Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Climate Change Scam: A Concise Summary

Power Line - The Climate Change Scam: A Concise Summary

"For example, some argue that the Arctic is melting, with the warmest-ever temperatures.
One should ask, 'How long is ever?'
The answer is since 1979.

And then ask, 'Is it still warming?'
The answer is unequivocally 'No.'
Earth temperatures are cooling.

Similarly, the word 'unprecedented' cannot be legitimately used to describe any climate change in the last 8,000 years."

Portage teachers prove loyalty to district, students by accepting wage concessions

Portage teachers prove loyalty to district, students by accepting wage concessions
"We at EAG would like to congratulate the teachers of Portage schools for accepting a two percent pay cut and an early retirement package, which will help the district erase a $2.5 million deficit and save teaching jobs in the process.
It demonstrated that rank-and-file teachers really do care about their students and their younger colleagues who are threatened with layoffs."

Wayne State University making up for lost Michigan Promise scholarships

Wayne State University making up for lost Michigan Promise scholarships
"Wayne State University says it will cover the money its students lost with cuts to the Michigan Promise Scholarship program this academic year.
The university says it will cover the $1,000 scholarship for students who have filed the federal financial aid disclosure form and show a 'need based on federal guidelines.'"

Tenure reform left out of Michigan's sweeping changes to education policy | Grand Rapids News - - MLive.com

Tenure reform left out of Michigan's sweeping changes to education policy
"A Press investigation in 2008 illustrated how difficult it is to discipline or fire teachers under Michigan's tenure law. The probe found 17 public school districts in Kent and Ottawa counties had to use buyouts or other deals to oust some 29 teachers -- many who were protected by tenure -- because of behavioral problems.
In the investigation, teachers were found to be:
• sexually harassing students
• viewing pornography on school computers
• failing to keep classrooms under control
• drinking on the job
In some cases, districts glossed over problems by shredding evidence, asking administrators not to speak about the reasons behind a departure or writing a positive letter of recommendation for the teacher."

Underperforming school takeovers key to Michigan education reform

Underperforming school takeovers key to Michigan education reform
"Michigan's aggressive plan to turn around and perhaps take over the worst of its public schools will be a key piece of the state's effort to win up to $400 million in federal stimulus money for education."

Grand Rapids' financial crunch puts community police officers back on street

Grand Rapids' financial crunch puts community police officers back on street
"For nearly six years, Hearing has used his position as coach for the Seidman Center football team to teach children how to stay out of trouble and in school.
Now city budget cuts and a thinning police department mean Moore and Hearing will be leaving the centers and returning to patrol duties.
Center staff say the two officers will be sorely missed."

Budget Office Rebuts Democratic Claims on Medicare

Budget Office Rebuts Democratic Claims on Medicare
"The Congressional Budget Office challenged claims by health-care overhaul proponents that Medicare savings in Senate legislation would help finance expanded coverage and postpone the bankruptcy of the medical program for the elderly.
The nonpartisan agency said the $246 billion it projected the legislation would save Medicare can’t both finance new programs and help pay future expenses for elderly covered under the federal program.
Nor could those savings be used to extend the solvency of Medicare, set to run out of money in 2017, the budget office said"

Incident should be a signal to Obama, Hoekstra says

Incident should be a signal to Obama, Hoekstra says
Detroit Free Press: "The ranking Republican on the U.S. House Intelligence Committee says today's suspected terrorist incident at Detroit Metro Airport could provide further evidence of a Yemen-based branch of al-Qaida intent on an attack on American soil and believes the Obama administration needs to take more aggressive action to combat the threat."

Friday, December 25, 2009

Tax credit deadline approaches

Tax credit deadline approaches
"Even though the program runs until the end of 2010, there is a rush to beat the Dec. 31 deadline to get a credit off 2009 taxes"

Time to re-start thinking about taxes!