Michigan's U.S. Senate race continuing without formal debates between Stabenow, Hoekstra | MLive.com
It appears Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican challenger Pete Hoekstra will campaign for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat without meeting for formal debates.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Lance Armstrong stands unmasked as the worst kind of cheat and liar
Lance Armstrong stands unmasked as the worst kind of cheat and liar - NY Daily News
He is a fraud to the jazzed-up marrow of his bones.
He is a bald-faced liar to the public and under oath to investigators.
And he is a thug who attempted to conceal his systemic cheating with threats and intimidation.
He is a fraud to the jazzed-up marrow of his bones.
He is a bald-faced liar to the public and under oath to investigators.
And he is a thug who attempted to conceal his systemic cheating with threats and intimidation.
Fire authority liabilities doubled to a half-billion dollars in 7 years
Fire authority liabilities doubled to a half-billion dollars in 7 years - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register
.....the Orange County Fire Authority is calling them all out in a way that’s a bit unusual, and can leave one short of breath.
On top of pensions, OCFA has piled what it owes workers for medical benefits once they retire, workers’ compensation, and for vacation, sick and other leave time earned but not taken, as well as those pricey helicopter leases.
Here, then, is the picture that emerges:
Over the last seven years, OCFA’s total long-term obligations have more than doubled, to $558 million.
That happens to be twice as much as its general fund budget this year ($282 million).
.....the Orange County Fire Authority is calling them all out in a way that’s a bit unusual, and can leave one short of breath.
On top of pensions, OCFA has piled what it owes workers for medical benefits once they retire, workers’ compensation, and for vacation, sick and other leave time earned but not taken, as well as those pricey helicopter leases.
Here, then, is the picture that emerges:
Over the last seven years, OCFA’s total long-term obligations have more than doubled, to $558 million.
That happens to be twice as much as its general fund budget this year ($282 million).
MEDC Removes Video of Failed Battery Maker
MEDC Removes Video of Failed Battery Maker [Michigan Capitol Confidential
At the time, the company was promoted heavily by President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.
Since then, A123 has shed money, laid off half its workforce, recalled products and seen its stock price plummet to about 26 cents this week from a previous high of $26.
Now, just two years after the initial roll-out, A123 is being acquired by a Chinese company.
Shortly after this deal was rumored a few weeks ago, the MEDC made all of its promotional videos “private.”
This is not the first time questions have been raised about the MEDC’s lack of transparency.
At the time, the company was promoted heavily by President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.
Since then, A123 has shed money, laid off half its workforce, recalled products and seen its stock price plummet to about 26 cents this week from a previous high of $26.
Now, just two years after the initial roll-out, A123 is being acquired by a Chinese company.
Shortly after this deal was rumored a few weeks ago, the MEDC made all of its promotional videos “private.”
This is not the first time questions have been raised about the MEDC’s lack of transparency.
Muskegon County unemployment drops below 10 percent as economy improves
Muskegon County unemployment drops below 10 percent as economy improves | MLive.com
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in August, down from 10.1 percent in July and 10.0 percent a year ago.
At the same time, 1,290 people left the labor force and 945 fewer people were listed as employed.
Muskegon County’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in August, down from 10.1 percent in July and 10.0 percent a year ago.
At the same time, 1,290 people left the labor force and 945 fewer people were listed as employed.
Greece's Biggest Company Quits Country
Greece's Biggest Company Quits Country — European Business News - CNBC
Greece's biggest company is leaving the country, drinks bottler Coca Cola Hellenic (CCH) said on Thursday in announcing it will move to Switzerland and list its shares in London, dealing a blow to the debt-crippled Greek economy.
Greece's biggest company is leaving the country, drinks bottler Coca Cola Hellenic (CCH) said on Thursday in announcing it will move to Switzerland and list its shares in London, dealing a blow to the debt-crippled Greek economy.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Spain Downgraded to One Level Above Junk by S&P
Spain Downgraded to One Level Above Junk by S&P - Businessweek
“The negative outlook on the long-term rating reflects our view of the significant risks to Spain’s economic growth and budgetary performance, and the lack of a clear direction in euro-zone policy,” S&P said.
“The deepening economic recession is limiting the Spanish government’s policy options.”
“The negative outlook on the long-term rating reflects our view of the significant risks to Spain’s economic growth and budgetary performance, and the lack of a clear direction in euro-zone policy,” S&P said.
“The deepening economic recession is limiting the Spanish government’s policy options.”
Rebuild America - Defeat Obama Draws Hundreds to Downtown Brighton
Rebuild America - Defeat Obama Draws Hundreds to Downtown Brighton - Hartland, MI Patch
Jennifer Panning of Pinckney shows off her sign, "I built Artisan Tile," her business which is located in Brighton.
"I built it despite government involvement," she said.
"I want them (government) to do less, not more.
And I'm pretty sure I can run my business better than they can."
Jennifer Panning of Pinckney shows off her sign, "I built Artisan Tile," her business which is located in Brighton.
"I built it despite government involvement," she said.
"I want them (government) to do less, not more.
And I'm pretty sure I can run my business better than they can."
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Monday, October 08, 2012
What questions would you ask during the MLive, Muskegon Chronicle debate for the 91st State House seat
What questions would you ask during the MLive, Muskegon Chronicle debate for the 91st State House seat | MLive.com
Candidates for the 91st State House seat -- incumbent Republican Rep. Holly Hughes, Democrat Collene Lamonte and Libertarian Nicholas Sundquist -- will meet in a debate Oct. 15 at Muskegon Community College.
Candidates for the 91st State House seat -- incumbent Republican Rep. Holly Hughes, Democrat Collene Lamonte and Libertarian Nicholas Sundquist -- will meet in a debate Oct. 15 at Muskegon Community College.
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Maryland's other pension problem
Maryland's other pension problem | WashingtonExaminer.com
With two-thirds of its state employee pension/benefit system unfunded, Maryland's retirement system is in serious trouble.
But according to a new study by the Maryland Public Policy Institute, the situation at the county level is even worse.
On average, Maryland's 24 counties are funding only half of what's needed to provide promised post-employment pension, health and insurance benefits to their aging work forces.
With two-thirds of its state employee pension/benefit system unfunded, Maryland's retirement system is in serious trouble.
But according to a new study by the Maryland Public Policy Institute, the situation at the county level is even worse.
On average, Maryland's 24 counties are funding only half of what's needed to provide promised post-employment pension, health and insurance benefits to their aging work forces.
Dems Out Andrea Mitchell as Partisan
Dems Out Andrea Mitchell as Partisan « Commentary Magazine
Mitchell is hardly the only partisan hack masquerading as a fair-minded journalist on one of the networks and perhaps isn’t even the worst (CNN’s Soledad O’Brien certainly gives her a run for her money in this category).
But the Obama ad removes even the flimsy veil of false objectivity from her conduct.
Mitchell is hardly the only partisan hack masquerading as a fair-minded journalist on one of the networks and perhaps isn’t even the worst (CNN’s Soledad O’Brien certainly gives her a run for her money in this category).
But the Obama ad removes even the flimsy veil of false objectivity from her conduct.
Recycling fraud is draining California cash
Recycling fraud is draining California cash - latimes.com
That kind of success isn't just impressive, it's unbelievable.
But the recycling rate for certain plastic containers was even higher: 104%.
California's generous recycling redemption program has led to rampant fraud.
Crafty entrepreneurs are driving semi-trailers full of cans from Nevada or Arizona, which don't have deposit laws, across the border and transforming their cargo into truckfuls of nickels. In
That kind of success isn't just impressive, it's unbelievable.
But the recycling rate for certain plastic containers was even higher: 104%.
California's generous recycling redemption program has led to rampant fraud.
Crafty entrepreneurs are driving semi-trailers full of cans from Nevada or Arizona, which don't have deposit laws, across the border and transforming their cargo into truckfuls of nickels. In
Billboard getting noticed across US. Updated new info 9/21 | Ottawa County Patriots
Billboard getting noticed across US. Updated new info 9/21 | Ottawa County PatriotsIt is parked at a stop sign on Blue Star Highway.
Not only does the stop allow drivers to read it, but at night headlights illuminate it.
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Insider tip led to criminal complaint against Barbara Stellard for false WayPoint pupil counts
Insider tip led to criminal complaint against Barbara Stellard for false WayPoint pupil counts
Stellard worked at WayPoint, a sixth through 12th grade charter school in Muskegon Township, beginning in 2002 and at least through 2008.
Stellard’s attorney, Terry Nolan, said another employee falsified the documents, and Stellard signed them without knowing they weren’t accurate.
Stellard worked at WayPoint, a sixth through 12th grade charter school in Muskegon Township, beginning in 2002 and at least through 2008.
Stellard’s attorney, Terry Nolan, said another employee falsified the documents, and Stellard signed them without knowing they weren’t accurate.
FOCUS: 2012 Statewide Ballot Proposals
Michigan Catholic Conference: Public Policy
FOCUS: 2012 Statewide Ballot Proposals
September 28, 2012: Michigan voters participating in the statewide general election this November will have the opportunity to vote on six policy questions.
These six questions will be the highest number of ballot proposals Michigan voters will have witnessed in some 25 years.
Five of the questions are proposed constitutional amendments while the sixth, Proposal 1, is a referendum on an existing state law.
Michigan Catholic Conference is urging a “no” vote on Proposal 5. Continue reading FOCUS: 2012 Statewide Ballot Proposals…
FOCUS: 2012 Statewide Ballot Proposals
September 28, 2012: Michigan voters participating in the statewide general election this November will have the opportunity to vote on six policy questions.
These six questions will be the highest number of ballot proposals Michigan voters will have witnessed in some 25 years.
Five of the questions are proposed constitutional amendments while the sixth, Proposal 1, is a referendum on an existing state law.
Michigan Catholic Conference is urging a “no” vote on Proposal 5. Continue reading FOCUS: 2012 Statewide Ballot Proposals…
Lunch lady slammed for food that is 'too good'
Lunch lady slammed for food that is 'too good' - The Local
A talented head cook at a school in central Sweden has been told to stop baking fresh bread and to cut back on her wide-ranging veggie buffets because it was unfair that students at other schools didn't have access to the unusually tasty offerings.
A talented head cook at a school in central Sweden has been told to stop baking fresh bread and to cut back on her wide-ranging veggie buffets because it was unfair that students at other schools didn't have access to the unusually tasty offerings.
Spain's Desperate Economic Situation
Spain's Desperate Economic Situation - Business Insider
The amount of bad loans on Spanish bank balance sheets is stunning
The amount of bad loans on Spanish bank balance sheets is stunning
Dane County Voter Fraud?
BREAKING: Dane County Voter Fraud? - 620 WTMJ - Milwaukee's Source for Local News and Weather
The Sheriff's Department in one of Wisconsin's most heavily Democratic counties has begun handing out absentee ballots to inmates and deputies are being told not to verify the inmate's felony status before they are handed the ballot.
"In my opinion," wrote one Dane County Sheriff's deputy, "this is causing us to be complicit in the crime."
The deputy forwarded the instruction from a lieutenant telling staff that "It is going to up to their polling locations to research whether they are allowed to vote based on criminal record, not the DCSO (Dane County Sheriff's Office.)"
The Sheriff's Department in one of Wisconsin's most heavily Democratic counties has begun handing out absentee ballots to inmates and deputies are being told not to verify the inmate's felony status before they are handed the ballot.
"In my opinion," wrote one Dane County Sheriff's deputy, "this is causing us to be complicit in the crime."
The deputy forwarded the instruction from a lieutenant telling staff that "It is going to up to their polling locations to research whether they are allowed to vote based on criminal record, not the DCSO (Dane County Sheriff's Office.)"
EPA Celebrates ‘Children Health Month,’ Encourages Recruiting Students for ‘Energy Patrols’ at School
EPA Celebrates ‘Children Health Month,’ Encourages Recruiting Students for ‘Energy Patrols’ at School | CNSNews.com
On the website page is a link to a 26-page EPA report entitled, “Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environment.”
In the report’s chapter on Energy Efficiency, the EPA presents a box with items to help establish “Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Schools.”
One of the items in the box reads, “Educate students and staff about how their behaviors affect energy use. Some schools have created student energy patrols to monitor and inform others when energy is wasted.”
On the website page is a link to a 26-page EPA report entitled, “Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environment.”
In the report’s chapter on Energy Efficiency, the EPA presents a box with items to help establish “Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Schools.”
One of the items in the box reads, “Educate students and staff about how their behaviors affect energy use. Some schools have created student energy patrols to monitor and inform others when energy is wasted.”
Enter At Your Own Risk: Police Union Says ‘War-Like’ Detroit Is Unsafe For Visitors
Enter At Your Own Risk: Police Union Says ‘War-Like’ Detroit Is Unsafe For Visitors « CBS Detroit
The men and women of the Detroit Police Department believe the city is too dangerous to enter, and they want citizens to know it.
Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the “Enter At Your Own Risk” rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park to remind the public that the officers are overworked, understaffed, and at times, fearful for their lives.
“Detroit is America’s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed,” Iorio told WWJ’s Kathryn Larson.
“The DPOA believes that there is a war in Detroit, but there should be a war on crime, not a war on its officers
The men and women of the Detroit Police Department believe the city is too dangerous to enter, and they want citizens to know it.
Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the “Enter At Your Own Risk” rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park to remind the public that the officers are overworked, understaffed, and at times, fearful for their lives.
“Detroit is America’s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed,” Iorio told WWJ’s Kathryn Larson.
“The DPOA believes that there is a war in Detroit, but there should be a war on crime, not a war on its officers
Fiscal 'Emergency' Hits Another California City
Fiscal 'Emergency' Hits Another California City - WSJ.com
The small agricultural town of Atwater, Calif., has declared a fiscal emergency, as it seeks to avoid becoming the fourth municipality in the state this year to file for bankruptcy protection.
Located about 100 miles east of San Francisco, Atwater is grappling with a $3 million budget deficit, declining city revenues and cost overruns for a new wastewater treatment plant.
The small agricultural town of Atwater, Calif., has declared a fiscal emergency, as it seeks to avoid becoming the fourth municipality in the state this year to file for bankruptcy protection.
Located about 100 miles east of San Francisco, Atwater is grappling with a $3 million budget deficit, declining city revenues and cost overruns for a new wastewater treatment plant.
AFP Responds to September Jobs Report with Silence
AFP Responds to September Jobs Report with Silence
On the day the national unemployment rate was cut to 7.8 percent, Americans For Prosperity (AFP) on Friday released what may be one of the most attention-grabbing and unconventional ads of the 2012 election
On the day the national unemployment rate was cut to 7.8 percent, Americans For Prosperity (AFP) on Friday released what may be one of the most attention-grabbing and unconventional ads of the 2012 election
Biofuels and the food that’s going up in smoke
Biofuels and the food that’s going up in smoke - Telegraph
The growing use of energy from crops has driven up food prices and hunger, spurred enormous corporate land grabs in poor countries, and probably made global warming worse.
The growing use of energy from crops has driven up food prices and hunger, spurred enormous corporate land grabs in poor countries, and probably made global warming worse.
'Dysfunctional' pension plans need radical fix now
'Dysfunctional' pension plans need radical fix now > Blog > State Budget Solutions
Public-sector context is where taxpayers are on the hook for fundamental flaws and outright corruption in state and municipal defined benefit plans.
As of June 30 of this year, they fell at least another 9.3 percent behind where they need to be - by their own arithmetic - to pay pension benefits.
They lost money, all contributions went to paying current benefits instead of being invested to pay the future benefits earned by current workers, and they had to cannibalize assets to pay benefits.
Taken as a whole, public defined benefit plans have fallen and never can get back up.
The numbers are irrefutable.
Somebody is going to have to make up more almost $5 trillion because the tab is rising fast and so-called "reforms" in 44 states do little or nothing to pay it down.
Politicians expect taxpayers who already face a retirement crisis of their own to pay trillions of dollars more to receive no government services of any kind.
Public-sector context is where taxpayers are on the hook for fundamental flaws and outright corruption in state and municipal defined benefit plans.
As of June 30 of this year, they fell at least another 9.3 percent behind where they need to be - by their own arithmetic - to pay pension benefits.
They lost money, all contributions went to paying current benefits instead of being invested to pay the future benefits earned by current workers, and they had to cannibalize assets to pay benefits.
Taken as a whole, public defined benefit plans have fallen and never can get back up.
The numbers are irrefutable.
Somebody is going to have to make up more almost $5 trillion because the tab is rising fast and so-called "reforms" in 44 states do little or nothing to pay it down.
Politicians expect taxpayers who already face a retirement crisis of their own to pay trillions of dollars more to receive no government services of any kind.
Proposed Federal Mandate Would Cost $57.2 Million Per Life Saved
Proposed Federal Mandate Would Cost $57.2 Million Per Life Saved [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it hopes to complete a rule that would require rear view cameras in the back of vehicles, which could cost as much as $57.2 million per life saved.
Equipping all vehicles with the rearview camera with interior mirror display would cost between $1.1 billion to $2.57 billion and is estimated to result in 26 to 69 "total fatalities avoided," according to NHTSA documents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it hopes to complete a rule that would require rear view cameras in the back of vehicles, which could cost as much as $57.2 million per life saved.
Equipping all vehicles with the rearview camera with interior mirror display would cost between $1.1 billion to $2.57 billion and is estimated to result in 26 to 69 "total fatalities avoided," according to NHTSA documents.
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