History for January 22

History for January 22 - On-This-Day.com:

Birth anniversary Francis Bacon (1561-1626)  

Happy Birthday! Linda Blair

1771 - The Falkland Islands were ceded to Britain by Spain. 

1901 - Queen Victoria of England died after reigning for nearly 64 years. Edward VII, her son, succeeded her. 


1944 - Allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy, during World War II. 


1950 - Alger Hiss, a former adviser to U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, was convicted of perjury for denying contacts with a Soviet agent. He was sentenced to five years in prison. 

1970 - The first regularly scheduled commercial flight of the Boeing 747 began in New York City and ended in London about 6 1/2 hours later. 

1973 - Joe Frazier lost the first fight of his professional career to George Foreman. He been the undefeated heavyweight world champion since February 16, 1970 when he knocked out Jimmy Ellis. 


1973 - The U.S. Supreme Court struck down state laws that had been restricting abortions during the first six months of pregnancy. The case (Roe vs. Wade) legalized abortion. 


1997 - The U.S. Senate confirmed Madeleine Albright as the first female secretary of state. 

Obama Regulations To Shut Down 40 Percent Of Nation’s Electricity

Obama Regulations To Shut Down 40 Percent Of Nation’s Electricity | The Minority Report Blog:
"If that wasn’t bad enough, some observers think the regulations could double electricity rates for average households. 
The rates would increase because utilities would have to pass the cost onto ratepayers of replacing coal burning power plants or modernizing them to comply with the regulations.
The EPA rules — Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants — are part of Obama’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which the agency says contribute to global warming."

Conservatives Embrace Fancy Book Learnin’!

Conservatives Embrace Fancy Book Learnin’! - Kurt Schlichter - Page full:

"Who hasn’t had some liberal sneer at him, “Why don’t you conservatives go read a book?”
This powerful critique of the intellectual deficiencies of my ideological brethren always cuts me to the bone.
I’m usually so upset that I run weeping to my fine German touring sedan, completely forgetting to tip the nose-studded holder of a degree in Gender Neutral Puppetry who pointed out my educational failings while he fetched my latte."

Retaliation!-----Geithner Warned S&P Chairman US Would Retaliate For Downgrade

Geithner Warned S&P Chairman US Would Retaliate For Downgrade | Zero Hedge:
"Who can forget Tim Geithner's historic interview from April 2011, in which he said:
Peter Barnes
“Is there a risk that the United States could lose its AAA credit rating?
Yes or no?”
Geithner’s response: “No risk of that.”
“No risk?” Barnes asked.
“No risk,” Geithner said. 
Considering that the US was downgraded by S&P just 4 months later, one person who certainly will never forget his idiotic preannouncement, is the former Treasury secretary, Tim Geithner.
And being the sore loser that everyone suspected he was (although one hopes his recent well-paid move to Warburg Pincus will help soothe his sensitivity) it will come as no surprise that Geithner told the Chairman of embattled rating agency Standard & Poor's, that its downgrade of the US from AAA to AA+ "would be met by a response.""

Idle de Blasio staffers paid to play while waiting for roles

Idle de Blasio staffers paid to play while waiting for roles | New York Post:
"More than a dozen mayoral staffers have been awaiting job placements for three weeks — and have so little to do that they’re watching Netflix and playing cards while on the government payroll, The Post has learned.
......But since de Blasio took office on Jan. 2, they’ve been “twiddling their thumbs” in a third-floor office at 253 Broadway across from City Hall watching movies, playing cards, learning a second language or going on afternoon shopping sprees downtown.
The bored staffers have even been betting on how late the persistently tardy mayor will be at his press "

L. Brooks Patterson Slams Detroit: ‘The Truth Hurts… Tough S***’

L. Brooks Patterson Slams Detroit: ‘The Truth Hurts… Tough S***’ « CBS Detroit:
"“Anytime I talk about Detroit, it will not be positive.
Therefore, I’m called a Detroit basher,” he said.
”The truth hurts, you know?
Tough s***.”

The 75-year-old Republican went on to say he warned his children never to travel to Detroit.
“I used to say to my kids, ‘First of all, there’s no reason for you to go to Detroit.
We’ve got restaurants out here.’
They don’t even have movie theatres in Detroit — not one,” he said.

Patterson said the one thing Detroit offers that the suburbs can’t is live sports – and even then a trip to the city is quite risky. 
“For that, fine — get in and get out,” he said. 
“But park right next to the venue — spend the extra 20 or 30 bucks.
And, before you go to Detroit, you get your gas out here.
You do not, do not, under any circumstances, stop in Detroit at a gas station! 
That’s just a call for a carjacking.”"

MightyMac.org - The Mackinac Bridge

Timeline Photos - MightyMac.org - The Mackinac Bridge:




MightyMac.org - The Mackinac Bridge
Sunday Jan 19th 8:59 AM
Currently the Mackinac Bridge is experiencing winds of sufficient force in the Straits area to require an escort of certain "high profile" vehicles across the Mackinac Bridge. 

High profile vehicles include pickup trucks with campers; cars with small boats, bicycles or luggage attached to the roof; Ryder or U-Haul trucks; any vehicle pulling a boat; semi-tractors with enclosed trailers and all trailers with side walls over two feet in height.
Motorists are asked to reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour as they approach the bridge and be prepared to stop. 

Bridge personnel are stationed at both ends of the structure to provide instructions regarding how and when to proceed across the bridge.

Storm troopers?----------Delaware County Gun Shop Raided And Closed

Delaware County Gun Shop Raided And Closed:
"Lyn’s Leisure Tyme Gun Shop in Davenport, Delaware County has been raided and closed.
The person who answered the phone at the store on Sunday morning, when asked if this was Lyn’s Gun Shop, replied “we used to be.”
The individual confirmed there had been a raid Thursday night, but refused to comment further and would not state which law enforcement agency had conducted the raid or why.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday there had been activity at Lyn’s Gun Shop on Thursday, but stated it was action by the ATF (Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)
A call to the ATF requesting more information was not immediately returned."

This Nazi Beach Holiday Resort Stands Completely Empty

This Nazi Beach Holiday Resort Stands Completely Empty:

"This 10,000 Room Hotel Has Never Had A Single Guest. There’s A Very Deadly Reason For That."

What you don't know CAN hurt you-----This is what BWL thinks of its customers

Steve Miller: This is what BWL thinks of its customers | MLive.com:

"The reason for the piece was that the retiree, Steve Harry, had obtained and published the salaries of employees of the BWL, through an open records request.

Harry found that 86 BWL employees in 2008 made at least $30,000 more than their base salaries, and almost half of those had surpassed their base salaries by between $2,000 and almost $12,000. BWL had 76 employees that year with gross earnings over $100,000.

These are eye-popping figures for a public agency.
And damn good work for a guy who claims to be no journalist.
Harry told me last week that he became curious about the BWL when someone told him “once you got a job at BWL, you had it made. 
So I decided to find out a bit more about why that was.”"

Who’d a thunk-it? All 9 movies nominated for Best Picture were filmed in jurisdictions with movie production incentives

Who’d a thunk-it? All 9 movies nominated for Best Picture were filmed in jurisdictions with movie production incentives | AEIdeas:

"The important question is: do these incentives pay off for the states?

 The answer is no.

Similar to most targeted tax breaks, movie production incentives routinely fail to deliver on the economic promises made by their proponents.

Supporters frequently claim movie incentives create jobs and lead to net gains in tax revenue.

However, data from several states find movie production incentives generate less than 30 cents for every lost dollar in tax revenue."

Who-d a-thunk it? When government hands out money or creates artificial incentives, there’s waste, fraud, and abuse?

Who-d a-thunk it? When government hands out money or creates artificial incentives, there’s waste, fraud, and abuse? | AEIdeas:

Exhibit A: Two men have been charged by the FBI for allegedly defrauding the Renewable Fuel Standard credit system for $37 million in a biofuels scheme.

The Perverted Science of Global Warming Gets Dirty(er)

The Perverted Science of Global Warming Gets Dirty(er) - John Ransom - Townhall Finance Conservative Columnists and Financial Commentary - Page 1:

"Years ago I offered to shave my head bald and eat a can of dog food if someone—anyone-- could show me a credible scientific paper that demonstrates how the earth would cool even a fraction of a degree Fahrenheit by enacting a carbon tax here in the United States, such as the one proposed by the Democrats in 2009 and 2010.

I’m still waiting."

Liberal storm troopers in NYC--Cops bloody old man — for jaywalking

Cops bloody old man — for jaywalking | New York Post:

"Cops bloodied an 84-year-old man and put him in the hospital Sunday when he jaywalked at an Upper West Side intersection and didn’t appear to understand their orders to stop, witnesses said.

Kang Wong was strolling north on Broadway and crossing 96th Street at around 5 p.m., when an officer told him to halt because he had walked against the light.

Police were targeting jaywalkers in the area following the third pedestrian fatality this month around West 96th Street.
Wong, who lives a block away, appeared to not understand the cop, the witnesses said.

“The guy didn’t seem to speak English. 

The cop walked him over to the Citibank” near the northeast corner of 96th and Broadway, said one witness, Ian King, a Fordham University law student.

“[The officer] stood him up against the wall and was trying to write him a ticket.

The man didn’t seem to understand, and he started walking away."

Super Bowl Commercials 2014: What to Expect from Super Bowl XLVIII Ad Lineup

Super Bowl Commercials 2014: What to Expect from Super Bowl XLVIII Ad Lineup | Bleacher Report:
"There will still be a few ads that sneak up on us, but we already have plenty of information at our disposal. Here is a look at what to expect from your non-game action. "

Watch What Happens When Jesse Watters Asks Hollywood Celebs If They Are Disappointed With Obama

Watch What Happens When Jesse Watters Asks Hollywood Celebs If They Are Disappointed With Obama | Video | TheBlaze.com:

Wow! Detroit with worse weather and different but still unappealing accents----A crumbling Sochi hides behind Olympic facades

A crumbling Sochi hides behind Olympic facades | Fox News:

"SOCHI, RUSSIA –  A shining new $635 million highway on the outskirts of Sochi stands next to a crumbling apartment block with a red "SOS!" banner on its roof.

 The residents of 5a Akatsy street have lived for years with no running water or sewage system. 

Construction for the 2014 Winter Games has made their lives more miserable: The new highway has cut them off from the city center.

Even their communal outhouse had to be torn down because it was found to be too close to the new road and ruled an eyesore."

History for January 21

History for January 21 - On-This-Day.com

Birth anniversary of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen (1738-89).

Birth anniversaries of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson (1824-63); legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack (1938-95).

Happy Birthday! Jack Nicklaus

1793 - During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI was executed on the guillotine. He had been condemned for treason. 



1908 - The Sullivan Ordinance was passed in New York City making smoking by women illegal. The measure was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. 



1924 - Soviet leader Vladimir Llyich Lenin died. Joseph Stalin began a purge of his rivals for the leadership of the Soviet Union. 


1954 - The Nautilus was launched in Groton, CT. It was the first atomic-powered submarine. U.S. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow. 


1976 - The French Concorde SST aircraft began regular commercial service for Air France and British Airways. 


1977 - U.S. President Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft evaders. 


1980 - Gold was valued at $850 an ounce.


1994 - A jury in Manassas, VA, acquitted Lorena Bobbitt by reason of temporary insanity of maliciously wounding (severing his penis) her husband John. She accused him of sexually assaulting her. 


1998 - A former White House intern said on tape that she had an affair with U.S. President Clinton. 


2003 - It was announced by the U.S. Census Bureau that estimates showed that the Hispanic population had passed the black population for the first time.

No-bid Obamacare contract: firm built 2012 voter-tracking

No-bid Obamacare contract: firm built 2012 voter-tracking | The Daily Caller:

"The Obama administration gave the latest no-bid Obamacare website contract to a company that developed the complex voter-tracking computer strategies that led Obama to victory in 2012."

Hey, there's lot of free money....right?---------------MTA ready to roll with I-75 bus rapid transit study for route from Bay City to Detroit

MTA ready to roll with I-75 bus rapid transit study for route from Bay City to Detroit | MLive.com: "GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The Mass Transportation Authority says its kickstarting a stalled effort to study the idea of a bus rapid transit service on I-75 from Bay City to Detroit.

"Bus rapid transit would have the freedom and flexibility to operate along these corridors and not be held up by traffic," said MTA General Manager Ed Benning. "The beauty of it is, you're not competing with other vehicles in those traffic lanes.""

....The cost of the study alone is budgeted at $450,000 in the Genesee County Long Range Transportation Plan. Engineering is estimated to cost another $7.5 million and construction -- at some point after 2019 -- is estimated at $75 million.
...Those plans won't move ahead, however, without state and federal funding that's yet to be secured.

Detroit 'RoboCop' statue enters next phase of production

Detroit 'RoboCop' statue enters next phase of production | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"Project manager Brandon Walley of Imagination Station, a nonprofit in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood that raised more than $60,000 for the statue through an onlineKickstarter campaign, said the plan is to secure a location in the spring and install the statue by the fall."

Michigan insurer doubtful of net jump in plans sold

Michigan insurer doubtful of net jump in plans sold | The Detroit News:
"But she said a bigger concern is that young and healthy residents are balking at the cost of plans even if they qualify for tax subsidies.
“It’s still sticker shock,” Budden said. “The cost of insurance for individuals went up substantially.”
She said while tax credits are helping to bring down premiums, consumers can face deductibles of $2,000 and other out-of-pocket costs. The penalty for not having insurance in the first year is $95 or 1 percent of income, whichever is higher.
“Are those policies perceived as valuable?” Budden said, noting they also may come with narrower provider networks."

DIY Pipe Freezing Kit

DIY Pipe Freezing Kit:

"Have you ever needed to freeze a water pipe to do a quick plumbing job without shutting off all the water?

It’s actually a fairly common practice for contractors, except they use a rather expensive tool to do it.

As it turns out, there’s actually a fairly cheap and easy DIY solution you can do with minimal supplies or experience."

No hope, Big Change-----Housing bust hurt minority home values most

Housing bust hurt minority home values most | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"Hispanic communities were hit hardest, with home values in their neighborhoods falling an average of 46% from the height of the bubble to the bottom — generally from mid-2007 to the end of 2011.
Meanwhile, communities where blacks were the predominate group saw values drop 32.3% in the same period."