Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Miss Fluke goes to Washington
Miss Fluke goes to Washington | fluke, sex, right - Opinion - The Orange County Registe
She's had the courage to stand up in public and demand that someone else (and this is where one is obliged to tiptoe cautiously, lest offense is given to gallant defenders of the good name of American maidenhood such as the many prestigious soon-to-be-former sponsors of this column who've booked Bill Maher for their corporate retreat with his amusing "Sarah Palin is a c***" routine ...)
She's had the courage to stand up in public and demand that someone else (and this is where one is obliged to tiptoe cautiously, lest offense is given to gallant defenders of the good name of American maidenhood such as the many prestigious soon-to-be-former sponsors of this column who've booked Bill Maher for their corporate retreat with his amusing "Sarah Palin is a c***" routine ...)
Muskegon County sheriff says he took golf trips with bail bondsman
Muskegon County sheriff says he took golf trips with bail bondsman | MLive.com
The sheriff’s office runs the Muskegon County Jail. Bail bondsmen, for a fee, post bail for criminal defendants to get them out of jail.
If the defendants later fail to appear for court, bond agencies have bounty hunters try to find them and bring them in.
“I’ve got nothing to hide,” Roesler said of the golf trips.
”I realize now, stepping back, that it looks a little shady… But the other point, the sheriff doesn’t set the bonds or benefit from the bonds.
We’re just the pass-through agency.”
The sheriff’s office runs the Muskegon County Jail. Bail bondsmen, for a fee, post bail for criminal defendants to get them out of jail.
If the defendants later fail to appear for court, bond agencies have bounty hunters try to find them and bring them in.
“I’ve got nothing to hide,” Roesler said of the golf trips.
”I realize now, stepping back, that it looks a little shady… But the other point, the sheriff doesn’t set the bonds or benefit from the bonds.
We’re just the pass-through agency.”
Stop the madness!
Rob and Pat Haynes of Michigan’s Macomb Township have adult children, but will never be “empty nesters.” Around the clock, in their home, and probably for life, they care for their children Melissa and Kevin, who suffer from cerebral palsy.
Medicaid was meant to help people like the Hayneses, who face heavy health care burdens through no fault of their own. But the Hayneses’ decision to accept Medicaid and care for their children means state government now considers them “government employees” subject to “union dues” — a violation of their rights and a corruption of public assistance that will persist for them and 57,000 other home health care providers if the Michigan Senate continues to shun its responsibilities.
The Hayneses calculate that over several years, the union has taken around $2,000 in dues from them: about half the cost of a new wheelchair.
How did the Hayneses become “union members”? The improbable answer begins with the Granholm administration, which in 2004 helped create a governmental entity known as the Michigan Quality Community Care Council.
The “MQC3” was ostensibly constituted to develop a home health registry and conduct training, but later, the Service Employees International Union approached the Michigan Employment Relations Commission with two novel claims: first, that Michigan’s home health providers are “government employees” because they receive Medicaid payments through their patients, and second, that the MQC3 “employs” them.
The argument was bizarre — if nothing else, only the Michigan Legislature can constitutionally designate new classes of public employees.
Unfortunately, MERC ignored the law, ran a statewide mail-in union election and “certified” the “union” with only 20 percent of the home health care providers voting. Completing the charade, the Granholm administration began withholding “union dues” from the providers’ Medicaid payments and sending the money to an SEIU affiliate.
For the Hayneses, this isn’t funny.
Melissa and Kevin, though adults, are effectively toddlers.
Rob and Pat work constantly — feeding, bathing, dressing, pushing wheelchairs.
The SEIU, however, cannot negotiate them a raise, overtime, a pension or vacation time, since the union bargains only with the MQC3, which is powerless to grant these. The SEIU nevertheless receives monthly union “dues” of about $15 from each child’s Medicaid check.
The $30 monthly deductions may seem small, but the Hayneses calculate that over several years, the union has taken around $2,000 in dues from them: about half the cost of a new wheelchair.
Statewide, home health care providers — many of them relatives tending to family members — have been forced to pay an estimated $28 million in so-called “dues.”
Rob Haynes has no objection to unions: He was a unionized police officer in Detroit for 30 years.
He argues the SEIU is out of place here, however.
“I feel like I’m not getting any union representation,” he says.
“They are not benefiting me in any way.
They are taking money away that we could be using for our kids.”
Nor do the Hayneses recall receiving a ballot for a union election.
Perhaps they mistook it for junk mail.
Says Pat, “I would have seen it and thought, SEIU? … I’m not in a union.”
Last year, unimpressed by the arrangement, the Michigan Legislature stopped funding the MQC3.
State government continues to withhold the so-called “dues,” however, so in June, the Michigan House passed a bill affirming that people don’t become government employees simply through indirect receipt of public subsidies.
This stipulation removes the grounds on which home health providers were “unionized.”
This approach is correct.
Home health providers who receive payment through Medicaid recipients are no more “public employees” than grocers who accept food stamps.
And coercive unionization on the thinnest of pretexts is unconstitutional; it capriciously violates people’s First Amendment right of free association.
Sadly, the Michigan Senate has not acted.
State senators appear to hope Gov. Rick Snyder will order the DCH to end the “dues” withdrawals, since he stopped a similar scheme involving home-based day care providers last year.
But it’s irresponsible to expect lightning to strike twice.
MERC and the DCH are executive agencies, and reining them in means ceding executive power — something executives are loath to do.
Moreover, this duty falls squarely on the Legislature.
The Legislature is responsible for Medicaid appropriations, and the Legislature is the only branch constitutionally responsible for defining public employment.
State Senators have no excuse to duck this job.
If they find it difficult, they should reflect on their luck.
Their work isn’t as hard as the Hayneses’.
#####
Anne Schieber and Tom Shull are senior investigative analyst and senior editor, respectively, at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a research and educational institute headquartered in Midland, Mich. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the Center are properly cited.Bail bondsman, fired assistant prosecutors tell their side of golf trip controversy
Bail bondsman, fired assistant prosecutors tell their side of golf trip controversy | MLive.com
Marc E. Curtis, the senior assistant Muskegon County prosecutor fired Friday for taking a Las Vegas golfing trip paid for by a Muskegon bail bondsman, says he may someday run against the man who fired him.
Kathryn Norton, the entry-level assistant prosecutor also fired for going along on the couples trip to Vegas, spoke tearfully of the events that led to it. She said the couples’ relationship with the bondsman was purely social, and it never occurred to her there might be ethical issues.
Marc E. Curtis, the senior assistant Muskegon County prosecutor fired Friday for taking a Las Vegas golfing trip paid for by a Muskegon bail bondsman, says he may someday run against the man who fired him.
Kathryn Norton, the entry-level assistant prosecutor also fired for going along on the couples trip to Vegas, spoke tearfully of the events that led to it. She said the couples’ relationship with the bondsman was purely social, and it never occurred to her there might be ethical issues.
Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tournament history for hoops junkies
Go Green!
Tournament history for hoops junkies
Go Green!
Friday, March 09, 2012
Muskegon County buys iPads for commissioners, projects savings with going paperless
Muskegon County buys iPads for commissioners, projects savings with going paperless | MLive.com
The proposal to purchase laptops or tablets for county commissioners became controversial since it was first brought up last year.
The County Board of Commissioners originally defeated the proposed plan on a 6-5 vote, then reconsidered the concept and approved it by an 8-3 vote.
The proposal to purchase laptops or tablets for county commissioners became controversial since it was first brought up last year.
The County Board of Commissioners originally defeated the proposed plan on a 6-5 vote, then reconsidered the concept and approved it by an 8-3 vote.
Muskegon County sheriff says he took golf trips with bail bondsman
Muskegon County sheriff says he took golf trips with bail bondsman | MLive.com
Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler says his office is the other county department involved in a Las Vegas golf trip paid for by a Muskegon bail bondsman – the gift now the subject of an internal investigation by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office because two assistant prosecutors also went along.
Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler says his office is the other county department involved in a Las Vegas golf trip paid for by a Muskegon bail bondsman – the gift now the subject of an internal investigation by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office because two assistant prosecutors also went along.
UNESCO panel does not remove Syria from human rights committee
UNESCO panel does not remove Syria from human rights committee - latimes.com
The U.S. "is profoundly disappointed that this resolution does not call for outright removal" of Syria from the committee, Ambassador David Killion said, according to the Associated Press.
The U.S. "is profoundly disappointed that this resolution does not call for outright removal" of Syria from the committee, Ambassador David Killion said, according to the Associated Press.
Government-subsidized green light bulb carries costly price tag
Government-subsidized green light bulb carries costly price tag - The Washington Post
The U.S. government last year announced a $10 million award, dubbed the “L Prize,” for any manufacturer that could create a “green” but affordable light bulb.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the prize would spur industry to offer the costly bulbs, known as LEDs, at prices “affordable for American families.”
There was also a “Buy America” component. Portions of the bulb would have to be made in the United States.
The price is $50.
The U.S. government last year announced a $10 million award, dubbed the “L Prize,” for any manufacturer that could create a “green” but affordable light bulb.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the prize would spur industry to offer the costly bulbs, known as LEDs, at prices “affordable for American families.”
There was also a “Buy America” component. Portions of the bulb would have to be made in the United States.
Kony 2012: what's the real story?
Kony 2012: what's the real story? | Politics | guardian.co.uk
Too slick.
And it's gotta Hollywood stink.
Too slick.
And it's gotta Hollywood stink.
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Racial incident mars high school game
Racial incident mars high school game | Defenders - Home
But it was just after the trophy presentation when the coach was not proud of the chant coming from Alamo Heights fans.
"USA, USA, USA," they chanted
Imagine the pain felt by those children......USA, USA........
But it was just after the trophy presentation when the coach was not proud of the chant coming from Alamo Heights fans.
"USA, USA, USA," they chanted
Imagine the pain felt by those children......USA, USA........
Baby Boomers' Investment Returns Will Be Constrained
Baby Boomers' Investment Returns Will Be Constrained, This Researcher Warns - WSJ.com
The problem in a nutshell: The ratio of retirees to active workers in the U.S. will balloon.
As retirees sell stocks and then bonds to support themselves, there will be fewer younger investors to buy those securities, keeping a lid on prices.
The problem in a nutshell: The ratio of retirees to active workers in the U.S. will balloon.
As retirees sell stocks and then bonds to support themselves, there will be fewer younger investors to buy those securities, keeping a lid on prices.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Upset in Ohio: Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) loses primary to Brad Wenstrup
Upset in Ohio: Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) loses primary to Brad Wenstrup - The Washington Post
In the first upset of 2012, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) lost a primary to Army Reserves Major Brad Wenstrup, a political newbie.
In the first upset of 2012, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) lost a primary to Army Reserves Major Brad Wenstrup, a political newbie.
Ohio's 'Joe the Plumber' gets GOP nod for Congress - Houston Chronicle
Ohio's 'Joe the Plumber' gets GOP nod for Congress - Houston Chronicle
Samuel Wurzelbacher gained the nickname "Joe the Plumber" for expressing working-class concerns about taxes to then-candidate Barack Obama during a stop to the region.
Samuel Wurzelbacher gained the nickname "Joe the Plumber" for expressing working-class concerns about taxes to then-candidate Barack Obama during a stop to the region.
Obama loses Dem primary in 15 Oklahoma counties
The Associated Press: Obama loses Dem primary in 15 Oklahoma counties
President Barack Obama collected the most votes in the Oklahoma Democratic primary, but lost in 15 counties
President Barack Obama collected the most votes in the Oklahoma Democratic primary, but lost in 15 counties
UAW-backed push to amend state Constitution 'political chicanery,' Chamber says
UAW-backed push to amend state Constitution 'political chicanery,' Chamber says MLive.com
"I can tell you that many people are seeing this as what itis: a partisan, political power grab," Holcomb said.
"It's funny that the samegroup that says it's too divisive to even talk about Right to Work legislationnow comes forward with this."
"I can tell you that many people are seeing this as what itis: a partisan, political power grab," Holcomb said.
"It's funny that the samegroup that says it's too divisive to even talk about Right to Work legislationnow comes forward with this."
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Sandra Fluke, Gender Reassignment, and Health Insurance
Sandra Fluke, Gender Reassignment, and Health Insurance MRCTV
As many have already uncovered Sandra Fluke she is, in reality, a 30 year old long time liberal activist who enrolled at Georgetown with the express purpose of fighting for the school to pay for students' birth control.
She has been pushing for mandated coverage of contraceptives at Georgetown for at least three years according to the Washington Post.
As many have already uncovered Sandra Fluke she is, in reality, a 30 year old long time liberal activist who enrolled at Georgetown with the express purpose of fighting for the school to pay for students' birth control.
She has been pushing for mandated coverage of contraceptives at Georgetown for at least three years according to the Washington Post.
Have an opinion on liquor in Norton Shores? Have your say tonight
Have an opinion on liquor in Norton Shores? Have your say tonight MLive.com
Norton Shores City Council will hold a public hearing about renewing its liquor licenses at its regularly scheduled meeting tonight.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Norton Shores Branch Library, 705 Seminole.
The council also is expected to discuss modifying the city’s cost recovery ordinance, Mayor Gary Nelund said.
Norton Shores City Council will hold a public hearing about renewing its liquor licenses at its regularly scheduled meeting tonight.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Norton Shores Branch Library, 705 Seminole.
The council also is expected to discuss modifying the city’s cost recovery ordinance, Mayor Gary Nelund said.
Do We Let Unions Bankrupt Governments?
Do We Let Unions Bankrupt Governments? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Government unions remain as a permanent, taxpayer-funded lobby for big government.
And with the fight to retain PA 4 looming, it is not clear that Gov. Snyder's nuanced approach has allowed him to avoid the acrimony.
Government unions remain as a permanent, taxpayer-funded lobby for big government.
And with the fight to retain PA 4 looming, it is not clear that Gov. Snyder's nuanced approach has allowed him to avoid the acrimony.
The Case Against Law School
Instapundit » Blog Archive » LEGAL EDUCATION UPDATE: New York Magazine
LEGAL EDUCATION UPDATE: New York Magazine: The Case Against Law School.
“The hardest part about becoming a lawyer in a city like New York, if your path runs through a top-tier school such as Columbia or NYU, might be getting your application accepted.
After that, it’s mostly a matter of keeping your grades up and waiting for the jobs to come to you:
On-campus recruiting interviews lead to summer associateships, which often lead to jobs at the same firm after graduation.
Attending a less prestigious law school, though, has always been something of a gamble, and as the recession has squeezed the profession, the math has become dicey indeed.
Nationwide, there are two aspiring lawyers with passing bar-exam scores for every one open job; in New York State, the ratio is even more lopsided, with 9,787 passing the bar in 2009, then competing for roughly 2,100 new positions.”
LEGAL EDUCATION UPDATE: New York Magazine: The Case Against Law School.
“The hardest part about becoming a lawyer in a city like New York, if your path runs through a top-tier school such as Columbia or NYU, might be getting your application accepted.
After that, it’s mostly a matter of keeping your grades up and waiting for the jobs to come to you:
On-campus recruiting interviews lead to summer associateships, which often lead to jobs at the same firm after graduation.
Attending a less prestigious law school, though, has always been something of a gamble, and as the recession has squeezed the profession, the math has become dicey indeed.
Nationwide, there are two aspiring lawyers with passing bar-exam scores for every one open job; in New York State, the ratio is even more lopsided, with 9,787 passing the bar in 2009, then competing for roughly 2,100 new positions.”
Rally for Rush
The American Spectator : Rally for Rush
So.
Did you hear about Carbonite and Rush Limbaugh?
No, you didn't.
Not the way you will in a minute.
But first?
It's time to turn the tables.
It's time to stand up to the bullies.
It's time to Rally for Rush.
...And get a load of this.
Take a look right here at Ed "Laura Ingraham is a slut" Schultz's site for his radio show.
Who is listed as a Schultz sponsor?
That's right: Carbonite.
Like Rush Limbaugh, Ed Schultz apologized.
The difference?
If Rush uses the word "slut" to illustrate the absurdity of the left-wing Sandra Fluke's views --David Friend is outraged.
But when Ed Schultz refers in hostile fashion out of the blue to conservative and Catholic Laura Ingraham as a "slut" -- hey, no big deal for Carbonite.
In other words, to put it politely, Mr. Friend's woe-is-me I'm-withdrawing-my-company's sponsorship-from-Rush Limbaugh-because of-my-lovely-daughters is as close to certifiable BS as one can imagine.
Mr. Friend, one can only suspect, placed Carbonite's ads with Rush Limbaugh because he knew it would make him money -- which he obviously then funneled to MoveOn and the rest.
Meanwhile, he keeps advertising on the Ed Slut Show… sorry… Ed Schultz Show.
His daughters?
His daughters?
What a deeply cynical man.
Read all of this.
Very interesting.
Very important!
So.
Did you hear about Carbonite and Rush Limbaugh?
No, you didn't.
Not the way you will in a minute.
But first?
It's time to turn the tables.
It's time to stand up to the bullies.
It's time to Rally for Rush.
...And get a load of this.
Take a look right here at Ed "Laura Ingraham is a slut" Schultz's site for his radio show.
Who is listed as a Schultz sponsor?
That's right: Carbonite.
Like Rush Limbaugh, Ed Schultz apologized.
The difference?
If Rush uses the word "slut" to illustrate the absurdity of the left-wing Sandra Fluke's views --David Friend is outraged.
But when Ed Schultz refers in hostile fashion out of the blue to conservative and Catholic Laura Ingraham as a "slut" -- hey, no big deal for Carbonite.
In other words, to put it politely, Mr. Friend's woe-is-me I'm-withdrawing-my-company's sponsorship-from-Rush Limbaugh-because of-my-lovely-daughters is as close to certifiable BS as one can imagine.
Mr. Friend, one can only suspect, placed Carbonite's ads with Rush Limbaugh because he knew it would make him money -- which he obviously then funneled to MoveOn and the rest.
Meanwhile, he keeps advertising on the Ed Slut Show… sorry… Ed Schultz Show.
His daughters?
His daughters?
What a deeply cynical man.
Read all of this.
Very interesting.
Very important!
Muskegon Heights' school leadership missed the boat
Viewpoint: Muskegon Heights' school leadership missed the boat MLive.com
By Kyle Olson
It is heartbreaking to witness the unfolding scenario at Muskegon Heights Public Schools.
The breathtaking mismanagement has inflicted long-term damage on students, the community and the staff of the school system.
By Kyle Olson
It is heartbreaking to witness the unfolding scenario at Muskegon Heights Public Schools.
The breathtaking mismanagement has inflicted long-term damage on students, the community and the staff of the school system.
Muskegon chamber survey targets worker training as top business concern
Muskegon chamber survey targets worker training as top business concern MLive.com
One sign of the recovering economy is that business owners have jobs available but the troubling issue is that they are not finding enough qualified, skilled workers in the Muskegon area
One sign of the recovering economy is that business owners have jobs available but the troubling issue is that they are not finding enough qualified, skilled workers in the Muskegon area
UAW troops will man class war
Column: UAW troops will man class war The Detroit News detroitnews.com
Now we know how United Auto Workers President Bob King will repay Barack Obama for holding the union harmless from the Detroit automakers' bankruptcy:
He'll provide the ground troops for the president's class war.
Now we know how United Auto Workers President Bob King will repay Barack Obama for holding the union harmless from the Detroit automakers' bankruptcy:
He'll provide the ground troops for the president's class war.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Flint police policy gives preferential treatment to elected officials, administrators
Flint police policy gives preferential treatment to elected officials, administrators MLive.com
The system -- known as service requests -- is used primarily by city administrators, council members and police administrators and is separate from the 911 dispatch center, according to the study by a team from Michigan State University
The system -- known as service requests -- is used primarily by city administrators, council members and police administrators and is separate from the 911 dispatch center, according to the study by a team from Michigan State University
Muskegon County Jail committee formed to make replacement recommendations
Muskegon County Jail committee formed to make replacement recommendations MLive.com
Muskegon County officials began their full-fledged push Thursday to determine a possible location and funding mechanism for a replacement jail facility.
Muskegon County officials began their full-fledged push Thursday to determine a possible location and funding mechanism for a replacement jail facility.
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