."
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Cities, Fiscal Health and Union Contracts
Cities, Fiscal Health and Union Contracts [Mackinac Center]
"Local governments are in declining fiscal health that many top administrators believe will get worse in the coming year, according to a University of Michigan report."
"Local governments are in declining fiscal health that many top administrators believe will get worse in the coming year, according to a University of Michigan report."
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Smoking ban dries up business
Smoking ban dries up business freep.com Detroit Free Press
"On some weekend nights, there used to be seven waitresses working the crowd at Perfect Pitcher Sports Pub in Taylor.
But since Michigan's smoking ban went into effect May 1, Natalie Samu, the soon-to-be ex-owner of the bar, has just one or two waitresses serving the dwindling crowd.
'Our business is down over 50%,' said Samu, who sold the bar earlier this month but will stay on as manager. 'I know things go down in the summer, but it's never been this bad.'"
But think of all the drinkers who will be spared the horrors of "second hand smoke junk science"!
"On some weekend nights, there used to be seven waitresses working the crowd at Perfect Pitcher Sports Pub in Taylor.
But since Michigan's smoking ban went into effect May 1, Natalie Samu, the soon-to-be ex-owner of the bar, has just one or two waitresses serving the dwindling crowd.
'Our business is down over 50%,' said Samu, who sold the bar earlier this month but will stay on as manager. 'I know things go down in the summer, but it's never been this bad.'"
But think of all the drinkers who will be spared the horrors of "second hand smoke junk science"!
Pension Fraud in New Jersey Puts Focus on Illinois
Pension Fraud in New Jersey Puts Focus on Illinois - NYTimes.com
"The federal government’s crackdown on the State of New Jersey this week for misrepresenting the condition of its pension funds raises a question:
Who else might have pension numbers that could draw regulatory fire?"
"The federal government’s crackdown on the State of New Jersey this week for misrepresenting the condition of its pension funds raises a question:
Who else might have pension numbers that could draw regulatory fire?"
No 'risk' from Iran's Russian-built nuclear plant
No 'risk' from Iran's Russian-built nuclear plant: US
"The United States sees no 'proliferation risk' from Iran's Russian-built first nuclear power plant at Bushehr that was loaded with fuel Saturday, the State Department said.
The Russian involvement in the reactor, intended for civilian purposes, 'underscores that Iran does not need an indigenous enrichment capability if its intentions are purely peaceful,' State Department spokesman Darby Holladay told AFP.
'We recognize that the Bushehr reactor is designed to provide civilian nuclear power and do not view it as a proliferation risk,' he said.
The reactor, said Holladay, is 'under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards and Russia is providing the needed fuel and taking back the spent nuclear fuel, which would be the principal source of proliferation concerns.'"
"The United States sees no 'proliferation risk' from Iran's Russian-built first nuclear power plant at Bushehr that was loaded with fuel Saturday, the State Department said.
The Russian involvement in the reactor, intended for civilian purposes, 'underscores that Iran does not need an indigenous enrichment capability if its intentions are purely peaceful,' State Department spokesman Darby Holladay told AFP.
'We recognize that the Bushehr reactor is designed to provide civilian nuclear power and do not view it as a proliferation risk,' he said.
The reactor, said Holladay, is 'under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards and Russia is providing the needed fuel and taking back the spent nuclear fuel, which would be the principal source of proliferation concerns.'"
Video: More on the union boycott of LA Times for exposing union failure
theblogprof: Video: More on the union boycott of LA Times for exposing union failure
"An update on a recent post: LA teachers union to boycott LA Times for reporting union failures via student test scores, where the LA Times, to its credit, exposed the quantitative negative effect of bad teachers that continue to be employed because - let's face it - unionized teachers are almost impossible to fire.
Here's a Fox News segment on the controversy:"
click and watch!
"An update on a recent post: LA teachers union to boycott LA Times for reporting union failures via student test scores, where the LA Times, to its credit, exposed the quantitative negative effect of bad teachers that continue to be employed because - let's face it - unionized teachers are almost impossible to fire.
Here's a Fox News segment on the controversy:"
click and watch!
Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website
Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion: Post About Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website
Post About Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website
On Friday, August 13, I ran a post Coffee Party Grows Cold, highlighting a post on the Coffee Party's website titled Reversing the Coffee Party's decline about how the Coffee Party was in decline.
Post About Coffee Party Decline Removed From Its Website
On Friday, August 13, I ran a post Coffee Party Grows Cold, highlighting a post on the Coffee Party's website titled Reversing the Coffee Party's decline about how the Coffee Party was in decline.
'W.H.: PRES. OBAMA ISN'T MUSLIM'
'W.H.: PRES. OBAMA ISN'T MUSLIM' - WSJ.com
"Richard Nixon was not a crook, Michael Dukakis was not unpatriotic, and Barack Obama is not a Muslim."
Yeah, right....
"Richard Nixon was not a crook, Michael Dukakis was not unpatriotic, and Barack Obama is not a Muslim."
Yeah, right....
California's war on itself
California's war on itself - Opinion - The Orange County Register
"Recently, though, the dream has been evaporating.
From 2003 and 2007, California state and local government spending grew 31 percent, even as the state's population grew just 5 percent."
"Recently, though, the dream has been evaporating.
From 2003 and 2007, California state and local government spending grew 31 percent, even as the state's population grew just 5 percent."
Pete Hoekstra Running For U.S. Senate?
Pete Hoekstra Running For U.S. Senate – Inside Scoop?
"So I got bored and wondered if there was a way to see what Pete Hoekstra would do next.
There has been speculation by his supporters that he may run for U.S. Senate.
I decided to look at domain name registrations.
His domain for his governor run was http://www.hoekstraforgovernor.com .
What could Pete Hoekstra possibly name his domain name if he were to run for U.S. Senate?"
Interesting!
"So I got bored and wondered if there was a way to see what Pete Hoekstra would do next.
There has been speculation by his supporters that he may run for U.S. Senate.
I decided to look at domain name registrations.
His domain for his governor run was http://www.hoekstraforgovernor.com .
What could Pete Hoekstra possibly name his domain name if he were to run for U.S. Senate?"
Interesting!
Rattle With Us Tea Party - Our Venom Is Our Vote
Rattle With Us Tea Party - Our Venom Is Our Vote
"Oakland County, Mich. - Friday, August 20, 2010 - Ruth Johnson, the Oakland County Clerk/Register, said her office has uncovered apparent evidence of fraud involving the so-called 'Fake' Tea Party and one of its candidates."
"Oakland County, Mich. - Friday, August 20, 2010 - Ruth Johnson, the Oakland County Clerk/Register, said her office has uncovered apparent evidence of fraud involving the so-called 'Fake' Tea Party and one of its candidates."
Friday, August 20, 2010
Just 8.1% of NY Smart Fortwo owners would buy again.
"we were totally blown away with news from CNW Marketing Research that just 8.1 percent of Smart Fortwo owners in New York would buy the car again."
Adorable Micro Cars
Dark Roasted Blend: Adorable Micro Cars, Part 3
"World's Smallest Vehicles: Some Are Ugly, Some Are Cute, All Are Fondly Remembered"
"World's Smallest Vehicles: Some Are Ugly, Some Are Cute, All Are Fondly Remembered"
Despite Recent Record Spending, Congress Failed to Fund Detention Space to Hold Captured Illegals From Terror-Sponsoring Countries
CNSNews.com - Despite Recent Record Spending, Congress Failed to Fund Detention Space to Hold Captured Illegals From Terror-Sponsoring Countries
"Even as Congress increased overall federal spending from a then-record $2.6 trillion in fiscal 2006 to $3.6 trillion in fiscal 2010, it only appropriated enough funds for the Department of Homeland Security to provide a fraction of the additional 40,000 detention spaces for illegal aliens that had been authorized by an immigration law approved in 2004"
Our government is at war with our citizens!
"Even as Congress increased overall federal spending from a then-record $2.6 trillion in fiscal 2006 to $3.6 trillion in fiscal 2010, it only appropriated enough funds for the Department of Homeland Security to provide a fraction of the additional 40,000 detention spaces for illegal aliens that had been authorized by an immigration law approved in 2004"
Our government is at war with our citizens!
Lansing group gets $300,000 to help vets find jobs
Lansing group gets $300,000 to help vets find jobs Lansing State Journal
"The funds will allow Eaglevision to extend more services to people who have left the armed services within the past 48 months, have spent at least one day in jail or prison in the past 18 months and are in danger of becoming homeless because of joblessness."
What a noble quest!
I can't wait for them to report on their spectacular successes.....yeah right....
We are screwed cuz our government is spending money on millions of idiocies like this every year....every day?
"The funds will allow Eaglevision to extend more services to people who have left the armed services within the past 48 months, have spent at least one day in jail or prison in the past 18 months and are in danger of becoming homeless because of joblessness."
What a noble quest!
I can't wait for them to report on their spectacular successes.....yeah right....
We are screwed cuz our government is spending money on millions of idiocies like this every year....every day?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Obamas to begin sixth holiday of the year
"The Obama family will begin their sixth holiday of the year today, an 11-day sojourn in Martha’s Vineyard, the island destination of the wealthy and well-connected American elite."
Meebee Martha and her vinyard can help with the "focus like a laser" deal on new jobs......naaaa
Growing number of Americans believe Obama a Muslim
The AP journos offer another explanation:
His full name, Barack Hussein Obama, sounds Muslim to many.
"To many"?
Are there people who think this sounds like a Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or Hundu name?
None of the above journos mention the memorable moment when Obama spoke of "my Muslim faith."
Nor his striking bow before the Saudi King -- the protector of Mecca and Medina.
Then there is the small matter of Obama's ditching any Christian religious observance since leaving Trinity United Church, headed by Louis Farrakhan-honoring, America-hating pastor Jeremiah Wright.And his skipping of the National Prayer Breakfast.
The poll was taken before the President's hosting of an Iftar (Ramadan) dinner at the White House, endorsing the Ground Zero Mosque.
SorosSecretaryofStatePro
SorosSecretaryofStatePro - Michigan's News & Views
"A group backed by Soros is gearing up to steal the 2012 election for President Obama and congressional Democrats by installing left-wing Democrats as secretaries of state across the nation.
From such posts, secretaries of state can help tilt the electoral playing field.....
SoS Project is also endorsing Jocelyn Benson, candidate for secretary of state in Michigan, whom it lauds as an '[e]lection law scholar and community organizer.'
Benson is a candidate ACORN would love."
"A group backed by Soros is gearing up to steal the 2012 election for President Obama and congressional Democrats by installing left-wing Democrats as secretaries of state across the nation.
From such posts, secretaries of state can help tilt the electoral playing field.....
SoS Project is also endorsing Jocelyn Benson, candidate for secretary of state in Michigan, whom it lauds as an '[e]lection law scholar and community organizer.'
Benson is a candidate ACORN would love."
Just How Smart Is Obama?
How hard was it to predict that endless golf-cum-basketball outings, musical soirées at the White House, and vacation upon vacation in posh spots, culminating in Michelle's Spanish junket and a forthcoming stay in the elitist retreat of Martha's Vineyard, would be a major irritant to the people hard-hit by the recession or an undermining influence on the president's popularity?
A callous disregard for the proles?
Obviously.
But how astute is it?
Not very, for in-your-face arrogance has never been a mark of intelligence.
Add to this Obama's obvious economic ignorance, his glaring naiveté in international affairs, his boundless faith in the power of his oratory, his intellectual laziness, his intrinsic indecisiveness smacking of childish belief in the power of wish (close your eyes and the bad stuff will just go away), his political tin-ear -- are these the attributes of a genius?
Sorry, Obama fans, what it all adds up to is an immature narcissist, an utterly inexperienced tyro, devoid of administrative ability, lacking political skills...a radical ideologue, who apparently believes that the job of president boils down to an incessant gabfest.
So with compliments to General Schwarzkopf:
As far as Barack Obama being smart as a whip goes, he has no clue in economics, nor has he any understanding of foreign policy; he is supremely arrogant and doesn't care if it rubs people the wrong way; he has few political skills and no administrative ability, nor does he have any desire to engage in the day-to-day drudgery of ruling, preferring to reign instead; and he revels in the luxury of presidential perks and delights in flaunting his excess.
Other than that, he is a true genius."
A Tea Party Manifesto
Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe: A Tea Party Manifesto - WSJ.com
"But let us be clear about one thing: The tea party movement is not seeking a junior partnership with the Republican Party, but a hostile takeover of it."
"But let us be clear about one thing: The tea party movement is not seeking a junior partnership with the Republican Party, but a hostile takeover of it."
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Man walking dogs alleges police used excessive force
New case & new video: Man walking dogs alleges police used excessive force - KDVR
"Hart says Mark Ashford was walking his dogs near 20th and Little Raven in LoDo, when he saw police pull over a driver for failing to stop at a stop sign.
Ashford told the driver he saw him stop and would be willing to testify in court.
Hart says the officer overheard him and 'wasn't very happy.'"
Watch the video.
Amazing and scary!
"Hart says Mark Ashford was walking his dogs near 20th and Little Raven in LoDo, when he saw police pull over a driver for failing to stop at a stop sign.
Ashford told the driver he saw him stop and would be willing to testify in court.
Hart says the officer overheard him and 'wasn't very happy.'"
Watch the video.
Amazing and scary!
Bernero or Snyder: Which Way Could the Public Policy Winds Blow?
Bernero or Snyder: Which Way Could the Public Policy Winds Blow? [Mackinac Center]
"Bottom Line:
Whoever is elected, his success as governor will depend on how far he's willing to go in defying politically powerful unions, anti-growth environmentalists, corporate welfare 'rent seekers' and the politicians in both parties who pander to all three special interests.
The basic recipe for a successful Michigan government and economy is simple:
In every area of government - spending, taxes, regulation, labor law, etc. - make this state a place that all investors and entrepreneurs large and small, home-grown and foreign, look to and realize, 'Hey, we can make money there - and the government won't drive us nuts if we try.'"
Well, no one can complain that "all the politicians are the same" in this race.
Read it all.
"Bottom Line:
Whoever is elected, his success as governor will depend on how far he's willing to go in defying politically powerful unions, anti-growth environmentalists, corporate welfare 'rent seekers' and the politicians in both parties who pander to all three special interests.
The basic recipe for a successful Michigan government and economy is simple:
In every area of government - spending, taxes, regulation, labor law, etc. - make this state a place that all investors and entrepreneurs large and small, home-grown and foreign, look to and realize, 'Hey, we can make money there - and the government won't drive us nuts if we try.'"
Well, no one can complain that "all the politicians are the same" in this race.
Read it all.
Stabenow, Peters throw taxpayer green at green losers
Stabenow, Peters throw taxpayer green at green losers themichiganview.com The Michigan View
"A multi-billion dollar Washington green spending initiative pushed by Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Gary Peters is being used to prop up a failing Wisconsin battery firm that has lost $17 million in the last three years according the Wall Street Journal.
President Obama visited the firm Monday as part of a green swing that has included throwing tax dollars at a Korean multinational in Holland, Mich.
With no market discipline to inform their investments, the green trio seem to be throwing federal money at blind ideological picks."
"A multi-billion dollar Washington green spending initiative pushed by Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Gary Peters is being used to prop up a failing Wisconsin battery firm that has lost $17 million in the last three years according the Wall Street Journal.
President Obama visited the firm Monday as part of a green swing that has included throwing tax dollars at a Korean multinational in Holland, Mich.
With no market discipline to inform their investments, the green trio seem to be throwing federal money at blind ideological picks."
Eight Unbreakable Rules for Hard-Core Tea Party Activists
Eight Unbreakable Rules for Hard-Core Tea Party Activists (or Any Other Special-Interest Coalition)
These are eight basic rules of engagement.
There may be others, but these are fundamental.
If you do not believe these, you are headed for disappointment.
1. Vote for a hard-core challenger on the other side against a squishy incumbent.
2. Hold your newly elected politician's feet to the fire the first time he breaks ranks on a key vote.
3. Get him to sign a resignation letter.
4. Track all of his votes on your #1 issue, and post them online.
5. Find out who his largest campaign donors are.
6. Instill fear. This is your #1 task, once he takes office.
7. Inflict pain. This is the basis of #6.
8. Trust, but verify. If your group refuses to verify, it should not trust.
Click the link for more.
These are eight basic rules of engagement.
There may be others, but these are fundamental.
If you do not believe these, you are headed for disappointment.
1. Vote for a hard-core challenger on the other side against a squishy incumbent.
2. Hold your newly elected politician's feet to the fire the first time he breaks ranks on a key vote.
3. Get him to sign a resignation letter.
4. Track all of his votes on your #1 issue, and post them online.
5. Find out who his largest campaign donors are.
6. Instill fear. This is your #1 task, once he takes office.
7. Inflict pain. This is the basis of #6.
8. Trust, but verify. If your group refuses to verify, it should not trust.
Click the link for more.
ACT scores dip, but more students college-ready
My Way News - ACT scores dip, but more students college-ready
"that still shows three in four test-takers will likely need remedial help in at least one subject to succeed in college"
75% of test takers need remedial help?!!!!!
This test isn't cheap!
Only kids who expect to go to college take the test.
And 3 of 4 need help?
Sad.....
"that still shows three in four test-takers will likely need remedial help in at least one subject to succeed in college"
75% of test takers need remedial help?!!!!!
This test isn't cheap!
Only kids who expect to go to college take the test.
And 3 of 4 need help?
Sad.....
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Serbia using testicle cooking competition to lure tourists
Serbia using testicle cooking competition to lure tourists The Australian
"TOURISM chiefs in Serbia are hoping their annual testicle cooking competition will do for the region what whisky did for Scotland."
"TOURISM chiefs in Serbia are hoping their annual testicle cooking competition will do for the region what whisky did for Scotland."
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