Thursday, March 21, 2013
Community Conversation Forum
Muskegon Republican: Community Conversation Forum:
"THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Community Conversation Forum:
"Civility and Free Expression: A Conversation about Gun Violence
JOIN US for a Community Conversation on Gun Violence at the Grand Haven Community Center on March 21, 2013 from 6:00 to 9:00.
The Community Center is located at 421 Columbus St, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Registration is now closed.
Walk-ins are welcome (though food may not be available). "
"THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Community Conversation Forum:
"Civility and Free Expression: A Conversation about Gun Violence
JOIN US for a Community Conversation on Gun Violence at the Grand Haven Community Center on March 21, 2013 from 6:00 to 9:00.
The Community Center is located at 421 Columbus St, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Registration is now closed.
Walk-ins are welcome (though food may not be available). "
Hollywood Transforms Itself to Milk Multiple States for Movie Money
Hollywood Transforms Itself to Milk Multiple States for Movie Money [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"The Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency did an analysis of the film subsidy program a few years ago. For the fiscal year covering 2010-11, it found that the program brought $13.5 million worth of benefit at a cost of $125 million.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning economic think tank, reviewed the literature on state film subsidy and tax rebate programs and found that claims that they are worth the cost are almost unanimously "more fiction than fact."
"The Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency did an analysis of the film subsidy program a few years ago. For the fiscal year covering 2010-11, it found that the program brought $13.5 million worth of benefit at a cost of $125 million.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning economic think tank, reviewed the literature on state film subsidy and tax rebate programs and found that claims that they are worth the cost are almost unanimously "more fiction than fact."
Department of Ed creates new six-figure job, while wielding sequester ax
Department of Ed creates new six-figure job, while wielding sequester ax | Fox News:
"But in Washington, education funding cuts did not stop the appointment this month of a former elementary school teacher and aide to Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. to the job of executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans.
David Johns was given the newly created job, where he will be “asked to identify evidence-based best practices to improve African-American student achievement from cradle to career,” according to the Department of Education."
"But in Washington, education funding cuts did not stop the appointment this month of a former elementary school teacher and aide to Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. to the job of executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans.
David Johns was given the newly created job, where he will be “asked to identify evidence-based best practices to improve African-American student achievement from cradle to career,” according to the Department of Education."
Muskegon County falls to 69th in new Michigan county health rankings
Muskegon County falls to 69th in new Michigan county health rankings | MLive.com:
"The new ranking indicates that Muskegon County’s welfare may have worsened in some key areas — last year the county landed in No. 63."
"The new ranking indicates that Muskegon County’s welfare may have worsened in some key areas — last year the county landed in No. 63."
Cyprus Shuts Banks Until Tuesday, Seeks Russia Aid
Cyprus Shuts Banks Until Tuesday, Seeks Russia Aid:
"Cypriot banks will remain closed at least until Tuesday as negotiations between the country and Russia over financial assistance continue in Moscow."
"Cypriot banks will remain closed at least until Tuesday as negotiations between the country and Russia over financial assistance continue in Moscow."
Muskegon County room tax dollars will not support summer festivals, committee decides
Muskegon County room tax dollars will not support summer festivals, committee decides | MLive.com
"Meanwhile, an $11,000 debt Muskegon County was left from last year’s Hot Rod Power Tour event will not be charged to the room tax event marketing program but will be handled in another area of the county budget, according to Muskegon County Community Development Director Bob Lukens.
The tourism advisory committee delayed event market program decisions until the Power Tour payment issue was determined."
"Meanwhile, an $11,000 debt Muskegon County was left from last year’s Hot Rod Power Tour event will not be charged to the room tax event marketing program but will be handled in another area of the county budget, according to Muskegon County Community Development Director Bob Lukens.
The tourism advisory committee delayed event market program decisions until the Power Tour payment issue was determined."
John Kerry Announces U.S. Support For U.N. Arms Trade Treaty
John Kerry Announces U.S. Support For U.N. Arms Trade Treaty - Investors.com:
"U.S. Rights: As the world body meets this week to hammer out an agreement to restrict international arms trade, our Secretary of State commits us to pushing a treaty that may also restrict our Second Amendment rights.
Last Friday, the day of the week when unpopular or controversial announcements are traditionally made, Secretary of State John Kerry announced U.S. support for the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a final version of which is being hammered out in New York beginning this week."
"U.S. Rights: As the world body meets this week to hammer out an agreement to restrict international arms trade, our Secretary of State commits us to pushing a treaty that may also restrict our Second Amendment rights.
Last Friday, the day of the week when unpopular or controversial announcements are traditionally made, Secretary of State John Kerry announced U.S. support for the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a final version of which is being hammered out in New York beginning this week."
Michigan's car insurance rates among highest in country
Report: Michigan's car insurance rates among highest in country | MLive.com:
"It came up with an average annual premium of $2,520 in Michigan, the highest behind Louisiana’s rate of $2,699.
Michigan is the only state to offer unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries under its no-fault auto insurance system.
Policy holders pay an extra $175 per insured vehicle each year for the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association to reimburse auto insurers for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits after they exceed $500,000 per claim."
"It came up with an average annual premium of $2,520 in Michigan, the highest behind Louisiana’s rate of $2,699.
Michigan is the only state to offer unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries under its no-fault auto insurance system.
Policy holders pay an extra $175 per insured vehicle each year for the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association to reimburse auto insurers for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits after they exceed $500,000 per claim."
Idling bus, trucks in Park City reported to the police
Idling bus, trucks in Park City reported to the police - The Park Record:
"Park City leaders in 2010 adopted the prohibition on idling for more than three minutes as part of City Hall's wide-ranging environmental program.
Officials want to curb emissions, and the prohibition won support from the environmental community."
"Park City leaders in 2010 adopted the prohibition on idling for more than three minutes as part of City Hall's wide-ranging environmental program.
Officials want to curb emissions, and the prohibition won support from the environmental community."
Teenager arrested for tweeting rap lyric containing the word "homicide."
Althouse: Teenager arrested for tweeting rap lyric containing the word "homicide.":
"ADDED: Here's how Talking Points Memo reported the basis for the arrest:
"The older girl was charged with aggravated menacing for a tweet that threatened homicide and said 'you ripped my family apart,' according to the attorney general’s office." Pathetic!"
"ADDED: Here's how Talking Points Memo reported the basis for the arrest:
"The older girl was charged with aggravated menacing for a tweet that threatened homicide and said 'you ripped my family apart,' according to the attorney general’s office." Pathetic!"
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Stimulus Package: $384,949 on Duck Genitalia Study
Stimulus Package: $384,949 on Duck Genitalia Study | CNS News:
"The grant was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the stimulus package."
"The grant was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the stimulus package."
After the Aircraft Carrier: 3 Alternatives to the Navy's Vulnerable Flattops
After the Aircraft Carrier: 3 Alternatives to the Navy's Vulnerable Flattops | Danger Room | Wired.com:
"A single new carrier costs $14 billion to build plus $7 million a day to operate.
“Not a good use of U.S. taxpayer money,” Hendrix asserts.
Moreover, he contends that huge carriers with their five-acre flight decks and scores of warplanes are ill-suited to the American way of war, in which precision and avoiding civilian casualties are more important than overwhelming firepower.
Worst, Hendrix warns, the carriers — major symbols of American military might — are increasingly big targets for China’s DF-21D ship-killing ballistic missiles."
"A single new carrier costs $14 billion to build plus $7 million a day to operate.
“Not a good use of U.S. taxpayer money,” Hendrix asserts.
Moreover, he contends that huge carriers with their five-acre flight decks and scores of warplanes are ill-suited to the American way of war, in which precision and avoiding civilian casualties are more important than overwhelming firepower.
Worst, Hendrix warns, the carriers — major symbols of American military might — are increasingly big targets for China’s DF-21D ship-killing ballistic missiles."
The Prevailing Wage Wave in Michigan
The Prevailing Wage Wave in Michigan | Job Creators NetworkJob Creators Network:
"After all, wasn’t last December fun?
Who wouldn’t want another round of union thuggery at the state Capitol whereby union protesters destroyed warming tents, knocked around a popular local hot dog vendor and shouted down a billy-club-armed state police line around the Governor’s office?"
"After all, wasn’t last December fun?
Who wouldn’t want another round of union thuggery at the state Capitol whereby union protesters destroyed warming tents, knocked around a popular local hot dog vendor and shouted down a billy-club-armed state police line around the Governor’s office?"
Don't Even THINK of Building That
Best of the Web Today: Don't Even THINK of Building That - WSJ.com:
'Spending': Letting You Keep Your Own Money
"The Real Spending Problem," according to a New York Times editorial with that title, is that the government is letting you keep too much money:
"Each year, the government doles out tax breaks worth $1.1 trillion. . . .
Tax breaks work like spending.
Giving a deduction for certain activities, like homeownership or retirement savings, is the same as writing a government check to subsidize those activities.
Functionally, they mimic entitlements.
Like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, they are available, year in and year out, in full, to all who qualify."
This is nonsense.
'Spending': Letting You Keep Your Own Money
"The Real Spending Problem," according to a New York Times editorial with that title, is that the government is letting you keep too much money:
"Each year, the government doles out tax breaks worth $1.1 trillion. . . .
Tax breaks work like spending.
Giving a deduction for certain activities, like homeownership or retirement savings, is the same as writing a government check to subsidize those activities.
Functionally, they mimic entitlements.
Like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, they are available, year in and year out, in full, to all who qualify."
This is nonsense.
Tour the new Cabela's Grandville store before it opens to the public!
Tour the new Cabela's Grandville store before it opens to the public! | MLive.com:
"He said the 88,000-square-foot store includes "thousands of quality outdoor products, as well as a mountain replica, wildlife displays, aquarium, boat shop, indoor archery range, Gun Library, Bargain Cave, Deli and Fudge Shop."
No guns?
"He said the 88,000-square-foot store includes "thousands of quality outdoor products, as well as a mountain replica, wildlife displays, aquarium, boat shop, indoor archery range, Gun Library, Bargain Cave, Deli and Fudge Shop."
No guns?
Electric vehicle company to open headquarters in Detroit, create 180 jobs to build sports cars
Electric vehicle company to open headquarters in Detroit, create 180 jobs to build sports cars | MLive.com: "Detroit Electric, which produced electric vehicles in the early 1900s, today announced its intentions to create 180 jobs by the end of 2013 to help produce a new lineup of all-electric vehicles, including a limited-edition two-seat sports car."
Report: Stamp Farms bankruptcy cited in New York Times cautionary tale of surging farmland prices
Report: Stamp Farms bankruptcy cited in New York Times cautionary tale of surging farmland prices | MLive.com:
"According to the story, debt held by the nation’s farmers has risen nearly 30 percent since 2007, to an expected $277.4 billion this year, with most loans made by commercial banks, the farm credit system and the Farm Service Agency.
As prices for farmland soar, and farmers compete to buy and rent land, economists fear a collapse similar to the housing marker collapse if crop prices fall."
"According to the story, debt held by the nation’s farmers has risen nearly 30 percent since 2007, to an expected $277.4 billion this year, with most loans made by commercial banks, the farm credit system and the Farm Service Agency.
As prices for farmland soar, and farmers compete to buy and rent land, economists fear a collapse similar to the housing marker collapse if crop prices fall."
Background checks spiked after Sandy Hook shooting, says FBI director
Background checks spiked after Sandy Hook shooting, says FBI director - The Hill
"Director Robert Mueller told a House Appropriations panel on Tuesday that background check requests from licensed gun dealers has risen from an average of 54,000 each day to a current level of 81,000 every day since the Connecticut shooting, which killed 20 children and six adults.
The FBI has added about 200 people to its previously existing staff of 300 employees to ensure the background checks, conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), are completed within 3 days, according to Mueller."
"Director Robert Mueller told a House Appropriations panel on Tuesday that background check requests from licensed gun dealers has risen from an average of 54,000 each day to a current level of 81,000 every day since the Connecticut shooting, which killed 20 children and six adults.
The FBI has added about 200 people to its previously existing staff of 300 employees to ensure the background checks, conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), are completed within 3 days, according to Mueller."
Near-downtown Muskegon neighborhood residents ask for economic justice in farmers market relocation
Near-downtown Muskegon neighborhood residents ask for economic justice in farmers market relocation | MLive.com:
"Some like Roman Scott said he was dismayed that the issue of relocating the farmers market is being brought up to the Muskegon City Commission again after being rejected by the people several times in past years. "
"Some like Roman Scott said he was dismayed that the issue of relocating the farmers market is being brought up to the Muskegon City Commission again after being rejected by the people several times in past years. "
Muskegon Community College faculty to receive pay raise with new labor agreement | MLive.com
Muskegon Community College faculty to receive pay raise with new labor agreement | MLive.com
"The starting salary for faculty with master’s degrees increased from $42,000 to more than $51,000.
“Although that seems like a huge jump, we were getting to the point where we weren’t able to hire anyone at the entry level rate of pay,” Hilliard said.
Maximum salaries are $85,891 for someone with a master’s degree and $96,337 for faculty with a Ph.D.
The salary schedule includes 14 steps, each representing a 4 percent salary increase, that faculty advance on according to years of service and educational attainment. "
"The starting salary for faculty with master’s degrees increased from $42,000 to more than $51,000.
“Although that seems like a huge jump, we were getting to the point where we weren’t able to hire anyone at the entry level rate of pay,” Hilliard said.
Maximum salaries are $85,891 for someone with a master’s degree and $96,337 for faculty with a Ph.D.
The salary schedule includes 14 steps, each representing a 4 percent salary increase, that faculty advance on according to years of service and educational attainment. "
Chase Customers See Bank Balance Reduced to Zero
Chase Customers See Bank Balance Reduced to Zero Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
"Millions of Chase Bank customers were affected by an unfortunately timed glitch which resulted in their checking and savings accounts showing a zero balance for several hours yesterday, prompting many to take to Twitter and express panic that their money had been stolen."
"Millions of Chase Bank customers were affected by an unfortunately timed glitch which resulted in their checking and savings accounts showing a zero balance for several hours yesterday, prompting many to take to Twitter and express panic that their money had been stolen."
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
ABC Allows a Mere 20 Seconds to 'Outrage' Over Cyprus Tax Scheme to Fund Bailout
ABC Allows a Mere 20 Seconds to 'Outrage' Over Cyprus Tax Scheme to Fund Bailout | NewsBusters:
"Just how superficial is ABC?
On Monday and Tuesday, the network allowed a mere 20 seconds to "outrage" over a plan by the European Union that would have seized ten percent of the money Cyprus residents had in their bank accounts.
ABC's World News skipped the story entirely, as did Monday's Nightline.
Good Morning America on Tuesday offered 20 seconds.
In contrast, the program devoted over five minutes to important topics, such as the newest season of Dancing With the Stars."
"Just how superficial is ABC?
On Monday and Tuesday, the network allowed a mere 20 seconds to "outrage" over a plan by the European Union that would have seized ten percent of the money Cyprus residents had in their bank accounts.
ABC's World News skipped the story entirely, as did Monday's Nightline.
Good Morning America on Tuesday offered 20 seconds.
In contrast, the program devoted over five minutes to important topics, such as the newest season of Dancing With the Stars."
Hurley agreed to pay nurse to settle no-black-nurses lawsuit, documents show
Hurley agreed to pay nurse to settle no-black-nurses lawsuit, documents show | MLive.com:
"Nurse Tonya Battle, who works in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, filed a lawsuit claiming the hospital discriminated against her when it fulfilled a father’s request not to let black nurses treat his child. Both sides announced they settled the suit Feb. 22"
"Nurse Tonya Battle, who works in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, filed a lawsuit claiming the hospital discriminated against her when it fulfilled a father’s request not to let black nurses treat his child. Both sides announced they settled the suit Feb. 22"
Court filing: Attorney General Bill Schuette says right-to-work laws apply to state government workers
Court filing: Attorney General Bill Schuette says right-to-work laws apply to state government workers | MLive.com:
"Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed court documents saying that the state’s new right-to-work law applies to unionized state government workers.
The filing Tuesday is a response for defendants in a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of labor unions.
The unions argue that Michigan’s right-to-work law should not apply to roughly 35,000 unionized state employees."
"Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed court documents saying that the state’s new right-to-work law applies to unionized state government workers.
The filing Tuesday is a response for defendants in a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of labor unions.
The unions argue that Michigan’s right-to-work law should not apply to roughly 35,000 unionized state employees."
Family’s Home Raided over Facebook Photo of Child’s Rifle | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes
Family’s Home Raided over Facebook Photo of Child’s Rifle | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes:
New Jersey police and Dept. of Children and Families officials raided the home of a firearms instructor and demanded to see his guns after he posted a Facebook photo of his 11-year-old son holding a rifle.
“Someone called family services about the photo,” said Evan Nappen, an attorney representing Shawn Moore. “It led to an incredible, heavy-handed raid on his house. They wanted to see his gun safe, his guns and search his house. They even threatened to take his kids.”
Moore was not arrested or charged.
This is the Facebook photo that led to the police raid.
A Dept. of Children and Families spokesperson told Fox News they could not confirm or deny an investigation or raid had taken place due to government regulations.
“The department has a child abuse hotline for the state of New Jersey and anybody can make a call to that hotline,” spokesperson Kristen Brown said. “We are required to follow up on every single allegation that comes into the central registry.”
China Is Engineering Genius Babies
China Is Engineering Genius Babies | VICE United States:
"At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence.
Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelligence by five to 15 IQ points. "
"At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence.
Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelligence by five to 15 IQ points. "
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