Politics: MSNBC 'journalist' tries in vain to sign up for Obamacare - hilarity ensues | Best of Cain:
"So, MSNBC anchor and journalist, Mara Schiavocampo, was told to get on the exchange website and explain just how simple signing up for the new system is.
...then it crashed.
...then she called the help line, where she couldn't get any help.
...then she was trapped in voice-mail hell.
...then she spent a half hour on hold.
....then she got frustrated and gave up.
"At this point," Schiavocampo said, "I'm going to hang up and call it a day. If I were signing up for myself, this is where my patience would be exhausted.""
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Movin’ on out… of Illinois
Champion News | Movin’ on out… of Illinois:
"For Illinois, the share of outbound moves in total shipments has consistently been above 50 percent, meaning more households are moving out of state than into the state.
Since 2006, that outbound shipments percentage has trended higher, and in 2011, Illinois “led” the nation on this metric, ranking as the No. 1 state.
It slipped to No. 2 in 2012, barely trailing New Jersey (coincidentally, another state with pressing government fiscal strains).
The accelerating outmigration from Illinois isn’t just a Midwest-to-Sunbelt issue.
For example, chart here shows how Indiana has seen significant improvement since 2009 – in part as outmigration from Illinois has included moves to Indiana."
"For Illinois, the share of outbound moves in total shipments has consistently been above 50 percent, meaning more households are moving out of state than into the state.
Since 2006, that outbound shipments percentage has trended higher, and in 2011, Illinois “led” the nation on this metric, ranking as the No. 1 state.
It slipped to No. 2 in 2012, barely trailing New Jersey (coincidentally, another state with pressing government fiscal strains).
The accelerating outmigration from Illinois isn’t just a Midwest-to-Sunbelt issue.
For example, chart here shows how Indiana has seen significant improvement since 2009 – in part as outmigration from Illinois has included moves to Indiana."
The "Greatest Generation" and then there are these guys....WWII veterans storm D.C. memorial closed by government shutdown
WWII veterans storm D.C. memorial closed by government shutdown - News - Stripes:"WASHINGTON — Wheelchair-bound elderly veterans pushed aside barricades to tour the World War II Memorial Tuesday morning, in defiance of the government shutdown which closed all of the memorials in the nation’s capital.
The four bus loads of veterans — visiting from Mississippi as part of a once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight tour — ignored National Park Police instructions not to enter the site as lawmakers and tourists cheered them on.
“We didn’t come this far not to get in,” one veteran proclaimed.
The scene was both emotional and comical at once.
After it was clear they had lost control of the situation, Park Police officials stood aside, telling press that they had “asked for guidance on how to respond” to the breach of security."
WWII Vets Knock Over Shutdown Barrier to Visit Memorial
WWII Vets Knock Over Shutdown Barrier to Visit Memorial | Washington Free Beacon:
"A group of World War II veterans in an Honor Flight group Tuesday knocked over barriers imposed during the government shutdown at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., to get inside.
"A group of World War II veterans in an Honor Flight group Tuesday knocked over barriers imposed during the government shutdown at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., to get inside.
Why The Federal Government Wants To Redefine The Word 'Cancer'
Why The Federal Government Wants To Redefine The Word 'Cancer' - Forbes:
"The federal government wants to reduce the number of Americans diagnosed each year with cancer.
But not by better preventive care or healthier living.
Instead, the government wants to redefinethe term “cancer” so that fewer conditions qualify as a true cancer.
What does this mean for ordinary Americans — and should we be concerned?
"The federal government wants to reduce the number of Americans diagnosed each year with cancer.
But not by better preventive care or healthier living.
Instead, the government wants to redefinethe term “cancer” so that fewer conditions qualify as a true cancer.
What does this mean for ordinary Americans — and should we be concerned?
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
EPA official who faked CIA ties takes the Fifth -Keeps pension
EPA official who faked CIA ties takes the Fifth - Erica Martinson - POLITICO.com:
"The former senior EPA adviser who stole $900,000 from taxpayers while posing as a CIA agent pleaded the Fifth on Tuesday morning — shortly before House members expressed outrage upon learning that he’s still due to get his government pension."
"The former senior EPA adviser who stole $900,000 from taxpayers while posing as a CIA agent pleaded the Fifth on Tuesday morning — shortly before House members expressed outrage upon learning that he’s still due to get his government pension."
Doh!....Search | HealthCare.gov
Well, the Obamacare checkin system is down so I tried the helpful "search" function......
I have Dupuytren's disease.
Had 14 hand surgeries.
Got some serious gimp-fingers.
I guess I'm gonna need a bigger healthcare plan......
Search | HealthCare.gov
I have Dupuytren's disease.
Had 14 hand surgeries.
Got some serious gimp-fingers.
I guess I'm gonna need a bigger healthcare plan......
Search | HealthCare.gov
Yerrrrr OUT!-First day batting average for online Obamacare applications
First day batting average for online Obamacare applications: .000 - Health Exchange - MarketWatch: "President Barack Obama was right when he said there would be a few glitches when signups for the Affordable Care Act began on Tuesday — there were at least 51 of them.
A quick check of all the state Web sites where exchanges have been set up — plus the HealthCare.gov site that will service three-fourths of the country — shows that it was virtually impossible to sign up on the first day."
A quick check of all the state Web sites where exchanges have been set up — plus the HealthCare.gov site that will service three-fourths of the country — shows that it was virtually impossible to sign up on the first day."
Even computers on furlough-Dept. of Ed Shuts Down Web Site. Common Core Hearing Tomorrow
Dept. of Ed Shuts Down Web Site. Common Core Hearing Tomorrow:
"The Michigan Department of Education's website is expected to go dark today because the Legislature has failed to act on allowing the department to spend money to implement the Common Core State Standards, which are integrated throughout the site.
In a memo that went out to school administrators statewide Monday, MDE officials said the site -www.michigan.gov/mde - has to be taken down....
...."If we cannot expend funds on any information, or support and assistance to local schools, then we have to scrub our entire website and restore pages as they are deemed fit," State Superintendent Mike Flanagan said in the Monday memo."
"The Michigan Department of Education's website is expected to go dark today because the Legislature has failed to act on allowing the department to spend money to implement the Common Core State Standards, which are integrated throughout the site.
In a memo that went out to school administrators statewide Monday, MDE officials said the site -www.michigan.gov/mde - has to be taken down....
...."If we cannot expend funds on any information, or support and assistance to local schools, then we have to scrub our entire website and restore pages as they are deemed fit," State Superintendent Mike Flanagan said in the Monday memo."
Commander-in-chief cancels football games tellin' us who's boss-BIG TIME
Government shutdown threatens cancellation of college football games involving service academies - ESPN:
"Two college football games on Saturday -- Air Force at Navy and Army at Boston College -- are in danger of being canceled due to the government shutdown caused when Congress did not pass a spending bill to fund the government.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that it has temporarily suspended all sports contests at the nation's service academies due to the impasse, which put 800,000 federal workers on furlough."
"Two college football games on Saturday -- Air Force at Navy and Army at Boston College -- are in danger of being canceled due to the government shutdown caused when Congress did not pass a spending bill to fund the government.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that it has temporarily suspended all sports contests at the nation's service academies due to the impasse, which put 800,000 federal workers on furlough."
Trees petrified! US Forest Services non-essential services reduced!
See how the Muskegon area is being affected by federal government shutdown | MLive.com:
"“Due to the lapse in federal government funding, the U.S. Forest Service, as with other federal agencies, is closed with the exception of certain essential services,” the forests' staff wrote in a statement on the forests' website."
"“Due to the lapse in federal government funding, the U.S. Forest Service, as with other federal agencies, is closed with the exception of certain essential services,” the forests' staff wrote in a statement on the forests' website."
Too broke to fix roads, help kids in Detroit but lots of moolah for the rich counties-Michigan budget extends dental care to 64,000 kids
Michigan budget extends dental care to 64,000 kids | Crain's Detroit Business:
"LANSING — About half of Michigan's Medicaid-eligible children and young adults now qualify for dental coverage.
An additional 64,000 kids in Ingham, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties are included in the Healthy Kids Dental program in the state budget that took effect today.
The program is available to a half-million enrollees under age 21 in 78 of Michigan's 83 counties.
It remains unavailable to nearly a half-million poor kids in heavily populated Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Kalamazoo counties."
"LANSING — About half of Michigan's Medicaid-eligible children and young adults now qualify for dental coverage.
An additional 64,000 kids in Ingham, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties are included in the Healthy Kids Dental program in the state budget that took effect today.
The program is available to a half-million enrollees under age 21 in 78 of Michigan's 83 counties.
It remains unavailable to nearly a half-million poor kids in heavily populated Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Kalamazoo counties."
Black-hole eruption nearby is a warning for us all
Black-hole eruption nearby is a warning for us all - opinion - 30 September 2013 - New Scientist
We might take it as further evidence of the precariousness of our existence: how the universe teems with threats, some still unsuspected, that might wipe us out in an instant.
Had our planet orbited a star closer to the Milky Way's black hole, it would have been bathed in radiation – probably killing off our ancestors.
We might take it as further evidence of the precariousness of our existence: how the universe teems with threats, some still unsuspected, that might wipe us out in an instant.
Had our planet orbited a star closer to the Milky Way's black hole, it would have been bathed in radiation – probably killing off our ancestors.
Fraud firm gets OK to sign people up for ObamaCare
Fraud firm gets OK to sign people up for ObamaCare | New York Post:
"Rampant fraud on a New York City contract last year didn’t stop a major nonprofit from landing a slew of federal contracts to sign people up for ObamaCare.
Seedco, a New York-based community-development organization, was sued by the federal government for faking at least 1,400 of 6,500 job placements under a $22.2 million federally funded contract with the city.
Eighteen months later, the feds and Seedco are teaming up again, this time to help medical-insurance seekers maneuver through the maze that is the Affordable Health Care Act."
"Rampant fraud on a New York City contract last year didn’t stop a major nonprofit from landing a slew of federal contracts to sign people up for ObamaCare.
Seedco, a New York-based community-development organization, was sued by the federal government for faking at least 1,400 of 6,500 job placements under a $22.2 million federally funded contract with the city.
Eighteen months later, the feds and Seedco are teaming up again, this time to help medical-insurance seekers maneuver through the maze that is the Affordable Health Care Act."
The answer-It ain't our money....Government shutdown won't be felt in Detroit -- as long as it ends quickly...
Government shutdown won't be felt in Detroit -- as long as it ends quickly, state says | Crain's Detroit Business:
"But if it drags on longer there will no doubt be ramifications as more than 40 percent of the state's roughly $50 billion budget is made up of federal funding."
"But if it drags on longer there will no doubt be ramifications as more than 40 percent of the state's roughly $50 billion budget is made up of federal funding."
The religion of "peace"........Arifa Bibi Stoned To Death in Pakistan for Possessing a Cell Phone
Arifa Bibi Stoned To Death in Pakistan for Possessing a Cell Phone:
"“Stoning is a cruel and hideous punishment,” said Shameem.
“It is a form of torturing someone to death.
It is one of the most brutal forms of violence perpetrated against women in order to control and punish their sexuality and basic freedoms.”"
"“Stoning is a cruel and hideous punishment,” said Shameem.
“It is a form of torturing someone to death.
It is one of the most brutal forms of violence perpetrated against women in order to control and punish their sexuality and basic freedoms.”"
Dallas Acquires MRAP Armored Vehicle As Militarization Of Police Continues
Dallas Acquires MRAP Armored Vehicle As Militarization Of Police Continues - Investors.com:
"In early August, a SWAT team broke through the gates of a 3.5-acre farm in Arlington, Texas, that promotes a sustainable lifestyle and did a 10-hour search of the property. Residents were handcuffed and held at gunpoint as police looked for nonexistent marijuana plants and various city code violations.
As the owners watched, 10 tons of their private property was hauled off in trucks — dangerous items such as blackberry bushes, okra, tomatillo plants, native grasses and sunflowers that provided food and bedding for animals, everything from furniture to compost.
The city said the code citations were issued to the farm after complaints by neighbors "concerned that the conditions" at the farm "interfere with the useful enjoyment of their properties and are detrimental to property values and community appearance."
"In early August, a SWAT team broke through the gates of a 3.5-acre farm in Arlington, Texas, that promotes a sustainable lifestyle and did a 10-hour search of the property. Residents were handcuffed and held at gunpoint as police looked for nonexistent marijuana plants and various city code violations.
As the owners watched, 10 tons of their private property was hauled off in trucks — dangerous items such as blackberry bushes, okra, tomatillo plants, native grasses and sunflowers that provided food and bedding for animals, everything from furniture to compost.
The city said the code citations were issued to the farm after complaints by neighbors "concerned that the conditions" at the farm "interfere with the useful enjoyment of their properties and are detrimental to property values and community appearance."
Do they not understand we're BROKE?!!!!
Tax increase for Muskegon County-wide school technology likely on February ballot | MLive.com:
"The February date was chosen so as not to interfere with a millage request from Muskegon Community College, Sipka said.
The college is asking voters on Nov. 5 to approve $24 million in improvements, which will include some sort of a presence in downtown Muskegon."
"The February date was chosen so as not to interfere with a millage request from Muskegon Community College, Sipka said.
The college is asking voters on Nov. 5 to approve $24 million in improvements, which will include some sort of a presence in downtown Muskegon."
Monday, September 30, 2013
Dog Chews Off Owner's Toe and Saves His Life- Jerry Douthett and Kiko
MICHIGAN– Forget the nagging wifeclichés – a gnawing dog may be good for your health. A drunk man who’d passed out woke to find his toe amputated by his pet terrier. Good thing, because it led to a diabetes diagnosis. This dog, like many others, seems to have the ability to detect illness. – Global Animal
Associated Press–
A Michigan man says he’s grateful his dog ate most of his toe while he was passed out drunk.
Jerry Douthett of Rockford says Kiko’s action helped uncover an undiagnosed diabetic condition and led to treatment that could save his life.
The Grand Rapids Press reported that the 48-year-old musician knew for a while something was wrong with his foot.
He resisted seeking care until giving in to his nurse wife’s pressure one day last month.
Before going for an appointment, Douthett says he went out drinking, then came home and passed out.
When he awoke, the terrier was beside him in bed and lots of blood was where his toe used to be.
His wife rushed him to Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus, where doctors found a bone infection and amputated the rest of the toe.
ObamaCare Mandate To Shut Down Little Sisters Of The Poor
ObamaCare Mandate To Shut Down Little Sisters Of The Poor - Investors.com:
"HHS has ruled that if the Sisters don't offer insurance policies to their employees that include free coverage for sterilization procedures, artificial contraceptives and abortifacients, these vowed-to-poverty women will have to pay about $1 million in IRS fines, effectively making their work nearly impossible."
"HHS has ruled that if the Sisters don't offer insurance policies to their employees that include free coverage for sterilization procedures, artificial contraceptives and abortifacients, these vowed-to-poverty women will have to pay about $1 million in IRS fines, effectively making their work nearly impossible."
Militarization Of Police Continues-SWATs Up?
Dallas Acquires MRAP Armored Vehicle As Militarization Of Police Continues - Investors.com:
"The SWAT raid came after "the Arlington Police Department received a number of complaints that the same property owner was cultivating marijuana plants on the premises," the city's statement said.
So why not just knock on the door with a search warrant?
An Arlington spokeswoman said the raid was perfectly legal and appropriate.
"The purpose was to improve the quality of life, to resolve safety issues within neighborhoods and to hold the property owner responsible for creating blight conditions on their property," she stated, not really explaining how this or even marijuana cultivation requires a SWAT team."
"The SWAT raid came after "the Arlington Police Department received a number of complaints that the same property owner was cultivating marijuana plants on the premises," the city's statement said.
So why not just knock on the door with a search warrant?
An Arlington spokeswoman said the raid was perfectly legal and appropriate.
"The purpose was to improve the quality of life, to resolve safety issues within neighborhoods and to hold the property owner responsible for creating blight conditions on their property," she stated, not really explaining how this or even marijuana cultivation requires a SWAT team."
How A Wearable Patch Could Help Prevent Mosquito Bites
ToyotaVoice: How A Wearable Patch Could Help Prevent Mosquito Bites - Forbes:
"Kite, a new wearable patch, may be the solution to the fight against mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
A team of scientists developed Kite to block the way mosquitoes track humans through the CO2 we release as we breathe.
The patch, which works for up to 48 hours, doesn’t use the harmful chemicals used in traditional bug repellents, yet it practically makes a person invisible to pesky mosquitoes."
"Kite, a new wearable patch, may be the solution to the fight against mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
A team of scientists developed Kite to block the way mosquitoes track humans through the CO2 we release as we breathe.
The patch, which works for up to 48 hours, doesn’t use the harmful chemicals used in traditional bug repellents, yet it practically makes a person invisible to pesky mosquitoes."
Oh Great, Facebook Wants to Know When You're Being Sarcastic
RealClearTechnology - Oh Great, Facebook Wants to Know When You're Being Sarcastic:
"Facebook can’t detect sarcasm, for example.
If you post on your wall that you “just can’t wait for more news” about your long-estranged school friend’s daily calorie intake as they pursue yet another fad diet, it will take you at your word and send you “helpful” links to celebrity weight loss programmes.
Deep learning is an attempt to tap into these more subtle aspects of human thought, building on what we have already achieved in machine learning."
"Facebook can’t detect sarcasm, for example.
If you post on your wall that you “just can’t wait for more news” about your long-estranged school friend’s daily calorie intake as they pursue yet another fad diet, it will take you at your word and send you “helpful” links to celebrity weight loss programmes.
Deep learning is an attempt to tap into these more subtle aspects of human thought, building on what we have already achieved in machine learning."
Judge approves deal in Alabama prison case over HIV-State taxpayers fund ACLU for plans of big lawsuit for when inmates get HIV
Judge approves deal in Alabama prison case over HIV | The Montgomery Advertiser | montgomeryadvertiser.com:
"MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a settlement to end the segregation of HIV-positive inmates in Alabama prisons.
.....The American Civil Liberties Union represents inmates who sued to end the practice.
Thompson approved $1.3 million in legal fees and expenses that will have to be paid by the state."
"MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a settlement to end the segregation of HIV-positive inmates in Alabama prisons.
.....The American Civil Liberties Union represents inmates who sued to end the practice.
Thompson approved $1.3 million in legal fees and expenses that will have to be paid by the state."
Ridiculous, onerous, budget-busting, unfair, stolen, criminal Pensions Give New Meaning To 'If It's Too Good To Be True'
Generous Pensions Give New Meaning To 'If It's Too Good To Be True' - Forbes:
"Nationally, state plans covering public employees of cities, police, etc. are underfunded by $1.4 trillion, or 14 followed by 11 zeros.
To correct that underfunding, you have to take the entire gross domestic product of Norway, add it to Belgium, and throw in Austria, and give all that to the states.
Raising taxes will not work because there is just too much money to raise.
Moreover, many residents wonder why they have to pay high taxes to fund state pensions that are much more generous than they could ever receive.
Some states replace nearly 90% of an employee’s annual salary, with yearly increases greater than the cost of living.
Some employees can retire at full pension at age 55 or earlier, and they contribute far less than a private employee’s must pay."
"Nationally, state plans covering public employees of cities, police, etc. are underfunded by $1.4 trillion, or 14 followed by 11 zeros.
To correct that underfunding, you have to take the entire gross domestic product of Norway, add it to Belgium, and throw in Austria, and give all that to the states.
Raising taxes will not work because there is just too much money to raise.
Moreover, many residents wonder why they have to pay high taxes to fund state pensions that are much more generous than they could ever receive.
Some states replace nearly 90% of an employee’s annual salary, with yearly increases greater than the cost of living.
Some employees can retire at full pension at age 55 or earlier, and they contribute far less than a private employee’s must pay."
The Associated Press=Unpaid (until later....wink, wink....) PR firm of democrat party
The Associated Press Goes to Bat For the Democratic Party | Power Line:
"The AP pretends to be a neutral, just-the-facts information source, but it is nothing of the kind.
While there are some good reporters at the AP, the overwhelming majority function, as to issues that are politically controversial, as advocates for the Democratic Party."
"The AP pretends to be a neutral, just-the-facts information source, but it is nothing of the kind.
While there are some good reporters at the AP, the overwhelming majority function, as to issues that are politically controversial, as advocates for the Democratic Party."
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