What global warming? Alaska is headed for an ice age as scientists report state's steady temperature decline | Mail Online
Since 2000, temperatures in Alaska have dropped by 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit
Scientists reviewed weather reports from 20 climate stations operated by the National Weather Service located across Alaska, 19 of the 20 weather stations reported falling temperatures
An ocean phenomenon has disrupted a storm regulating system thus allowing cold winter storms to linger longer and bring a deep chill
Local residents have noticed the colder temps but say its no big deal since they are already bundled up for 20-below zero temperatures
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has researched the costs of prevailing wage laws in Michigan.
It has concluded that prevailing wage laws can add 10 percent to 15 percent to the cost of construction projects.
If Muskegon County's prevailing wage ordinance were to add 10 percent to the cost of the jail project, the ordinance would put local taxpayers on the hook for an additional $2.3 million to $4.7 million.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has researched the costs of prevailing wage laws in Michigan.
It has concluded that prevailing wage laws can add 10 percent to 15 percent to the cost of construction projects.
If Muskegon County's prevailing wage ordinance were to add 10 percent to the cost of the jail project, the ordinance would put local taxpayers on the hook for an additional $2.3 million to $4.7 million.
Hollywood: Cinema attendance plummets to 25-year low
Hollywood: Cinema attendance plummets to 25-year low | Mail Online
The golden age of the silver screen may be coming to a close.
Attendance at movie theatres is at a 25-year low, with young consumers – those who often see the most films – down 40 per cent since 2002.
The golden age of the silver screen may be coming to a close.
Attendance at movie theatres is at a 25-year low, with young consumers – those who often see the most films – down 40 per cent since 2002.
‘Cliff’ bill is a bitter pill for House’s tea party adherents to swallow
‘Cliff’ bill is a bitter pill for House’s tea party adherents to swallow - The Washington Post
The bill was 153 pages long. t was written only the day before, by Washington insiders working in the dark of night.
It was crammed with giveaways and legislative spare parts: tax breaks for wind farms and racetracks.
A change to nuclear-weapons policy.
Government payments for cheese.
And, most significantly, the bill will raise taxes but do relatively little to cut government spending or the massive federal deficit.
The bill was 153 pages long. t was written only the day before, by Washington insiders working in the dark of night.
It was crammed with giveaways and legislative spare parts: tax breaks for wind farms and racetracks.
A change to nuclear-weapons policy.
Government payments for cheese.
And, most significantly, the bill will raise taxes but do relatively little to cut government spending or the massive federal deficit.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Sperm donor ordered to pay child support to lesbian couple despite him giving up rights to the child
Sperm donor ordered to pay child support to lesbian couple despite him giving up rights to the child | Mail Online
The legal agreement that the three made in 2009 was deemed invalid by Kansas state because they did not use a certified doctor for the insemination.
The legal agreement that the three made in 2009 was deemed invalid by Kansas state because they did not use a certified doctor for the insemination.
"Stockton tries a Chrysler"
Fix Pacifica: Bakersfield bankruptcy in stalemate
Wall Street Journal/Review and Outlook/Top Stories in Opinion, 12/31/12. "Stockton tries a Chrysler"
The municipal bankruptcy unfolding in Stockton, California is giving investors a bad case of deja vu. Just as the Obama Administration bailed out the United Auto Workers in Chrysler's bankruptcy while hanging bondholders out to dry, the city of Stockton is subordinating its bond debt to worker pensions.
But what's really scary is that the Stockton case could be replayed in dozens of California cities.
The San Joaquin Valley's second largest city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy this summer after a three-month mediation with creditors and unions ended in stalemate.
Bond insurers that guarantee about $200 million in debt wouldn't submit to a haircut unless the rich pensions that helped drive the city to bankruptcy were also clipped.
Yet unions wouldn't countenance an even modest reduction to their pensions.
.... Ratings agencies downplay the "systemic risk" that the Stocktons of the United States pose to the $3.7 trillion municipal bond market.
But then they also said mortgage-backed securities were Triple-A.
While the market may not be in danger of blowing up soon, bondholders face a very real danger of being blown off to preserve worker pensions.
Wall Street Journal/Review and Outlook/Top Stories in Opinion, 12/31/12. "Stockton tries a Chrysler"
The municipal bankruptcy unfolding in Stockton, California is giving investors a bad case of deja vu. Just as the Obama Administration bailed out the United Auto Workers in Chrysler's bankruptcy while hanging bondholders out to dry, the city of Stockton is subordinating its bond debt to worker pensions.
But what's really scary is that the Stockton case could be replayed in dozens of California cities.
The San Joaquin Valley's second largest city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy this summer after a three-month mediation with creditors and unions ended in stalemate.
Bond insurers that guarantee about $200 million in debt wouldn't submit to a haircut unless the rich pensions that helped drive the city to bankruptcy were also clipped.
Yet unions wouldn't countenance an even modest reduction to their pensions.
.... Ratings agencies downplay the "systemic risk" that the Stocktons of the United States pose to the $3.7 trillion municipal bond market.
But then they also said mortgage-backed securities were Triple-A.
While the market may not be in danger of blowing up soon, bondholders face a very real danger of being blown off to preserve worker pensions.
Gunman shoots one outside San Antonio movie theater
Gunman shoots one outside San Antonio movie theater | The Desert Sun | mydesert.com:
The gunman entered the theater and fired a shot but struck no one, Antu said.
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy working security then shot the gunman.
The gunman entered the theater and fired a shot but struck no one, Antu said.
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy working security then shot the gunman.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Muskegon County officials to be sworn in Thursday; Organizational meeting to follow
Muskegon County officials to be sworn in Thursday; Organizational meeting to follow | MLive.com
The reciting of the oath of office for several county officials, including newcomers such as Prosecutor-elect D.J. Hilson and two members of the County Board of Commissioners, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday in Circuit Court Judge William C. Marietti’s courtroom on the fourth floor of the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice, 990 Terrace St.
The event, basically a kickoff to the new terms of those selected by voters in November, also features the organizational meeting for the County Board of Commissioners and a community open house for all of those elected officials.
The organizational meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in the County Board of Commissioners meeting room on the fourth floor of the Hall of Justice.
The community open house is set to follow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the board room.
The reciting of the oath of office for several county officials, including newcomers such as Prosecutor-elect D.J. Hilson and two members of the County Board of Commissioners, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday in Circuit Court Judge William C. Marietti’s courtroom on the fourth floor of the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice, 990 Terrace St.
The event, basically a kickoff to the new terms of those selected by voters in November, also features the organizational meeting for the County Board of Commissioners and a community open house for all of those elected officials.
The organizational meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in the County Board of Commissioners meeting room on the fourth floor of the Hall of Justice.
The community open house is set to follow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the board room.
If aliens exist, they probably want to destroy us
Study: If aliens exist, they probably want to destroy us - CSMonitor.com
When considering the prospect of alien life, humankind should prepare for the worst, according to a new study:
Either we're alone, or any aliens out there are acquisitive and resource-hungry, just like us.
When considering the prospect of alien life, humankind should prepare for the worst, according to a new study:
Either we're alone, or any aliens out there are acquisitive and resource-hungry, just like us.
Brace For an Avalanche of Unfunded Debt
Mort Zuckerman: Brace For an Avalanche of Unfunded Debt - US News and World Report
The greatest fiscal challenge to the U.S. government is not just its annual deficit but its total liabilities. Our federal balance sheet does not include the unfunded social insurance obligations of Medicare, Social Security, and the future retirement benefits of federal employees.
Only in the small print of the financial statements do you get some idea of the enormous size of the unfunded commitments.
Today the estimated unfunded total is more than $87 trillion, or 550 percent of our GDP.
And the debt per household is more than 10 times the median family income.
The greatest fiscal challenge to the U.S. government is not just its annual deficit but its total liabilities. Our federal balance sheet does not include the unfunded social insurance obligations of Medicare, Social Security, and the future retirement benefits of federal employees.
Only in the small print of the financial statements do you get some idea of the enormous size of the unfunded commitments.
Today the estimated unfunded total is more than $87 trillion, or 550 percent of our GDP.
And the debt per household is more than 10 times the median family income.
The USS Scorpion Buried at Sea
The USS Scorpion Buried at Sea
Despite official denials, several informed sources allege the top-secret Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) had indeed recorded an underwater duel between Scorpion and a Soviet submarine that ended when the Soviet launched a torpedo that struck and sank the American submarine.
One former SOSUS operator, Vince Collier, came forward decades later to tell in chilling detail how he and other sailors in SOSUS School were shown a bootleg copy of the tape that graphically depicted the death of Scorpion.
Despite official denials, several informed sources allege the top-secret Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) had indeed recorded an underwater duel between Scorpion and a Soviet submarine that ended when the Soviet launched a torpedo that struck and sank the American submarine.
One former SOSUS operator, Vince Collier, came forward decades later to tell in chilling detail how he and other sailors in SOSUS School were shown a bootleg copy of the tape that graphically depicted the death of Scorpion.
Northern Michigan commissioner blocks Planned Parenthood grant request, says they 'kill babies'
Northern Michigan commissioner blocks Planned Parenthood grant request, says they 'kill babies' | MLive.com
A county commissioner successfully blocked a casino profit sharing request by Planned Parenthood for sex education money this week in northern Michigan, saying the organization exists to “kill babies.”
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Grand Traverse County Commissioner Jason Gillman, a Tea Party adherent who publishes the blog Right Michigan, convinced fellow commissioners to spike a $12,500 grant application for abstinence-based sex education in area schools.
"The organization is designed to kill babies," Gillman reportedly said.
The nicer side of it is only there to mask its evil intent.
is to kill babies."
A county commissioner successfully blocked a casino profit sharing request by Planned Parenthood for sex education money this week in northern Michigan, saying the organization exists to “kill babies.”
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Grand Traverse County Commissioner Jason Gillman, a Tea Party adherent who publishes the blog Right Michigan, convinced fellow commissioners to spike a $12,500 grant application for abstinence-based sex education in area schools.
"The organization is designed to kill babies," Gillman reportedly said.
The nicer side of it is only there to mask its evil intent.
is to kill babies."
Thanks to Congress's Incompetence, Milk Prices Are About to Double
Thanks to Congress's Incompetence, Milk Prices Are About to Double - Jordan Weissmann - The Atlantic
To give you a sense of how farcical this situation is, it's not even clear that the government has enough storage space to stow away all the dry milk, cheese blocks, and butter tubs it will have to purchase for absolutely no reason.
To give you a sense of how farcical this situation is, it's not even clear that the government has enough storage space to stow away all the dry milk, cheese blocks, and butter tubs it will have to purchase for absolutely no reason.
8 College Degrees with the Worst Return on Investment
8 College Degrees with the Worst Return on Investment - Salary.com
These Careers Might Make You Happy, But Fail the Tuition ROI Test
By Dawn Dugan, Salary.com contributing writer.
1. Communications
You'd think the ink-stained newsrooms and TV studios are full of wealthy and famous journalists.
Not quite.
Although these skills require lots of education and training, they buried the lead regarding the lack of payoff.
These Careers Might Make You Happy, But Fail the Tuition ROI Test
By Dawn Dugan, Salary.com contributing writer.
1. Communications
You'd think the ink-stained newsrooms and TV studios are full of wealthy and famous journalists.
Not quite.
Although these skills require lots of education and training, they buried the lead regarding the lack of payoff.
Let's create a Michigan debate commission and pressure candidates to come face-to-face
Tim Skubick: Let's create a Michigan debate commission and pressure candidates to come face-to-face | MLive.com
First it must be a bipartisan panel of souls whom the political parties, the candidates and the public will trust.
The candidates must pledge to buy into whatever decisions are made.
First it must be a bipartisan panel of souls whom the political parties, the candidates and the public will trust.
The candidates must pledge to buy into whatever decisions are made.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Uncle Sam’s sorry day of reckoning
Uncle Sam’s sorry day of reckoning - NYPOST.com
Monday is Debt Ceiling Day! According to the best guesstimate by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the federal government on Monday will reach its statutory borrowing limit of $16.4 trillion — or roughly 104 percent of America’s total economic output.
A legal limit on federal debt was first enacted during World War I and has been increased 13 times since 1995.
The most recent increase came after a major political battle in the summer of 2011 — a conflict that also led Standard & Poor’s to strip the United States of its AAA credit rating.
Now we’re back up against it again, thanks to a year when Uncle Sam spent more than $1.3 trillion more than he took in.
Monday is Debt Ceiling Day! According to the best guesstimate by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the federal government on Monday will reach its statutory borrowing limit of $16.4 trillion — or roughly 104 percent of America’s total economic output.
A legal limit on federal debt was first enacted during World War I and has been increased 13 times since 1995.
The most recent increase came after a major political battle in the summer of 2011 — a conflict that also led Standard & Poor’s to strip the United States of its AAA credit rating.
Now we’re back up against it again, thanks to a year when Uncle Sam spent more than $1.3 trillion more than he took in.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Auto Bailout Failure Is Now Complete
Harsanyi: The Auto Bailout Failure Is Now Complete - Conservative News
But the more immediate problem is that we will never get our money back, anyway.
GM’s labor costs, estimated at $56 an hour, still are higher than any of its competitors.
Since the Obama administration cajoled the normal bankruptcy hearings and eradicated the pensions of nonunion workers to ensure union success, employees, like the ones at Delphi, the auto parts manufacturer and one-time GM subsidiary, took it on the chin while $26 billion of taxpayer funds were used to keep United Auto Workers in a secure position.
The Treasury Department has just revised its estimate upward to $25 billion in losses, and it will probably be more than that when it’s all said and done.
Taxpayers also suffered a $2.9 billion loss in Chrysler (the carmaker had received $12.5 billion through TARP programs) in 2011.
But the more immediate problem is that we will never get our money back, anyway.
GM’s labor costs, estimated at $56 an hour, still are higher than any of its competitors.
Since the Obama administration cajoled the normal bankruptcy hearings and eradicated the pensions of nonunion workers to ensure union success, employees, like the ones at Delphi, the auto parts manufacturer and one-time GM subsidiary, took it on the chin while $26 billion of taxpayer funds were used to keep United Auto Workers in a secure position.
The Treasury Department has just revised its estimate upward to $25 billion in losses, and it will probably be more than that when it’s all said and done.
Taxpayers also suffered a $2.9 billion loss in Chrysler (the carmaker had received $12.5 billion through TARP programs) in 2011.
EyeOnMuskegon: Call 'em! They work for YOU!
EyeOnMuskegon: Call 'em! They work for YOU!
County commissioner contact info (Call them! They work for YOU!):
KENNETH MAHONEY (231) 894-8608
TERRY SABO (231) 740-2724
JAMES DEREZINSKI (H) (231) 788-4849
MARVIN ENGLE (H) (231) 865-6116
SUSIE HUGHES (H) (231) 343-4092
CHARLES NASH (H) (231) 767-2345
RILLASTINE R. WILKINS (H) (231) 733-1581
BENJAMIN E. CROSS (H) (231) 670-6047
ROBERT SCOLNIK (H) (231) 798-2828
County commissioner contact info (Call them! They work for YOU!):
KENNETH MAHONEY (231) 894-8608
TERRY SABO (231) 740-2724
JAMES DEREZINSKI (H) (231) 788-4849
MARVIN ENGLE (H) (231) 865-6116
SUSIE HUGHES (H) (231) 343-4092
CHARLES NASH (H) (231) 767-2345
RILLASTINE R. WILKINS (H) (231) 733-1581
BENJAMIN E. CROSS (H) (231) 670-6047
ROBERT SCOLNIK (H) (231) 798-2828
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