How to Avoid Huge Ships: John W. Trimmer: 9780870334337: Amazon.com: Books:
"Reads like a whodunnit!
By Citizenfitz on December 21, 2010
Format: Paperback
I bought How to Avoid Huge Ships as a companion to Captain Trimmer's other excellent titles:
How to Avoid a Train, and How to Avoid the Empire State Building.
These books are fast paced, well written and the hard won knowledge found in them is as inspirational as it is informational.
After reading them I haven't been hit by anything bigger than a diesel bus.
Thanks captain!
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Sunday, September 22, 2013
Officials: Muskegon County bond sale shows Detroit bankruptcy didn't break Michigan's credit
Officials: Muskegon County bond sale shows Detroit bankruptcy didn't break Michigan's credit | MLive.com: "Muskegon County’s bonds are being sold with a yield of 4.75 percent."
$39 MILLION!
4.75% triple tax-free is essentially a "Detroit style" junk bond yield.
Plus the county likely must add the cost of bond insurance to the cost to taxpayers.
All to fund a new jail the chairman of the county board of commissioners promised, last fall, would cost no more than $23 million.
And they told us they already had $7 million saved so the bond need should have been $16 million.
But wait, there's more!
County administrator Bonnie Hammersley has publically stated numerous times, the efficiencies of the new buildings will guarantee so much in employee and energy savings that the bonds will pay for themselves!
Yeah right....
$3 million is due in a year.
What company (without bigtime financial "inducements") would ever consider moving to Muskegon county with bogus promises and fiscal insanity being the rule of the land?
$39 MILLION!
4.75% triple tax-free is essentially a "Detroit style" junk bond yield.
Plus the county likely must add the cost of bond insurance to the cost to taxpayers.
All to fund a new jail the chairman of the county board of commissioners promised, last fall, would cost no more than $23 million.
And they told us they already had $7 million saved so the bond need should have been $16 million.
But wait, there's more!
County administrator Bonnie Hammersley has publically stated numerous times, the efficiencies of the new buildings will guarantee so much in employee and energy savings that the bonds will pay for themselves!
Yeah right....
$3 million is due in a year.
What company (without bigtime financial "inducements") would ever consider moving to Muskegon county with bogus promises and fiscal insanity being the rule of the land?
The Slowest Generation: Younger Athletes Are Racing With Less Concern About Time
The Slowest Generation: Younger Athletes Are Racing With Less Concern About Time - WSJ.com:
"Old-timers are suggesting that performance-related apathy among young amateur athletes helps explain why America hasn't won an Olympic marathon medal since 2004.
Of the two Americans who won marathon medals that year, one—Deena Kastor, who is now 40—was the top finishing American woman at the marathon World Championships in Moscow last month.
The other—38-year-old Meb Keflezighi—was the top American male finisher at the London Olympics marathon last year.
Hunter Kemper, the 37-year-old winner of last month's Chicago Triathlon, remains arguably America's top triathlete as he aims for his fifth Olympics."
"Old-timers are suggesting that performance-related apathy among young amateur athletes helps explain why America hasn't won an Olympic marathon medal since 2004.
Of the two Americans who won marathon medals that year, one—Deena Kastor, who is now 40—was the top finishing American woman at the marathon World Championships in Moscow last month.
The other—38-year-old Meb Keflezighi—was the top American male finisher at the London Olympics marathon last year.
Hunter Kemper, the 37-year-old winner of last month's Chicago Triathlon, remains arguably America's top triathlete as he aims for his fifth Olympics."
During 'War Communism,' Lenin Used Six Principles Of Propaganda To Seize The Initiative And Consolidate Power
During 'War Communism,' Lenin Used Six Principles Of Propaganda To Seize The Initiative And Consolidate Power - Investors.com:
"6. Blame Your Predecessor
As happened anytime socialism ever had been tried, it was a failure.
Lenin's much-desired civil war cost 13 million lives and his ruinous economic policies triggered the famine of 1921-1922.
YouTube has many videos of Lenin speaking, with the salient feature being his propensity to blame his predecessor, the Czar, for the economic havoc."
"6. Blame Your Predecessor
As happened anytime socialism ever had been tried, it was a failure.
Lenin's much-desired civil war cost 13 million lives and his ruinous economic policies triggered the famine of 1921-1922.
YouTube has many videos of Lenin speaking, with the salient feature being his propensity to blame his predecessor, the Czar, for the economic havoc."
The Little Lies The Media Tell About ObamaCare
The Little Lies The Media Tell About ObamaCare - Investors.com:
Bias: Heard the one about how House Republicans have passed 40-plus bills to repeal or defund ObamaCare, all of which went nowhere?
It's not true.
Yet the mainstream press continues to peddle this blatant falsehood.
....Yet the media pretend these things never happened.
This is admittedly a little thing.
But as the Good Book says:
"The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones."
ACORN's former chief backs immigration to weaken 'white man'
ACORN's former chief backs immigration to weaken 'white man' | The Daily Caller:
"“for the first time ever in history, African-Americans outvoted white Americans.
Oooh.
That’s the fear of the white man.
That could change everything.
That’s why [immigration] should matter to us,” she declared."
Obama's America.......
"“for the first time ever in history, African-Americans outvoted white Americans.
Oooh.
That’s the fear of the white man.
That could change everything.
That’s why [immigration] should matter to us,” she declared."
Obama's America.......
Pro-Union Decision Could Become Conservatives’ Best Friend
Pro-Union Decision Could Become Conservatives’ Best Friend | Online Library of Law and Liberty:
"In Sweeney v. Zoeller, a state district court judge held that Indiana’s right-to-work law violates a state constitutional provision prohibiting slavery (yes, you read that sentence correctly). "
"In Sweeney v. Zoeller, a state district court judge held that Indiana’s right-to-work law violates a state constitutional provision prohibiting slavery (yes, you read that sentence correctly). "
Outback Australia banishes the topless barmaid
Outback Australia banishes the topless barmaid - Telegraph:
"“We now call them sports girls and they don’t wear g-strings or briefy-briefs,” he said.
“They wear shorts and a bikini-style top…
We’ve had different disagreements with liquor licensing and police that come up on race round.
Some of them said they were too brief, the bottom part, showing too much cheek.
That’s one man’s opinion at the end of the day.
But to save all the discrepancies, we decided to put them in shorts.”
"“We now call them sports girls and they don’t wear g-strings or briefy-briefs,” he said.
“They wear shorts and a bikini-style top…
We’ve had different disagreements with liquor licensing and police that come up on race round.
Some of them said they were too brief, the bottom part, showing too much cheek.
That’s one man’s opinion at the end of the day.
But to save all the discrepancies, we decided to put them in shorts.”
Saturday, September 21, 2013
How Europe's Economy Is Being Devastated By Global Warming Orthodoxy
How Europe's Economy Is Being Devastated By Global Warming Orthodoxy - Forbes:
"The German government has arranged for renewable energy producers to sell the power grid their electricity at more than 6 times the wholesale electricity market rate.
Nature reported that in 2012 renewable energy producers “cashed in an estimated €20 billion for electricity worth a mere €3 billion.”
Counting the costs of electricity from all sources, the Institute for Energy Research reported that “Germans pay 34 cents a kilowatt hour compared to an average of 12 cents in the United States).”"
"The German government has arranged for renewable energy producers to sell the power grid their electricity at more than 6 times the wholesale electricity market rate.
Nature reported that in 2012 renewable energy producers “cashed in an estimated €20 billion for electricity worth a mere €3 billion.”
Counting the costs of electricity from all sources, the Institute for Energy Research reported that “Germans pay 34 cents a kilowatt hour compared to an average of 12 cents in the United States).”"
Chicago plagued by hundreds of multiple shootings
Chicago plagued by hundreds of multiple shootings - chicagotribune.com:
"The vast majority of shootings in Chicago involve just one or two victims, but data collected by the Tribune show an alarming number of shootings in which sprayed gunfire hits more than one person.
Of 2,853 people shot in the city since Jan. 1, 2012, there have been 89 shootings involving three victims, according to the Tribune data.
In the same period there were 31 incidents in which four people were shot, and nine incidents in which five people were shot.
The tally includes homicide victims.
Police and other experts were hard-pressed Friday to recall a shooting with so many victims, although shootings involving nine victims happened on the South Side in 2009 and 2010."
"The vast majority of shootings in Chicago involve just one or two victims, but data collected by the Tribune show an alarming number of shootings in which sprayed gunfire hits more than one person.
Of 2,853 people shot in the city since Jan. 1, 2012, there have been 89 shootings involving three victims, according to the Tribune data.
In the same period there were 31 incidents in which four people were shot, and nine incidents in which five people were shot.
The tally includes homicide victims.
Police and other experts were hard-pressed Friday to recall a shooting with so many victims, although shootings involving nine victims happened on the South Side in 2009 and 2010."
Too Big To Fail Is Now Bigger Than Ever Before |
Too Big To Fail Is Now Bigger Than Ever Before |:
" The six largest banks in the United States have gotten 37 percent larger over the past five years.
Meanwhile, 1,400 smaller banks have disappeared from the banking industry during that time.
What this means is that the health of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley is more critical to the U.S. economy than ever before.
If they were “too big to fail” back in 2008, then now they must be “too colossal to collapse”.
" The six largest banks in the United States have gotten 37 percent larger over the past five years.
Meanwhile, 1,400 smaller banks have disappeared from the banking industry during that time.
What this means is that the health of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley is more critical to the U.S. economy than ever before.
If they were “too big to fail” back in 2008, then now they must be “too colossal to collapse”.
US nearly detonated atomic bomb over North Carolina
US nearly detonated atomic bomb over North Carolina – secret document | World news | The Guardian:
"Journalist uses Freedom of Information Act to disclose 1961 accident in which one switch averted catastrophe"
"Journalist uses Freedom of Information Act to disclose 1961 accident in which one switch averted catastrophe"
10 States That Said No To American Cars
10 States That Said No To American Cars | Bankrate.com:
"We've all heard the slogan "Buy American," but loyalty to American cars and trucks can vary widely from state to state.
The auto pricing website TrueCar.com recently looked at new-car sales data to rank the states, as well as the District of Columbia, that posted the lowest percentage of American-brand car purchases in 2012. Here are those states."
Take a look at #2
"We've all heard the slogan "Buy American," but loyalty to American cars and trucks can vary widely from state to state.
The auto pricing website TrueCar.com recently looked at new-car sales data to rank the states, as well as the District of Columbia, that posted the lowest percentage of American-brand car purchases in 2012. Here are those states."
Take a look at #2
House CR Forks Over $174,000 for Late Senator's Wife
House CR Forks Over $174,000 for Late Senator's Wife | 218:
"The death gratuity — a long-practiced, little-known, unofficial perk of office — has been a staple of congressional deaths. A Congressional Research Service report on members who die in office says:
“…it has been the typical practice of the House to provide a death gratuity equal to the member’s annual salary, payable to the deceased member’s widow or widower, or children either in the annual legislative branch appropriations act or a measure providing supplemental funds for the legislative branch. By statute, a death gratuity is considered a gift.”
Before Lautenberg’s death, he was No. 8 on Roll Call’s 50 Richest Members of Congress with a net worth of at least $56.8 million."
"The death gratuity — a long-practiced, little-known, unofficial perk of office — has been a staple of congressional deaths. A Congressional Research Service report on members who die in office says:
“…it has been the typical practice of the House to provide a death gratuity equal to the member’s annual salary, payable to the deceased member’s widow or widower, or children either in the annual legislative branch appropriations act or a measure providing supplemental funds for the legislative branch. By statute, a death gratuity is considered a gift.”
Before Lautenberg’s death, he was No. 8 on Roll Call’s 50 Richest Members of Congress with a net worth of at least $56.8 million."
10 'Poorest' Members of Congress Owe Big
10 'Poorest' Members of Congress Owe Big : Roll Call News:
"3. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: -$1.04 million
The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Wasserman Schultz has spent most of her career in political office, starting as a state legislator in her home state of Florida.
She has two mortgages with a combined worth of at least $750,000, plus $350,000 in home equity and personal loans.
She also carried more than $50,000 in credit card debt in 2012.
Her assets include a spouse-held $100,000 stock in the community bank where her husband works and several small bank accounts including college savings plans for her children.
......Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is the poorest member of the Senate, with a net worth of -$585,000. "
"3. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: -$1.04 million
The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Wasserman Schultz has spent most of her career in political office, starting as a state legislator in her home state of Florida.
She has two mortgages with a combined worth of at least $750,000, plus $350,000 in home equity and personal loans.
She also carried more than $50,000 in credit card debt in 2012.
Her assets include a spouse-held $100,000 stock in the community bank where her husband works and several small bank accounts including college savings plans for her children.
......Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is the poorest member of the Senate, with a net worth of -$585,000. "
CNN’s Don Lemon: You Have a Better Chance Of Getting Shot in a Black City Than Being Killed in a Mass Shooting
CNN’s Don Lemon: You Have a Better Chance Of Getting Robbed in a Black City Than Being Killed in a Mass Shooting | breakingbrown.com:
"He concluded: “You have a better chance of getting shot walking down your street, getting into an altercation, or getting robbed in cities like New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, Miami, D.C., Atlanta or Cleveland than you do getting shot or killed in a mass shooting.”
"He concluded: “You have a better chance of getting shot walking down your street, getting into an altercation, or getting robbed in cities like New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, Miami, D.C., Atlanta or Cleveland than you do getting shot or killed in a mass shooting.”
Obama struggles with debt talk at Ford plant: 'If we don't raise the debt ceiling, we're deadbeats'
Obama struggles with debt talk at Ford plant: 'If we don't raise the debt ceiling, we're deadbeats' - Washington Times:
"“This is important,” Mr. Obama said. “Raising the debt ceiling is not the same as approving more spending, any more than making your monthly payments adds to the total cost of your truck.”
Plowing ahead, Mr. Obama said, “I — you don’t say, well, I’m not going — I’m not going to pay my — my — my bill, my note for my truck because I’m going to save money. No, you’re not saving money. You already bought the truck, right? You have to pay the bills. You — you are not — you’re not saving money.”"
"“This is important,” Mr. Obama said. “Raising the debt ceiling is not the same as approving more spending, any more than making your monthly payments adds to the total cost of your truck.”
Plowing ahead, Mr. Obama said, “I — you don’t say, well, I’m not going — I’m not going to pay my — my — my bill, my note for my truck because I’m going to save money. No, you’re not saving money. You already bought the truck, right? You have to pay the bills. You — you are not — you’re not saving money.”"
Friday, September 20, 2013
More Flops in Electric Car Industry
More Flops in Electric Car Industry | Via Meadia:
"It looks as though the federal grant was the only thing keeping the company afloat for the past few years: the company cites the cancellation of government payments as the main reason for its bankruptcy."
"It looks as though the federal grant was the only thing keeping the company afloat for the past few years: the company cites the cancellation of government payments as the main reason for its bankruptcy."
Next stop, banana republic
Mark Steyn: Next stop, banana republic | banana, republic, government - Opinion - The Orange County Register:
"“This is the United States of America,” declared President Obama to the burghers of Liberty, Missouri, on Friday.
“We’re not some banana republic.”
He was talking about the Annual Raising of the Debt Ceiling, which glorious American tradition seems to come round earlier every year.
“This is not a deadbeat nation,” President Obama continued.
“We don’t run out on our tab.”
True.
But we don’t pay it off, either.
We just keep running it up, ever higher. "
"“This is the United States of America,” declared President Obama to the burghers of Liberty, Missouri, on Friday.
“We’re not some banana republic.”
He was talking about the Annual Raising of the Debt Ceiling, which glorious American tradition seems to come round earlier every year.
“This is not a deadbeat nation,” President Obama continued.
“We don’t run out on our tab.”
True.
But we don’t pay it off, either.
We just keep running it up, ever higher. "
KU Professor Placed On Administrative Leave After Tweet
KU Professor Placed On Administrative Leave After Tweet - KMBZ:
"MISSION - University of Kansas journalism professor David Guth has been placed on administrative leave following a tweet he made on Monday about the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in reference to the National Rifle Association.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little announced the decision on Friday.
"In order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment for students, the School of Journalism and the university, I have directed Provost Jeffrey Vitter to place Associate Professor Guth on indefinite administrative leave pending a review of the entire situation. Professor Guth’s classes will be taught by other faculty members," Gray-Little said in a statement.
After the Navy Yard shootings Monday, David Guth tweeted out "#NavyYardShooting The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.""
"MISSION - University of Kansas journalism professor David Guth has been placed on administrative leave following a tweet he made on Monday about the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in reference to the National Rifle Association.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little announced the decision on Friday.
"In order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment for students, the School of Journalism and the university, I have directed Provost Jeffrey Vitter to place Associate Professor Guth on indefinite administrative leave pending a review of the entire situation. Professor Guth’s classes will be taught by other faculty members," Gray-Little said in a statement.
After the Navy Yard shootings Monday, David Guth tweeted out "#NavyYardShooting The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.""
Obamacare Raising Health Care Spending by $621,000,000,000
Obamacare Raising Health Care Spending by $621,000,000,000:
"However, econometric and actuarial analysis by the CMS Office of the Actuary of the past fifty years of National Health Expenditure Accounts data…suggests that health spending growth is likely to accelerate once economic conditions improve significantly."
"However, econometric and actuarial analysis by the CMS Office of the Actuary of the past fifty years of National Health Expenditure Accounts data…suggests that health spending growth is likely to accelerate once economic conditions improve significantly."
Rescued Baby Hummingbird
from site:
"This is a baby hummingbird I rescued after it was attacked.
The song is "Better Together" by Jack Johnson.
UPDATE!!! when she thought she was ready to leave (and she was) she flew off to her favorite patch of the back yard, and her instincts instantly kicked in, and now she's just like all the other hummingbirds. for those that are concerned that she has imprinted on humans and wouldn't survive in the wild, don't worry, she is thriving. she has even successfully migrated and returned back to my yard. and for those who think i didn't know what i was doing, i did NOT feed her plain sugar water. i went outside 3 times a day and caught flies from my compost bin (be green people) in big bags, crushed them, and mixed them in as well. I also helped her learn to catch flies while flying (not in the video because the flies were too small). It was a pretty hectic but very rewarding experience and, in the end, i don't think it could have worked out any better :)"
Why does Obama's Justice Department want to send poor, black kids to failing schools?
Why does Obama's Justice Department want to send poor, black kids to failing schools? | Fox News:
"The Obama Justice Department filed a civil rights lawsuit last month to stop Louisiana from giving vouchers to poor students in failing schools.
The Justice Department claims that the vouchers disrupt racial balance in schools."
"The Obama Justice Department filed a civil rights lawsuit last month to stop Louisiana from giving vouchers to poor students in failing schools.
The Justice Department claims that the vouchers disrupt racial balance in schools."
Safe Passage Worker Hit Woman, Stole Benefits Card
Safe Passage Worker Hit Woman, Stole Benefits Card: Authorities « CBS Chicago:
"A Safe Passage worker for Chicago Public Schools allegedly struck a woman and stole her Link benefits card, authorities say.
Lashia Brown, 22, has been charged with misdemeanor battery and felony ID theft.
Police confirmed Brown has a prior criminal record that includes possessing a weapon without a Firearm Owners Identification Card, an offense for which she pleaded guilty.
Brown allegedly struck the victim in the face and used her Link card to withdraw money. "
"safe passage worker"?
"A Safe Passage worker for Chicago Public Schools allegedly struck a woman and stole her Link benefits card, authorities say.
Lashia Brown, 22, has been charged with misdemeanor battery and felony ID theft.
Police confirmed Brown has a prior criminal record that includes possessing a weapon without a Firearm Owners Identification Card, an offense for which she pleaded guilty.
Brown allegedly struck the victim in the face and used her Link card to withdraw money. "
"safe passage worker"?
5th-Generation Fighter, 1st-Generation Tires?
5th-Generation Fighter, 1st-Generation Tires? | Defense Tech:
"Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, who oversees the Defense Department’s Joint Strike Fighter program, this week said some parts of the plane break down too frequently.
When a reporter asked for examples, Bogdan cited a seemingly mundane component: the tires"
"Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, who oversees the Defense Department’s Joint Strike Fighter program, this week said some parts of the plane break down too frequently.
When a reporter asked for examples, Bogdan cited a seemingly mundane component: the tires"
City Sued Over FOIA Fees
City Sued Over FOIA Fees [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Westland charges $1 per page, $45 per hour to gather public information"
Make no mistake, it's them against us!
"Westland charges $1 per page, $45 per hour to gather public information"
Make no mistake, it's them against us!
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