Saturday, April 21, 2012
Fifth Republic in France Teeters in Spectacle of an Astonishing Election
Fifth Republic in France Teeters in Spectacle of an Astonishing Election - The New York Sun
From de Gaulle, an objectively great statesman, to the solid and wise Georges Pompidou, to the intelligent but erratic Valery Giscard d’Estaing, to the cunning hyper-cynic Francois Mitterrand (at one time a collaborator of both Nazis and Communists, who once faked an assassination attempt on himself), to the bumbling and sticky-fingered Jacques Chirac, the pattern was a precise step downwards with each succession.
No other important country has followed such a straight trajectory over 50 years.
From de Gaulle, an objectively great statesman, to the solid and wise Georges Pompidou, to the intelligent but erratic Valery Giscard d’Estaing, to the cunning hyper-cynic Francois Mitterrand (at one time a collaborator of both Nazis and Communists, who once faked an assassination attempt on himself), to the bumbling and sticky-fingered Jacques Chirac, the pattern was a precise step downwards with each succession.
No other important country has followed such a straight trajectory over 50 years.
The Great California Exodus
The Weekend Interview with Joel Kotkin: The Great California Exodus - WSJ.com
And things will only get worse in the coming years as Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and his green cadre implement their "smart growth" plans to cram the proletariat into high-density housing.
"What I find reprehensible beyond belief is that the people pushing [high-density housing] themselves live in single-family homes and often drive very fancy cars, but want everyone else to live like my grandmother did in Brownsville in Brooklyn in the 1920s," Mr. Kotkin declares.
And things will only get worse in the coming years as Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and his green cadre implement their "smart growth" plans to cram the proletariat into high-density housing.
"What I find reprehensible beyond belief is that the people pushing [high-density housing] themselves live in single-family homes and often drive very fancy cars, but want everyone else to live like my grandmother did in Brownsville in Brooklyn in the 1920s," Mr. Kotkin declares.
Illegal Aliens Caught Voting and Stealing Elections In Florida In Vast Numbers - YouTube
Illegal Aliens Caught Voting and Stealing Elections In Florida In Vast Numbers - YouTube
Illegal Immigrant voters along with immigrants that are prohibited from voting have been detected voting in Florida.
This joins confirmed reports of sizable numbers of non citizens voting in Georgia and Colorado!
Illegal Immigrant voters along with immigrants that are prohibited from voting have been detected voting in Florida.
This joins confirmed reports of sizable numbers of non citizens voting in Georgia and Colorado!
Herman Cain: Liberals Don't Want Voter ID Laws Because 'It Makes It Easier For Them To Cheat At The Polls'
Herman Cain: Liberals Don't Want Voter ID Laws Because 'It Makes It Easier For Them To Cheat At The Polls' | MRCTV
"That's a big fat lie. They are not taking us back to Jim Crow.
The only reason that the Liberals don't want photo ID in order for people to vote, is because it makes it easier for them to cheat at the polls.
I grew up in the South and during the Civil Rights Movement.
We have to have a photo ID for everything we do, but yet they want to frame it as taking us back to Jim Crow.
"That's a big fat lie. They are not taking us back to Jim Crow.
The only reason that the Liberals don't want photo ID in order for people to vote, is because it makes it easier for them to cheat at the polls.
I grew up in the South and during the Civil Rights Movement.
We have to have a photo ID for everything we do, but yet they want to frame it as taking us back to Jim Crow.
Muskegon Community College sets cap on health insurance contributions
Muskegon Community College sets cap on health insurance contributions | MLive.com
Under state law, public employers have to adopt one of two plans to limit the costs of insuring their employees:
They can either require employees to pay 20 percent of their insurance costs, or set a “hard cap” for the dollar amount employer contributions.
MCC opted for the hard cap, meaning it will pay no more than $5,500 to insure an employee, $11,000 for an employee and one dependent or $15,000 for an employee and his or her family, MCC Director of Human Resources Aaron Hilliard said.
Under state law, public employers have to adopt one of two plans to limit the costs of insuring their employees:
They can either require employees to pay 20 percent of their insurance costs, or set a “hard cap” for the dollar amount employer contributions.
MCC opted for the hard cap, meaning it will pay no more than $5,500 to insure an employee, $11,000 for an employee and one dependent or $15,000 for an employee and his or her family, MCC Director of Human Resources Aaron Hilliard said.
Friday, April 20, 2012
If they quack like hacks
If they quack like hacks ... - BostonHerald.com
The difference between nonprofits and the hackerama is that nobody at a nonprofit ever has to run for reelection.
You can’t vote out their boards of directors.
You have to wait for them to resign in humiliation.....
The difference between nonprofits and the hackerama is that nobody at a nonprofit ever has to run for reelection.
You can’t vote out their boards of directors.
You have to wait for them to resign in humiliation.....
News/Talk 760 WJR
News/Talk 760 WJR
Lomborg: Why Germany’s solar subsidies were bound to fail
Germany’s Sunshine Daydream
By Bjorn Lomborg, 2012-02-16, Copenhagen.
One of the world’s biggest green-energy public-policy experiments is coming to a bitter end in Germany, with important lessons for policymakers elsewhere.
Lomborg: Why Germany’s solar subsidies were bound to fail
Germany’s Sunshine Daydream
By Bjorn Lomborg, 2012-02-16, Copenhagen.
One of the world’s biggest green-energy public-policy experiments is coming to a bitter end in Germany, with important lessons for policymakers elsewhere.
GSA waste, abuse more common than indicated
GSA waste, abuse more common than indicated | Campaign 2012 | Washington Examiner
Just last year, seven GSA employees were found guilty of accepting bribes and defrauding the government in a scheme that cost taxpayers $750,000. Other GSA scandals date back to the Carter administration in the 1970s.
"It really shakes you up," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chaired a Senate inquiry Wednesday. "The expression is fool me once, but again and again?"
Just last year, seven GSA employees were found guilty of accepting bribes and defrauding the government in a scheme that cost taxpayers $750,000. Other GSA scandals date back to the Carter administration in the 1970s.
"It really shakes you up," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chaired a Senate inquiry Wednesday. "The expression is fool me once, but again and again?"
Voting rights activists say GOP bills are intended to keep poor, elderly and minority voters from the polls
Voting rights activists say GOP bills are intended to keep poor, elderly and minority voters from the polls | MLive.com
LANSING, MI – State Republicans are trying to keep poor, elderly and minority voters from heading to the polls this November with a series requiring voters to show identification and training for people who register voters, voting rights activists said.
LANSING, MI – State Republicans are trying to keep poor, elderly and minority voters from heading to the polls this November with a series requiring voters to show identification and training for people who register voters, voting rights activists said.
Earth Day Special: The Media's Top 25 Worst Environmental Quotes
Earth Day Special: The Media's Top 25 Worst Environmental Quotes | Media Research Center
CNN’s environmental editor Barbara Pyle, as quoted in the July 1990 issue of American Spectator, actually bragged:
“I do have an axe to grind...I want to be the little subversive person in television.”
Time magazine’s science editor Charles Alexander, at a September 16, 1989 global warming conference, confessed:
“I would freely admit on this issue we have crossed the boundary from news reporting to advocacy.”
CNN’s environmental editor Barbara Pyle, as quoted in the July 1990 issue of American Spectator, actually bragged:
“I do have an axe to grind...I want to be the little subversive person in television.”
Time magazine’s science editor Charles Alexander, at a September 16, 1989 global warming conference, confessed:
“I would freely admit on this issue we have crossed the boundary from news reporting to advocacy.”
Palin To Secret Service Agent: "Check This Out, Bodyguard -- You're Fired"
Palin To Secret Service Agent: "Check This Out, Bodyguard -- You're Fired" | RealClearPolitics
"The president, the CEO of this operation called our federal government, has got to start cracking down on these agencies.
He is the head of the administrative branch and all of these different departments in the administration that now people are seeing things that are so amiss within these departments.
The buck stops with the president.
"The president, the CEO of this operation called our federal government, has got to start cracking down on these agencies.
He is the head of the administrative branch and all of these different departments in the administration that now people are seeing things that are so amiss within these departments.
The buck stops with the president.
Good pic of my son Jimmy's bulldog, Apollo - I'm sorry Mr. President, he's not on the menu!
John McCain@SenJohnMcCain
Good pic of my son Jimmy's bulldog, Apollo - I'm sorry Mr. President, he's not on the menu! http://politi.co/HVhK9ZJohn McCain@SenJohnMcCain
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Governor joked with supervisors about violating open-meeting law
Governor joked with supervisors about violating open-meeting law - latimes.com
According to a transcript obtained by The Times, the governor said at one point during the meeting, "Let's get our Brown Act cover story."
He was referring to the state's open-meetings law, the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Moments later, then-County Counsel Andrea Sheridan Ordin noted that reporters who questioned the legality of the meeting — which indeed was later ruled illegal — were waiting outside.
"You may have folks out there who want to ask questions," she said.
California learning from Muskegon?
According to a transcript obtained by The Times, the governor said at one point during the meeting, "Let's get our Brown Act cover story."
He was referring to the state's open-meetings law, the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Moments later, then-County Counsel Andrea Sheridan Ordin noted that reporters who questioned the legality of the meeting — which indeed was later ruled illegal — were waiting outside.
"You may have folks out there who want to ask questions," she said.
California learning from Muskegon?
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Pathetic!
Friend --
Want to meet George Clooney and Barack Obama -- at Clooney's house?
He's hosting supporters at his home next month to help build support for this campaign and elect President Obama in November. And he's saving seats for two grassroots supporters like you and their guests. It's just not a chance most people get -- well, ever.
For a chance to hang out with President Obama at George Clooney's house, donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered to win.
George Clooney is doing his part to help re-elect the President, but he also knows that it's folks like you who will decide this election. That's why we're reserving a few spots for grassroots supporters.
If you donate $3 or whatever you can today, you'll be doing your part to support the campaign, and be automatically entered to join them in Los Angeles.
If you ask me, this is far too good to pass up:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Obama-Clooney-and-You
Thanks,
Julianna
Julianna Smoot
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America
Want to meet George Clooney and Barack Obama -- at Clooney's house?
He's hosting supporters at his home next month to help build support for this campaign and elect President Obama in November. And he's saving seats for two grassroots supporters like you and their guests. It's just not a chance most people get -- well, ever.
For a chance to hang out with President Obama at George Clooney's house, donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered to win.
George Clooney is doing his part to help re-elect the President, but he also knows that it's folks like you who will decide this election. That's why we're reserving a few spots for grassroots supporters.
If you donate $3 or whatever you can today, you'll be doing your part to support the campaign, and be automatically entered to join them in Los Angeles.
If you ask me, this is far too good to pass up:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Obama-Clooney-and-You
Thanks,
Julianna
Julianna Smoot
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America
Rita Crundwell Fraud Charges: What Did Dixon, Illinois, CFO Buy After Allegedly Looting City Coffers?
Rita Crundwell Fraud Charges: What Did Dixon, Illinois, CFO Buy After Allegedly Looting City Coffers? - International Business Times
Rita Crundwell doesn't just handle the finances of a small Illinois city -- she's allegedly a big-time thief who raided the city of Dixon's coffers to the tune of $33.2 million, the U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois announced.
Rita Crundwell doesn't just handle the finances of a small Illinois city -- she's allegedly a big-time thief who raided the city of Dixon's coffers to the tune of $33.2 million, the U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois announced.
There are known knowns
There are known knowns - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: “
[T]here are known knowns; there are things we know we know.
We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know.
—United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
In case you forgot what a brilliant man we had....and ain't got no more.....
[T]here are known knowns; there are things we know we know.
We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know.
—United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
In case you forgot what a brilliant man we had....and ain't got no more.....
A request from a constituent-me!
E-mail sent to my Muskegon county commissioner:
Dear commissioner Scolnik,
About a month ago, I hand delivered my application to Heath Kaplan, director of Finance and Management Services in hopes of being appointed to the "Citizens Review Committee/Jail and Juvenile Transition Center - 11 slots, public".
Heath assured me he would pass my application on to you.
Since that time, other citizens have told me they have been contacted by their county commissioners either by phone or by mailed questionnaires.
I have yet to hear from you and, as the final appointment date is approaching, I wanted to make sure you had received my application and ask if you need any more information from me about my qualifications for appointment.
As you are well aware, I attend (and video) most county commission meetings and most special meetings focusing on the "jail" issue.
I have studied how other counties have addressed jail and finance issues in great detail and my multiple decades of experience in municipal finance as a financial advisor and branch manager should add a solid financial element to the citizens committee.
I also believe that complete transparency and the interests of the citizenry should be paramount.
As I was not notified by you nor invited to last week's meeting that discussed the new jail location and am aware the date for final appointment to the committee is next week, I am disheartened not to have heard from you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Jim Riley
Muskegon County floats $2 million loan to Brookhaven in accounting move
Muskegon County floats $2 million loan to Brookhaven in accounting move | MLive.com
County Commissioner John Snider, the board’s vice chairman, said the loan will “clean up our balance sheet,” voicing his support for the proposal.
“This is being more transparent than it’s ever been,” Hammersley said of the concerns raised about the loan.
Sadly, Hammersley is right.
Bummer for the taxpayers.
County Commissioner John Snider, the board’s vice chairman, said the loan will “clean up our balance sheet,” voicing his support for the proposal.
“This is being more transparent than it’s ever been,” Hammersley said of the concerns raised about the loan.
Sadly, Hammersley is right.
Bummer for the taxpayers.
Muskegon County sued by talk-radio host alleging Open Meetings Act violation
Muskegon County sued by talk-radio host alleging Open Meetings Act violation | MLive.com
Muskegon County government is being sued by one of its most ardent critics based on allegations that the County Board of Commissioners illegally had a closed session meeting to keep discussions about a controversial loan secret.
James Riley, a local talk-radio host who has criticized the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners on many occasions involving financial matters, filed a lawsuit against the board alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Muskegon County government is being sued by one of its most ardent critics based on allegations that the County Board of Commissioners illegally had a closed session meeting to keep discussions about a controversial loan secret.
James Riley, a local talk-radio host who has criticized the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners on many occasions involving financial matters, filed a lawsuit against the board alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Romney cites ‘vast left wing conspiracy’
Romney cites ‘vast left wing conspiracy’ – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs
"There will be an effort by the quote vast left wing conspiracy to work together to put out their message and to attack me," Romney said in response.
"They're going to do everything they can to divert from the message people care about, which is a growing economy that creates more jobs and rising incomes.
That's what people care about."
"There will be an effort by the quote vast left wing conspiracy to work together to put out their message and to attack me," Romney said in response.
"They're going to do everything they can to divert from the message people care about, which is a growing economy that creates more jobs and rising incomes.
That's what people care about."
Fired GSA official: planned to pay for party
Fired GSA official: planned to pay for party - Yahoo! News
A fired General Services Administration official says he didn't know taxpayers would be billed $1,960 for a party in his luxury suite at a Las Vegas resort.
A fired General Services Administration official says he didn't know taxpayers would be billed $1,960 for a party in his luxury suite at a Las Vegas resort.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Food's Biggest Scam: The Great Kobe Beef Lie
Food's Biggest Scam: The Great Kobe Beef Lie - Forbes
This matters because the reason food lovers and expense account diners want Kobe beef, and are willing to pay a huge premium for it, is because of the real Kobe’s longstanding reputation for excellence.
The con the US food industry is running is leading you to believe that what you are paying huge dollars for – like the $40 NYC “Kobe” burger – is somehow linked to this heritage of excellence.
It’s not.
This matters because the reason food lovers and expense account diners want Kobe beef, and are willing to pay a huge premium for it, is because of the real Kobe’s longstanding reputation for excellence.
The con the US food industry is running is leading you to believe that what you are paying huge dollars for – like the $40 NYC “Kobe” burger – is somehow linked to this heritage of excellence.
It’s not.
Readers debate whether corporations are 'evil,' and whether they should pay more taxes to fund schools
Readers debate whether corporations are 'evil,' and whether they should pay more taxes to fund schools | MLive.com
Reader ableroone seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster.
Addressing another reader, he said “Someday you will wake up and see just how evil those corporations truly are.”
That sparked my curiosity. I asked him to explain, and he kindly replied.
"seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster"???????
Reader ableroone seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster.
Addressing another reader, he said “Someday you will wake up and see just how evil those corporations truly are.”
That sparked my curiosity. I asked him to explain, and he kindly replied.
"seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster"???????
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