Friday, February 22, 2013

USDA employees recite past US discrimination in sensitivity class

USDA employees recite past US discrimination in sensitivity class | The Daily Caller
"In the additional clips, excerpted from the more than 3.5-hour “Cultural Sensitivity Training” session that was never intended to be publicized, diversity awareness trainer Samuel Betances of Souder, Betances and Associates advises further on the cultural sensitivity sins of America.
“I want you to say: ‘If we work for a federal agency.’ Say that. [Audience repeats] ‘We have discriminated in the past.’ [Audience repeats] Say: ‘Every federal agency,’ [Audience repeats] ‘has discriminated against African Americans,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Hispanics,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Native American Indians,’ [Audience repeats] ‘and other groups’ [Audience repeats],” Betances coaches.
“See, if you work for a federal agency, it doesn’t matter if it’s DOD, Commerce, Labor, Education, Housing, every agency has discriminated, because every agency reflects the values of the generation in charge,” he adds."

While We Argue Gun Statistics, OFA Is Tugging Heartstrings With A Video

The PJ Tatler » While We Argue Gun Statistics, OFA Is Tugging Heartstrings With A Video
"This is the thing that our side still doesn’t get. Pictures and video tell a more compelling story than just text and math.
The other thing many don’t understand is that Democrats are working this stuff 24/7.
OFA sent this video out today.
It’s a sad story about about a boy losing his father in a mass shooting.
It’s also being used to bolster support for an abrogation of the Constitutional rights of legal, sane gun owners who would never commit such a heinous crime.
I’ve read numerous stories in the past several months about people who have protected themselves and saved lives because they were armed.
Read.
Gun rights advocates should be making videos using the people telling those stories.
The money is there (NRA, Gun Owners of America, etc) and so is the distribution (conservative new media, politicians’ email lists, etc).
It’s time to take advantage of that.
Here is a link to the video, for those interested in watching:"

Washington State Lawmakers Propose Bicycle Tax

Washington State Lawmakers Propose Bicycle Tax | News from the Field | OutsideOnline.com
"Washington State Democrats rolled out a new $10 billion transportation package Wednesday that could raise taxes on gas, cars, and even bicycles.
According to the Seattle Times, the package would place a $25 sales fee on bikes worth $500 or more, a move projected to raise $1 million over 10 years.
The state gas tax would also increase by 10 cents over five years and cars would be taxed 0.7 percent of their value."

How an 18 Year Old Can Be Better Off Than Most 40 Year Olds Today

Captain Capitalism: How an 18 Year Old Can Be Better Off Than Most 40 Year Olds Today
"So how can an 18 year old avoid this fate?
Simple.  You just don't go into debt."

Into the mind of a lib.....

From a facebook post:



Photo

'The Hugh Hefner of Muskegon' enjoys telling his story after $7,500 porn theft

'The Hugh Hefner of Muskegon' enjoys telling his story after $7,500 porn theft | MLive.com
“I’m the Hugh Hefner of Muskegon,” Johnson said proudly.
 “I appreciate all beautiful women.
Ain’t no doubt.”
Like Hefner, the 43-year old Johnson considers himself to be a man of style who likes going out in fashionable clothes with a lady on his arm.
He enjoys the spotlight and said he likes to show off the expensive things he can afford when he goes out to the club.
“I’ve been a trendsetter in Muskegon since 1979. 
That’s when I came into my own,” Johnson said. 
“That’s when the girls started liking me and I started liking them.”
Johnson said he’s choosing to stay positive and not to let this setback get him down.
“Don’t give the haters of Muskegon no power,” Johnson said.
 “Just live your life and have fun.
Do what you want to do.”"

No mention in the article of the aptly named Johnson's profession.......

Judge invalidates Muskegon's voters rezoning of the Sappi site which will remain industrially zoned

Judge invalidates Muskegon's voters rezoning of the Sappi site which will remain industrially zoned | MLive.com
"The property will remain industrially zoned as the judge based his decision on a 1972 Michigan Supreme Court case that did not allow voters to change zoning with a citizen petition."

$41 million proposal for new Muskegon County Jail and juvenile center heading to Board of Commissioners

$41 million proposal for new Muskegon County Jail and juvenile center heading to Board of Commissioners | MLive.com
"The county expects to save roughly the cost of the annual bond payments with efficiencies operating the new facility, which is expected to open in 2015.
The finished, improved jail would be operated with fewer staff, said Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler"

Thursday, February 21, 2013

High-Priced Bus Drivers In Lansing

High-Priced Bus Drivers In Lansing [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The Lansing bus authority had 69 drivers who made $60,000 or more in 2012, including one who earned $104,411."

A proper dressing down for unchivalrous men.

A proper dressing down for unchivalrous men. | Dalrock

What is appropriate compensation for school superintendents?

Readers debate: What is appropriate compensation for school superintendents? | MLive.com

Clearly, if they were compensated like .... say an auto executive, on the quality of the service they provide (ie: educated students) the recall costs and lawsuits alone would send them to jail.

The Shaky Science Behind Obama’s Universal Pre-K

The Shaky Science Behind Obama’s Universal Pre-K - Bloomberg
"There are just two problems with his solution:
The evidence used to support the positive long-term effects of early childhood education is tenuous, even for the most intensive interventions.
And for the kind of intervention that can be implemented on a national scale, the evidence is zero."

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported | Reuters
"More than half of U.S. citizens believe that most or all of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday"

So that means "a majority" of Americans are wrong?

Former Tholstrup Cheese plant in Norton Shores closes, eliminating 20 jobs

Former Tholstrup Cheese plant in Norton Shores closes, eliminating 20 jobs | MLive.com
from the comments:
".....I was hired there in 1986 and worked there for 12 years, it was a great place to work, high pay, good benefits etc, its a shame to see it leave, had alot of great memories with alot of great people.
For Tholstrups 100 year anniversary they paid for every employee at the Muskegon plant to go to Denmark for a huge celebration, its a memory I will never forget."

Maybe that's why the company can't afford to remain in our town?

Michigan will spend for better state

Guest column: Michigan will spend for better state | MLive.com
"The report released today  shares what we learned:
* Michigan Citizens believe ‘public good” investment matters.
Sixty-four percent of Michigan citizens believe the most important thing state government can do for job creation is not tax cuts, but “provide quality education, good roads and transportation, good public services like safety, water, fire, parks and libraries that create an environment in which people want to live, work and run a business."

We are screwed!
Hey kids, where do you think we're gonna get the moolah for all those nifty "environment" stuff?

California Bill Could Outlaw Driving for up to a Week After Smoking Pot

California Bill Could Outlaw Driving for up to a Week After Smoking Pot | Mother Jones
"If you smoke marijuana in California, there's a chance you may have to wait a week or more before you can drive legally.
A bill introduced last week by state Senator Lou Correa, a Democrat from Anaheim, would make it illegal to get behind the wheel if your blood contains "any detectable amount" of cannabis"

College Hosts Sex, Masturbation Tutorial – Inside A Church

College Hosts Sex, Masturbation Tutorial – Inside A Church
"Allegheny College’s Ford Memorial Chapel was transformed into a boudoir of sorts Wednesday night, as professional sex educators advised students in attendance how best to touch themselves and their partners to reach orgasm in what was billed as an educational seminar.
The chapel, built and dedicated in 1902, is where Catholic mass and non-denominational services are conducted every week at the private liberal arts college in northwestern Pennsylvania.
But all that took a back pew to Wednesday’s festivities, dubbed “I Heart the Female Orgasm” and hosted by a variety of student groups on campus.
The two sex educators, Marshall Miller and Kate Weinberg, talked students through a variety of masturbation techniques during the event."

Just doesn't compute.....

Below, some posts on FB about a nifty looking bus shelter.
Initially seeming to invite "Thoughts":

Lea xxxxxx Wouldn't that be a great use of street art in Muskegon! Bus shelters?? We really dont have any. Hmmm. Thoughts?
10 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Dylan xxxxx Fun stuff!
10 hours ago · Like

Jim Riley Well, the county just gave its 2nd $million bonus to county employees in 13 months. Imagine what could have been done with $2 million.
10 hours ago · Like · 1

Lea xxxxxx I have no intention to start an argument here, but I would contend that good employees deserve raises on occasion, and they were given smaller lump sums in lieu thereof. No one got rich that I am aware of.
10 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Jim Riley The $2million was in ADDITION to step, COL and other raises.
10 hours ago · Like

Lea xxxxxxx Well sir, this discussion does not help me work towards encouraging creative thinking and promoting transportation at this time. I understand where you are coming from, and do not have information to affirm or deny your accusations. Clearly we need another option than county funding.
10 hours ago via mobile · Like

Steve Gunn: Unions stomp on new right to work law with speedy, long-term union contracts

Steve Gunn: Unions stomp on new right to work law with speedy, long-term union contracts | MLive.com

What we learned at the Sierra Club protest in Washington D.C.

What we learned at the Sierra Club protest in Washington D.C. | NetRight Daily
"Check out the things we learned at the Sierra Club protest against the Keystone XL pipeline in Washington D.C.
For instance, people should be allowed to have only 1 or maybe 2 children.
And the weather is being manipulated for advantages in war.
Watch the video to see who is arguing against the creation of 600,000 American jobs."

'Why not' grow hops near Beer City USA? | WOOD TV8

'Why not' grow hops near Beer City USA? | WOOD TV8
"The Right Place, a Grand Rapids economic development agency, was recently granted $20,000 from the State of Michigan to study the potential of growing more hops in Michigan.
One local brewery and local hop farmers say more hops could mean more money and jobs for the state.

Bonnie and Jeff Steinman grow hops at their Hickory Corners farm in Barry County.
The Steinmans put in a hop yard on a plot that used to grow soy beans.
They started selling the hops three years ago.
They said their farm -- Hop Head Farms -- is already growing.
In the last year, they have added about 30 acres of hops and doubled their workforce.
"We felt like it was worthwhile because everything we had was sold," Bonnie explained to 24 Hour News 8.

Hep me!
This reporter buys the concept that the state needs to give taxpayer's hard earned money to some no-nothing non-profit morons so they can study the potential of growing hops yet the same article glows as they report the current farmers are already selling all they can produce.
Just how dumb are these idiots?!!
 

Half of Detroit property owners don't pay taxes

Half of Detroit property owners don't pay taxes | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
"Nearly half of the owners of Detroit's 305,000 properties failed to pay their tax bills last year, exacerbating a punishing cycle of declining revenues and diminished services for a city in a financial crisis, according to a Detroit News analysis of government records."

Alleged smart meter dangers to be outlined at Feb. 21 presentation at Muskegon Community College

Alleged smart meter dangers to be outlined at Feb. 21 presentation at Muskegon Community College | MLive.com
"The advocacy group Michigan Stop Smart Meters has a free presentation entitled “Smart Meters – Are They Really All That Smart?”
Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Blue & Gold Room at MCC, 221 W. Quarterline Road."
(Right inside the main entrance)

Hey, come on down tonight, it's free.
And you might just learn something.
Or even meet someone interesting!
See ya there!
Jim Riley

GM boosting sales through failing subprime auto loans

GM boosting sales through failing subprime auto loans | Washington Free Beacon
“You have the government trying to sell the bailout and this recovery and they’ve allowed, encouraged GM to revive itself off the back of subprime lending,” said Ed Niedermeyer, auto industry consultant.
GM Financial (GMF), the company’s in-house financing arm, reported that delinquencies grew by about $200 million to $933 million in 2012, according to GM’s annual SEC filing.
Delinquent contracts at GM now represent 8.5 percent of all auto loans—higher than delinquencies at Ford, Toyota, and Honda combined."

Carbon tax hallucinations

Carbon tax hallucinations | NetRight Daily
"Average planetary temperatures haven’t budged in 16 years.
Hurricanes and strong tornadoes are at or near their lowest ebb in decades.
Global sea ice is back to normal, Arctic ice is nearly normal, and the Antarctic icepack continues to grow.
The rate of sea level rise remains what it was in 1900.
And yet, President Obama and many politicians, newscasters and alarmist scientists continue to insist that carbon dioxide emissions are changing Earth’s climate, and we need to take immediate action to prevent storms like Hurricane Sandy and avert catastrophes predicted by IPCC computer models and alleged “scientific consensus.”
Not surprisingly, polls show public support for controlling CO2 output and taxing hydrocarbon use — to “ensure climate security” and “save vital federal programs” from budgetary axes."

Restaurants Prepare for Cost of New Menus Mandated by Obamacare

Restaurants Prepare for Cost of New Menus Mandated by Obamacare | Heartlander Magazine
"Section 4205 of Obama’s law requires restaurants and similar retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to list calorie content information for standard menu items on all menus and menu boards, including drive-through boards.
The law also requires vending machine operators who own or operate 20 or more vending machines to disclose calorie content for certain items."

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Republicans struggle to agree on candidates who can win

Michael Barone: Republicans struggle to agree on candidates who can win | WashingtonExaminer.com
"So I don't see this as a fight between the grass roots and the Washington establishment.
It's a struggle to find candidates with serious convictions and good political instincts -- which is usually an uphill struggle for Republicans."

These tactics work. Why does the GOP act like there is no internet?

Below is an e-mail I received yesterday from my "friends" at "Organizing for Action", the successor of U.S. president Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and of Organizing for America, which itself succeeded Obama's 2008 campaign.

While I vigorously disagree with the message, I marvel at its pure, simple brilliance.
Clearly well written and emotionally powerful, it sets the stage for its most important component.
Like YouTube and Facebook, it brings the reader into its sympathetic cyber arms and induces them to share their own, personal story.
Once a person responds, they are hooked!

Responders provide the content.
And "Our staff will review and post your submission" as they effectively troll for great writers and lieutenants who will sell the party line for them.
All at ZERO cost!

There's been much buzz amongst republican "thinkers" that seems to be split between giddy hi-fiving over the discovery of the nifty new phrase "low-info-voters" and mocking those very "lo-fo" Americans.

I don't get it.
Is the current republican power structure our own version of simpleton "low-information-leaders"?
Do they even know what "social media" is?
Do they even know the basics of who the media is?

If we ever hope to sell our message, we must find cyber-leaders to break through the country club walls and realize that Dick Nixon's bad showing in his televised Kennedy debate has relevance still today.
Please guys, open your eyes!
Jim Riley 

"Friend --
Maybe you've seen firsthand how gun violence can rip apart a family and a community.
Or maybe you're concerned by what you see on the news.
Whatever your reason, those in Congress who oppose sensible change need to hear from you: Share your personal story or views on why Congress should act right now to help protect our kids and reduce gun violence.
Your story will inspire others to speak out and show legislators that now is the time.
President Obama said it: "More than a thousand birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries have been stolen from our lives by a bullet from a gun" in just the two months since the tragedy in Newtown.
Each of those families deserves a vote by Congress on commonsense measures to help protect our kids.
But we need to demand it.

It's easy to share your story or point of view:
1. Provide your basic information. (Please note: For your privacy, we'll only publish your city and your first name and last initial.)
2. If you have a photo or video you'd like to share, paste a link into that field. You can paste an Instagram or Twitter link, but cannot upload a photo directly.
3. In the final box, compose your personal story or views about reducing gun violence.
4. After you agree to the submission terms, hit the green "Tell Your Story" button. Our staff will review and post your submission.

Please share your story today:
http://my.barackobama.com/Share-Your-Story-on-Gun-Violence
This won't be easy, but if we can save even one life, it'll be worth it.

Thanks,
Jon
Jon Carson
Executive Director
Organizing for Action
P.S. -- Read some of the powerful stories that folks have already shared, then hit the "Tell Your Story" button to submit your own.
----------------
Let's finish what we started. Chip in $25 or more to Organizing for Action, the grassroots movement that will get the job done."

Articles: Why Are Some People Prone to Obey?

Articles: Why Are Some People Prone to Obey?:

Captain Capitalism

Captain Capitalism: