Pension Reformers Shift Focus to Current Employees
"'Pension costs will crush government.'
'The math doesn't work.'
'The system lacks discipline.'
'The system lacks oversight and accountability.'
These are the words of a bipartisan, standing legislative commission — not a bunch of union-hating, anti-government pension gadflies."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Why Obama Went to Brazil
O'Grady: Why Obama Went to Brazil - WSJ.com
"Yet there is a case to be made for going—to Brazil anyway.
Arguably Santiago and San Salvador could have been postponed.
Chile is already a stable ally and the stop in El Salvador, to mouth platitudes about hemispheric security while Central America is going up in narco-trafficking flames, only highlights the futility of the U.S. war on drugs.
Going to Brasilia to meet with Workers' Party President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday, on the other hand, was important.
Unfortunately, Mr. Obama discredited his trip even before it began by peddling it as a trade mission to create jobs and boost the U.S. economy.
With those goals in mind, he would have been better off staying home and lobbying Congress to drop the 54 cents per gallon tariff on Brazilian sugar ethanol, and to end all U.S. subsidies on cotton, which have been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization in a case brought by Brazil.
Or he could have sent the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, where they would be easily ratified.
Let's face it: Mr. Obama's reputation as a protectionist precedes him.
If he believes otherwise, our silver-tongued president has a tin ear."
"Yet there is a case to be made for going—to Brazil anyway.
Arguably Santiago and San Salvador could have been postponed.
Chile is already a stable ally and the stop in El Salvador, to mouth platitudes about hemispheric security while Central America is going up in narco-trafficking flames, only highlights the futility of the U.S. war on drugs.
Going to Brasilia to meet with Workers' Party President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday, on the other hand, was important.
Unfortunately, Mr. Obama discredited his trip even before it began by peddling it as a trade mission to create jobs and boost the U.S. economy.
With those goals in mind, he would have been better off staying home and lobbying Congress to drop the 54 cents per gallon tariff on Brazilian sugar ethanol, and to end all U.S. subsidies on cotton, which have been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization in a case brought by Brazil.
Or he could have sent the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, where they would be easily ratified.
Let's face it: Mr. Obama's reputation as a protectionist precedes him.
If he believes otherwise, our silver-tongued president has a tin ear."
Emergency Manager law already forcing unions into new concessions
Emergency Manager law already forcing unions into new concessions Michigan Messenger
"In Flint, which received state approval for an $8 million emergency bond needed to make payroll this month and is seen as a likely target for state intervention, the firefighters union has reportedly issued a list of new concessions including increased health insurance payments and giving up holiday pay and night-shift premiums."
"In Flint, which received state approval for an $8 million emergency bond needed to make payroll this month and is seen as a likely target for state intervention, the firefighters union has reportedly issued a list of new concessions including increased health insurance payments and giving up holiday pay and night-shift premiums."
I MENTIONED MARKDOWNS ON WATCHES THE OTHER DAY
Instapundit » Blog Archive » I MENTIONED MARKDOWNS ON WATCHES THE OTHER DAY, and I now wonder if they’re desperate. Reader Duke …
"March 21, 2011
I MENTIONED MARKDOWNS ON WATCHES THE OTHER DAY, and I now wonder if they’re desperate.
Reader Duke DeLand emails:
“April 20th 2009 I removed my wrist watch and it still rests on my bedside table.
With my phone always there I found it less-than necessary.
Many with whom i talk say the same.
Have most of us abandoned watches?”
I still wear a watch.
I have a couple of fancy ones I wear for dress occasions (one was my grandfather’s, the other was an anniversary present).
But I usually wear a Timex Ironman and I still use it pretty regularly — though the thing I really like about it is the night light, which is bright enough to let me navigate in the dark.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 6:37 pm"
I am a watch nerd..but they are increasingly becoming an affectation.... bummer...
"March 21, 2011
I MENTIONED MARKDOWNS ON WATCHES THE OTHER DAY, and I now wonder if they’re desperate.
Reader Duke DeLand emails:
“April 20th 2009 I removed my wrist watch and it still rests on my bedside table.
With my phone always there I found it less-than necessary.
Many with whom i talk say the same.
Have most of us abandoned watches?”
I still wear a watch.
I have a couple of fancy ones I wear for dress occasions (one was my grandfather’s, the other was an anniversary present).
But I usually wear a Timex Ironman and I still use it pretty regularly — though the thing I really like about it is the night light, which is bright enough to let me navigate in the dark.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 6:37 pm"
I am a watch nerd..but they are increasingly becoming an affectation.... bummer...
Monday, March 21, 2011
Baby Joseph Is Going Home
Baby Joseph Is Going Home - Investors.com
"A Canada court had ruled that under socialized medicine their baby must die in the hospital.
Now he's in the U.S., getting the care his parents, not the bureaucrats, want."
"A Canada court had ruled that under socialized medicine their baby must die in the hospital.
Now he's in the U.S., getting the care his parents, not the bureaucrats, want."
Why Do We Let Girls Dress Like That?
Why Do We Let Girls Dress Like That? - WSJ.com
" A few minutes later, they return to the dance floor, where they shake everything they've got under the party lights.
But for the most part, there isn't all that much to shake.
This particular group of party-goers consists of 12- and 13-year-old girls"
" A few minutes later, they return to the dance floor, where they shake everything they've got under the party lights.
But for the most part, there isn't all that much to shake.
This particular group of party-goers consists of 12- and 13-year-old girls"
Nine states expected to be central to battle for Senate, presidency
Nine states expected to be central to battle for Senate, presidency - The Washington Post
"Ditto Michigan, where a struggling economy could complicate Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s reelection bid as well as Obama’s path to victory in the state."
Only if we can find and support a true conservative.....an articulate conservative!
"Ditto Michigan, where a struggling economy could complicate Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s reelection bid as well as Obama’s path to victory in the state."
Only if we can find and support a true conservative.....an articulate conservative!
Spring Football Game, Youth Clinic Scheduled For April 30
Spring Football Game, Youth Clinic Scheduled For April 30 - MICHIGAN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Michigan State football concludes its 15 spring practices under fifth-year head coach Mark Dantonio with the Green-White intrasquad game on Saturday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. EDT in Spartan Stadium."
Michigan State football concludes its 15 spring practices under fifth-year head coach Mark Dantonio with the Green-White intrasquad game on Saturday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. EDT in Spartan Stadium."
UPDATED: AG APPEALS DECISION
UPDATED: AG APPEALS DECISION Newsradio 620 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Talk, Sports, Weather Charlie Sykes
"Here is the link to the Attorney General's appeal of last Friday's ruling by Madison judge Maryann Sumi.
It makes it quite clear that she had no juridiction and that her over-reach violated both the constitutional separation of powers, but also clear and explicit insytructions from the state Supreme Court."
More on the battle in Wisconsin
"Here is the link to the Attorney General's appeal of last Friday's ruling by Madison judge Maryann Sumi.
It makes it quite clear that she had no juridiction and that her over-reach violated both the constitutional separation of powers, but also clear and explicit insytructions from the state Supreme Court."
More on the battle in Wisconsin
Suttons Bay star, Michigan State signee Dwaun Anderson named Mr. Basketball
Suttons Bay star, Michigan State signee Dwaun Anderson named Mr. Basketball detnews.com The Detroit News
"Anderson is a 6-4 guard/forward who averaged 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.9 blocks.
He signed with Michigan State where he'll join the last two winners (Derrick Nix and Keith Appling of Detroit Pershing)."
"Anderson is a 6-4 guard/forward who averaged 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.9 blocks.
He signed with Michigan State where he'll join the last two winners (Derrick Nix and Keith Appling of Detroit Pershing)."
The 'Pension Ponzi' Rap
The 'Pension Ponzi' Rap
"So it is not the pension fund itself that is a Ponzi scheme.
It is the plan's accumulation of unfunded liabilities that are not fully prepaid before current workers retire that constitutes a Ponzi account within the pension fund."
"So it is not the pension fund itself that is a Ponzi scheme.
It is the plan's accumulation of unfunded liabilities that are not fully prepaid before current workers retire that constitutes a Ponzi account within the pension fund."
Video: Gov. Rick Synder says local governments must show improvement to get state dollars
Video: Gov. Rick Synder says local governments must show improvement to get state dollars MLive.com
"To meet the accountability goal, communities would be required to post their financial data and performance on an online “dashboard” by Oct. 1.
The compensation incentive would require communities to replace defined benefit pensions with 401(k)-style retirement savings programs and require an 20 percent employee match for health care."
A GREAT start!
"To meet the accountability goal, communities would be required to post their financial data and performance on an online “dashboard” by Oct. 1.
The compensation incentive would require communities to replace defined benefit pensions with 401(k)-style retirement savings programs and require an 20 percent employee match for health care."
A GREAT start!
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance
"Muskegon Tea Party Meeting Whitlow's Banquet Hall (on Airline Rd.)
EVERYONE is invited!"
"Muskegon Tea Party Meeting Whitlow's Banquet Hall (on Airline Rd.)
EVERYONE is invited!"
Democrats catching impeachment fever?
Democrats catching impeachment fever? « Hot Air
"If nothing else, Dennis Kucinich is consistent.
He wanted to push articles of impeachment against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney over the Iraq war, which his own party’s leadership squelched in the summer of 2008 — when Bush’s term had all but expired anyway.
Kucinich and John Conyers instead had to settle for “impugnment hearings,” which one witness called “slightly demented.”
Now we have another military action from another president, this one without the cover of a Congressional authorization to use military force, and Kucinich wants to crank up the impeachment process, pun most certainly intended:"
"If nothing else, Dennis Kucinich is consistent.
He wanted to push articles of impeachment against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney over the Iraq war, which his own party’s leadership squelched in the summer of 2008 — when Bush’s term had all but expired anyway.
Kucinich and John Conyers instead had to settle for “impugnment hearings,” which one witness called “slightly demented.”
Now we have another military action from another president, this one without the cover of a Congressional authorization to use military force, and Kucinich wants to crank up the impeachment process, pun most certainly intended:"
Unions' political thuggery
Unions' political thuggery--Glenn Reynolds - NYPOST.com
"Just a couple of months ago, in the wake of Jared Loughner's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, simple talk of 'targeting' a political opponent for defeat was treated as beyond the pale.
But let's look at some more recent language -- and conduct -- that our bien-pensant punditry can't be bothered to notice, let alone condemn.
In Michigan, protesters opposed to Gov. Rick Snyder's austerity budget broke a window to get into the capitol building. One faces felony charges after assaulting police with an edged weapon; 14 were arrested.
In Washington, DC, the windows at GOP headquarters were shot out, not the first time that Republican offices have been subject to such attacks.
In Madison, Wis., the state capitol was occupied for weeks by teachers-union members and their supporters.
Doors and windows were broken; a mob tried to keep Republican state senators from entering the Senate chamber to vote"
"Just a couple of months ago, in the wake of Jared Loughner's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, simple talk of 'targeting' a political opponent for defeat was treated as beyond the pale.
But let's look at some more recent language -- and conduct -- that our bien-pensant punditry can't be bothered to notice, let alone condemn.
In Michigan, protesters opposed to Gov. Rick Snyder's austerity budget broke a window to get into the capitol building. One faces felony charges after assaulting police with an edged weapon; 14 were arrested.
In Washington, DC, the windows at GOP headquarters were shot out, not the first time that Republican offices have been subject to such attacks.
In Madison, Wis., the state capitol was occupied for weeks by teachers-union members and their supporters.
Doors and windows were broken; a mob tried to keep Republican state senators from entering the Senate chamber to vote"
Video of Charles Krauthammer: Nuclear Power In America ‘Is Dead’
theblogprof: Video of Charles Krauthammer: Nuclear Power In America ‘Is Dead’
"It's been dead for 30 years now insofar as no new nuclear power plants have been commissioned, but there are at least 16 proposals out there right now including Fermi 3 here in MI. France is now 80% nuclear, and they won't miss a beat..."
"It's been dead for 30 years now insofar as no new nuclear power plants have been commissioned, but there are at least 16 proposals out there right now including Fermi 3 here in MI. France is now 80% nuclear, and they won't miss a beat..."
The Plot to Destroy the US Military
The Plot to Destroy the US Military
"In two generations we have gone from General Patton telling his troops to grease their tanks with the enemy’s guts to an extensive purge of Navy command officers over a series of raunchy video skits.
Slowly but surely we are turning the greatest armed forces into the world, into the most politically correct disarmed forces the world has ever seen."
"In two generations we have gone from General Patton telling his troops to grease their tanks with the enemy’s guts to an extensive purge of Navy command officers over a series of raunchy video skits.
Slowly but surely we are turning the greatest armed forces into the world, into the most politically correct disarmed forces the world has ever seen."
Neo-Bam
Neo-Bam - WSJ.com
"As bombs started falling on Libya Saturday, blogger Glenn Reynolds noticed something striking:
'Hey, it's exactly 8 years to the day since Bush started bombing Iraq!'
Eight years--which is to say, Barack Obama ordered the bombing of an Arab dictatorship at precisely the same point in his presidency that George W. Bush did.
Of course, there were some differences.
The Libya war is new;
the Iraq one was an escalation of a conflict that had been under way for 12 years.
The U.N. Security Council had authorized action in Libya for the first time two days earlier, vs. 17 times in Iraq.
Bush had persuaded a large majority of the public that escalating the war was a good idea;
Obama had to act more quickly, without making a sustained case to either the public or Congress."
"As bombs started falling on Libya Saturday, blogger Glenn Reynolds noticed something striking:
'Hey, it's exactly 8 years to the day since Bush started bombing Iraq!'
Eight years--which is to say, Barack Obama ordered the bombing of an Arab dictatorship at precisely the same point in his presidency that George W. Bush did.
Of course, there were some differences.
The Libya war is new;
the Iraq one was an escalation of a conflict that had been under way for 12 years.
The U.N. Security Council had authorized action in Libya for the first time two days earlier, vs. 17 times in Iraq.
Bush had persuaded a large majority of the public that escalating the war was a good idea;
Obama had to act more quickly, without making a sustained case to either the public or Congress."
How ignorant are Americans? An alarming number of U.S. citizens don't know basic facts about their own country
How ignorant are Americans? An alarming number of U.S. citizens don't know basic facts about their own country Mail Online
"First Christina Aguilera forgot the words to the national anthem.
Now it has emerged that 70 per cent of Americans do not know what the Constitution is, and six per cent don't even know when Independence Day falls."
"First Christina Aguilera forgot the words to the national anthem.
Now it has emerged that 70 per cent of Americans do not know what the Constitution is, and six per cent don't even know when Independence Day falls."
McCaskill will sell 'the damn plane'
McCaskill will sell 'the damn plane' - David Catanese - POLITICO.com
In a conference call Monday afternoon, McCaskill revealed that after her own review of the plane's records, she had not paid personal property taxes on the aircraft over the past four years.
In a conference call Monday afternoon, McCaskill revealed that after her own review of the plane's records, she had not paid personal property taxes on the aircraft over the past four years.
Actor Paul Giamatti clarifies flub about Detroit
Actor Paul Giamatti clarifies flub about Detroit
"When asked about winning a Canadian acting award for his role in “Barney’s Version” he explained why he couldn’t make it to the ceremony to receive the award,
“I couldn’t go because I was shooting a movie in Detroit, which is like being in prison, so I couldn’t get out of Detroit.”"
"When asked about winning a Canadian acting award for his role in “Barney’s Version” he explained why he couldn’t make it to the ceremony to receive the award,
“I couldn’t go because I was shooting a movie in Detroit, which is like being in prison, so I couldn’t get out of Detroit.”"
US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civilians
US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civilians World news The Guardian
"US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civiliansCommanders brace for backlash of anti-US sentiment that could be more damaging than after the Abu Ghraib scandal"
The new "monster" Obama?
"US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civiliansCommanders brace for backlash of anti-US sentiment that could be more damaging than after the Abu Ghraib scandal"
The new "monster" Obama?
Liberals have a mental disorder, says doctor
Liberals have a mental disorder, says doctor - Reno Conservative Examiner.com
"A veteran psychiatrist now claims that liberalism is a mental disorder, not purely a political choice"
"A veteran psychiatrist now claims that liberalism is a mental disorder, not purely a political choice"
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance: A reason for us taxpayers to pay for electric hook-up for rich
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance: A reason for us taxpayers to pay for electric hook-up for rich
"There are rumors that this enviro-spending is because one of the more affluent county commissioners just bought a $40,000 Chevy Volt.
So he/she could plug in on your taxpayer dime for their free enviro-fuel.
How does that make you feel?
Who is it?"
"There are rumors that this enviro-spending is because one of the more affluent county commissioners just bought a $40,000 Chevy Volt.
So he/she could plug in on your taxpayer dime for their free enviro-fuel.
How does that make you feel?
Who is it?"
Big meeting tomorrow!
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance
"This is very important because chairman Mahoney requested an earlier start (1:00 rather than the usual 1:30) as they will be discussing options for a new jail (higher taxes?) and the county budget which will be in deep doo doo if the projected $1.2 million in state refunding is cut.
As is expected.
So this is a BIG TIME number crunch meeting that every Muskegon resident needs to attend."
"This is very important because chairman Mahoney requested an earlier start (1:00 rather than the usual 1:30) as they will be discussing options for a new jail (higher taxes?) and the county budget which will be in deep doo doo if the projected $1.2 million in state refunding is cut.
As is expected.
So this is a BIG TIME number crunch meeting that every Muskegon resident needs to attend."
A morning story
sent to me by a friend:
After wrestling with Drew to get his socks on (and him taking them off 3x) the following transpired:
M: Ok, Drew.
I'm done.
You put on your own socks.
You may come out of your room when you have your socks on.
D: No, no, I don't want to go to Trader Joes, etc.....
M: Stay in your room until your socks are on.
D: No, no, don't want to get ready, etc.
M: I'll see you when your socks are on.
Door opens...
M: Are your socks on?
D: Ya
And there is our adorably frustrating child standing in the doorway with his socks on his hands.
After wrestling with Drew to get his socks on (and him taking them off 3x) the following transpired:
M: Ok, Drew.
I'm done.
You put on your own socks.
You may come out of your room when you have your socks on.
D: No, no, I don't want to go to Trader Joes, etc.....
M: Stay in your room until your socks are on.
D: No, no, don't want to get ready, etc.
M: I'll see you when your socks are on.
Door opens...
M: Are your socks on?
D: Ya
And there is our adorably frustrating child standing in the doorway with his socks on his hands.
Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright is hosting a Town Hall meeting about Michigan's Budget
"Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright is hosting a Town Hall meeting about Michigan's Budget.
Monday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Stevenson Center at MCC, room 1100.
Mitchell Bean, non partisan House Fiscal Agency Director will present it.
He is an expert about Michigan's budget -- information we all need to know.
Remember: knowledge is power!
Let's have a wonderful turn-out for this."
Monday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Stevenson Center at MCC, room 1100.
Mitchell Bean, non partisan House Fiscal Agency Director will present it.
He is an expert about Michigan's budget -- information we all need to know.
Remember: knowledge is power!
Let's have a wonderful turn-out for this."
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