Watchdog: USDA spends millions for globe-trotting conferences | WashingtonExaminer.com
In one instance, the USDA spent nearly $57,000 for a conference attended by only one of its employees, according to agency disclosures that do not provide any explanation of the cost.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Wasted Food, Hungry Kids: Michelle Obama’s Bill in Action
PJ Media » Wasted Food, Hungry Kids: Michelle Obama’s Bill in Action
The cinnamon rolls and chili everyone loved from their childhood are now gone.
Bands and other school groups can no longer sell candy bars as a fundraiser.
The government is mandating everything from portion size to how many tomatoes have to be on a salad.
P.J. Moran, a food service director for a small district in rural Kansas, said wastage has gone up “at least 20 percent” over last year, as students, particularly at the grade school level, cannot refuse anything on their trays — but, of course, cannot be forced to eat it.
The cinnamon rolls and chili everyone loved from their childhood are now gone.
Bands and other school groups can no longer sell candy bars as a fundraiser.
The government is mandating everything from portion size to how many tomatoes have to be on a salad.
P.J. Moran, a food service director for a small district in rural Kansas, said wastage has gone up “at least 20 percent” over last year, as students, particularly at the grade school level, cannot refuse anything on their trays — but, of course, cannot be forced to eat it.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Opened hatch blamed for sinking of Port Authority boat
EXCLUSIVE: Opened hatch blamed for sinking of Port Authority boat - NYPOST.com
The sidelining of the boat is big blow to the PA’s efforts to keep the waters off JFK safe.
The PAPD is already reeling because its high-tech $100 million airport security system, the Perimeter Intrusion Detection, has been a bust.
In August, a man whose Sea-Doo ran out of gas in Jamaica Bay climbed a JFK fence, crossed two active runways and flagged down a baggage handler for help — all without being detected.
The sidelining of the boat is big blow to the PA’s efforts to keep the waters off JFK safe.
The PAPD is already reeling because its high-tech $100 million airport security system, the Perimeter Intrusion Detection, has been a bust.
In August, a man whose Sea-Doo ran out of gas in Jamaica Bay climbed a JFK fence, crossed two active runways and flagged down a baggage handler for help — all without being detected.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Houston cop kills double amputee in wheelchair
Houston cop kills double amputee in wheelchair - US news - Crime & courts | NBC News
A Houston police officer shot and killed a one-armed, one-legged man in a wheelchair Saturday inside a group home after police say the double amputee threatened the officer and aggressively waved a metal object that turned out to be a pen.
A Houston police officer shot and killed a one-armed, one-legged man in a wheelchair Saturday inside a group home after police say the double amputee threatened the officer and aggressively waved a metal object that turned out to be a pen.
US State Dept. blasts CNN report on Stevens' diary
My Way News - US State Dept. blasts CNN report on Stevens' diary
CNN reported on the personal journal of slain American ambassador Christopher Stevens over objections from his family, a State Department spokesman said Saturday.
CNN reported on the personal journal of slain American ambassador Christopher Stevens over objections from his family, a State Department spokesman said Saturday.
Bill lets multistate lottery winners keep mum
Bill lets multistate lottery winners keep mum | MLive.com
If legislation working its way through the Michigan Senate had been law last month, the world might never know the name and face of Donald Lawson — the 44-year-old father of two and self-described "hillbilly" from Lapeer who held court with the media on the day he claimed his prize for winning the $337 million in the Powerball lottery game.
If legislation working its way through the Michigan Senate had been law last month, the world might never know the name and face of Donald Lawson — the 44-year-old father of two and self-described "hillbilly" from Lapeer who held court with the media on the day he claimed his prize for winning the $337 million in the Powerball lottery game.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
President Dukakis
Roger’s Rules » President Dukakis
Some conservatives are surprised and worried about the fact that Romney is not far ahead in the polls. On the domestic front, Obama has been such a conspicuous failure — the $16 trillion federal debt, the 8.3 percent unemployment when he promised to have it down to 5.6 percent, the annual deficit, which he promised to halve, hovering around 1.5 trillion, etc. etc. — how could it be that Romney is not killing him in the polls?
And add to this the disaster that is Obama’s Islamophilic mideast policy — our consulate overrun in Benghazi, our ambassador murdered, Obama is told 90 minutes into the assault, he goes to bed — where does it end?
It ends with President Dukakis.
In other words, I am sticking with my prediction that Romney will win and win big. I even have a few modest bets on the race.
Of course, it’s possible that Obama will win.
It was possible that Michael Dukakis could have won, too.
He had the illusion of momentum, just as Obama does.
All the beautiful people who teach at Yale or Harvard or read the news for CNN or MSNBC, or write for The New York Times or The Washington Post, all the swell folks who entertain all the right opinions about abortion, taxes, Islam, and anything described as “green”: they are always right about everything and they just know Obama will win because (per impossibile) were he to lose it would not simply be an electoral defeat, it would be a repudiation of their entire world view: their brief for “a sustainable future” will have turned out to be unsustainable, George W. Bush would not be the Antichrist, and their Priuses would no longer be the golden chariots they had been assured they were.
Again, I might be wrong. Possibility is cheap.
It is possible Romney will lose.
It is possible that Joe Biden will be coherent at his next rally.
We’re not talking about possibility but probability.
There is a famous though possibly apocryphal anecdote about the movie reviewer Pauline Kael (the movie critic the beautiful people most love).
When Ronald Reagan [or maybe Nixon, see the comments] was first elected, the story goes, Kael found herself in a state of dumbfounded consternation: how could this be?
How could this ignorant right-wing war mongering B-actor have been elected?
The electoral result was not just mistaken, it was impossible.
“I don’t know anyone who voted for him,” quoth la Kael.
I wonder if anyone introduced her to President Dukakis?
Some conservatives are surprised and worried about the fact that Romney is not far ahead in the polls. On the domestic front, Obama has been such a conspicuous failure — the $16 trillion federal debt, the 8.3 percent unemployment when he promised to have it down to 5.6 percent, the annual deficit, which he promised to halve, hovering around 1.5 trillion, etc. etc. — how could it be that Romney is not killing him in the polls?
And add to this the disaster that is Obama’s Islamophilic mideast policy — our consulate overrun in Benghazi, our ambassador murdered, Obama is told 90 minutes into the assault, he goes to bed — where does it end?
It ends with President Dukakis.
In other words, I am sticking with my prediction that Romney will win and win big. I even have a few modest bets on the race.
Of course, it’s possible that Obama will win.
It was possible that Michael Dukakis could have won, too.
He had the illusion of momentum, just as Obama does.
All the beautiful people who teach at Yale or Harvard or read the news for CNN or MSNBC, or write for The New York Times or The Washington Post, all the swell folks who entertain all the right opinions about abortion, taxes, Islam, and anything described as “green”: they are always right about everything and they just know Obama will win because (per impossibile) were he to lose it would not simply be an electoral defeat, it would be a repudiation of their entire world view: their brief for “a sustainable future” will have turned out to be unsustainable, George W. Bush would not be the Antichrist, and their Priuses would no longer be the golden chariots they had been assured they were.
Again, I might be wrong. Possibility is cheap.
It is possible Romney will lose.
It is possible that Joe Biden will be coherent at his next rally.
We’re not talking about possibility but probability.
There is a famous though possibly apocryphal anecdote about the movie reviewer Pauline Kael (the movie critic the beautiful people most love).
When Ronald Reagan [or maybe Nixon, see the comments] was first elected, the story goes, Kael found herself in a state of dumbfounded consternation: how could this be?
How could this ignorant right-wing war mongering B-actor have been elected?
The electoral result was not just mistaken, it was impossible.
“I don’t know anyone who voted for him,” quoth la Kael.
I wonder if anyone introduced her to President Dukakis?
Snyder to Nationalize Railroad Lines for Another Pet Project
Snyder to Nationalize Railroad Lines for Another Pet Project | Americans for Prosperity: Michigan
As our nation nears $16 trillion in debt, Governor Snyder is using $140 million of taxpayer money that was sent back by Florida’s Republican Governor to nationalize railroad tracks for a high-speed rail project between Chicago and Detroit.
As our nation nears $16 trillion in debt, Governor Snyder is using $140 million of taxpayer money that was sent back by Florida’s Republican Governor to nationalize railroad tracks for a high-speed rail project between Chicago and Detroit.
“…Electricity Rates Would Necessarily Skyrocket”
“…Electricity Rates Would Necessarily Skyrocket” | Blue Crab Boulevard
Look, folks, I am in this field.
I have been for more than 30 years. Losing 36,000 MWs of the most cost-efficient generation capacity in the US is a disaster.
You have no idea how bad the increases are going to be.
They will be disastrous to the individual energy consumers and apocalyptic to large users – those who create jobs.
I shudder to think of what this is going to do to grid reliability as well.
A lot of those coal plants help support the grid during disruptions.
They regularly provide both energy and MVARs (Mega Volt-Ampere Reactive) that keep the grid from collapsing when large loads are added or lost. (That’s about as simple as I can make it and still be understood.)
Losing these stabilizers will make it very hard to hold the grid.
I pity the load dispatchers.
Trust me, people, this is a very big, very bad thing that is happening as a direct result of Barack Obama’s war on coal.
Look, folks, I am in this field.
I have been for more than 30 years. Losing 36,000 MWs of the most cost-efficient generation capacity in the US is a disaster.
You have no idea how bad the increases are going to be.
They will be disastrous to the individual energy consumers and apocalyptic to large users – those who create jobs.
I shudder to think of what this is going to do to grid reliability as well.
A lot of those coal plants help support the grid during disruptions.
They regularly provide both energy and MVARs (Mega Volt-Ampere Reactive) that keep the grid from collapsing when large loads are added or lost. (That’s about as simple as I can make it and still be understood.)
Losing these stabilizers will make it very hard to hold the grid.
I pity the load dispatchers.
Trust me, people, this is a very big, very bad thing that is happening as a direct result of Barack Obama’s war on coal.
New International Trade Crossing
New International Trade Crossing | Michigan's Bridge to the Future
The Morouns are pursuing their interests –monopoly rents, in perpetuity– loudly and proudly.
On the other hand, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Rapids Regional Chamber, the Michigan Chamber, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, agricultural producers and a host of unions that would benefit from the jobs created in building a new bridge, all say they support a new publicly owned bridge.
The evidence of that support, so far, is a paltry $300,000 TV ad flight that ran in some media markets in June.
The Morouns are pursuing their interests –monopoly rents, in perpetuity– loudly and proudly.
On the other hand, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Rapids Regional Chamber, the Michigan Chamber, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, agricultural producers and a host of unions that would benefit from the jobs created in building a new bridge, all say they support a new publicly owned bridge.
The evidence of that support, so far, is a paltry $300,000 TV ad flight that ran in some media markets in June.
The U.S. Suffered Its Worst Airpower Loss Since Vietnam Last Week and No One Really Noticed
The U.S. Suffered Its Worst Airpower Loss Since Vietnam Last Week and No One Really Noticed - Global - The Atlantic Wire
Eight irreplaceable aircraft (the AV-8B has been out of production since 1999) have been destroyed or put out of action – approximately 7 percent of the total flying USMC Harrier fleet.
Worse yet, the aircraft involved were the AV-B+ variant equipped with the APG-65 radar and AAQ-28 Litening II targeting pods – the most capable in the force.
Given the current funding situation, it’s likely that the two damaged AV-8Bs will become spare parts “hangar queens” and never fly again.
A Harrier squadron commander is dead, along with another Marine.
Another nine personnel have been wounded, and the nearby Marines at Camp Freedom are now without effective fixed-wing air support.
The USMC’s response to this disaster will be a telling report card on its leadership and organizational agility.
Eight irreplaceable aircraft (the AV-8B has been out of production since 1999) have been destroyed or put out of action – approximately 7 percent of the total flying USMC Harrier fleet.
Worse yet, the aircraft involved were the AV-B+ variant equipped with the APG-65 radar and AAQ-28 Litening II targeting pods – the most capable in the force.
Given the current funding situation, it’s likely that the two damaged AV-8Bs will become spare parts “hangar queens” and never fly again.
A Harrier squadron commander is dead, along with another Marine.
Another nine personnel have been wounded, and the nearby Marines at Camp Freedom are now without effective fixed-wing air support.
The USMC’s response to this disaster will be a telling report card on its leadership and organizational agility.
2nd Marine Air Wing during the Vietnam Nam war. VMA 211 suffered its worse
since WWII at Wake Island?
Romney May Be the End of the Line for the Republican Establishment
Romney May Be the End of the Line for the Republican Establishment - Rasmussen Reports™
..... a fundamental reality in American politics today:
The gap between the American people and the political class is bigger than the gap between Republicans and Democrats in Washington, D.C.
Romney's remarks are the GOP equivalent of Obama's notorious comments about small-town Pennsylvania voters bitterly clinging to their guns and religion.
Both Romney and Obama highlighted the condescending attitude that political elites hold of the people they want to rule over.
A National Journal survey found that 59 percent of political insiders don't think voters know enough to have meaningful opinions on the important issues of the day.
That's a handy rationalization for those who want to ignore the voters and impose their own agenda.
..... a fundamental reality in American politics today:
The gap between the American people and the political class is bigger than the gap between Republicans and Democrats in Washington, D.C.
Romney's remarks are the GOP equivalent of Obama's notorious comments about small-town Pennsylvania voters bitterly clinging to their guns and religion.
Both Romney and Obama highlighted the condescending attitude that political elites hold of the people they want to rule over.
A National Journal survey found that 59 percent of political insiders don't think voters know enough to have meaningful opinions on the important issues of the day.
That's a handy rationalization for those who want to ignore the voters and impose their own agenda.
Why The Polls Understate Romney Vote at DickMorris.com
Why The Polls Understate Romney Vote
Republicans are getting depressed under an avalanche of polling suggesting that an Obama victory is in the offing.
They, in fact, suggest no such thing!
Here’s why:
1. All of the polling out there uses some variant of the 2008 election turnout as its model for weighting respondents and this overstates the Democratic vote by a huge margin.
2. Almost all of the published polls show Obama getting less than 50% of the vote and less than 50% job approval. A majority of the voters either support Romney or are undecided in almost every poll.
Read it and feel the hope!
Republicans are getting depressed under an avalanche of polling suggesting that an Obama victory is in the offing.
They, in fact, suggest no such thing!
Here’s why:
1. All of the polling out there uses some variant of the 2008 election turnout as its model for weighting respondents and this overstates the Democratic vote by a huge margin.
2. Almost all of the published polls show Obama getting less than 50% of the vote and less than 50% job approval. A majority of the voters either support Romney or are undecided in almost every poll.
Read it and feel the hope!
GM offers big discounts to boost Volt sales
My Way News - GM offers big discounts to boost Volt sales
GM executives have conceded from the start that they were losing money on the Volt, and that was before the big discounts. Now the losses could be even higher. It costs $60,000 to $75,000 to build a Volt, including development, manufacturing and raw materials, estimates Sandy Munro, president of Munro & Associates, a Troy, Mich., a company that analyzes vehicle production expenses for automakers. Much of the cost comes from an expensive combination of two power systems - electric and gasoline. With a sticker price of $40,000, minus the $10,000 the company pays in incentives, GM gets roughly $30,000 for every Volt. So it could be losing at least $30,000 per car. "It certainly wasn't a rousing success," says Carter Driscoll, senior analyst for CapStone Investments who follows electric cars, discussing the Volt.
GM executives have conceded from the start that they were losing money on the Volt, and that was before the big discounts. Now the losses could be even higher. It costs $60,000 to $75,000 to build a Volt, including development, manufacturing and raw materials, estimates Sandy Munro, president of Munro & Associates, a Troy, Mich., a company that analyzes vehicle production expenses for automakers. Much of the cost comes from an expensive combination of two power systems - electric and gasoline. With a sticker price of $40,000, minus the $10,000 the company pays in incentives, GM gets roughly $30,000 for every Volt. So it could be losing at least $30,000 per car. "It certainly wasn't a rousing success," says Carter Driscoll, senior analyst for CapStone Investments who follows electric cars, discussing the Volt.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Michigan Powerball winner Donald Lawson wants to meet a new love online, report says
Michigan Powerball winner Donald Lawson wants to meet a new love online, report says | MLive.com: In the meantime, on his profile on Match.com the father-of-two describes himself as: 'Tall mexican who loves yo (sic) women to have a good time with me anything they want Im (sic) up for it so try me.
'Younever know what we can do what else I like to please a women any way she wants and thats (sic) all that matters what she wants she gets'.
Future dates can look forward to the Mark Twain-reading man who is interested in 'exploring new areas', along with video games, cooking, camping, fishing, hunting and, rather improbably, performing arts.
He admits to never exercising but is an animal lover who has cats, dogs, fish and horses.
Under sports, Mr Lawson says he likes motorcross, bowling, and weights and claims to be a college graduate.
'Younever know what we can do what else I like to please a women any way she wants and thats (sic) all that matters what she wants she gets'.
Future dates can look forward to the Mark Twain-reading man who is interested in 'exploring new areas', along with video games, cooking, camping, fishing, hunting and, rather improbably, performing arts.
He admits to never exercising but is an animal lover who has cats, dogs, fish and horses.
Under sports, Mr Lawson says he likes motorcross, bowling, and weights and claims to be a college graduate.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Muskegon Heights police chief keeps his job, gets small raise, goals for improvement
Muskegon Heights police chief keeps his job, gets small raise, goals for improvement | MLive.com
The goals the council wants Gill to meet are both short- and long-term, Paige said.
They include improved management of the department, more interpersonal communication and contacts with outside agencies such as the Michigan State Police and Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office, and being more proactive in the community, such as frequent contacts with neighborhood associations and schools “to have more of a positive influence,” Paige said.
“He’s the leader there (in the department) and we want him to be pretty much the spokesman for the community,” the mayor said.
“The council feels as though the chief is making strides.
We’d like to see him make more.
We feel as though he’s doing a good job, but it can be much, much better,” Paige said.
The goals the council wants Gill to meet are both short- and long-term, Paige said.
They include improved management of the department, more interpersonal communication and contacts with outside agencies such as the Michigan State Police and Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office, and being more proactive in the community, such as frequent contacts with neighborhood associations and schools “to have more of a positive influence,” Paige said.
“He’s the leader there (in the department) and we want him to be pretty much the spokesman for the community,” the mayor said.
“The council feels as though the chief is making strides.
We’d like to see him make more.
We feel as though he’s doing a good job, but it can be much, much better,” Paige said.
U.S. officials clarify administration description of two heroes in Libya attack
U.S. officials clarify administration description of two heroes in Libya attack | WashingtonGuardian
Why It Matters:
The Obama administration's initial account of the Libyan consulate attack didn't give the full story about two ex-Navy SEALs who helped repel the security breach until they were killed.
Now officials are confirming those two heroes' real jobs at the embassy along with evidence of ties between the attack and al-Qaida.
Why It Matters:
The Obama administration's initial account of the Libyan consulate attack didn't give the full story about two ex-Navy SEALs who helped repel the security breach until they were killed.
Now officials are confirming those two heroes' real jobs at the embassy along with evidence of ties between the attack and al-Qaida.
ObamaStore-creepy
Our Stripes: Flag Print
(SKU OFA1540)
Screen print designed by Ross Bruggink and Dan Olson of Studio MPLS. Limited edition (250 units), hand-numbered, 24'' x 36'' and made in the USA.
$35
"Our Stripes"
(SKU OFA1540)Screen print designed by Ross Bruggink and Dan Olson of Studio MPLS. Limited edition (250 units), hand-numbered, 24'' x 36'' and made in the USA.
$35
"Our Stripes"
No Housing Bottom Near
GARY SHILLING: No Housing Bottom Near - Business Insider
The main reasons Shilling is so pessimistic:
There is a huge supply of excess inventory not being accounted for, and prices still have not fallen to anywhere near long-term historical averages.
The main reasons Shilling is so pessimistic:
There is a huge supply of excess inventory not being accounted for, and prices still have not fallen to anywhere near long-term historical averages.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Antarctic Ice Area Sets Another Record
Real Science: Day 256 Antarctic ice is the highest ever for the date, and the eighth highest daily reading ever recorded.
All seven higher readings occurred during the third week of September, 2007 – the week of the previous Arctic record minimum.
Antarctic Sea Ice Sets Another Record
Antarctic Sea Ice Sets Another Record - Forbes
NPR failed to mention anywhere in its article that Antarctic sea ice has been growing since satellites first began measuring the ice 33 years ago and the sea ice has been above the 33-year average throughout 2012.
NPR failed to mention anywhere in its article that Antarctic sea ice has been growing since satellites first began measuring the ice 33 years ago and the sea ice has been above the 33-year average throughout 2012.
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