Already fired twice, Tollway boss ousted again for allegedly sleeping on the job - Chicago Sun-Times:
"A $78,444-a-year Illinois Tollway garage supervisor who was fired twice by the state agency — only to win his job back both times — has been fired yet again after he was photographed seemingly sleeping at work.
Joseph Caffarello, 29, was terminated for not only snoozing on the job, but also for being “intimidating, threatening, abusive, condescending and loud’’ to the people he supervised, according to an audit released Thursday by the Tollway’s inspector general."
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Friday, March 29, 2013
New solar structure cools buildings in full sunlight, replacing air conditioners
New solar structure cools buildings in full sunlight, replacing air conditioners | KurzweilAI:
"Stanford University researchers have designed an entirely new form of cooling structure that cools even when the sun is shining, eliminating the need for air conditioning.
Such a structure could vastly improve the daylight cooling of buildings, cars, and other structures by reflecting sunlight back into space.
“We’ve developed a new type of structure that reflects the vast majority of sunlight, while at the same time it sends heat into that coldness, which cools manmade structures even in the day time,” explained Shanhui Fan, professor of electrical engineering and senior author of a Nano Letters paper.
The trick: (1) the reflector has to reflect as much of the sunlight as possible and (2) the structure also must efficiently radiate heat back into space — that is, within a specific wavelength range in which the atmosphere is nearly transparent."
"Stanford University researchers have designed an entirely new form of cooling structure that cools even when the sun is shining, eliminating the need for air conditioning.
Such a structure could vastly improve the daylight cooling of buildings, cars, and other structures by reflecting sunlight back into space.
“We’ve developed a new type of structure that reflects the vast majority of sunlight, while at the same time it sends heat into that coldness, which cools manmade structures even in the day time,” explained Shanhui Fan, professor of electrical engineering and senior author of a Nano Letters paper.
The trick: (1) the reflector has to reflect as much of the sunlight as possible and (2) the structure also must efficiently radiate heat back into space — that is, within a specific wavelength range in which the atmosphere is nearly transparent."
Lawmakers Demand Answers on $50-Million, Sequester-Eve TSA Uniform Deal
Lawmakers Demand Answers on $50-Million, Sequester-Eve TSA Uniform Deal | CNS News:
"....the TSA awarded the contract to VF Imagewear on Feb. 27, two days before $44 billion in automatic across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester, began being implemented on March 1.
By Mar. 4, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was warning of long lines at airports due to furloughs at the TSA because of the budget cuts, which are actually reductions in the increase in spending – more money total will be spent in 2013 than in 2012."
"....the TSA awarded the contract to VF Imagewear on Feb. 27, two days before $44 billion in automatic across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester, began being implemented on March 1.
By Mar. 4, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was warning of long lines at airports due to furloughs at the TSA because of the budget cuts, which are actually reductions in the increase in spending – more money total will be spent in 2013 than in 2012."
Proposed Obama Trade Agreement would Ban Buy America Laws
Top Stories - Proposed Obama Trade Agreement would Ban Buy America Laws - AllGov - News:
"The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has been negotiated largely in secret, would prevent the U.S. government from giving preference to American companies for federal contracts.
Around since the 1933, the so-called “Buy American” policy allows domestic companies to put in more costly bids for government work and still receive the contract, even if a foreign business offers to provide the product or service for less money."
"The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has been negotiated largely in secret, would prevent the U.S. government from giving preference to American companies for federal contracts.
Around since the 1933, the so-called “Buy American” policy allows domestic companies to put in more costly bids for government work and still receive the contract, even if a foreign business offers to provide the product or service for less money."
Twenty-year hiatus in rising temperatures has climate scientists puzzled
Twenty-year hiatus in rising temperatures has climate scientists puzzled | The Australian:
"Another paper published by leading climate scientist James Hansen, the head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, says the lower than expected temperature rise between 2000 and the present could be explained by increased emissions from burning coal."
"Another paper published by leading climate scientist James Hansen, the head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, says the lower than expected temperature rise between 2000 and the present could be explained by increased emissions from burning coal."
Survey: Majority support Muskegon County millage for school technology
Survey: Majority support Muskegon County millage for school technology | MLive.com:
"A proposed millage increase to pay for school technology is supported by a majority of adults polled in Muskegon County, according to the intermediate school district superintendent.
Of the 400 people who responded to a telephone survey, 68 percent were supportive of the proposed 10-year, 1-mill tax increase"
"A proposed millage increase to pay for school technology is supported by a majority of adults polled in Muskegon County, according to the intermediate school district superintendent.
Of the 400 people who responded to a telephone survey, 68 percent were supportive of the proposed 10-year, 1-mill tax increase"
Junior Plans to Milk Parents a Little Longer
Junior Plans to Milk Parents a Little Longer: Survey:
"While teens expect to rely on their parents more, teens also think they will be financially better off, or as well off as their parents with nearly 65 percent expressing this opinion, the AllState and Junior Achievement USA survey found.
That's up from up from 56 percent last year.
Teens were even more optimistic in Tru's survey, with 90 percent believing they'll be at least as well off as their parents.
.......Unemployment data overall paints a stark picture for young adults as they near the beginning of their careers.
Although the overall unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent in February, the jobless rate for those aged 20 to 24 years old stands at 13.1 percent."
"While teens expect to rely on their parents more, teens also think they will be financially better off, or as well off as their parents with nearly 65 percent expressing this opinion, the AllState and Junior Achievement USA survey found.
That's up from up from 56 percent last year.
Teens were even more optimistic in Tru's survey, with 90 percent believing they'll be at least as well off as their parents.
.......Unemployment data overall paints a stark picture for young adults as they near the beginning of their careers.
Although the overall unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent in February, the jobless rate for those aged 20 to 24 years old stands at 13.1 percent."
The Failure of Deterrence in Korea
The Failure of Deterrence in Korea | World Affairs Journal:
"In a poll released last month by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, 66 percent of South Koreans said they wanted their country to develop nuclear weapons to ward off attacks from North Korea.
In fact, only 48 percent of the population last year believed America would use nukes to retaliate against a North Korean nuclear strike against them, down 7 percent from 2011."
"In a poll released last month by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, 66 percent of South Koreans said they wanted their country to develop nuclear weapons to ward off attacks from North Korea.
In fact, only 48 percent of the population last year believed America would use nukes to retaliate against a North Korean nuclear strike against them, down 7 percent from 2011."
Are We Equal?
Are We Equal? - Walter E. Williams - [page]:
"Are women equal to men?
Are Jews equal to gentiles?
Are blacks equal to Italians, Irish, Polish and other white people?
The answer is probably a big fat no, and the pretense or assumption that we are equal -- or should be equal -- is foolhardy and creates mischief.
Let's look at it."
"Are women equal to men?
Are Jews equal to gentiles?
Are blacks equal to Italians, Irish, Polish and other white people?
The answer is probably a big fat no, and the pretense or assumption that we are equal -- or should be equal -- is foolhardy and creates mischief.
Let's look at it."
Smart Meters.. Cost, efficiency and health
Smart Meters.. Cost, efficiency and health | Ottawa County Patriots:
"Each meter, or portion of the smart energy program, equates to a capital expenditure of $417 per household assuming the MPSC allows CE to recoup the full $750M.
Additionally, utility capital expenditures are allowed a 10% rate of return thru the MPSC. This equates to another $42 per household or another $75M incurred for sheer smart meter profit, over a 7 yr period.
All this to replace meters that still have a useful life. Mr. McKee concurred."
"Each meter, or portion of the smart energy program, equates to a capital expenditure of $417 per household assuming the MPSC allows CE to recoup the full $750M.
Additionally, utility capital expenditures are allowed a 10% rate of return thru the MPSC. This equates to another $42 per household or another $75M incurred for sheer smart meter profit, over a 7 yr period.
All this to replace meters that still have a useful life. Mr. McKee concurred."
Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute, Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares: What Would America Look Like After ‘Getting Cyprused’?
Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute, Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares: What Would America Look Like After ‘Getting Cyprused’?
"Make no mistake about it; ‘The Great Cypriot Train Robbery’ adhered closely to the now accepted methodology of conquest by fear used successfully in America in 2008 when the banksters wanted their $750 billion bailout from Congress."
"Make no mistake about it; ‘The Great Cypriot Train Robbery’ adhered closely to the now accepted methodology of conquest by fear used successfully in America in 2008 when the banksters wanted their $750 billion bailout from Congress."
EPA taking aim at auto emissions, sulfur in gas
EPA taking aim at auto emissions, sulfur in gas - Yahoo! News:
"Reducing sulfur in gasoline and tightening emissions standards on cars beginning in 2017, as the Obama administration is proposing, would come with costs as well as rewards.
The cost at the pump for cleaner air across the country could be less than a penny or as high as 9 cents a gallon, depending on who is providing the estimate."
"Reducing sulfur in gasoline and tightening emissions standards on cars beginning in 2017, as the Obama administration is proposing, would come with costs as well as rewards.
The cost at the pump for cleaner air across the country could be less than a penny or as high as 9 cents a gallon, depending on who is providing the estimate."
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid: When Democrats Swore They Would Never Back Gay Marriage
Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid: When Democrats Swore They Would Never Back Gay Marriage
"The new Democratic advocates for SSM fall into two camps.
The first consists of people who always liked the idea of this but worried about losing national elections.
In his memoir, Democratic consultant Bob Shrum remembers John Kerry fretting that the Massachusetts Supreme Court had forced Democrats to talk about gay marriage before they were ready to.
"Why couldn't they just wait a year?" he asked Shrum, mournfully.
The second camp consists of people who really do oppose the idea of gay people getting married.
Republicans argued that this second camp was tiny, and that liberals were hiding behind it.
They were right!"
GREAT VIDEO!
"The new Democratic advocates for SSM fall into two camps.
The first consists of people who always liked the idea of this but worried about losing national elections.
In his memoir, Democratic consultant Bob Shrum remembers John Kerry fretting that the Massachusetts Supreme Court had forced Democrats to talk about gay marriage before they were ready to.
"Why couldn't they just wait a year?" he asked Shrum, mournfully.
The second camp consists of people who really do oppose the idea of gay people getting married.
Republicans argued that this second camp was tiny, and that liberals were hiding behind it.
They were right!"
GREAT VIDEO!
Buffalo Wild Wings Refuses Service For Police Officers Carrying Guns
Buffalo Wild Wings Refuses Service For Police Officers Carrying Guns « CBS DC:
"MANASSAS, Va. (CBSDC) — A server at Buffalo Wild Wings refused to serve Prince William County police officers because they had their guns displayed.
The Manassas Park Patch reports that the employee wouldn’t serve them despite the plain-clothes officers showing him their badges.
The server reportedly told the officers that it was a gun-free establishment."
"MANASSAS, Va. (CBSDC) — A server at Buffalo Wild Wings refused to serve Prince William County police officers because they had their guns displayed.
The Manassas Park Patch reports that the employee wouldn’t serve them despite the plain-clothes officers showing him their badges.
The server reportedly told the officers that it was a gun-free establishment."
Detroit emergency manager says he'll haggle with bondholders
Detroit emergency manager says he'll haggle with bondholders | Crain's Detroit Business:
"Detroit has about $8.6 billion of long-term bond debt, including $6.1 billion of non-general obligation debt, $963.4 million of general-obligation bonds and $1.5 billion of borrowings to fund pension liabilities, according to a report from a financial team that reviewed the city’s finances.
When other pension and retiree health-care obligations are included, the city burden totals almost $15 billion."
"Detroit has about $8.6 billion of long-term bond debt, including $6.1 billion of non-general obligation debt, $963.4 million of general-obligation bonds and $1.5 billion of borrowings to fund pension liabilities, according to a report from a financial team that reviewed the city’s finances.
When other pension and retiree health-care obligations are included, the city burden totals almost $15 billion."
GERMAN PAPER WARNS OF COMING ICE AGE:
Instapundit » Blog Archive »
"GERMAN PAPER WARNS OF COMING ICE AGE:
We may yet see some of the more grizzled would-be climate scientists who warned that global cooling was about to destroy the earth in the 1970s, told us that global warming was about to destroy the earth in more recent decades switch back to telling us that global cooling is soon to destroy the earth.
And all the while championing the same socialist formula to prevent mankind’s destruction — which is no doubt just right around the corner:"
(Video in link)
"GERMAN PAPER WARNS OF COMING ICE AGE:
We may yet see some of the more grizzled would-be climate scientists who warned that global cooling was about to destroy the earth in the 1970s, told us that global warming was about to destroy the earth in more recent decades switch back to telling us that global cooling is soon to destroy the earth.
And all the while championing the same socialist formula to prevent mankind’s destruction — which is no doubt just right around the corner:"
(Video in link)
Feds Spending $880,000 to Study Benefits of Snail Sex
Feds Spending $880,000 to Study Benefits of Snail Sex | CNS News:
"The study, first funded in 2011 and continuing until 2015, will study the New Zealand snails to see if it is better that they reproduce sexually or asexually – the snail can do both – hoping to gain insight on why so many organisms practice sexual reproduction."
"The study, first funded in 2011 and continuing until 2015, will study the New Zealand snails to see if it is better that they reproduce sexually or asexually – the snail can do both – hoping to gain insight on why so many organisms practice sexual reproduction."
VIDEO: Chicago Teachers Union President Recommends Lying to Parents!
VIDEO: Chicago Teachers Union President Recommends Lying to Parents! | Fox News Insider:
"Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis made an eyebrow-raising recommendation at an education conference that took place earlier this week, doling out “tips” that she said really work.
One of the suggestions?
Lie to parents.
“I used to love parent conferences, because I would just lie to the parents.
[I would say of their child], ‘he’s wonderful!’
And the parents would look at me like, are you talking about my kid?
And the kid would sit there like, when is she gonna blow the whistle on me?
Now, I have a hostage!”
"Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis made an eyebrow-raising recommendation at an education conference that took place earlier this week, doling out “tips” that she said really work.
One of the suggestions?
Lie to parents.
“I used to love parent conferences, because I would just lie to the parents.
[I would say of their child], ‘he’s wonderful!’
And the parents would look at me like, are you talking about my kid?
And the kid would sit there like, when is she gonna blow the whistle on me?
Now, I have a hostage!”
New e-mails reveal Feds not “forthright” about fake cell tower devices
New e-mails reveal Feds not “forthright” about fake cell tower devices | Ars Technica:
"Groups like the ACLU are concerned that unsupervised use of such technology can inadvertently collect information of people who are not suspected of any crime, nor under investigation."
"Groups like the ACLU are concerned that unsupervised use of such technology can inadvertently collect information of people who are not suspected of any crime, nor under investigation."
Surging Student-Loan Debt Is Crushing the System
Surging Student-Loan Debt Is Crushing the System:
"Credit-rating firm Equifax said $3.5 billion in government and private student loans went bad in the first three months of 2013, the most since the company began keeping track.
The U.S. Department of Education said 6.8 million federal student loan borrowers are now in default, representing $85 billion in debt.
And the department's systems for collecting the bad loans are struggling to keep up.
The Department's Office of Inspector General found in December that more than $1.1 billion in defaulted student loans were stuck in a sort of computer limbo."
"Credit-rating firm Equifax said $3.5 billion in government and private student loans went bad in the first three months of 2013, the most since the company began keeping track.
The U.S. Department of Education said 6.8 million federal student loan borrowers are now in default, representing $85 billion in debt.
And the department's systems for collecting the bad loans are struggling to keep up.
The Department's Office of Inspector General found in December that more than $1.1 billion in defaulted student loans were stuck in a sort of computer limbo."
Free Speech under Fire in Michigan Cattle Field
Free Speech under Fire in Michigan Cattle Field - By Patrick Brennan - The Corner - National Review Online
The judge, Steven Servaas, seemed sympathetic at the first hearing, expressing serious concerns over the township’s expansive definition of what speech it can regulate.
“My own feeling,” he said, “is that you have to be pretty careful about what you let the government stop you from saying.”
He got the township’s attorney to admit that a similarly sized sign with as anodyne a message as “I Love America” would be an unacceptable political display on private land, even if it weren’t visible from a road.
The government attorney further explained that “there is really no provision under the zoning ordinance that would allow a 300-square-foot sign that says the message that it says, or a commercial one, other than a billboard.”
Van Den Heuvel, however, believes there’s one clearly more important statute that gives Verduin the right to speak on his own property:
“The Constitution is clear.
What do we value highest?
We want a vigorous political dialogue, no matter what side you’re on.”
If found “not responsible” — like getting off of a traffic ticket — Verduin won’t have to pay the small fine and can keep his sign, but more important, the township will probably give up trying to enforce the rule anywhere.
If found “not responsible” — like getting off of a traffic ticket — Verduin won’t have to pay the small fine and can keep his sign, but more important, the township will probably give up trying to enforce the rule anywhere.
Americans Migrating To More Free GOP States With Better Income Growth
Americans Migrating To More Free GOP States With Better Income Growth - Investors.com
"Americans are migrating from less-free liberal states to more-free conservative states, where they are doing better economically, according to a new study published Thursday by the George Mason University's Mercatus Center.
....It found that the freest states tended to be conservative "red" states, while the least free were liberal "blue" states."
"Americans are migrating from less-free liberal states to more-free conservative states, where they are doing better economically, according to a new study published Thursday by the George Mason University's Mercatus Center.
....It found that the freest states tended to be conservative "red" states, while the least free were liberal "blue" states."
SNAIL SEX! Feds Spending $880,000 To Study SNAIL SEX!?!? Your Tax Dollars At Work
"The Lid": SNAIL SEX! Feds Spending $880,000 To Study SNAIL SEX!?!? Your Tax Dollars At Work
"Have you ever sat in your bed at night, stared at the ceiling and said to yourself,
"Gee, I wonder if there is any benefit to New Zealand mud snails having sex?"
Me neither.
Probably the only people who wonder about New Zealand mud snails also wonder why some duck penis' are in the shape of a corkscrew.
And our federal government is funding them both."
"Have you ever sat in your bed at night, stared at the ceiling and said to yourself,
"Gee, I wonder if there is any benefit to New Zealand mud snails having sex?"
Me neither.
Probably the only people who wonder about New Zealand mud snails also wonder why some duck penis' are in the shape of a corkscrew.
And our federal government is funding them both."
Feds Waste $3.8 Million to ‘Decrease Human-Elephant Conflict’
Feds Waste $3.8 Million to ‘Decrease Human-Elephant Conflict’ | Wizbang:
"The federal government is looking into the serious issue of the “conflict” between humans and elephants.
To help out on that important issue, the government generously gave $3.8 million of your tax dollars to study the matter.
The princely sum was awarded in 2011 and 2012 for the African Elephant Conservation grant and was sent to “any African government agency responsible for African elephant conservation and protection and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in African elephant conservation.”
Despite the millions offered, the federal government assured our African partners that no documentation or credentials were required to apply for the grant."
"The federal government is looking into the serious issue of the “conflict” between humans and elephants.
To help out on that important issue, the government generously gave $3.8 million of your tax dollars to study the matter.
The princely sum was awarded in 2011 and 2012 for the African Elephant Conservation grant and was sent to “any African government agency responsible for African elephant conservation and protection and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in African elephant conservation.”
Despite the millions offered, the federal government assured our African partners that no documentation or credentials were required to apply for the grant."
Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association increases rates amid discussions on changing no-fault auto insurance
Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association increases rates amid discussions on changing no-fault auto insurance | MLive.com:
"Michigan motorists will pay an extra $11 per year to cover the rising costs of the state's unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries.
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association on Wednesday announced it will increase the premium paid for catastrophic coverage by 6 percent to $186 per insured vehicle from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
The current assessment is $175, which represents a $30 increase from the previous year.
Michigan is the only state to offer unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries under its no-fault auto insurance system. "
"Michigan motorists will pay an extra $11 per year to cover the rising costs of the state's unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries.
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association on Wednesday announced it will increase the premium paid for catastrophic coverage by 6 percent to $186 per insured vehicle from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
The current assessment is $175, which represents a $30 increase from the previous year.
Michigan is the only state to offer unlimited lifetime medical care for auto-related injuries under its no-fault auto insurance system. "
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