Investors.com - The Most Sinister Of Motives: "The Most Sinister Of Motives
Posted 11/13/2009 07:54 PM ET
Geopolitics: Why would China give uranium to Pakistan? Why would Russia help Iran build an A-bomb? Regional balance of power plays a role, but a nuclear 9/11 could restore Moscow and Beijing as superpowers.
Think of the destabilizing effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The country's fastest form of transportation was paralyzed as we picked up the pieces. Financial markets had to be closed, and when they reopened, private industry was dealt an immediate body blow.
Recession was a foregone conclusion. Business decisions had to be reconsidered, massive investments re-evaluated, new hirings postponed and layoffs expanded. Many firms folded.
Meanwhile, a nervous public wondered if the Golden Age of American dominance and prosperity was over. Was this the first of a series of attacks? Were we now so vulnerable within our own homeland that terrorism would become routine, part of the new fabric of the lives of those residing in free countries?
All of that came from the destruction of three buildings (the Twin Towers and 7 World Trade Center) and the severe damage to a fourth (the Pentagon). Several thousand died.
A nuclear version of the 9/11 attacks would destroy dozens of buildings, kill hundreds of thousands, and poison maybe millions with radiation. The Ground Zero of such an attack would not be a meeting place for prayer and remembrance, the site of a memorial monument, or a place where a new tower would rise to the skies.
The entire region would, instead, be uninhabitable, bathed in deadly cancer-causing emissions.
Would the U.S. be able to bounce back from such a catastrophe, as we did after 9/11, simply by mobilizing our forces against terrorist havens?
Perhaps. But maybe not."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Editorial: Share the pain
Editorial: Share the pain
"Isn’t there any other way?
The best way to save jobs is not the tax hike ideas floated by Mayor George Heartwell and a local police union leader.
At least not yet.
Before putting that option to a skeptical public, city employees should look at sharing the pain.
Everyone, from the rank and file to those at the top, should consider modest, reasonable pay cuts to save many jobs, especially police and firefighters.
This suggestion is not made lightly or without regard to personal sacrifice.
If the state’s economy were roaring and pay rising, this wouldn’t be on the table.
But a much different — and more difficult — reality of life in Michigan now is that private-sector salaries are trending down.
Many residents have had significant pay cuts.
Many others are out of work.
In dire times, it is reasonable that these same taxpayers seek pay adjustments among government workers in the name of saving jobs. Before deep layoffs occur. And before a tax hike is pursued.
Salary cuts can bring the savings needed to save jobs."
Amazing that this is from Paul Keep's GR Press.
"Isn’t there any other way?
The best way to save jobs is not the tax hike ideas floated by Mayor George Heartwell and a local police union leader.
At least not yet.
Before putting that option to a skeptical public, city employees should look at sharing the pain.
Everyone, from the rank and file to those at the top, should consider modest, reasonable pay cuts to save many jobs, especially police and firefighters.
This suggestion is not made lightly or without regard to personal sacrifice.
If the state’s economy were roaring and pay rising, this wouldn’t be on the table.
But a much different — and more difficult — reality of life in Michigan now is that private-sector salaries are trending down.
Many residents have had significant pay cuts.
Many others are out of work.
In dire times, it is reasonable that these same taxpayers seek pay adjustments among government workers in the name of saving jobs. Before deep layoffs occur. And before a tax hike is pursued.
Salary cuts can bring the savings needed to save jobs."
Amazing that this is from Paul Keep's GR Press.
Health insurance customers face big premium increases
Health insurance customers face big premium increases
"With open enrollment season in full swing, seniors and privately insured workers should expect to shell out more next year for their health coverage, as many employers face double-digit increases in their insurance costs.
To offset this rising expense, some employers will pass all or part of the cost increases onto workers through larger paycheck deductions. For some workers, that could mean as much as a 50 percent increase in their monthly payroll deductions for health care, insurance experts say."
"With open enrollment season in full swing, seniors and privately insured workers should expect to shell out more next year for their health coverage, as many employers face double-digit increases in their insurance costs.
To offset this rising expense, some employers will pass all or part of the cost increases onto workers through larger paycheck deductions. For some workers, that could mean as much as a 50 percent increase in their monthly payroll deductions for health care, insurance experts say."
10 Strangest Obituaries
10 Strangest Obituaries
"Jim Adams, didn't die the way he wanted: which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a date… (Link)"
"Jim Adams, didn't die the way he wanted: which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a date… (Link)"
Billions for state, but where are jobs? deux
Billions for state, but where are jobs?
"The analysis also found:
• Three of every four stimulus grants, contracts and loans approved in Michigan created or retained one job or less.
• Fewer than 700 awards had received some money, and nearly half of those -- 327 -- had created one job or less, at a cost per job of $2.7 million.
• Some job estimates were wrong: General Motors Co., for instance, reported 105 jobs saved or created for a government purchase of 5,000 vehicles but later said no jobs were saved or created.
The City of Detroit reported 342 jobs it now says were projections -- not jobs already created or retained.
Peter Morici, a University of Maryland economist, said the results suggest the stimulus won't deliver promised results.'
All those claims,' he said, 'are ridiculous.'"
"The analysis also found:
• Three of every four stimulus grants, contracts and loans approved in Michigan created or retained one job or less.
• Fewer than 700 awards had received some money, and nearly half of those -- 327 -- had created one job or less, at a cost per job of $2.7 million.
• Some job estimates were wrong: General Motors Co., for instance, reported 105 jobs saved or created for a government purchase of 5,000 vehicles but later said no jobs were saved or created.
The City of Detroit reported 342 jobs it now says were projections -- not jobs already created or retained.
Peter Morici, a University of Maryland economist, said the results suggest the stimulus won't deliver promised results.'
All those claims,' he said, 'are ridiculous.'"
Billions for state, but where are jobs?
Billions for state, but where are jobs?
"Seven months into the massive federal stimulus program, the vast majority of government grants, contracts and loans in Michigan so far have created or retained virtually no jobs, a Free Press analysis shows"
"Seven months into the massive federal stimulus program, the vast majority of government grants, contracts and loans in Michigan so far have created or retained virtually no jobs, a Free Press analysis shows"
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Pittsburgh eyes students' wallets
Pittsburgh eyes students' wallets
"Pittsburgh wants to tax one of its most abundant resources: students.
The city is home to seven colleges and universities, and though their real estate is tax-exempt, their tuition isn't, says Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who plans to impose a 1% tax on tuition as part of his budget for 2010."
..... "they're not paying a dime for any city services they might receive," Ravenstahl says.....
"He calls it a fair share tax....
If Pittsburgh succeeds in becoming the first city to tax its students, other cities will follow, says Terry Hartle of the American Council on Education, a lobbying group for universities. "It's a new and untapped potential source of revenue," he says.
This just might bring the college crowd into the tea party mode.
"Pittsburgh wants to tax one of its most abundant resources: students.
The city is home to seven colleges and universities, and though their real estate is tax-exempt, their tuition isn't, says Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who plans to impose a 1% tax on tuition as part of his budget for 2010."
..... "they're not paying a dime for any city services they might receive," Ravenstahl says.....
"He calls it a fair share tax....
If Pittsburgh succeeds in becoming the first city to tax its students, other cities will follow, says Terry Hartle of the American Council on Education, a lobbying group for universities. "It's a new and untapped potential source of revenue," he says.
This just might bring the college crowd into the tea party mode.
Feds ignored Medicare scam warnings for years
Feds ignored Medicare scam warnings for years
"For three years, the federal agency in charge of preventing Medicare fraud repeatedly ignored internal watchdog warnings about swindlers stealing millions of dollars by scamming several programs, documents show.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services received roughly 30 warnings from inspectors over three years - mostly under the Bush administration"
"For three years, the federal agency in charge of preventing Medicare fraud repeatedly ignored internal watchdog warnings about swindlers stealing millions of dollars by scamming several programs, documents show.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services received roughly 30 warnings from inspectors over three years - mostly under the Bush administration"
Govt: Medicare paid $47 billion in suspect claims
Govt: Medicare paid $47 billion in suspect claims
"The government paid more than $47 billion in questionable Medicare claims including medical treatment showing little relation to a patient's condition, wasting taxpayer dollars at a rate nearly three times the previous year."
"The government paid more than $47 billion in questionable Medicare claims including medical treatment showing little relation to a patient's condition, wasting taxpayer dollars at a rate nearly three times the previous year."
USGS Release: 3 to 4.3 Billion Barrels of Technically Recoverable Oil Assessed in North Dakota and Montana’s Bakken Formation—25 Times More Than 1995 Estimate— (4/10/2008 2:25:36 PM)
USGS Release: 3 to 4.3 Billion Barrels of Technically Recoverable Oil Assessed in North Dakota and Montana’s Bakken Formation—25 Times More Than 1995 Estimate
North Dakota and Montana have an estimated 3.0 to 4.3 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil in an area known as the Bakken Formation.A U.S. Geological Survey assessment, released April 10, shows a 25-fold increase in the amount of oil that can be recovered compared to the agency's 1995 estimate of 151 million barrels of oil."
But the Obama administration has declared fossil fuels, and nuclear, off limits.
So this is a big "never mind".
Is that OK with you?!!!!!!
North Dakota and Montana have an estimated 3.0 to 4.3 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil in an area known as the Bakken Formation.A U.S. Geological Survey assessment, released April 10, shows a 25-fold increase in the amount of oil that can be recovered compared to the agency's 1995 estimate of 151 million barrels of oil."
But the Obama administration has declared fossil fuels, and nuclear, off limits.
So this is a big "never mind".
Is that OK with you?!!!!!!
Judge Napolitano: Is Government-Run Health Care Constitutional?
Judge Napolitano: Is Government-Run Health Care Constitutional?
"Nope. I've laid out Article 1, Section 8 along with the 10th amendment many times on this blog.
Here is Napolitano discussing exactly those:"
click to see the video
"Nope. I've laid out Article 1, Section 8 along with the 10th amendment many times on this blog.
Here is Napolitano discussing exactly those:"
click to see the video
All your auto shows are belong to us
All your auto shows are belong to us: Federal officials clamor for passes to auto show
"Federal officals are now pawing to get tickets to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit."
"Federal officals are now pawing to get tickets to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit."
oregon sandcastles competition
What stops mass murderers? A gun
What stops mass murderers? A gun
"On Nov. 6, America found reason to honor another brave civilian police officer, as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. army psychiatrist about to be deployed to Afghanistan, reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' and opened fire at a soldier readiness facility in Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people and wounding 28.
.......Hasan reportedly had fired more than 100 rounds, requiring him to change handgun magazines several times -- Sgt. Todd said Hasan was reloading again when he shot the suspect.
Why didn't any of the hundreds of Army personnel in the room shoot back, ending his killing spree far sooner?
Because they couldn't.
Among President Bill Clinton's first acts upon taking office in 1993 'was to disarm U.S. soldiers on military bases..
"On Nov. 6, America found reason to honor another brave civilian police officer, as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. army psychiatrist about to be deployed to Afghanistan, reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' and opened fire at a soldier readiness facility in Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people and wounding 28.
.......Hasan reportedly had fired more than 100 rounds, requiring him to change handgun magazines several times -- Sgt. Todd said Hasan was reloading again when he shot the suspect.
Why didn't any of the hundreds of Army personnel in the room shoot back, ending his killing spree far sooner?
Because they couldn't.
Among President Bill Clinton's first acts upon taking office in 1993 'was to disarm U.S. soldiers on military bases..
Obamanomics does the impossible
Obamanomics does the impossible
"The upside of a falling dollar is that it makes our exports cheaper to foreigners — so we sell more stuff — and a falling dollar makes their products more expensive, so we buy less stuff.
This helps the trade deficit, right?
Not this time.
“Instead, the nation’s trade deficit rose in September by the largest percentage in a decade as U.S. exports grew for the fifth straight month, but imports rose faster, a government report showed Friday.
That trend is likely to continue until the middle of next year, economists said,” the Associated Press reported.
Obamanomics.
It’s as if it were designed by someone who cannot figure out Turbo Tax"
"The upside of a falling dollar is that it makes our exports cheaper to foreigners — so we sell more stuff — and a falling dollar makes their products more expensive, so we buy less stuff.
This helps the trade deficit, right?
Not this time.
“Instead, the nation’s trade deficit rose in September by the largest percentage in a decade as U.S. exports grew for the fifth straight month, but imports rose faster, a government report showed Friday.
That trend is likely to continue until the middle of next year, economists said,” the Associated Press reported.
Obamanomics.
It’s as if it were designed by someone who cannot figure out Turbo Tax"
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Seth Lipsky: Our 'Constitutional Moment'
Seth Lipsky: Our 'Constitutional Moment'
"Right now, we're at a moment where we're not going to be able to turn to either the Congress or the executive branch for help on this.' He believes 'the only defense now, the only tool we have now, is the Constitution.
That's why I call it a constitutional moment, as opposed to a political moment.'"
"Right now, we're at a moment where we're not going to be able to turn to either the Congress or the executive branch for help on this.' He believes 'the only defense now, the only tool we have now, is the Constitution.
That's why I call it a constitutional moment, as opposed to a political moment.'"
Thomas Hudner and Jesse Brown
Thomas Hudner and Jesse Brown
'I think I may have been hit.
I've lost my oil pressure and I'm going to have to go in.'"
“Where do we get such men?
They leave this ship and they do their job.
Then they must find this speck lost somewhere on the sea. When they find it, they have to land on its pitching deck. Where do we get such men?"
Rear Admiral George Tarrant in “The Bridges at Toko-Ri”
Holder's Hidden Agenda
Holder's Hidden Agenda
Let's take stock of where we are at this point. KSM and his confederates wanted to plead guilty and have their martyrs' execution last December, when they were being handled by military commission.
As I said at the time, we could and should have accommodated them.
The Obama administration could still accommodate them.
After all, the president has not pulled the plug on all military commissions: Holder is going to announce at least one commission trial (for Nashiri, the Cole bomber) today.
Moreover, KSM has no defense.
He was under American indictment for terrorism for years before there ever was a 9/11, and he can't help himself but brag about the atrocities he and his fellow barbarians have carried out.
So: We are now going to have a trial that never had to happen for defendants who have no defense.
And when defendants have no defense for their own actions, there is only one thing for their lawyers to do: put the government on trial in hopes of getting the jury (and the media) spun up over government errors, abuses and incompetence.
That is what is going to happen in the trial of KSM et al.
It will be a soapbox for al-Qaeda's case against America.
Since that will be their "defense," the defendants will demand every bit of information they can get about interrogations, renditions, secret prisons, undercover operations targeting Muslims and mosques, etc., and — depending on what judge catches the case — they are likely to be given a lot of it.
The administration will be able to claim that the judge, not the administration, is responsible for the exposure of our defense secrets.
And the circus will be played out for all to see — in the middle of the war.
It will provide endless fodder for the transnational Left to press its case that actions taken in America's defense are violations of international law that must be addressed by foreign courts.
And the intelligence bounty will make our enemies more efficient at killing us.
This "president" and his anti-American comrades might be more effective in destroying our country than al-Qaeda itself.
Let's take stock of where we are at this point. KSM and his confederates wanted to plead guilty and have their martyrs' execution last December, when they were being handled by military commission.
As I said at the time, we could and should have accommodated them.
The Obama administration could still accommodate them.
After all, the president has not pulled the plug on all military commissions: Holder is going to announce at least one commission trial (for Nashiri, the Cole bomber) today.
Moreover, KSM has no defense.
He was under American indictment for terrorism for years before there ever was a 9/11, and he can't help himself but brag about the atrocities he and his fellow barbarians have carried out.
So: We are now going to have a trial that never had to happen for defendants who have no defense.
And when defendants have no defense for their own actions, there is only one thing for their lawyers to do: put the government on trial in hopes of getting the jury (and the media) spun up over government errors, abuses and incompetence.
That is what is going to happen in the trial of KSM et al.
It will be a soapbox for al-Qaeda's case against America.
Since that will be their "defense," the defendants will demand every bit of information they can get about interrogations, renditions, secret prisons, undercover operations targeting Muslims and mosques, etc., and — depending on what judge catches the case — they are likely to be given a lot of it.
The administration will be able to claim that the judge, not the administration, is responsible for the exposure of our defense secrets.
And the circus will be played out for all to see — in the middle of the war.
It will provide endless fodder for the transnational Left to press its case that actions taken in America's defense are violations of international law that must be addressed by foreign courts.
And the intelligence bounty will make our enemies more efficient at killing us.
This "president" and his anti-American comrades might be more effective in destroying our country than al-Qaeda itself.
Why is this man bowing?
Why is this man bowing?
"Obama has now done it again. Andrew Malcolm asks (and reports):
('How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow.')
Obama's breach of protocol is of a piece with the substance of his foreign policy.
He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants."
"Obama has now done it again. Andrew Malcolm asks (and reports):
('How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow.')
Obama's breach of protocol is of a piece with the substance of his foreign policy.
He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants."
Don’t-Miss Video: Incredible Look at U.S. Airways Flight 1549
Don’t-Miss Video: Incredible Look at U.S. Airways Flight 1549
"We’ve seen a lot of simulations of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 going into the Hudson River, but a new video painstakingly compiled by an engineer offers the most comprehensive and compelling look yet at the airliner’s short but incredible flight"
"We’ve seen a lot of simulations of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 going into the Hudson River, but a new video painstakingly compiled by an engineer offers the most comprehensive and compelling look yet at the airliner’s short but incredible flight"
Friday, November 13, 2009
WHO IS JOHN GALT?
WHO IS JOHN GALT?
"October deficit bigger than expected; revenues down 18%.
“What better way to kick off Barack Obama’s first full budget year as President than with a deficit that exceeded the White House’s own projections as well as analysts’ expectations?
The federal government busted the budget worse than last October by $20 billion with a deficit of $176.36 billion for the month.
That used to be considered a decent deficit target … for an entire year.”"
"October deficit bigger than expected; revenues down 18%.
“What better way to kick off Barack Obama’s first full budget year as President than with a deficit that exceeded the White House’s own projections as well as analysts’ expectations?
The federal government busted the budget worse than last October by $20 billion with a deficit of $176.36 billion for the month.
That used to be considered a decent deficit target … for an entire year.”"
Navy Wins Diversity Award Topping Leading Companies
Navy Wins Diversity Award Topping Leading Companies
"Navy Region Southwest was awarded the President's Award for Diversity in the large business category from the league during an awards luncheon Oct. 29.
The award honors businesses for maximizing opportunities for minorities in San Diego County.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead has pointed out his goal to see the Navy designated a top 50 employer.
Ray King, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Urban League, said the Navy in San Diego is helping the CNO realize this goal."
Diversity is our strength....right?
Is that what the US Navy is all about?
Do we have enough Islamists yet?
"Navy Region Southwest was awarded the President's Award for Diversity in the large business category from the league during an awards luncheon Oct. 29.
The award honors businesses for maximizing opportunities for minorities in San Diego County.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead has pointed out his goal to see the Navy designated a top 50 employer.
Ray King, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Urban League, said the Navy in San Diego is helping the CNO realize this goal."
Diversity is our strength....right?
Is that what the US Navy is all about?
Do we have enough Islamists yet?
Muslims Bombing Muslims
Muslims Bombing Muslims
"In this case the rich nation doing the shelling and bombing and building the fence is Saudi Arabia.
The poor side of the fence would be Yemen, and the rebels are insurgents in the Yemeni civil war that have moved into Saudi territory.
According to AP, 175,000 have been displaced, and rebels are claiming the Saudis are randomly bombing, including residential areas."
No frowny faced Perky Katie or her MSM comrades to be seen anywhere........what a surprise!
"In this case the rich nation doing the shelling and bombing and building the fence is Saudi Arabia.
The poor side of the fence would be Yemen, and the rebels are insurgents in the Yemeni civil war that have moved into Saudi territory.
According to AP, 175,000 have been displaced, and rebels are claiming the Saudis are randomly bombing, including residential areas."
No frowny faced Perky Katie or her MSM comrades to be seen anywhere........what a surprise!
N.C. principal leaves after cash-for-grades flap
N.C. principal leaves after cash-for-grades flap
"A North Carolina principal is retiring after school district leaders halted a cash-for-grades fundraiser she approved."
A follow up and a rare nibblet of good news on the government controlled education front.
"A North Carolina principal is retiring after school district leaders halted a cash-for-grades fundraiser she approved."
A follow up and a rare nibblet of good news on the government controlled education front.
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