Podcast: Is Virg Bernero serious about Michigan governor's race?
Will Pete Hoekstra's bailout vote come back to haunt him?
Chinks in Cherry's support?
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
John Cherry may drop out of Michigan governor's race
John Cherry may drop out of Michigan governor's race, Lansing TV station reports
"John Cherry, one of the front-runners in the race to become Michigan's next governor, may call it quits, reports Lansing TV station WLNS.com"
This is BIG!
Even bigger than John cherry.
"John Cherry, one of the front-runners in the race to become Michigan's next governor, may call it quits, reports Lansing TV station WLNS.com"
This is BIG!
Even bigger than John cherry.
Sorry Al Gore, Swiss Glaciers Melted Faster in the 1940's Than Today
YID With LID: Sorry Al Gore, Swiss Glaciers Melted Faster in the 1940's Than Today
"One of the things the global warming moonbats point at as proof of their Global Warming theory is the melting of Swiss glaciers, for example the below is from June 2009:
Global warming is happening in Switzerland too. The latest study revealed that glaciers in Switzerland shrank by huge 12 percent in the last 10 years, which is their highest melting rate in history. Scientists agree that this is due to higher temperatures and lighter snowfalls. Scientific data showed that this last decade was really bad in terms of glacier melting in Switzerland, and that Switzerland lost lot of water due to rapid melting of glaciers."
And the facts prove that "proof" to be a lie.
But that won't stop the Obamunists or their MSM acolytes from repeating the lie until they declare it "settled science".
"One of the things the global warming moonbats point at as proof of their Global Warming theory is the melting of Swiss glaciers, for example the below is from June 2009:
And the facts prove that "proof" to be a lie.
But that won't stop the Obamunists or their MSM acolytes from repeating the lie until they declare it "settled science".
U.S. Treasuries Post Worst Performance Among Sovereign Markets
U.S. Treasuries Post Worst Performance Among Sovereign Markets
"Treasuries were the worst performing sovereign debt market in 2009 as the U.S. sold $2.1 trillion of notes and bonds to fund extraordinary efforts to bolster the economy and financial markets.
Investors in U.S. debt lost 3.5 percent on average through Dec. 30, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch indexes, the biggest annual slide since at least 1978."
"Treasuries were the worst performing sovereign debt market in 2009 as the U.S. sold $2.1 trillion of notes and bonds to fund extraordinary efforts to bolster the economy and financial markets.
Investors in U.S. debt lost 3.5 percent on average through Dec. 30, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch indexes, the biggest annual slide since at least 1978."
Monday, January 04, 2010
Feds probe Detroit's pensions
Feds probe Detroit's pensions
"U.S. probe into pension funds connects to City Hall scandals
An investment adviser who vetted deals that cost Detroit's public pensions $90 million.
A former city pension trustee accused of soliciting bribes.
Middlemen paid by businesses seeking millions in Detroit pension funds.
These developments, among others, have prompted federal authorities to investigate the dealings of the city's pensions -- one for the police and fire departments, another for general city workers"
And guess who pays if there ain't enought to pay the Detroit pensioneers?
"U.S. probe into pension funds connects to City Hall scandals
An investment adviser who vetted deals that cost Detroit's public pensions $90 million.
A former city pension trustee accused of soliciting bribes.
Middlemen paid by businesses seeking millions in Detroit pension funds.
These developments, among others, have prompted federal authorities to investigate the dealings of the city's pensions -- one for the police and fire departments, another for general city workers"
And guess who pays if there ain't enought to pay the Detroit pensioneers?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Heroin for dummies - NYPOST.com
Heroin for dummies - NYPOST.com
"Here's the latest smack on taxpayers.
The city spent $32,000 on 70,000 fliers that tell you how to shoot heroin, complete with detailed tips on prepping the dope and injecting it into your arm.
The Health Department handout has outraged New York's top drug prosecutors and abuse experts.
'It's basically step-by- step instruction on how to inject a poison,' said John Gilbride, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office."
The Health Department defended its brochure, saying it was helpful and necessary, and has been distributed only to addicts or those at risk of becoming abusers.
"Our goal is to promote health and save lives with this information," said Daliah Heller, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment.
Asked why the handout tells people how to shoot up, Heller said, "From a health perspective, there is a less harmful way to inject yourself."
"Here's the latest smack on taxpayers.
The city spent $32,000 on 70,000 fliers that tell you how to shoot heroin, complete with detailed tips on prepping the dope and injecting it into your arm.
The Health Department handout has outraged New York's top drug prosecutors and abuse experts.
'It's basically step-by- step instruction on how to inject a poison,' said John Gilbride, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office."
The Health Department defended its brochure, saying it was helpful and necessary, and has been distributed only to addicts or those at risk of becoming abusers.
"Our goal is to promote health and save lives with this information," said Daliah Heller, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment.
Asked why the handout tells people how to shoot up, Heller said, "From a health perspective, there is a less harmful way to inject yourself."
Climategate: You should be steamed
Climategate: You should be steamed
"Now that Copenhagen is past history, what is the next step in the man-made global warming controversy?
Without question, there should be an immediate and thorough investigation of the scientific debauchery revealed by “Climategate.”"
What do the skeptics believe?
First, they concur with the believers that the Earth has been warming since the end of a Little Ice Age around 1850.
The cause of this warming is the question.
Believers think the warming is man-made, while the skeptics believe the warming is natural and contributions from man are minimal and certainly not potentially catastrophic à la Al Gore.
Second, skeptics argue that CO2 is not a pollutant but vital for plant life.
Third, and most important, skeptics believe that climate models are grossly overpredicting future warming from rising concentrations of carbon dioxide.
"Now that Copenhagen is past history, what is the next step in the man-made global warming controversy?
Without question, there should be an immediate and thorough investigation of the scientific debauchery revealed by “Climategate.”"
What do the skeptics believe?
First, they concur with the believers that the Earth has been warming since the end of a Little Ice Age around 1850.
The cause of this warming is the question.
Believers think the warming is man-made, while the skeptics believe the warming is natural and contributions from man are minimal and certainly not potentially catastrophic à la Al Gore.
Second, skeptics argue that CO2 is not a pollutant but vital for plant life.
Third, and most important, skeptics believe that climate models are grossly overpredicting future warming from rising concentrations of carbon dioxide.
U.S. Intensifies Screening for Travelers From 14 Nations
U.S. Intensifies Screening for Travelers From 14 Nations
"Citizens of 14 nations, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, who are flying to the United States will be subjected indefinitely to the intense screening at airports worldwide that was imposed after the Christmas Day bombing plot, Obama administration officials announced Sunday."
Good idea but why start in 2010?
Didn't 9-11 happen ...like... in 2001?
"Citizens of 14 nations, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, who are flying to the United States will be subjected indefinitely to the intense screening at airports worldwide that was imposed after the Christmas Day bombing plot, Obama administration officials announced Sunday."
Good idea but why start in 2010?
Didn't 9-11 happen ...like... in 2001?
U.S. Economy Likely to Perform Poorly Over Next Decade
U.S. Economy Likely to Perform Poorly Over Next Decade - Real Time Economics - WSJ
"The U.S. economy is this decade likely to perform as poorly as the one that just ended due to higher savings by more cautious Americans and a less qualified labor force, several top economists said Sunday."
A "less qualified" workforce?
Huh?
Maybe we just need to spend MORE $$$$ on the big teeechers unions and those "overworked" kolege professors and administrators...right?
"The U.S. economy is this decade likely to perform as poorly as the one that just ended due to higher savings by more cautious Americans and a less qualified labor force, several top economists said Sunday."
A "less qualified" workforce?
Huh?
Maybe we just need to spend MORE $$$$ on the big teeechers unions and those "overworked" kolege professors and administrators...right?
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Bin Laden Slams EU Over Prophet Cartoons-bumped from 2008
Our "brave", liberal MSM doesn't seem to have the guts to show any of the offending cartoons.
Which one offends you the most?
Osama bin Laden, in a new audio message posted Wednesday, condemned the publication of drawings that he said insulted the Prophet Muhammad and warned Europeans of a 'severe' reaction to come."
Lack of Estate Tax in 2010: Now Cheaper to Die?
Lack of Estate Tax in 2010: Now Cheaper to Die?
"Indeed, two Australian scholars found that when their nation abolished its inheritance tax in 1979, a disproportionately high number of people died in the week after the abolition as compared with the week before,'"
"Indeed, two Australian scholars found that when their nation abolished its inheritance tax in 1979, a disproportionately high number of people died in the week after the abolition as compared with the week before,'"
Power Line - The radical feminist empire strikes back at Duke
"But for Duke's Women's Center, whose turf includes allegations of sexual misconduct, the decline in 'business' is unwelcome. Its representative argues that the decline in reports of sexual misconduct is the result of a rise in unreported misconducted. This must be true, she maintains, because Duke has a 'rape culture.' The same culture, presumably, that produced the non-rape by the Duke lacrosse players.
But here's my favorite part of the story. Ada Gregory, director of the Women's Center, argues that 'higher IQ males' like those who populate Duke are particularly effective at 'manipulation and coercion.' Hence their ability to 'rape' women without them even realizing it.
It is my understanding that Duke also admits 'higher IQ females.' But if you're a radical feminist, women must always be clueless and helpless, no matter how intelligent they might seem."
Budget Deficits Have Consequences
RealClearMarkets - Budget Deficits Have Consequences
"Just after the debt ceiling increase, the Treasury announced, without consulting Congress, that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would get unlimited funding for the next three years for emergency aid to the housing market, 'to assure markets of the government's support.'
The translation of bureaucratic prose into ordinary speech is quite simple: the administration does not feel bound by congressional debt limits. It will spend as it sees fit.
The next time Congress considers raising the debt ceiling, a few members may wonder aloud what difference the debt ceiling makes when the administration brazenly ignores it.
It's not as if Fannie and Freddie have no money authorized by Congress.
So far they have been allocated $400 billion for emergency housing loans, of which $111 billion has been spent.
That means that the two government-sponsored enterprises already have congressional authority to spend an additional $289 billion. Now the administration finds that this is not sufficient, and the agencies can spend as much as they like even without congressional authority."
"Just after the debt ceiling increase, the Treasury announced, without consulting Congress, that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would get unlimited funding for the next three years for emergency aid to the housing market, 'to assure markets of the government's support.'
The translation of bureaucratic prose into ordinary speech is quite simple: the administration does not feel bound by congressional debt limits. It will spend as it sees fit.
The next time Congress considers raising the debt ceiling, a few members may wonder aloud what difference the debt ceiling makes when the administration brazenly ignores it.
It's not as if Fannie and Freddie have no money authorized by Congress.
So far they have been allocated $400 billion for emergency housing loans, of which $111 billion has been spent.
That means that the two government-sponsored enterprises already have congressional authority to spend an additional $289 billion. Now the administration finds that this is not sufficient, and the agencies can spend as much as they like even without congressional authority."
Friday, January 01, 2010
Hundreds of Cars Torched in France at New Year - ABC News
"Youths burned 1,137 cars across France overnight as New Year's Eve celebrations once again turned violent, the French Interior Ministry said on Friday.
Car burnings are regular occurrences in poor suburbs that ring France's big cities, but the arson is especially prevalent during New Year's Eve revelry.
The number of vehicles torched was only 10 short of the record 1,147 burned this time last year, even though the Interior Ministry mobilized 45,000 police during the night -- 10,000 more than 12 months ago."
And just who are the allah-praising "youths" living in these "poor", car burning suburbs?
Top Cartoons Of '09
"IBD Editorial Cartoonist Michael Ramirez picks his favorite cartoons of the year."
Its a Wrap: The Most Underreported Stories of 2009
Its a Wrap: The Most Underreported Stories of 2009
A long, sad list that the media (and their democrat comrades) would prefer you never knew about.
Underreported by the MSM, not the web.
Or FoxNews.
Or much of talk radio.
A long, sad list that the media (and their democrat comrades) would prefer you never knew about.
Underreported by the MSM, not the web.
Or FoxNews.
Or much of talk radio.
U.S. to Lose $400 Billion on Fannie, Freddie
"Taxpayer losses from supporting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will top $400 billion, according to Peter Wallison, a former general counsel at the Treasury who is now a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
“The situation is they are losing gobs of money, up to $400 billion in mortgages,” Wallison said in a Bloomberg Television interview.
The Treasury Department recognized last week that losses will be more than $400 billion when it raised its limit on federal support for the two government-sponsored enterprises, he said."
$400 BILLION!!!!!
Does Alamo Bowl belong on Court TV, not ESPN?
Does Alamo Bowl belong on Court TV, not ESPN?
"The Alamo Bowl held a pep rally Thursday afternoon, the kind of delightfully ridiculous event that makes bowls so much fun.
Players, coaches and band members rode in boats to the 'Rivercenter Lagoon,' which is a lagoon in the same sense that your local Wendy's is a rainforest.
It's basically an outdoor mall."
"The Alamo Bowl held a pep rally Thursday afternoon, the kind of delightfully ridiculous event that makes bowls so much fun.
Players, coaches and band members rode in boats to the 'Rivercenter Lagoon,' which is a lagoon in the same sense that your local Wendy's is a rainforest.
It's basically an outdoor mall."
Biggest Exporters of World
Biggest Exporters of World
(2000) ($)
USA 1,065,740,000,000
Germany 633,052,000,000
Japan 528,751,000,000
UK 401,385,000,000
France 377,274,000,000
Canada 321,693,000,000
Italy 294,852,000,000
China 279,562,000,000
Netherlands 258,951,000,000
Hong Kong (China) 244,004,000,000
Source: - World Bank, World Development Indicators 2002"
(2000) ($)
USA 1,065,740,000,000
Germany 633,052,000,000
Japan 528,751,000,000
UK 401,385,000,000
France 377,274,000,000
Canada 321,693,000,000
Italy 294,852,000,000
China 279,562,000,000
Netherlands 258,951,000,000
Hong Kong (China) 244,004,000,000
Source: - World Bank, World Development Indicators 2002"
Trade Protection = Economic War on Yourself
"'Protectionism is doing to ourselves in peacetime what our enemies do to us in wartime (cutting off trade and moving a country in the directon of self-sufficiency).'"
Those who want to "protect" us from the discount merchandise offered by developing countries forget (or believe the sophistry of our anti-American MSM) that the USA is the world's largest EXPORTER.
Most popular baby names in West Michigan during the 2000s
Most popular baby names in West Michigan during the 2000s
1. Jacob, Emma
2. Ethan, Isabella
3. Carter, Addison
4. Noah, Olivia
5. William, Ava
6. Isaac, Abigail
7. Caleb, Sophia
8. Gabriel, Ella
9. Evan, Lillian
10. Logan, Natalie
Isn't it a bit odd that, during the recent decade's decline in christian belief, the most popular names seem to come right out of the Bible?
1. Jacob, Emma
2. Ethan, Isabella
3. Carter, Addison
4. Noah, Olivia
5. William, Ava
6. Isaac, Abigail
7. Caleb, Sophia
8. Gabriel, Ella
9. Evan, Lillian
10. Logan, Natalie
Isn't it a bit odd that, during the recent decade's decline in christian belief, the most popular names seem to come right out of the Bible?
What Ever Happened To The Duke 88?
Instapundit » Blog Archive » POWER LINE: What Ever Happened To The Duke 88?
"POWER LINE: What Ever Happened To The Duke 88?
And, from Professor Bainbridge, Stuart Taylor’s Stinging Indictment of Academe.
Plus, Ed Driscoll reminds us of this video from Mary Katharine Ham."
Great Instapundit links
How quickly we...er....the MSM, forgets...and sure wants us to forget.....
Do click on the video link.
Plus, Mary Katharine gettin' her lacross game down!
"POWER LINE: What Ever Happened To The Duke 88?
And, from Professor Bainbridge, Stuart Taylor’s Stinging Indictment of Academe.
Plus, Ed Driscoll reminds us of this video from Mary Katharine Ham."
Great Instapundit links
How quickly we...er....the MSM, forgets...and sure wants us to forget.....
Do click on the video link.
Plus, Mary Katharine gettin' her lacross game down!
Texas Tech interim coach makes his case to stay
Texas Tech interim coach makes his case to stay
"Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the university system's board of regents, told the Associated Press 'other things' came to light during an investigation of Leach's treatment of the receiver. Turner declined to elaborate about the other issues.
Leach was suspended Monday after he refused to agree to guidelines for dealing with players set forth by his bosses in a Dec. 23 letter.
'I'm very sad to say there's only one person to blame for this and it's Mike Leach,' Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance said."
This keeps getting stranger every day.
And this:
http://www.bringbackleach.com/
"Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the university system's board of regents, told the Associated Press 'other things' came to light during an investigation of Leach's treatment of the receiver. Turner declined to elaborate about the other issues.
Leach was suspended Monday after he refused to agree to guidelines for dealing with players set forth by his bosses in a Dec. 23 letter.
'I'm very sad to say there's only one person to blame for this and it's Mike Leach,' Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance said."
This keeps getting stranger every day.
And this:
http://www.bringbackleach.com/
Michigan State takes convincing route to GLI title
Michigan State takes convincing route to GLI title
"Michigan State earned its nation-leading 14th win of the season Wednesday night to raise the Great Lakes Invitational banner to the Joe Louis Arena rafters."
Go State!
"Michigan State earned its nation-leading 14th win of the season Wednesday night to raise the Great Lakes Invitational banner to the Joe Louis Arena rafters."
Go State!
Judge Drops Charges From Blackwater Deaths in Iraq - NYTimes.com
Judge Drops Charges From Blackwater Deaths in Iraq
Gotta love the NYT.
Read the first page. Sounds pretty bad for the Blackwater guys.
And way down.....on the second page is this:
“The explanations offered by the prosecutors and investigators in an attempt to justify their actions and persuade the court that they did not use the defendants’ compelled testimony were all too often contradictory, unbelievable and lacking in credibility,” Judge Urbina wrote.
The judge also criticized prosecutors for withholding “substantial exculpatory evidence” from the grand jury that indicted the defendants, as well as for presenting “distorted versions” of witnesses’ testimony and improperly telling the grand jury that some incriminating statements had been made by the defendants but were being withheld.
Gotta love the NYT.
Read the first page. Sounds pretty bad for the Blackwater guys.
And way down.....on the second page is this:
“The explanations offered by the prosecutors and investigators in an attempt to justify their actions and persuade the court that they did not use the defendants’ compelled testimony were all too often contradictory, unbelievable and lacking in credibility,” Judge Urbina wrote.
The judge also criticized prosecutors for withholding “substantial exculpatory evidence” from the grand jury that indicted the defendants, as well as for presenting “distorted versions” of witnesses’ testimony and improperly telling the grand jury that some incriminating statements had been made by the defendants but were being withheld.
and this:
The judge’s allegations of prosecutorial misconduct were the latest in several blows to federal prosecutors in 2009 in which judges dismissed high-profile cases.
When Obama Apologists Attack
The Weekly Standard
"When Obama Apologists Attack"
If Richard Reid had been allowed to fly even though he was on a terrorist watch list, you better believe that Bush would have taken the heat that Obama is taking right now.
"When Obama Apologists Attack"
If Richard Reid had been allowed to fly even though he was on a terrorist watch list, you better believe that Bush would have taken the heat that Obama is taking right now.
3 reasons home prices are heading lower
3 reasons home prices are heading lower
"After four months of gains, home prices flattened in October.
Worse yet, industry insiders think that they'll soon start to fall."
Good news for new buyers!
Not so good news for everyone else.
Bummer.
"After four months of gains, home prices flattened in October.
Worse yet, industry insiders think that they'll soon start to fall."
Good news for new buyers!
Not so good news for everyone else.
What Suckers We Are
What Suckers We Are
"In fact, nearly one out of five federal workers pulls down more than $100,000.
That's up over 33% during what the administration says is the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
And that's before overtime and benefits — which used to suffice for such workers — kick in.
Meanwhile, a 'pay czar' aggressively caps salaries at companies that receive 'federal' money"
"In fact, nearly one out of five federal workers pulls down more than $100,000.
That's up over 33% during what the administration says is the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
And that's before overtime and benefits — which used to suffice for such workers — kick in.
Meanwhile, a 'pay czar' aggressively caps salaries at companies that receive 'federal' money"
HeraldNet: Taxes are the wrong solution for too much public spending
HeraldNet: Taxes are the wrong solution for too much public spending
"Pittsburgh is wrestling with an interesting financial issue that is lurking in every city hall, county seat and state house in America.
It is largely silent and unseen, although it does give off its own distinctive scent.
It is the cost of funding the retirement of public employees.
Recently, the mayor of Pittsburgh was faced with a budget that was out of balance by the $15 million needed to fund the public employees retirement fund. This is, generally, a legal obligation, not a discretionary expenditure — a “fixed cost.”
The mayor’s solution was to propose a 1 percent tuition tax. This set off protests from all sorts of people — students at first, then educational institutions — and the usual threats of litigation."
"Pittsburgh is wrestling with an interesting financial issue that is lurking in every city hall, county seat and state house in America.
It is largely silent and unseen, although it does give off its own distinctive scent.
It is the cost of funding the retirement of public employees.
Recently, the mayor of Pittsburgh was faced with a budget that was out of balance by the $15 million needed to fund the public employees retirement fund. This is, generally, a legal obligation, not a discretionary expenditure — a “fixed cost.”
The mayor’s solution was to propose a 1 percent tuition tax. This set off protests from all sorts of people — students at first, then educational institutions — and the usual threats of litigation."
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