POGO's Joint Strike Fighter Resource Page
More problems threaten to exacerbate the already spiraling costs of the F-35, which has already been set back by years of delays and double digit cost growth.
The F-35 is the world’s most expensive weapons program...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
State Dependency on the Federal Government
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/state-dependency-on-the-federal-government
As the following charts shows, total state spending continued to increase during the economic downturn because the federal government picked up the slack.
Note that the federal share of total state spending went from 25.7 percent in 2001 to 34.1 percent in 2011.
As the following charts shows, total state spending continued to increase during the economic downturn because the federal government picked up the slack.
Note that the federal share of total state spending went from 25.7 percent in 2001 to 34.1 percent in 2011.
George Soros on the Coming U.S. Class War
George Soros on the Coming U.S. Class War - Print View - The Daily Beast
As he sees it, the world faces one of the most dangerous periods of modern history—a period of “evil.”
Europe is confronting a descent into chaos and conflict.
In America he predicts riots on the streets that will lead to a brutal clampdown that will dramatically curtail civil liberties.
The global economic system could even collapse altogether
As he sees it, the world faces one of the most dangerous periods of modern history—a period of “evil.”
Europe is confronting a descent into chaos and conflict.
In America he predicts riots on the streets that will lead to a brutal clampdown that will dramatically curtail civil liberties.
The global economic system could even collapse altogether
Why the United States Will Never, Ever Build the iPhone
Why the United States Will Never, Ever Build the iPhone - Jordan Weissmann - Business - The Atlantic
The price of labor, though, is just one small piece of what makes China a better place to make an iPhone.
...........................For Mr. Cook, the focus on Asia "came down to two things," said one former high-ranking Apple executive.
Factories in Asia "can scale up and down faster" and "Asian supply chains have surpassed what's in the U.S."
The result is that "we can't compete at this point," the executive said.
The price of labor, though, is just one small piece of what makes China a better place to make an iPhone.
...........................For Mr. Cook, the focus on Asia "came down to two things," said one former high-ranking Apple executive.
Factories in Asia "can scale up and down faster" and "Asian supply chains have surpassed what's in the U.S."
The result is that "we can't compete at this point," the executive said.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lagarde calls for bigger eurozone firewall
Lagarde calls for bigger eurozone firewall - FT.com
In a speech in Berlin, Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director, said that without a larger bail-out fund, fundamentally solvent countries like Italy and Spain could be forced into a financing crisis.
In a speech in Berlin, Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director, said that without a larger bail-out fund, fundamentally solvent countries like Italy and Spain could be forced into a financing crisis.
Some Chevy dealers spurn Volt allocation
Some Chevy dealers spurn Volt allocation
GM's "thinking we need six more Volts is just crazy," Hedrick says.
"We've never sold more than two in a month."
Hedrick says he usually takes just about every vehicle that GM allocates to him.
GM's "thinking we need six more Volts is just crazy," Hedrick says.
"We've never sold more than two in a month."
Hedrick says he usually takes just about every vehicle that GM allocates to him.
South Carolina's Attorney General detects voter fraud
South Carolina's Attorney General detects voter fraud - WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports
Wilson says an analysis found 953 ballots cast by voters were people who are listed as dead.
Wilson says an analysis found 953 ballots cast by voters were people who are listed as dead.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Man Who Gave Us Newt
The Man Who Gave Us Newt - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
And, when Ron Paul’s going on about “fiat money” and Newt’s brimming with specifics on everything (he was great on the pipeline last night), Mitt’s generalities are awfully condescending:
The finely calibrated inoffensiveness is kind of offensive.
And, when Ron Paul’s going on about “fiat money” and Newt’s brimming with specifics on everything (he was great on the pipeline last night), Mitt’s generalities are awfully condescending:
The finely calibrated inoffensiveness is kind of offensive.
Federer rolls into 2012 Australian Open quarterfinals - ESPN
Rafael Nadal rolls into 2012 Australian Open quarterfinals - ESPN
"I thought I played a really good match," said Federer, through to his 31st straight Grand Slam quarterfinal.
"I knew I had to.
Anything else wouldn't have done the job tonight."
suzuki_is_the_man31
"consecutive grand slam quarterfinals is simply amazing.
To put that in perspective.
No other player in the history of tennis even has 31 consecutive 2nd round appearances.
Heck only 23 tennis players have 31 consecutive gland slam appearances."
"I thought I played a really good match," said Federer, through to his 31st straight Grand Slam quarterfinal.
"I knew I had to.
Anything else wouldn't have done the job tonight."
suzuki_is_the_man31
"consecutive grand slam quarterfinals is simply amazing.
To put that in perspective.
No other player in the history of tennis even has 31 consecutive 2nd round appearances.
Heck only 23 tennis players have 31 consecutive gland slam appearances."
NYT: Why Apple won't make iPhones in the US
NYT: Why Apple won't make iPhones in the US - Business - US business - The New York Times - msnbc.com
Apple’s executives believe the vast scale of overseas factories as well as the flexibility, diligence and industrial skills of foreign workers have so outpaced their American counterparts that “Made in the U.S.A.” is no longer a viable option for most Apple products.
Apple’s executives believe the vast scale of overseas factories as well as the flexibility, diligence and industrial skills of foreign workers have so outpaced their American counterparts that “Made in the U.S.A.” is no longer a viable option for most Apple products.
Electric Car Parking: Perk Or Privilege?
Electric Car Parking: Perk Or Privilege? Fox News
"In fact, the mining, heavy metals, and other side effects of electric car production and operation are likely worse for the environment."
"In fact, the mining, heavy metals, and other side effects of electric car production and operation are likely worse for the environment."
The Great Minnesota Pension Scam
Instapundit » Blog Archive » WALTER RUSSELL MEAD: The Great Minnesota Pension Scam.
“If you are a current or former state employee in the state of Minnesota, watch out.
Your pension depends on hot air, sketchy arithmetic, and the willingness of future taxpayers to make huge sacrifices to cover the deceit, wishful thinking and sketchy math at the heart of your pension system.”
Of course, this problem isn’t limited to Minnesota.
It’s endemic.
Plus this advice:
“Under modern conditions, for younger workers especially plans where you make contributions matched by your employer are safer bets than defined benefit plans. In defined contribution plans, they can’t touch your money to pay pensions for older workers; in other plans they can suck you dry to keep the better connected and better organized geezers happy.
Your union reps and state legislators won’t tell you about this, but it’s true: badly funded defined benefit programs will be looted to pay the oldsters in full as long as possible, and younger workers will be stiffed when the bill finally comes due.”
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 10:00 am
“If you are a current or former state employee in the state of Minnesota, watch out.
Your pension depends on hot air, sketchy arithmetic, and the willingness of future taxpayers to make huge sacrifices to cover the deceit, wishful thinking and sketchy math at the heart of your pension system.”
Of course, this problem isn’t limited to Minnesota.
It’s endemic.
Plus this advice:
“Under modern conditions, for younger workers especially plans where you make contributions matched by your employer are safer bets than defined benefit plans. In defined contribution plans, they can’t touch your money to pay pensions for older workers; in other plans they can suck you dry to keep the better connected and better organized geezers happy.
Your union reps and state legislators won’t tell you about this, but it’s true: badly funded defined benefit programs will be looted to pay the oldsters in full as long as possible, and younger workers will be stiffed when the bill finally comes due.”
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 10:00 am
Saturday, January 21, 2012
MAC Legislative Update - January 20, 2012
MAC Legislative Update - January 20, 2012
Lt. Governor Calley Pushes for Autism Coverage
Lt. Governor Brian Calley (R-Ionia County) indicated that mandatory autism insurance coverage, as promoted by Governor Snyder in his State of the State, could be paid for by offering a tax credit against the new Claims Tax on paid insurance claims.
The tax, after matching federal money, is supposed to provide about $1 billion to fund Medicaid in Michigan.
There is no detail on how much money might be lost to the Medicaid budget to pay for autism insurance coverage.
Lt. Governor Calley Pushes for Autism Coverage
Lt. Governor Brian Calley (R-Ionia County) indicated that mandatory autism insurance coverage, as promoted by Governor Snyder in his State of the State, could be paid for by offering a tax credit against the new Claims Tax on paid insurance claims.
The tax, after matching federal money, is supposed to provide about $1 billion to fund Medicaid in Michigan.
There is no detail on how much money might be lost to the Medicaid budget to pay for autism insurance coverage.
America hates Newt Gingrich
America hates Newt Gingrich Campaign 2012 Washington Examiner
Unlike Mitt Romney, who occasionally beats President Obama in general election poll match ups, Newt Gingrich trails far behind President Obama in every survey.
But just how bad are Gingrich's unfavorable among the general public compared to Obama and Romney?
Unlike Mitt Romney, who occasionally beats President Obama in general election poll match ups, Newt Gingrich trails far behind President Obama in every survey.
But just how bad are Gingrich's unfavorable among the general public compared to Obama and Romney?
A trillion-dollar missed opportunity – enough to pay U.S. deficit
A trillion-dollar missed opportunity – enough to pay U.S. deficit ExxonMobil's Perspectives Blog
According to a study by ICF International, expanding domestic energy development in America’s offshore areas could alone generate $1.3 trillion in government revenues over the life of the resource – along with major increases in jobs and economic activity that result from offshore development.
To put this figure in perspective, consider the following numbers:
In 2010, the U.S. federal budget deficit was $1.3 trillion.
The total U.S. national debt currently stands at about $13.8 trillion.
The U.S. oil and natural gas industry contributes more than $1 trillion a year to the U.S. economy.
According to a study by ICF International, expanding domestic energy development in America’s offshore areas could alone generate $1.3 trillion in government revenues over the life of the resource – along with major increases in jobs and economic activity that result from offshore development.
To put this figure in perspective, consider the following numbers:
In 2010, the U.S. federal budget deficit was $1.3 trillion.
The total U.S. national debt currently stands at about $13.8 trillion.
The U.S. oil and natural gas industry contributes more than $1 trillion a year to the U.S. economy.
'Speed freak killer' Loren Herzog found hanged
'Speed freak killer' Loren Herzog found hanged
Herzog was convicted in 2001 of the methamphetamine-fueled rape and murder of Vanderheiden and the killings of two other people in the mid-1980s.
His trial and the case against a co-defendant, childhood friend Wesley Shermantine, were moved to Santa Clara County from San Joaquin County because of extensive pretrial publicity over what were dubbed the "speed freak killers."
Herzog was sentenced to 78 years to life, but an appeals court threw out his conviction in 2004, saying investigators had illegally forced a confession from him.
Herzog was convicted in 2001 of the methamphetamine-fueled rape and murder of Vanderheiden and the killings of two other people in the mid-1980s.
His trial and the case against a co-defendant, childhood friend Wesley Shermantine, were moved to Santa Clara County from San Joaquin County because of extensive pretrial publicity over what were dubbed the "speed freak killers."
Herzog was sentenced to 78 years to life, but an appeals court threw out his conviction in 2004, saying investigators had illegally forced a confession from him.
Girl, 9, who faced online taunts in 2010, dies
Girl, 9, who faced online taunts in 2010, dies
A 9-year-old Detroit-area girl whose battle with Huntington's disease drew attention after she was taunted online by a neighbor has died.
A 9-year-old Detroit-area girl whose battle with Huntington's disease drew attention after she was taunted online by a neighbor has died.
Egypt's Islamists secure 75 percent of parliament
Egypt's Islamists secure 75 percent of parliament
Egypt's election commission and political groups say final results from the country's first elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak show Islamist parties winning nearly three-quarters of the seats in parliament.
Egypt's election commission and political groups say final results from the country's first elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak show Islamist parties winning nearly three-quarters of the seats in parliament.
A Sharper Mind, Middle Age and Beyond
A Sharper Mind, Middle Age and Beyond - NYTimes.com
The “effective, moving, vitalizing work of the world is done between the ages of 25 and 40 — these 15 golden years of plenty.”
In comparison, he noted, “men above 40 years of age” are useless.
As for those over 60, there would be an “incalculable benefit” in “commercial, political and professional life, if, as a matter of course, men stopped work at this age.”
The “effective, moving, vitalizing work of the world is done between the ages of 25 and 40 — these 15 golden years of plenty.”
In comparison, he noted, “men above 40 years of age” are useless.
As for those over 60, there would be an “incalculable benefit” in “commercial, political and professional life, if, as a matter of course, men stopped work at this age.”
Friday, January 20, 2012
Muskegon County Jail replacement ranked top priority by county leadership
Muskegon County Jail replacement ranked top priority by county leadership MLive.com
“For nine years, the issues of the juvenile center and jail, they are always near the top of the list,” Derezinski said.
“When the heck are we going to get it off the list?”
“For nine years, the issues of the juvenile center and jail, they are always near the top of the list,” Derezinski said.
“When the heck are we going to get it off the list?”
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Editorial: Obama's call a job killer
Editorial: Obama's call a job killer Editorial Opinion Edmonton Sun
The Republicans aren't telling the whole truth when they say Barack Obama doesn't care about jobs.
The U.S. president is desperately worried about one: his own.
That's the real reason the Obama administration denied a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline Wednesday,
The Republicans aren't telling the whole truth when they say Barack Obama doesn't care about jobs.
The U.S. president is desperately worried about one: his own.
That's the real reason the Obama administration denied a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline Wednesday,
Private Elevator Productions Offers Casey Anthony $1 Million
Private Elevator Productions Offers Casey Anthony $1 Million Mediaite
CNN Confirms Casey Anthony ‘Will Get $1 Million’ For Interview
CNN Confirms Casey Anthony ‘Will Get $1 Million’ For Interview
Dems propose 'Reasonable Profits Board' to regulate oil company profits
Dems propose 'Reasonable Profits Board' to regulate oil company profits - The Hill's Floor Action
Six House Democrats, led by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), want to set up a "Reasonable Profits Board" to control gas profits.
The Democrats, worried about higher gas prices, want to set up a board that would apply a "windfall profit tax" as high as 100 percent on the sale of oil and gas, according to their legislation.
The bill provides no specific guidance for how the board would determine what constitutes a reasonable profit.
Six House Democrats, led by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), want to set up a "Reasonable Profits Board" to control gas profits.
The Democrats, worried about higher gas prices, want to set up a board that would apply a "windfall profit tax" as high as 100 percent on the sale of oil and gas, according to their legislation.
The bill provides no specific guidance for how the board would determine what constitutes a reasonable profit.
A Lose, Lose, Lose, Lose, Lose Proposition
A Lose, Lose, Lose, Lose, Lose Proposition - By Victor Davis Hanson - The Corner - National Review Online
As he did with his probably illegal “recess” appointments, President Obama picked a politically advantageous time to cancel the Keystone pipeline project — while the media is obsessed with the South Carolina primary, Newt Gingrich’s second wife, and Mitt Romney’s investments.
Yet it is hard to remember a presidential decision that had as many negatives as this one:
As he did with his probably illegal “recess” appointments, President Obama picked a politically advantageous time to cancel the Keystone pipeline project — while the media is obsessed with the South Carolina primary, Newt Gingrich’s second wife, and Mitt Romney’s investments.
Yet it is hard to remember a presidential decision that had as many negatives as this one:
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