We Are the 119% - WSJ.com
Theoretically, Obama was on the side of the government employee unions that were behind the unsuccessful attempt to oust Gov. Scott Walker, who last year signed legislation abolishing most of their corrupt "collective bargaining" arrangements.
"Understand this," the future president declared in 2007:
"If American workers are being denied their right to organize and collectively bargain when I'm in the White House, I'll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself, I'll walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States of America.
Because workers deserve to know that somebody is standing in their corner."
In practice, Obama tweeted "present": "It's Election Day in Wisconsin tomorrow, and I'm standing by Tom Barrett.
He'd make an outstanding governor."
But he was only theoretically present.
Not only was he standing, not walking; he was standing someplace far from Wisconsin.
In fact, for all we know he was sitting at the time.
We can't be sure he was even wearing shoes.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
D-Day Was Almost a German Holiday
D-Day Was Almost a German Holiday
June 4, 1940: 338,226 British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk beach just before the Nazis capture it. Hitler will soon finish off France and Western Europe.
Invasion of Great Britain appears imminent. Winston Churchill vows 'We shall fight on the beaches ... we shall never surrender!' but despite Churchill's brave words, much of Britain's military weaponry was left behind at Dunkirk.
And while Britain frantically tries to train a civilian Horne Guard, the trainees have to practice with canes. umbrellas, spears and pikes.
The British Home Guard has no guns because restrictive gun controls enacted in 1921 have disarmed the public.
The British gun laws were enacted because the government did not trust the people, and was afraid of a Bolshevik revolution.
But the disarmed British people now lack the means to protect their government.
June 4, 1940: 338,226 British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk beach just before the Nazis capture it. Hitler will soon finish off France and Western Europe.
Invasion of Great Britain appears imminent. Winston Churchill vows 'We shall fight on the beaches ... we shall never surrender!' but despite Churchill's brave words, much of Britain's military weaponry was left behind at Dunkirk.
And while Britain frantically tries to train a civilian Horne Guard, the trainees have to practice with canes. umbrellas, spears and pikes.
The British Home Guard has no guns because restrictive gun controls enacted in 1921 have disarmed the public.
The British gun laws were enacted because the government did not trust the people, and was afraid of a Bolshevik revolution.
But the disarmed British people now lack the means to protect their government.
Scott Walker like George Wallace, Jesse Jackson says
Scott Walker like George Wallace, Jesse Jackson says - POLITICO.com
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Tuesday that Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who is facing a historic recall election, is trying to do in Wisconsin what anti-civil rights and segregationist George Wallace tried to do as governor of Alabama.
“Wallace tried to deny the right to vote and Walker’s trying to limit access to voting with the voter ID scheme and the roll purging,” Jackson told POLITICO.
“What happened in the south with Wallace as the governor of Alabama, it symbolized the Southern Manifesto: the resistance to voting and the resistance for workers right to organize. …
What’s happening in Wisconsin is an attempt to revert to that time.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Tuesday that Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who is facing a historic recall election, is trying to do in Wisconsin what anti-civil rights and segregationist George Wallace tried to do as governor of Alabama.
“Wallace tried to deny the right to vote and Walker’s trying to limit access to voting with the voter ID scheme and the roll purging,” Jackson told POLITICO.
“What happened in the south with Wallace as the governor of Alabama, it symbolized the Southern Manifesto: the resistance to voting and the resistance for workers right to organize. …
What’s happening in Wisconsin is an attempt to revert to that time.”
First Lady Requires Photo ID for Her Book Signings; Voter ID Law-hating Media Fail to Note Obama Hypocrisy
First Lady Requires Photo ID for Her Book Signings; Voter ID Law-hating Media Fail to Note Obama Hypocrisy | NewsBusters.org
The Obama administration has done its best to oppose states from instituting new, stricter voter ID laws, complaining that many minority voters lack photo identification.
But those same folks it wants voting in November are apparently not welcome anywhere near the First Lady's book signings.
Something tells me that the same media outlets comparing voter ID laws to the Jim Crow Laws, however, won't see any hint of hypocrisy here, if they even report the story at all.
The Obama administration has done its best to oppose states from instituting new, stricter voter ID laws, complaining that many minority voters lack photo identification.
But those same folks it wants voting in November are apparently not welcome anywhere near the First Lady's book signings.
Something tells me that the same media outlets comparing voter ID laws to the Jim Crow Laws, however, won't see any hint of hypocrisy here, if they even report the story at all.
Union of Concerned Scientists Cooks the Books, Media Swallow It -
Union of Concerned Scientists Cooks the Books, Media Swallow It - Reason.com
So what vast sums of money did the duplicitous executives atGeneral Electric lavish on the Reason Foundation in 2008 and 2009to support an implied campaign to traduce climate science?
Exactly$325.
How much did GE spend on matching and direct grants on thesix think tanks identified by the UCS as being pro-climateconsensus?
That would be $497,744. At least with regard to GeneralElectric’s contributions, it appears that the Union of ConcernedScientists has salted a follow-the-money trail with pieces offool’s gold, which certain unwary news outlets obligingly picked upand reported as real bullion.
So what vast sums of money did the duplicitous executives atGeneral Electric lavish on the Reason Foundation in 2008 and 2009to support an implied campaign to traduce climate science?
Exactly$325.
How much did GE spend on matching and direct grants on thesix think tanks identified by the UCS as being pro-climateconsensus?
That would be $497,744. At least with regard to GeneralElectric’s contributions, it appears that the Union of ConcernedScientists has salted a follow-the-money trail with pieces offool’s gold, which certain unwary news outlets obligingly picked upand reported as real bullion.
Schultz On Walker Win: He Could "Be Indicted In The Next Few Days"
Schultz On Walker Win: He Could "Be Indicted In The Next Few Days" | RealClearPolitics
"In many respects it's to be expected, considering how much money was thrown at this race.
You know, NBC is calling it for Walker.
Okay, I think it's awful close and there's a lot of absentee ballots yet that are still out and it's going to be very, very close down to the wire" MSNBC's Schultz said.
"In many respects it's to be expected, considering how much money was thrown at this race.
You know, NBC is calling it for Walker.
Okay, I think it's awful close and there's a lot of absentee ballots yet that are still out and it's going to be very, very close down to the wire" MSNBC's Schultz said.
Open Job At Boston Law Firm Pays Just $10,000 Per Year
Open Job At Boston Law Firm Pays Just $10,000 Per Year « CBS Boston
The tipster sent screen grabs of a job listing on BC Law’s career site.
The post advertises a full-time associate position at a small Boston law firm, Gilbert & O’Bryan LLP, paying just $10,000 per year. (That’s $10K, it’s not a typo.)
The tipster sent screen grabs of a job listing on BC Law’s career site.
The post advertises a full-time associate position at a small Boston law firm, Gilbert & O’Bryan LLP, paying just $10,000 per year. (That’s $10K, it’s not a typo.)
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Twilight of the West - Mark Steyn
Twilight of the West - Mark Steyn - National Review Online
The Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t get a lot of attention in the United States, but on the Continent it’s long been seen as the perfect Euro-metaphor.
Years before the euro came along, it was the prototype pan-European institution, and predicated on the same assumptions.
The Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t get a lot of attention in the United States, but on the Continent it’s long been seen as the perfect Euro-metaphor.
Years before the euro came along, it was the prototype pan-European institution, and predicated on the same assumptions.
Monday, June 04, 2012
New Fines In Place For Cats And Dogs That Don’t Buckle Up In New Jersey
New Fines In Place For Cats And Dogs That Don’t Buckle Up In New Jersey « CBS Philly
Police and animal control officers are authorized to cite drivers with unrestrained animals in the car.
Yes, that includes the back of a pickup truck too.
Violators can be fined $250 to $1,000 per offense.
Police and animal control officers are authorized to cite drivers with unrestrained animals in the car.
Yes, that includes the back of a pickup truck too.
Violators can be fined $250 to $1,000 per offense.
Reality: No Match for Television
Reality: No Match for Television | Power Line
My interest here is not the specific topic of homosexuality, but rather the fact that people’s perceptions are so wildly at odds with reality.
How on Earth can the average American believe that one-quarter of the men and women he sees every day are gay?
Does that make any possible sense?
Are one-quarter of your relatives gay, or your co-workers or neighbors?
Of course not
My interest here is not the specific topic of homosexuality, but rather the fact that people’s perceptions are so wildly at odds with reality.
How on Earth can the average American believe that one-quarter of the men and women he sees every day are gay?
Does that make any possible sense?
Are one-quarter of your relatives gay, or your co-workers or neighbors?
Of course not
Boortz Passes Torch to Friend, Colleague Herman Cain
Boortz Passes Torch to Friend, Colleague Herman Cain
(Atlanta) Businessman and former presidential frontrunner Herman Cain will take full-time command of the Neal Boortz microphone when Boortz officially retires this January.
Boortz announced on his show this morning that he will step down after 42 years on the air, citing a desire to spend time with his family.
(Atlanta) Businessman and former presidential frontrunner Herman Cain will take full-time command of the Neal Boortz microphone when Boortz officially retires this January.
Boortz announced on his show this morning that he will step down after 42 years on the air, citing a desire to spend time with his family.
Conservatives poke fun at #WIunionDesperation
Conservatives poke fun at #WIunionDesperation | Twitchy
#WIUnionDesperation Scott Walker knocked up Laverne, Shirley, Joanie AND Chachi.
#WIUnionDesperation Scott Walker knocked up Laverne, Shirley, Joanie AND Chachi.
District's Union Contract Ensures Bonus Money For Teachers
District's Union Contract Ensures Bonus Money For Teachers [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The top of scale for a teacher is $101,409.
The top of scale for a teacher is $101,409.
Teacher Pension Underfunding Hits $22B
Teacher Pension Underfunding Hits $22B [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The new actuary report on the school employee pension fund shows that the state has a $22.4 billion gap between what it has saved for school employees’ retirement and what workers and retirees have earned.
That is a $4.8 billion increase from last year.
All told, the costs to catch up on this underfunded system represent nearly $6,000 per Michigan household.
The new actuary report on the school employee pension fund shows that the state has a $22.4 billion gap between what it has saved for school employees’ retirement and what workers and retirees have earned.
That is a $4.8 billion increase from last year.
All told, the costs to catch up on this underfunded system represent nearly $6,000 per Michigan household.
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Philadelphia's unusual but effective policy: Police can transport trauma victims
Philadelphia's unusual but effective policy: Police can transport trauma victims
Philadelphia is one of a few cities that use police transports, sometimes called "scoop and runs" by officers, or "cop drops" by doctors.
The department does not keep numbers on it, but some patrol officers estimate that they take as many as a third of the city's shooting victims to hospitals.
Philadelphia is one of a few cities that use police transports, sometimes called "scoop and runs" by officers, or "cop drops" by doctors.
The department does not keep numbers on it, but some patrol officers estimate that they take as many as a third of the city's shooting victims to hospitals.
Police: Mom leaves baby on top of car, drives off
PHOENIX – A 19-year-old mother is under arrest on child abuse and aggravated DUI charges after police say she left her five-week-old baby strapped in a car seat on top of her car and drove off.
The child is said to be in good condition and now in custody of Arizona Child Protective Services.
At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Phoenix police officers got calls that a baby was in a car seat in the middle of a road.
The child is said to be in good condition and now in custody of Arizona Child Protective Services.
At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Phoenix police officers got calls that a baby was in a car seat in the middle of a road.
Detroit will vote on legalizing marijuana after state Supreme Court rejects city's appeal
Detroit will vote on legalizing marijuana after state Supreme Court rejects city's appeal | MLive.com
If the ballot measure passes, people 21 and older could use or possess less than an ounce of pot on private property and not face arrest and prosecution under the city code. However, marijuana use and possession are crimes under state law.
If the ballot measure passes, people 21 and older could use or possess less than an ounce of pot on private property and not face arrest and prosecution under the city code. However, marijuana use and possession are crimes under state law.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
All-You-Can-Eat News Buffet
All-You-Can-Eat News Buffet - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
However, it turns out the cannibal/gay story is a different one from the cannibal/alien story. (I wrote about the latter here.)
You wait ages for a Canadian cannibal story, and then they all show up at once.
(If you’re concerned that Americans aren’t pulling weight in this area, don’t worry.)
However, it turns out the cannibal/gay story is a different one from the cannibal/alien story. (I wrote about the latter here.)
You wait ages for a Canadian cannibal story, and then they all show up at once.
(If you’re concerned that Americans aren’t pulling weight in this area, don’t worry.)
The No-Jobs Plan
The No-Jobs Plan | Blog | Energy Tomorrow
The May employment numbers are out, and here are the headlines:
CBS News: Rotten May jobs report underscores weak recovery
Maddow Blog: Brutal new jobs report disappoints
Washington Post: The labor market takes a big step backward
CNNMoney: Hiring slows, unemployment rises
New York Times: Weak U.S. Hiring Adds to Global Gloom
But not all is bad news today.
The Economist gives us a bright spot:
“AMERICA’S ’unconventional’ gas boom continues to amaze … America’s gas boom confers a huge economic advantage. It has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly. And it has rejuvenated several industries, including petrochemicals, where ethane produced from natural gas is a feedstock.”
A bright spot that some want to shut down:
The May employment numbers are out, and here are the headlines:
CBS News: Rotten May jobs report underscores weak recovery
Maddow Blog: Brutal new jobs report disappoints
Washington Post: The labor market takes a big step backward
CNNMoney: Hiring slows, unemployment rises
New York Times: Weak U.S. Hiring Adds to Global Gloom
But not all is bad news today.
The Economist gives us a bright spot:
“AMERICA’S ’unconventional’ gas boom continues to amaze … America’s gas boom confers a huge economic advantage. It has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly. And it has rejuvenated several industries, including petrochemicals, where ethane produced from natural gas is a feedstock.”
A bright spot that some want to shut down:
Stunning Democrat Hypocrisy
Blog: Stunning Democrat Hypocrisy
..the party that is horrified at the prospect of American voters being required to show photo identification has included this little gem of a requirement in the program for the Massachusetts Democratic Convention which convenes today:
Registration and Credentials
A PHOTO ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER
THE MASSMUTUAL CENTER
..the party that is horrified at the prospect of American voters being required to show photo identification has included this little gem of a requirement in the program for the Massachusetts Democratic Convention which convenes today:
Registration and Credentials
A PHOTO ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER
THE MASSMUTUAL CENTER
Ecorse Cuts Police OT in Half Once Union Contract’s Restrictive Language Was Removed
Ecorse Cuts Police OT in Half Once Union Contract’s Restrictive Language Was Removed [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
When Joyce Parker took over as emergency manager for the city of Ecorse in 2009, she was faced with a police union whose five-year contract had been expired for two years.
Faced with $8 million in debt, Parker wasn’t going to be able to save any money in police overtime with more efficient scheduling. That was because the contract wouldn’t allow it.
The provision of the Police Officers Association of Michigan contract read: “The City will not change the work schedule resulting in the loss of overtime.”
“I’ve never seen that in a contract,” Parker said this month. “There is language you will find in those contracts that doesn’t exist in other contracts. It’s a good example of how extreme some of the language is in some of these contracts.”
Eventually, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the city allowing them to alter schedules and reduce overtime.
The city of Ecorse paid $302,796 in police overtime in 2007-08. With one month left in fiscal 2011-12, Ecorse is on track to pay about $147,000 in police overtime, or more than 50 percent less than what was paid four years ago, said Tim McCurley, the city’s contracted controller.
Vincent Vernuccio, labor policy counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said such restrictive language in union contracts creates a “vicious circle.”
“It is politicians who are getting money from unions or bureaucrats who want to keep unions happy,” Vernuccio said. “Before the emergency manager, there was nobody looking out for the taxpayers.”
Ecorse Cuts Police OT in Half Once Union Contract’s Restrictive Language Was Removed
'Extreme' language in contract made fiscal responsibility nearly impossible
Faced with $8 million in debt, Parker wasn’t going to be able to save any money in police overtime with more efficient scheduling. That was because the contract wouldn’t allow it.
The provision of the Police Officers Association of Michigan contract read: “The City will not change the work schedule resulting in the loss of overtime.”
“I’ve never seen that in a contract,” Parker said this month. “There is language you will find in those contracts that doesn’t exist in other contracts. It’s a good example of how extreme some of the language is in some of these contracts.”
Eventually, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the city allowing them to alter schedules and reduce overtime.
The city of Ecorse paid $302,796 in police overtime in 2007-08. With one month left in fiscal 2011-12, Ecorse is on track to pay about $147,000 in police overtime, or more than 50 percent less than what was paid four years ago, said Tim McCurley, the city’s contracted controller.
Vincent Vernuccio, labor policy counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said such restrictive language in union contracts creates a “vicious circle.”
“It is politicians who are getting money from unions or bureaucrats who want to keep unions happy,” Vernuccio said. “Before the emergency manager, there was nobody looking out for the taxpayers.”
Made in the USA? It had better be, if it's a flag flown at a Michigan state building
Made in the USA? It had better be, if it's a flag flown at a Michigan state building | MLive.com
American and Michigan flags flown at state buildings would have to be made in the United States under terms of a bill given final legislative approval Thursday in the state Senate.
The measure passed 36-0 and is headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for his consideration.
American and Michigan flags flown at state buildings would have to be made in the United States under terms of a bill given final legislative approval Thursday in the state Senate.
The measure passed 36-0 and is headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for his consideration.
Report: Gov. Rick Snyder has doubts about requiring Consumers Energy, other utilities, to raise renewable-energy standard to 25 percent
Report: Gov. Rick Snyder has doubts about requiring Consumers Energy, other utilities, to raise renewable-energy standard to 25 percent | MLive.com
The state’s 2008 energy-reform law requires that utilities have 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015.
Russell said Consumers is on its way to meet that goal and that raising that standard would be costly to customers and the environment.
The state’s 2008 energy-reform law requires that utilities have 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015.
Russell said Consumers is on its way to meet that goal and that raising that standard would be costly to customers and the environment.
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