Rick Haglund: Decreasing college dropout rate is crucial to Michigan's economic future | MLive.com
"Just about everyone in Michigan thinks a college education is important for a successful career. That’s the good news."
"just about everyone"?
Classic groupthink from an uberlib who thinks personal debt is as unimportant as government debt.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Condoms for free at 22 city schools
Condoms for free at 22 city schools - Philly.com
"Coming over the holiday break to about a third of Philadelphia high schools: clear plastic dispensers chock-full of free condoms.
The dispensers will be placed in the 22 high schools whose students had the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and condoms will be available to any student - so long as their parents did not sign a form opting them out of the program.
It's a pilot designed to address "an epidemic of sexually transmitted disease in adolescents in Philadelphia," said Donald F. Schwarz, the deputy mayor for health and opportunity. Since April 2011, the city has given away about four million condoms, and now, STD rates are falling."
"Coming over the holiday break to about a third of Philadelphia high schools: clear plastic dispensers chock-full of free condoms.
The dispensers will be placed in the 22 high schools whose students had the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and condoms will be available to any student - so long as their parents did not sign a form opting them out of the program.
It's a pilot designed to address "an epidemic of sexually transmitted disease in adolescents in Philadelphia," said Donald F. Schwarz, the deputy mayor for health and opportunity. Since April 2011, the city has given away about four million condoms, and now, STD rates are falling."
Sunday, December 23, 2012
The roots of mass murder
Charles Krauthammer: The roots of mass murder - The Washington Post
The irony is that over the last 30 years, the U.S. homicide rate has declined by 50 percent.
Gun murders as well.
We’re living not through an epidemic of gun violence but through a historic decline.
Except for these unfathomable mass murders.
But these are infinitely more difficult to prevent.
While law deters the rational, it has far less effect on the psychotic.
The best we can do is to try to detain them, disarm them and discourage “entertainment” that can intensify already murderous impulses.
But there’s a cost. Gun control impinges upon the Second Amendment; involuntary commitment impinges upon the liberty clause of the Fifth Amendment; curbing “entertainment” violence impinges upon First Amendment free speech.
The irony is that over the last 30 years, the U.S. homicide rate has declined by 50 percent.
Gun murders as well.
We’re living not through an epidemic of gun violence but through a historic decline.
Except for these unfathomable mass murders.
But these are infinitely more difficult to prevent.
While law deters the rational, it has far less effect on the psychotic.
The best we can do is to try to detain them, disarm them and discourage “entertainment” that can intensify already murderous impulses.
But there’s a cost. Gun control impinges upon the Second Amendment; involuntary commitment impinges upon the liberty clause of the Fifth Amendment; curbing “entertainment” violence impinges upon First Amendment free speech.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Michigan considers new deal for Detroit
Michigan considers new deal for Detroit | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
The state still could decide to appoint an emergency financial manager under the current law, Public Act 72, given the city's precarious financial state.
The city estimates it is burning through approximately $10 million a month.
The state still could decide to appoint an emergency financial manager under the current law, Public Act 72, given the city's precarious financial state.
The city estimates it is burning through approximately $10 million a month.
Oil-rich UAE backs Matt Damon anti-fracking film Promised Lan
Oil-rich UAE backs Matt Damon anti-fracking film Promised Lan - Investors.com
'Promised Land," a film that does nothing to alter Hollywood's stereotype of businessmen, particularly energy industry executives, as greedy plunderers of the planet, opens this week in selected theatres.
The anti-fracking film is based on a not-true story about well contamination in a small Pennsylvania town with a healthy dose of junk science.
As documentary filmmaker Phelim McAleer, who is working on his own documentary, "FrackNation", has pointed out, the inspiration for the film was a spate of news reports about alleged ground water contamination from fracking wells in Dimock, Pa. "Promised Land" is set in rural Pennsylvania.
At one point, Hollywood celebrities even brought water to 11 families who claimed fracking had destroyed their water and their lives.
The only problem, notes McAleer, is the claims were debunked by both the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency, both of which found no evidence of contamination.
But why spoil a good story with the facts?
'Promised Land," a film that does nothing to alter Hollywood's stereotype of businessmen, particularly energy industry executives, as greedy plunderers of the planet, opens this week in selected theatres.
The anti-fracking film is based on a not-true story about well contamination in a small Pennsylvania town with a healthy dose of junk science.
As documentary filmmaker Phelim McAleer, who is working on his own documentary, "FrackNation", has pointed out, the inspiration for the film was a spate of news reports about alleged ground water contamination from fracking wells in Dimock, Pa. "Promised Land" is set in rural Pennsylvania.
At one point, Hollywood celebrities even brought water to 11 families who claimed fracking had destroyed their water and their lives.
The only problem, notes McAleer, is the claims were debunked by both the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency, both of which found no evidence of contamination.
But why spoil a good story with the facts?
Workers at GM, Ford to Score Nice Bonuses This Year
Workers at GM, Ford to Score Nice Bonuses This Year - 24/7 Wall St.
"GM workers can expect bonuses of between $5,500 and $7,000, and Ford’s employees could receive a payment of more than $8,000 each, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
The payments are based on a formula that gives workers a $1 bonus for every $1 million in North American operating profit at the two companies."
"GM workers can expect bonuses of between $5,500 and $7,000, and Ford’s employees could receive a payment of more than $8,000 each, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
The payments are based on a formula that gives workers a $1 bonus for every $1 million in North American operating profit at the two companies."
Let's take a step toward peace on earth by turning in our assault rifles
Letters: Let's take a step toward peace on earth by turning in our assault rifles | MLive.com
An open letter to America:
Jesus was called the Prince of Peace.
That's why I consider myself a follower of Jesus.
And that's why I invite all owners of assault rifles to voluntarily turn in your assault rifles at the nearest police department, sheriff's office or any other law enforcement agency.
At this time of the year, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's get rid of these weapons of war.
Then we just might come a little closer to having peace on earth, goodwill to all.
REV. BILL FREEMAN/Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Muskegon
An open letter to America:
Jesus was called the Prince of Peace.
That's why I consider myself a follower of Jesus.
And that's why I invite all owners of assault rifles to voluntarily turn in your assault rifles at the nearest police department, sheriff's office or any other law enforcement agency.
At this time of the year, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's get rid of these weapons of war.
Then we just might come a little closer to having peace on earth, goodwill to all.
REV. BILL FREEMAN/Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Muskegon
After Newtown, Modest Change in Opinion about Gun Control | Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
After Newtown, Modest Change in Opinion about Gun Control | Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
"The public’s attitudes toward gun control have shown only modest change in the wake of last week’s deadly shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
Currently, 49% say it is more important to control gun ownership, while 42% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns.
This marks the first time since Barack Obama took office that more Americans prioritize gun control than the right to own guns. "
"The public’s attitudes toward gun control have shown only modest change in the wake of last week’s deadly shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
Currently, 49% say it is more important to control gun ownership, while 42% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns.
This marks the first time since Barack Obama took office that more Americans prioritize gun control than the right to own guns. "
‘Travesty of Justice’: Limits on President’s Detention Powers Stripped from Final Defense Bill
The PJ Tatler » ‘Travesty of Justice’: Limits on President’s Detention Powers Stripped from Final Defense Bill
“Proponents of indefinite detention will argue that we are a good people and that we will never unjustly detain people.
I don’t dispute their intentions or impute bad motives to them, but what I will say is remember what Madison said.
Madison said that if a government were comprised of angels, we wouldn’t need the chains of the constitution.”
“Proponents of indefinite detention will argue that we are a good people and that we will never unjustly detain people.
I don’t dispute their intentions or impute bad motives to them, but what I will say is remember what Madison said.
Madison said that if a government were comprised of angels, we wouldn’t need the chains of the constitution.”
Union Leaders: 'There Is Going To Be Retribution'
Union Leaders: 'There Is Going To Be Retribution' [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
Al Garrett, president of Michigan AFSCME Council 25, and Larry Roehrig, secretary treasurer, laid out their plans about how to “attack” the law.
The conference call was recorded and Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained the audio file.
"There is going to be retribution," Garrett said.
Al Garrett, president of Michigan AFSCME Council 25, and Larry Roehrig, secretary treasurer, laid out their plans about how to “attack” the law.
The conference call was recorded and Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained the audio file.
"There is going to be retribution," Garrett said.
Editorial: We all hold the key to stopping violence
Editorial: We all hold the key to stopping violence | MLive.com
Tell us what you're doing to end violence in our community in the comments below.
Tell us what you're doing to end violence in our community in the comments below.
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