Friday, September 23, 2011

Drill, Cuba, Drill

Drill, Cuba, Drill - Investors.com
Deep-water drilling will resume in the Florida Strait when a giant, semi-submersible oil rig en route from Singapore arrives later this fall.
The bad news is it will not be American.

While U.S. oil and energy prices "necessarily skyrocket," as President Obama once said they would under energy policies that have imposed a de facto ban on offshore drilling, a massive Chinese-built semi-submersible oil rig is on its way from Singapore to a drilling position off northwest Cuba perhaps as little as 50 miles from Key West, Fla.

Minnesota High School Runner Josh Ripley Called Hero After Helping Competitor

Minnesota High School Runner Josh Ripley Called Hero After Helping Competitor - ABC News
"After I got cut, I just kind of fell," Mark said.
"It was around a 90-degree corner, and I was just trying to get out of the way of all the other runners.
I huddled against a fence, yelling, 'Can I get a transport over here?'"
That's when Josh stopped.
"He just picked me up without saying anything and started carrying me and trying to calm me down.
He said, 'It's going to be OK.
I'm going to get you to your coaches,'"
Mark said, estimating that he was carried about a quarter mile.
"I'm just incredibly grateful for what he did."

OBAMA'S GONE COUNTRY: "I Blame Everyone" by Lars Larson is hilarious



"Obama Goes Country With 'I Blame Everyone, Man'

Recently, I kept hearing the president on the radio blaming hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, the price of gas, tea party members and everything under the sun for the failure of his ridiculous policies for America.
 I thought, “This sounds like one of those country western songs I love so much.
There has to be a way to put this to music.”

By co-incidence, a listener had just sent me a YouTube video of “I’ve Been Everywhere” (written by Geoff Mack in ‘59 and first put on the charts by Lucky Starr back in ‘62).
I contacted Kurt Van Meter, a bright young country/western singer/songwriter (his day job is police officer), and we teamed up for a parody cover of the tune.

It occurred to me that the president was trying to tell America, “The tsunami ate my homework,” so I sent Kurt a chorus line and a lot of ideas about the things I wanted to include in the lyrics.

We tried to work in everything the president has blamed (and a bunch of his other lame excuses), along with the names of folks who represent the right solutions for America (Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, the Tea Party, etc.), I regret he couldn’t work in my friend Mark Levin, as he is probably the best thinker in the business.

In two weeks, we had a scratch recording, which Kurt then fine tuned with help from producer Ron “Chicabowwow” Chick.

Here’s what we came up with."

Unemployment rates down in Muskegon County, West Michigan

Unemployment rates down in Muskegon County, West Michigan MLive.com
Muskegon County's labor force dropped by 1.4 percent, or 1,170 workers.

Why have 165 people gone missing from cruise ships in recent years?

Why have 165 people gone missing from cruise ships in recent years? Mail Online
According to the U.S.-based International Cruise Victims Association, 165 people have gone missing at sea since 1995, with at least 13 this year alone

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Republicans Grill Officials Over 'Offensive' Definition Of Green Jobs

Republicans Grill Officials Over 'Offensive' Definition Of Green Jobs Fox News
In a series of tense exchanges, Republicans on a House oversight panel sharply questioned whether the Obama administration was looking to inflate the number of "green" jobs by using a broad definition -- which, as it turns out, counts virtually anybody working in mass transit.

Recession's second act would be worse than the first

Bottom Line - Recession's second act would be worse than the first
Fresh evidence of a global economic slowdown has raised fears that governments around the world may be powerless to reverse it.
If the world does fall into back into recession, it could be much harder to escape than the contraction that ended in 2009.

One-day rehiring nets former Chicago labor leader a $158,000 city pension

One-day rehiring nets former Chicago labor leader a $158,000 city pension - chicagotribune.com

Fact-Checking Buffett: His Math Doesn't Add Up

CARPE DIEM: Fact-Checking Buffett: His Math Doesn't Add Up
This year, households making more than $1 million will pay an average of 29.1 percent of their income in federal taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes and other taxes, according to the Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank.

Households making between $50,000 and $75,000 will pay an average of 15 percent of their income in federal taxes.
Lower-income households will pay less.
For example, households making between $40,000 and $50,000 will pay an average of 12.5 percent of their income in federal taxes. Households making between $20,000 and $30,000 will pay 5.7 percent."

Poll: Fox News Is the “Best” TV News Network

Poll: Fox News Is the “Best” TV News Network
A new poll released by Poll Position, a nonpartisan polling firm run by former CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan, shows that a plurality of Americans surveyed think that Fox News is the “best TV news network,” beating rivals CNN and MSNBC.

Obama might pull out

Obama might pull out - TheHill.com
As bad news piles up for the Democrats, I asked a top Democratic strategist if it were possible that President Obama might “pull a Lyndon Johnson” and soberly face the cameras, telling America that he has decided that the demands of partisan politics are interfering with his efforts to right our economy and that he has decided to withdraw to devote full time to our recovery.
His answer: “Yes. It’s possible.
If things continue as they are and have not turned around by January, it is certainly possible.”

Just looking at Michelle Obama’s unsmiling face during her husband’s recent speech to Congress triggered an insight:
These folks aren’t having fun anymore.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Hudson city manager acquitted of indecent exposure charge

Hudson city manager acquitted of indecent exposure charge - Adrian, MI - The Daily Telegram
“She knows the difference between red onions on a sandwich and a penis,” Castleberry said.

Weird Vintage Ads (Outrageous!)

Dark Roasted Blend: Weird Vintage Ads (Outrageous!)
You are a bigoted, chauvinist pig!.. oh wait, this ad is from 1950

The Shame of College Sports

The Shame of College Sports - Magazine - The Atlantic
The Shame of College Sports
A litany of scandals in recent years have made the corruption of college sports constant front-page news.
We profess outrage each time we learn that yet another student-athlete has been taking money under the table.
But the real scandal is the very structure of college sports, wherein student-athletes generate billions of dollars for universities and private companies while earning nothing for themselves.
Here, a leading civil-rights historian makes the case for paying college athletes—and reveals how a spate of lawsuits working their way through the courts could destroy the NCAA

Gary Shapiro | Obama Administration | Anti-Business

Gary Shapiro Obama Administration Anti-Business The Daily Caller

“You have investigations and breakdowns of companies like Gibson.
You have monopoly investigations of great American companies like Google. You have an attack on American business which is unprecedented by this administration at different levels.
This is the most anti-business administration in my lifetime,” he said.

Safety Unions Exempt Their Members from San Francisco’s Pension Reform Proposals

Safety Unions Exempt Their Members from San Francisco’s Pension Reform Proposals « Union Watch:

The same thing is happening here in Muskegon.

Public Employee Unions Losing Pension Battle

GoLocalProv Politics Rob Horowitz: Public Employee Unions Losing Pension Battle
Publicly threatening Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee (I) with a loss of union support is the kind of move that the astute and politically sophisticated Walsh would not make if he thought the public employee unions were playing a winning hand.

Public employee unions OWN Muskegon.
Will we wake up?
Before it is too late?

Create a website in a snap

Create a website in a snap - Cool Sites from The Kim Komando Radio Show® & Web site
Fortunately, there are plenty of website creation services available.
These do all the heavy lifting.
All you have to do is sign up and make your site.

MEA, Recalls and the ‘Grassroots’: Who is the Tail and Who is the Dog?

MEA, Recalls and the ‘Grassroots’: Who is the Tail and Who is the Dog? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Union boss claims limited involvement in recalls, but union magazine tells another story

CEO to Congress: I Was Fined Because I Hired Too Many People

CEO to Congress: I Was Fined Because I Hired Too Many People MRCTV
During his recent testimony before congress Peter Schiff, CEO of Euro Pacific Capital, revealed that he has been fined by regulators for hiring too many people.
He also said that the regulators have required him to stop hiring all together.

Should the Reno Races Continue?

AVwebBiz Complete Issue#205391#205391
AVweb Insider Blog: Should the Reno Races Continue?
For as much as we, aviation enthusiasts, might hope so, it's not up to us.
It's up to the community of Reno.

U.S. 31 corridor project construction to begin in 'about a month', M-DOT tells local residents

U.S. 31 corridor project construction to begin in 'about a month', M-DOT tells local residents MLive.com
The $70 million project, in the official making for nearly two decades - and in discussion for years before that - received environmental approval from the Federal Highway Administration last year and is on its way to reality.

Another one of BarryO's "shovel ready" jobs...........if you're patient.
And enviro-sensitive.

We Are The People set to host two Muskegon meetings

We Are The People set to host two Muskegon meetings MLive.com
MUSKEGON — A self-described group of seniors, students and working people, called We Are The People, is set to host a pitch meeting and workshop over the next two weeks.
Based on its website, the group is opposed to the actions taken by Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-led legislature.
The pitch meeting, designed to explain the upcoming workshop's focus and intention, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Muskegon Community College's Stevenson Center, Room 1218.
The workshop is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Stevenson Center.


Very interesting that this "self-described" group is really a front for big unionism.
Why do they need to hide that fact?
And why is The Chronicle complicit in the coverup?
https://contribute.saveworkers.org/o/8689/donate_page/donate?track=watpm

What I Learned At Dartmouth

Gonzalo Lira: What I Learned At Dartmouth
What I didn’t realize at the time—because I was too young—and which I would slowly come to realize over the years, was what the episode taught me, about America’s elite.
About the cowardice of the American elite.
A moral cowardice that, I understand now, is far more significant than practically anything else that I learned at Dartmouth College

Unsustainable UC tuition

As We See It: Unsustainable UC tuition - Santa Cruz Sentinel
UC President Mark Yudof spoke about "reality" -- a $650 million budget cut this year that could grow -- and asked for yet another tuition increase, from 8-16 percent annually to cover an anticipated $2.5 billion shortfall over the next four years because of rising pension, health care and other costs.

Bombardier Cuts CRJ Line, Appoints Travolta

AVwebBizBombardier Cuts CRJ Line, Appoints TravoltaComplete Issue#205401#205401
said John Travolta. "On top of that, I'm a pilot -- I love to fly.
Bombardier designs aircraft as much for the person flying them as for the passenger.
I'm proud to represent their aircraft."

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Right-to-work correspondence rebuffed again by Muskegon County board

Right-to-work correspondence rebuffed again by Muskegon County board MLive.com
Plummer called the other county's resolution “garbage” and asked when the board would quit receiving some items?
What especially drew Plummer's ire was the resolution's mention of words attributed to President John F. Kennedy.
Both resolutions state, “Whereas, we agree with President John F. Kennedy's executive order regarding federal employees, that all persons 'should have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization,' and of equal importance, 'or to refrain from any such activity.'”
Plummer said the resolutions twisted JFK's words and the remainder of the resolutions were “a pack of lies” in order to support that cause.

West Michigan senators' partial-birth abortion ban bills set for vote Wednesday

West Michigan senators' partial-birth abortion ban bills set for vote Wednesday MLive.com
A state partial-birth abortion ban, based on two companion pieces of legislation sponsored by two West Michigan state senators, is expected to be put to a vote this week by the state Senate.
State Sens. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, and Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, introduced their bills earlier this year that essentially would outlaw physicians from performing partial-birth abortions in Michigan, except to save the mother's life, and establish sentencing guidelines making it a two-year felony.

10 Outrageous Facts About the Income Tax

10 Outrageous Facts About the Income Tax Chris Edwards Cato Institute: Daily Commentary

Michigan proposal expected to target Internet sales

Michigan proposal expected to target Internet sales - theoaklandpress.com
The Michigan Retailers Association is making a renewed push to require more businesses selling items over the Internet to collect the state’s 6 percent sales tax.