Monday, September 09, 2013
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Advocate for anti-science and anti-vaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Advocate for anti-science and anti-vaccination.:
"Most of these issues are in the past. But there is an ongoing problem associated with a Kennedy, one I consider extremely troubling. Specifically it’s with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is an attorney, a radio host, and an environmental activist.
He is also, as it happens, a full-blown anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist.
And I do mean full-blown."
"Most of these issues are in the past. But there is an ongoing problem associated with a Kennedy, one I consider extremely troubling. Specifically it’s with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is an attorney, a radio host, and an environmental activist.
He is also, as it happens, a full-blown anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist.
And I do mean full-blown."
Final Tally: Americans Were 12 Times More Interested in Miley Cyrus Than Syria
Final Tally: Americans Were 12 Times More Interested in Miley Cyrus Than Syria - The Cut:
"Americans viewed twelve times as many pages about Miley Cyrus as they did about Syria — even though the news sources published 2.4 Syria articles for every one about Miley."
Proof we're on the brink of the Apocalypse.
We're doomed......
"Americans viewed twelve times as many pages about Miley Cyrus as they did about Syria — even though the news sources published 2.4 Syria articles for every one about Miley."
Proof we're on the brink of the Apocalypse.
We're doomed......
Companies and organizers prep for Michigan health insurance exchange rollout Oct. 1
Companies and organizers prep for Michigan health insurance exchange rollout Oct. 1 | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"Even those who understand the exchange might opt to pay the tax penalty that starts at just $95 the first year rather than pay an insurance premium, especially for these more generous policies.
By 2016, the penalty will be 2.5% of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher."
"Even those who understand the exchange might opt to pay the tax penalty that starts at just $95 the first year rather than pay an insurance premium, especially for these more generous policies.
By 2016, the penalty will be 2.5% of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher."
Michigan State learns from weather delay in season opener, improves Spartan Stadium evacuation process
Michigan State learns from weather delay in season opener, improves Spartan Stadium evacuation process | MLive.com:
"There have been just two evacuations in the 90-year history of Spartan Stadium.
Both have come within the past eight days."
"There have been just two evacuations in the 90-year history of Spartan Stadium.
Both have come within the past eight days."
The Pension Crisis is Worse Than We Thought
The Pension Crisis is Worse Than We Thought | Via Meadia:
"America’s pension crisis may be much worse than we thought.
A new report from State Budget Solutions looks at each state’s pension liabilities using a lower estimate of the rate of return than the states use themselves, and found that the country’s plans are underfunded by $4.1 trillion, and only 39 percent funded overall. "
"America’s pension crisis may be much worse than we thought.
A new report from State Budget Solutions looks at each state’s pension liabilities using a lower estimate of the rate of return than the states use themselves, and found that the country’s plans are underfunded by $4.1 trillion, and only 39 percent funded overall. "
Your tax (and tuition) dollars at work
RightMichigan.com || Your tax (and tuition) dollars at work:
"Meanwhile the university is on the hook for approximately $200,000 in salary and benefits for a tenured professor whose carcass it couldn't dispense with even if it wanted to, which, of course, it doesn't--bird of a feather and all that.
Danny Guthrie, the soft porn photography professor might be gone these days, and so too might be a closet Marxist here and there after serving a lifetime in academia working for the movement, but Penn will remain employed by the tax and tuition payers of Michigan for as long as he feels compelled to rape those for whom he is committed to serve and, uncomfortably, sometimes to offend. (Though once again, only out of class!)
Its the new American way."
"Meanwhile the university is on the hook for approximately $200,000 in salary and benefits for a tenured professor whose carcass it couldn't dispense with even if it wanted to, which, of course, it doesn't--bird of a feather and all that.
Danny Guthrie, the soft porn photography professor might be gone these days, and so too might be a closet Marxist here and there after serving a lifetime in academia working for the movement, but Penn will remain employed by the tax and tuition payers of Michigan for as long as he feels compelled to rape those for whom he is committed to serve and, uncomfortably, sometimes to offend. (Though once again, only out of class!)
Its the new American way."
Obama administration had restrictions on NSA reversed in 2011
Obama administration had restrictions on NSA reversed in 2011 - The Washington Post:
"The Obama administration secretly won permission from a surveillance court in 2011 to reverse restrictions on the National Security Agency’s use of intercepted phone calls and e-mails, permitting the agency to search deliberately for Americans’ communications in its massive databases, according to interviews with government officials and recently declassified material.
In addition, the court extended the length of time that the NSA is allowed to retain intercepted U.S. communications from five years to six years — and more under special circumstances, according to the documents, which include a recently released 2011 opinion by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, then chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court."
"The Obama administration secretly won permission from a surveillance court in 2011 to reverse restrictions on the National Security Agency’s use of intercepted phone calls and e-mails, permitting the agency to search deliberately for Americans’ communications in its massive databases, according to interviews with government officials and recently declassified material.
In addition, the court extended the length of time that the NSA is allowed to retain intercepted U.S. communications from five years to six years — and more under special circumstances, according to the documents, which include a recently released 2011 opinion by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, then chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court."
RUMBLINGS: RoboCop statue has good timing |
RUMBLINGS: RoboCop statue has good timing | Crain's Detroit Business:
"A 10-foot crowdfunded RoboCop statue is currently being bronzed at Venus Bronze Works in Detroit before an unveiling later this year. A Kickstarter campaign raised more than $60,000 for the statue. "
"A 10-foot crowdfunded RoboCop statue is currently being bronzed at Venus Bronze Works in Detroit before an unveiling later this year. A Kickstarter campaign raised more than $60,000 for the statue. "
Sunday, September 08, 2013
How America's Amazing Car Recovery Explains the U.S. Economy
Overdrive: How America's Amazing Car Recovery Explains the U.S. Economy - Derek Thompson - The Atlantic:
"Young vs. old might not be the most important binary for car companies.
That would be rich vs. poor.
The U.S. is beginning to look like the aristocratic auto market we're used to seeing in Europe, McAlinden said, where the top 25 percent buys most of the new cars and the bottom 75 percent only buys old and used."
"Young vs. old might not be the most important binary for car companies.
That would be rich vs. poor.
The U.S. is beginning to look like the aristocratic auto market we're used to seeing in Europe, McAlinden said, where the top 25 percent buys most of the new cars and the bottom 75 percent only buys old and used."
Left with nothing
Left with nothing | The Washington Post:
"All because he didn’t pay a $134 property tax bill.
The retired Marine sergeant lost his house on that summer day two years ago through a tax lien sale — an obscure program run by D.C. government that enlists private investors to help the city recover unpaid taxes.
For decades, the District placed liens on properties when homeowners failed to pay their bills, then sold those liens at public auctions to mom-and-pop investors who drew a profit by charging owners interest on top of the tax debt until the money was repaid.
But under the watch of local leaders, the program has morphed into a predatory system of debt collection for well-financed, out-of-town companies that turned $500 delinquencies into $5,000 debts — then foreclosed on homes when families couldn’t pay, a Washington Post investigation found."
"All because he didn’t pay a $134 property tax bill.
The retired Marine sergeant lost his house on that summer day two years ago through a tax lien sale — an obscure program run by D.C. government that enlists private investors to help the city recover unpaid taxes.
For decades, the District placed liens on properties when homeowners failed to pay their bills, then sold those liens at public auctions to mom-and-pop investors who drew a profit by charging owners interest on top of the tax debt until the money was repaid.
But under the watch of local leaders, the program has morphed into a predatory system of debt collection for well-financed, out-of-town companies that turned $500 delinquencies into $5,000 debts — then foreclosed on homes when families couldn’t pay, a Washington Post investigation found."
Michigan State University has abysmal transparency record
Steve Miller: Michigan State University has abysmal transparency record | MLive.com
But that “erosion” hasn’t halted the school from spending freely when it comes to attempting to prevent taxpayers from seeing public records.
The Lansing State Journal wondered earlier this year just how much the university was
getting for those luxury suites at Spartan Stadium. The newspaper reported in 2005 that a $64 million stadium upgrade included 24 suites that were to go for $80,000 a crack.
The paper wanted to see just what the return on that investment was, so it filed an open records request to find out who was paying what for the suites.
getting for those luxury suites at Spartan Stadium. The newspaper reported in 2005 that a $64 million stadium upgrade included 24 suites that were to go for $80,000 a crack.
The paper wanted to see just what the return on that investment was, so it filed an open records request to find out who was paying what for the suites.
But rather than deliver the records in accordance with the law, the school took six months to deliver the information, said attorney Herschel Fink, who represented the State Journal in a series of communications with the university over the matter.
Fink, considered widely as one of the state's premier First Amendment lawyers, told me
that “It seems I am always dealing with Michigan State over something.”
that “It seems I am always dealing with Michigan State over something.”
For the university, such a needless ordeal carries a price tag, money that could be passed
along in the name of education rather than obfuscation.
along in the name of education rather than obfuscation.
Michigan State, like so many other governmental units in the state, spends tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money attempting to hold onto information it is legally obligated to provide to the public.
This Day in History
My Way - My Way Today - This Day in History:
"1997 America Online acquired CompuServe."
Time does move quickly.....
"1997 America Online acquired CompuServe."
Time does move quickly.....
SHARIA IN THE MARKETPLACE: WAL-MART MANAGER FIRED FOR BURKA JOKE ON FACEBOOK
SHARIA IN THE MARKETPLACE: WAL-MART MANAGER FIRED FOR BURKA JOKE ON FACEBOOK (Geller, Atlas Shrugs) |:
"Wal-Mart, a company I have long defended against attacks from leftists and statists, has lost its way.
There is no other explanation for the firing of an employee at the behest of a Muslim Brotherhood group, an unindicted co-conspirator in the nation’s largest terror finding trial, CAIR.
Once of Wal-Mart’s employees published a silly and crass Facebook joke about the burka.
So what?
He made a remark on Facebook, not to them, not at them.
Hamas-CAIR bullied Wal-Mart into firing him.
No warning, no policy citations — just surrender to the sharia and the Islamic supremacists who enforce it in this country."
"Wal-Mart, a company I have long defended against attacks from leftists and statists, has lost its way.
There is no other explanation for the firing of an employee at the behest of a Muslim Brotherhood group, an unindicted co-conspirator in the nation’s largest terror finding trial, CAIR.
Once of Wal-Mart’s employees published a silly and crass Facebook joke about the burka.
So what?
He made a remark on Facebook, not to them, not at them.
Hamas-CAIR bullied Wal-Mart into firing him.
No warning, no policy citations — just surrender to the sharia and the Islamic supremacists who enforce it in this country."
Global cooling: Arctic ice caps grows by 60% against global warming predictions
Global cooling: Arctic ice caps grows by 60% against global warming predictions | Mail Online:
"A chilly Arctic summer has left nearly a million more square miles of ocean covered with ice than at the same time last year – an increase of 60 per cent.
The rebound from 2012’s record low comes six years after the BBC reported that global warming would leave the Arctic ice-free in summer by 2013.
Instead, days before the annual autumn re-freeze is due to begin, an unbroken ice sheet more than half the size of Europe already stretches from the Canadian islands to Russia’s northern shores."
"A chilly Arctic summer has left nearly a million more square miles of ocean covered with ice than at the same time last year – an increase of 60 per cent.
The rebound from 2012’s record low comes six years after the BBC reported that global warming would leave the Arctic ice-free in summer by 2013.
Instead, days before the annual autumn re-freeze is due to begin, an unbroken ice sheet more than half the size of Europe already stretches from the Canadian islands to Russia’s northern shores."
Worse than Jimmy Carter
Worse than Jimmy Carter | New York Post:
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Friday job numbers show the nation’s “labor force participation rate” — i.e., the percentage of Americans over 16 who have jobs, or are looking for one — dipped to 63.2 percent.
That beats the sad record of 63.4 percent set in 1978, a harbinger of the Carter-era stagflation and malaise to come.
.......The BLS reports that a record 90 million Americans eligible for work are sitting on the sidelines.
These workers don’t count as “unemployed,” hence the lower unemployment rate."
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Friday job numbers show the nation’s “labor force participation rate” — i.e., the percentage of Americans over 16 who have jobs, or are looking for one — dipped to 63.2 percent.
That beats the sad record of 63.4 percent set in 1978, a harbinger of the Carter-era stagflation and malaise to come.
.......The BLS reports that a record 90 million Americans eligible for work are sitting on the sidelines.
These workers don’t count as “unemployed,” hence the lower unemployment rate."
Numbers continue to be Stunning. 96 percent of net jobs added this year have been part-time jobs
John Lott's Website: Numbers continue to be Stunning. 96 percent of net jobs added this year have been part-time jobs:
"So far this year there have been 848,000 new jobs.
Of those, 813,000 are part time jobs (for both economic reasons and noneconomic reasons).
As can be seen in the above screen shots the BLS.gov, the total part-time jobs changed from 26.437 million in January to 27.250 million in August.
To put it differently, an incredible 96% of the jobs added this year were part-time jobs. "
"So far this year there have been 848,000 new jobs.
Of those, 813,000 are part time jobs (for both economic reasons and noneconomic reasons).
As can be seen in the above screen shots the BLS.gov, the total part-time jobs changed from 26.437 million in January to 27.250 million in August.
To put it differently, an incredible 96% of the jobs added this year were part-time jobs. "
When Tom Izzo speaks, Michigan State students listen
During a lightning delay at the Spartans football game, the students section refused to leave. Tom Izzo convinced them to. Because Tom Izzo is a legend.
Nearly $1 billion in bonuses paid from ailing Detroit pension fund
Nearly $1 billion in bonuses paid from ailing Detroit pension fund | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"One of Detroit’s two pension funds handed out nearly $1 billion in bonus cash payments over two decades to retirees and active employees’ retirement accounts instead of reinvesting the extra earnings for the future, according to a Free Press review of city records."
"One of Detroit’s two pension funds handed out nearly $1 billion in bonus cash payments over two decades to retirees and active employees’ retirement accounts instead of reinvesting the extra earnings for the future, according to a Free Press review of city records."
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Anti-War Celebs M.I.A. on Obama's Syria War Threat
Anti-War Celebs M.I.A. on Obama's Syria War Threat:
"Differences certainly exist between the drumbeat to war against Syria and the military action in Iraq. What's notable, however, is the lack of support Obama brings to the current potential conflict.
While Bush rallied dozens of nations for his war moves, this president has only France at his side."
"Differences certainly exist between the drumbeat to war against Syria and the military action in Iraq. What's notable, however, is the lack of support Obama brings to the current potential conflict.
While Bush rallied dozens of nations for his war moves, this president has only France at his side."
Prescription drugs found in Lake Michigan in high levels, new study shows
Prescription drugs found in Lake Michigan in high levels, new study shows | MLive.com: "The compounds were detected as far as two miles away from the treatment plant's discharge point, the study states."
Hey, if we give these guys more money, they'll fix it ......right?
Hey, if we give these guys more money, they'll fix it ......right?
Appeals court lifts injunction on Michigan law blocking union agreements on public construction projects
Appeals court lifts injunction on Michigan law blocking union agreements on public construction projects | MLive.com:
"LANSING -- Building and construction unions lost a key court decision Friday when a federal appeals panel upheld a Michigan law prohibiting public agencies from entering labor agreements for public construction projects."
BIG!
"LANSING -- Building and construction unions lost a key court decision Friday when a federal appeals panel upheld a Michigan law prohibiting public agencies from entering labor agreements for public construction projects."
BIG!
Post Proposal 2: Cities drop affirmative action tracking, with exception of Grand Rapids
Post Proposal 2: Cities drop affirmative action tracking, with exception of Grand Rapids | MLive.com:
"The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion released the report Friday.
The study examines the effect of the 2006 amendment to the Michigan constitution which eliminated affirmative action programs in education, state contracts and government employment.
One of the chief conclusions is that state and local governments are not tracking diversity statistics, particularly for law enforcement agencies outside the Michigan State Police."
The QuotaCowboyz are at it again!
"The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion released the report Friday.
The study examines the effect of the 2006 amendment to the Michigan constitution which eliminated affirmative action programs in education, state contracts and government employment.
One of the chief conclusions is that state and local governments are not tracking diversity statistics, particularly for law enforcement agencies outside the Michigan State Police."
The QuotaCowboyz are at it again!
Rep. Levin blasts Upton letter to Obamacare 'navigators'
Rep. Levin blasts Upton letter to Obamacare 'navigators' | Crain's Detroit Business:
"The four-page letter was sent to organizations that received federal grant money this summer to educate the public about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The letter asked the organizations for detailed accounting on how they will spend the federal grant money, how they will protect personal information during enrollment and for descriptions on training, supervision of employees and full documentation on how the organization received the grant.
"If you read this letter … its purpose is clear to make it more difficult for navigators to do this work," said Levin, who was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee when Obamacare was approved in 2010."
"The four-page letter was sent to organizations that received federal grant money this summer to educate the public about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The letter asked the organizations for detailed accounting on how they will spend the federal grant money, how they will protect personal information during enrollment and for descriptions on training, supervision of employees and full documentation on how the organization received the grant.
"If you read this letter … its purpose is clear to make it more difficult for navigators to do this work," said Levin, who was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee when Obamacare was approved in 2010."
Michigan road funding: Medicaid deal offers one-time fix but may hurt odds of long-term solution
Michigan road funding: Medicaid deal offers one-time fix but may hurt odds of long-term solution | MLive.com:
"Those savings -- likely to be smaller than initial projections because the Senate delayed implementation for three months -- may end up going to roads."
What a crock of lies dressed up as promises!
"Those savings -- likely to be smaller than initial projections because the Senate delayed implementation for three months -- may end up going to roads."
What a crock of lies dressed up as promises!
Kansas Changes Welfare Law, Will Cut An Estimated 20,000 People Off Welfare
Kansas Changes Welfare Law, Will Cut An Estimated 20,000 People Off Welfare:
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced today that an estimated 20,000 Kansas residents will soon have to work at least 20 hours per-week in order to continue receiving food stamps."
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced today that an estimated 20,000 Kansas residents will soon have to work at least 20 hours per-week in order to continue receiving food stamps."
Energy Department loses $42 million on loan to Michigan company VPG
Energy Department loses $42 million on loan to Michigan company VPG - Washington Times:
"The Energy Department conceded Friday that the federal government will lose $42 million on a loan to a shuttered Michigan van manufacturer — part of the same program that provided a $529 million loan to an electric car maker that also has gone under.
Vehicle Production Group (VPG), which made vans for the disabled, ceased operations in February and laid off 100 workers, two years after receiving a $50 million federal loan under the same clean-energy program that provided a $529 million loan to electric car maker Fisker Automotive Inc."
"The Energy Department conceded Friday that the federal government will lose $42 million on a loan to a shuttered Michigan van manufacturer — part of the same program that provided a $529 million loan to an electric car maker that also has gone under.
Vehicle Production Group (VPG), which made vans for the disabled, ceased operations in February and laid off 100 workers, two years after receiving a $50 million federal loan under the same clean-energy program that provided a $529 million loan to electric car maker Fisker Automotive Inc."
IRS spent $10,000 to make parody of Trump's 'Apprentice'
IRS spent $10,000 to make parody of Trump's 'Apprentice' - Washington Times:
"In 2012, the agency spent $2.2 million on videos, but will spend an estimated $139,000 this year."
"In 2012, the agency spent $2.2 million on videos, but will spend an estimated $139,000 this year."
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