What Closing the Gun-Show Loophole Won’t Do - By Clayton E. Cramer - The Corner - National Review Online:
It is an article of faith that closing the “gun-show loophole” would make America a safer place. But that is what it is: faith.
.....This might seem surprising, and at first glance, it is.
Except for one little detail: Criminals appear not to buy guns at gun shows, because guns are expensive. It is so much cheaper to steal guns instead.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Legislature's Newest Members
The Legislature's Newest Members [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, 91st District - N 1195 HOB -
(517) 373-3436 - ColleneLamonte@house.mi.gov
Personal Career: Having never run for political office before, Lamonte got in the race for the 91st House District and won in 2012, unseating Rep. Holly Hughes. Lamonte won by less than 400 votes.
Work Experience: She previously worked as a math and science teacher at Muskegon High School.
Education: Before becoming a teacher, Lamonte studied at Saginaw Valley State University.
Personal: She and her husband, Jeff, have two children.
Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, 91st District - N 1195 HOB -
(517) 373-3436 - ColleneLamonte@house.mi.gov
Personal Career: Having never run for political office before, Lamonte got in the race for the 91st House District and won in 2012, unseating Rep. Holly Hughes. Lamonte won by less than 400 votes.
Work Experience: She previously worked as a math and science teacher at Muskegon High School.
Education: Before becoming a teacher, Lamonte studied at Saginaw Valley State University.
Personal: She and her husband, Jeff, have two children.
Production of corn ethanol as an automotive fuel source should cease
Guest view of Mark J. Perry: Production of corn ethanol as an automotive fuel source should cease | MLive.com
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) case for E15, a fuel blend consisting of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has completely fallen apart, as evidenced by the recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) that E15 can cause accelerated engine wear and failure, resulting in costly repairs for unsuspecting consumers.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) case for E15, a fuel blend consisting of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has completely fallen apart, as evidenced by the recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) that E15 can cause accelerated engine wear and failure, resulting in costly repairs for unsuspecting consumers.
Welfare Spending Increases Poverty Instead Easing People Out Of It
Welfare Spending Increases Poverty Instead Easing People Out Of It - Investors.com
All told, overall welfare spending for the decade will be $11 trillion — "roughly one-quarter of cumulative federal spending," the Budget Committee reports.
And that doesn't even include state spending on welfare, which, when added to federal benefits, was more than $1 trillion in fiscal 2011.
That's enough, the Budget Committee tells us, "to mail every household in poverty a check for $60,000 each year."
All told, overall welfare spending for the decade will be $11 trillion — "roughly one-quarter of cumulative federal spending," the Budget Committee reports.
And that doesn't even include state spending on welfare, which, when added to federal benefits, was more than $1 trillion in fiscal 2011.
That's enough, the Budget Committee tells us, "to mail every household in poverty a check for $60,000 each year."
Gun Control by Executive Order?
Gun Control by Executive Order? - Scott Coffina - National Review Online
Executive orders are not constitutionally sanctioned or prohibited, but once signed, they have the force of law.
Presidents have utilized them to drive policy within the executive branch since the dawn of the republic. In some cases, presidents have acted quite aggressively through executive orders.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War; President Roosevelt established internment camps during World War II; and President Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of the armed forces — all through executive orders.
Significantly, all three of these actions were rooted in the president’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in the midst of national emergencies
Executive orders are not constitutionally sanctioned or prohibited, but once signed, they have the force of law.
Presidents have utilized them to drive policy within the executive branch since the dawn of the republic. In some cases, presidents have acted quite aggressively through executive orders.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War; President Roosevelt established internment camps during World War II; and President Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of the armed forces — all through executive orders.
Significantly, all three of these actions were rooted in the president’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in the midst of national emergencies
Mentally challenged girl, 15, 'gang raped under her desk during class as teacher did NOTHING'
Mentally challenged girl, 15, 'gang raped under her desk during class as teacher did NOTHING' | Mail Online
A mentally challenged 15-year-old New York girl endured a brutal gang rape as she was trapped beneath her by two boys with her teacher only feet away, alleges a lawsuit filed Friday.
The special needs student, identified only by the initials K.J., was allegedly sexually assaulted for 10 minutes as another student 'hit her on the head whenever she tried to escape,' during a science class at Martin De Porres Academy in Elmont, N.Y.
A mentally challenged 15-year-old New York girl endured a brutal gang rape as she was trapped beneath her by two boys with her teacher only feet away, alleges a lawsuit filed Friday.
The special needs student, identified only by the initials K.J., was allegedly sexually assaulted for 10 minutes as another student 'hit her on the head whenever she tried to escape,' during a science class at Martin De Porres Academy in Elmont, N.Y.
As he was saying… | Hernando Today
As he was saying… | Hernando Today
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government cannot pay its own bills.
It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, 'the buck stops here.'
"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
— Sen. Barack H. Obama, March 2006
What an incriminating and indicting statement uttered by the president, who has rung up more debt than the first 43 put together.
By his own words he is a colossal failure as a leader as he continues to have trillion-dollar deficits with no sign of addressing the issue in a realistic way.
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government cannot pay its own bills.
It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, 'the buck stops here.'
"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
— Sen. Barack H. Obama, March 2006
What an incriminating and indicting statement uttered by the president, who has rung up more debt than the first 43 put together.
By his own words he is a colossal failure as a leader as he continues to have trillion-dollar deficits with no sign of addressing the issue in a realistic way.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
70 years ago today, Strom Thurmond’s mistress was put to death
70 years ago today, Strom Thurmond’s mistress was put to death - Palmetto Public Record
On this day in 1943, a South Carolina woman named Sue Logue was executed along with her brother-in-law, George Logue, and a down-on-his-luck plasterer named Clarence Bagwell.
The Logues had hired Bagwell to kill their neighbor, who had previously killed Sue Logue’s husband over a feud concerning a dead calf.
What makes this story interesting is that before Sue Logue’s arrest, she had been having an affair with an Edgefield County school superintendent named Strom Thurmond.
Yes, that Strom Thurmond. Logue was a teacher in Thurmond’s district, and rumor has it that the two had once been “caught in the act” in the future senator’s own office.
When police surrounded Logue’s house to arrest her, Thurmond — by now a local judge — even intervened in the standoff to ensure that she came quietly (no pun intended).
What makes the story even more interesting is that before Logue was to be executed, Thurmond rode with her from the Columbia women’s penitentiary to the prison which housed Death Row, and even managed to “get it in” one last time before his mistress was executed.
On this day in 1943, a South Carolina woman named Sue Logue was executed along with her brother-in-law, George Logue, and a down-on-his-luck plasterer named Clarence Bagwell.
The Logues had hired Bagwell to kill their neighbor, who had previously killed Sue Logue’s husband over a feud concerning a dead calf.
What makes this story interesting is that before Sue Logue’s arrest, she had been having an affair with an Edgefield County school superintendent named Strom Thurmond.
Yes, that Strom Thurmond. Logue was a teacher in Thurmond’s district, and rumor has it that the two had once been “caught in the act” in the future senator’s own office.
When police surrounded Logue’s house to arrest her, Thurmond — by now a local judge — even intervened in the standoff to ensure that she came quietly (no pun intended).
What makes the story even more interesting is that before Logue was to be executed, Thurmond rode with her from the Columbia women’s penitentiary to the prison which housed Death Row, and even managed to “get it in” one last time before his mistress was executed.
Cheap energy today: The best friend and salvation of the poor
Cheap energy today: The best friend and salvation of the poor | AEIdeas
"”Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the US price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” ~Stephen Chu, US Secretary of Energy
“Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” ~President Barack Hussein Obama
Willis Eschenbach responds (emphasis mine) on Watts Up With That (the world’s most viewed site on global warming and climate change):
Here’s my problem with these brilliant plans.
Regardless of whatever hypothetical possible future benefit they might or might not bring in fifty years, right here and now in the present they are absolutely devastating to the poor."
"”Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the US price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” ~Stephen Chu, US Secretary of Energy
“Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” ~President Barack Hussein Obama
Willis Eschenbach responds (emphasis mine) on Watts Up With That (the world’s most viewed site on global warming and climate change):
Here’s my problem with these brilliant plans.
Regardless of whatever hypothetical possible future benefit they might or might not bring in fifty years, right here and now in the present they are absolutely devastating to the poor."
Muskegon doctor returns to closed abortion clinic, calls it a 'crime scene'
Muskegon doctor returns to closed abortion clinic, calls it a 'crime scene' | MLive.com
According to police reports released to MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle after a Freedom of Information Act request, police investigating the broken door reported unsanitary conditions throughout the clinic, including used hypodermic needles in unsecured containers, “blood on the floor and walls in multiple locations” as well as dripping from a sink trap in a patient room, and “uncovered buckets containing unknown fluids” in the operating room.
According to police reports released to MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle after a Freedom of Information Act request, police investigating the broken door reported unsanitary conditions throughout the clinic, including used hypodermic needles in unsecured containers, “blood on the floor and walls in multiple locations” as well as dripping from a sink trap in a patient room, and “uncovered buckets containing unknown fluids” in the operating room.
Collapse of Higher-Ed Bubble Draws Near
Collapse of Higher-Ed Bubble Draws Near [Mackinac Center]
Legislators had better start paying attention, because like the implosion of the housing bubble, the higher ed one is all but certain to have an impact on future budgets.
Legislators had better start paying attention, because like the implosion of the housing bubble, the higher ed one is all but certain to have an impact on future budgets.
Liberal tax leaves bitter taste in some smoothie drinkers' mouths
Liberal tax leaves bitter taste in some smoothie drinkers' mouths | ksl.com
Burnett said his goal isn't to offend. First, it's to provide people with a healthy product.
Second, it's to start a conversation about what he sees as the over-regulation of the energy industry and the continued financial problems facing the United States.
Burnett said his goal isn't to offend. First, it's to provide people with a healthy product.
Second, it's to start a conversation about what he sees as the over-regulation of the energy industry and the continued financial problems facing the United States.
New Study Shows Better Results For Public Charter School Students Compared To Students In Conventional ...
New Study Shows Better Results For Public Charter School Students Compared To Students In Conventional ... [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The students who took advantage of school choice had academic growth 82 percent above the state average in reading and 72 percent above the state average in math.
The students who took advantage of school choice had academic growth 82 percent above the state average in reading and 72 percent above the state average in math.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Calling All Cauliflower
Calling All Cauliflower - NYTimes.com
At my house we eat cauliflower like popcorn.
Using a simple recipe from Alice Waters, we slice it thin, toss in olive oil and salt, and roast.
One head of cauliflower is never enough
At my house we eat cauliflower like popcorn.
Using a simple recipe from Alice Waters, we slice it thin, toss in olive oil and salt, and roast.
One head of cauliflower is never enough
New pay-per-mile scheme would boost taxes 250 percent
New pay-per-mile scheme would boost taxes 250 percent | WashingtonExaminer.com
An on-again, off-again move by the Obama administration to scrap the federal gas tax in favor of a pay-per-mile fee would boost the tab to Americans as high as 250 percent, raising their current tax of 18.4 cents a gallon to as high as 46 cents, according to a new government study.
An on-again, off-again move by the Obama administration to scrap the federal gas tax in favor of a pay-per-mile fee would boost the tab to Americans as high as 250 percent, raising their current tax of 18.4 cents a gallon to as high as 46 cents, according to a new government study.
Most of the Arrested Anti-Right-to-Work Protesters Have SEIU 'Dues Skim' Connections
Most of the Arrested Anti-Right-to-Work Protesters Have SEIU 'Dues Skim' Connections [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Seven of the eight people facing felony charges for their alleged actions on Dec.6 at the State Capitol are affiliated with the SEIU Healthcare Michigan union.
That's the union that has taken more than $33 million from home-based caregivers in Michigan."
"Seven of the eight people facing felony charges for their alleged actions on Dec.6 at the State Capitol are affiliated with the SEIU Healthcare Michigan union.
That's the union that has taken more than $33 million from home-based caregivers in Michigan."
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Obama faces 'limited' options on executive action on gun violence
Obama faces 'limited' options on executive action on gun violence - The Hill
"His options are limited," Adam Winkler, constitutional scholar at the UCLA School of Law, said by phone Friday.
"He can seek to better enforce existing federal law, but he can't act contrary to existing federal law."
Winkler and others say Obama can install changes like new importation limits on weapons, tougher law-enforcement policies and greater cooperation between federal agencies sharing criminal and mental-health records – all without Congress's blessing.
.....Much of the focus seems to be on efforts to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), an FBI database through which licensed gun dealers are required to screen potential buyers before selling weapons.
Under federal law, felons, illegal immigrants, drug abusers, spousal abusers and the severely mentally ill may not buy or own firearms.
But the system is riddled with holes, as many states – and even federal agencies – have declined to share records with NICS.
Indeed, an examination of 60 federal agencies in October 2011 revealed that only eight had shared mental-health records with NICS, while only three had submitted drug-abuse records, according to FBI data provided to Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an advocacy group.
Among the agencies that had not shared any records on substance abusers was the Drug Enforcement Administration.
"His options are limited," Adam Winkler, constitutional scholar at the UCLA School of Law, said by phone Friday.
"He can seek to better enforce existing federal law, but he can't act contrary to existing federal law."
Winkler and others say Obama can install changes like new importation limits on weapons, tougher law-enforcement policies and greater cooperation between federal agencies sharing criminal and mental-health records – all without Congress's blessing.
.....Much of the focus seems to be on efforts to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), an FBI database through which licensed gun dealers are required to screen potential buyers before selling weapons.
Under federal law, felons, illegal immigrants, drug abusers, spousal abusers and the severely mentally ill may not buy or own firearms.
But the system is riddled with holes, as many states – and even federal agencies – have declined to share records with NICS.
Indeed, an examination of 60 federal agencies in October 2011 revealed that only eight had shared mental-health records with NICS, while only three had submitted drug-abuse records, according to FBI data provided to Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an advocacy group.
Among the agencies that had not shared any records on substance abusers was the Drug Enforcement Administration.
James M. Buchanan | Fellows | Cato Institute
James M. Buchanan | Fellows | Cato Institute
Buchanan and Tullock’s 1962book, The Calculus of Consent, aggressively questionedthis scenario: why do we assume that because a government acts, itnecessarily solves a given problem?
Don’t public as well as privateactors pursue their self-interest?
For his work in Public Choice economics, Buchanan received theNobel Prize in 1986
Buchanan and Tullock’s 1962book, The Calculus of Consent, aggressively questionedthis scenario: why do we assume that because a government acts, itnecessarily solves a given problem?
Don’t public as well as privateactors pursue their self-interest?
For his work in Public Choice economics, Buchanan received theNobel Prize in 1986
Patient Prescription Drug Records May be Used to Deny Americans their Constitutional Rights
Patient Prescription Drug Records May be Used to Deny Americans their Constitutional Rights
All Americans who have been prescribed psychiatric medications could be denied their constitutional rights under gun control legislation expected to be introduced into the U.S. Senate on January 22nd.
Although the actual text of the bill is not yet available to the public, the heavy emphasis on “mental health” in recent gun control discussions echoes the present-day denial of Second Amendment rights to veterans diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
In an effort to deny gun ownership “privileges” to as many Americans as possible, Sen. Feinstein and other proponents of total citizen disarmament could simply expand the definition of those deemed “mentally unfit” for gun purchases to include anyone who has ever been prescribed an antidepressant or a drug for ADHD.
I give credit for this realization to Jon Rappoport, editor of No More Fake News.
In a phone conversation yesterday evening, he brought this to my attention, even describing psychiatrists as “the new cops” who get to determine whether you have any rights at all.
Conducting further research on the subject, I found that a national database of prescription drug users already exists. It was created by the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER) signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005.
All Americans who have been prescribed psychiatric medications could be denied their constitutional rights under gun control legislation expected to be introduced into the U.S. Senate on January 22nd.
Although the actual text of the bill is not yet available to the public, the heavy emphasis on “mental health” in recent gun control discussions echoes the present-day denial of Second Amendment rights to veterans diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
In an effort to deny gun ownership “privileges” to as many Americans as possible, Sen. Feinstein and other proponents of total citizen disarmament could simply expand the definition of those deemed “mentally unfit” for gun purchases to include anyone who has ever been prescribed an antidepressant or a drug for ADHD.
I give credit for this realization to Jon Rappoport, editor of No More Fake News.
In a phone conversation yesterday evening, he brought this to my attention, even describing psychiatrists as “the new cops” who get to determine whether you have any rights at all.
Conducting further research on the subject, I found that a national database of prescription drug users already exists. It was created by the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER) signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005.
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