Sunday, January 06, 2013
Stark Evidence of US, British Naval Decline
Blog: Stark Evidence of US, British Naval Decline
"The re-emergence of what used to called "privateers" (Sir Francis Drake is the most famous example from history) is the latest sign of outsourcing or abandonment of traditional military functions by Western nations whose militaries have contracted to pinpoint-size in the wake of the growth of the modern welfare state.
Private security and private armies -- again, once known to history as "mercenaries," are another aspect of this trend."
"The re-emergence of what used to called "privateers" (Sir Francis Drake is the most famous example from history) is the latest sign of outsourcing or abandonment of traditional military functions by Western nations whose militaries have contracted to pinpoint-size in the wake of the growth of the modern welfare state.
Private security and private armies -- again, once known to history as "mercenaries," are another aspect of this trend."
MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
December 27, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Individual legislators missed 2,234 votes in 2012, according to MichiganVotes.org 'Missed Votes Report'
Individual legislators missed 2,234 votes in 2012, according to MichiganVotes.org 'Missed Votes Report'
Peg West: Our reader panel is a special Muskegon-area sounding board
Peg West: Our reader panel is a special Muskegon-area sounding board | MLive.com
One way we are doing that is through a local reader panel.
We started it last year, and like to switch it up about every six months.
Weplan to start with a new group in coming weeks.
The brainchild of our community engagement specialist, PaulaHolmes-Greeley, this panel of citizens agrees to be a sounding board for theissues of our day, and to react quickly when necessary to whatever may crop up.
They also are asked to make a special effort to participatein our comments section, and will do so by name.
One way we are doing that is through a local reader panel.
We started it last year, and like to switch it up about every six months.
Weplan to start with a new group in coming weeks.
The brainchild of our community engagement specialist, PaulaHolmes-Greeley, this panel of citizens agrees to be a sounding board for theissues of our day, and to react quickly when necessary to whatever may crop up.
They also are asked to make a special effort to participatein our comments section, and will do so by name.
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
On Dec. 13, Muskegon County Administrator Bonnie Hammersley told Michigan Capitol Confidential that she'd prefer the prevailing wage ordinance not apply to the jail project.
"My understanding is that if we don't have federal dollars in it, we don't need to use prevailing wage," Hammersley said.
"We won't use it unless we have to, because it’s an administrative burden. It adds to the cost."
Heath Kaplan, Muskegon County finance and management services director said the county’s prevailing wage ordinance would apply to the jail project.
Kaplan was asked if the ordinance would add $2 million or more to the project.
"That seems somewhat high to me," Kaplan said.
However, he said he wasn't certain of a better estimate.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
New Year, New Nannies: Concord, MA Bans Water Bottles
Cost of Government Center :: New Year, New Nannies: Concord, MA Bans Water Bottles
"Concord, MA, has set a new record for pointless government overreach after a ban on sales of plastic water bottles went into effect with the onset of the new year.
After three years of attempts to prevent Concord residents from choosing to hydrate themselves with fresh, filtered, unflavored, uncarbonated water - unless it’s sold in container larger than one liter – the bylaw was passed on April 26 last year and came into effect January 1, 2013. "
"Concord, MA, has set a new record for pointless government overreach after a ban on sales of plastic water bottles went into effect with the onset of the new year.
After three years of attempts to prevent Concord residents from choosing to hydrate themselves with fresh, filtered, unflavored, uncarbonated water - unless it’s sold in container larger than one liter – the bylaw was passed on April 26 last year and came into effect January 1, 2013. "
Self-Destruct Mode
LIBERTY REVIEW
Obama doesn’t have a problem shipping guns and war planes to the enemies of the United States.
He does however want the American people to give up their right to bear arms.
Obama is arming our enemies while trying his very best to disarm American citizens.
Obama doesn’t have a problem shipping guns and war planes to the enemies of the United States.
He does however want the American people to give up their right to bear arms.
Obama is arming our enemies while trying his very best to disarm American citizens.
Brrr! China's coldest winter in decades at new low
News from The Associated Press
China Meteorological Administration on Friday said the national average was -3.8 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit) since late November, the coldest in nearly three decades.
China Meteorological Administration on Friday said the national average was -3.8 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit) since late November, the coldest in nearly three decades.
Longer expiration date, no inactivity fees add to gift card boom
Longer expiration date, no inactivity fees add to gift card boom | Business | Detroit City And Press
Prior to 2008, if a gift card went unclaimed past its expiration date, the retailer was required to report it as abandoned and the money
went to the state as unclaimed property, Hallan said.
After 2008, laws said the gift cards no longer can have expiration dates of less than five years.
In addition, the retailers can't change the terms and conditions during that time period and can't charge inactivity fees or service fees, although Hallan said there can still be an activation fee.
In addition, retailers — not the state — retains the money if cards go unused for longer than five years.
"It's kind of a win-win for consumers and retailers," Hallan said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130105/BIZ/301050328#ixzz2H8rRMhrW
Prior to 2008, if a gift card went unclaimed past its expiration date, the retailer was required to report it as abandoned and the money
went to the state as unclaimed property, Hallan said.After 2008, laws said the gift cards no longer can have expiration dates of less than five years.
In addition, the retailers can't change the terms and conditions during that time period and can't charge inactivity fees or service fees, although Hallan said there can still be an activation fee.
In addition, retailers — not the state — retains the money if cards go unused for longer than five years.
"It's kind of a win-win for consumers and retailers," Hallan said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130105/BIZ/301050328#ixzz2H8rRMhrW
At 27, David Flynn is youngest chair of Macomb County Board of Commissioners
At 27, David Flynn is youngest chair of Macomb County Board of Commissioners | Crain's Detroit Business
Flynn, a member of Crain's 2010 class of 20 in their 20s, was the executive director of "Charter = County Executive," which collected 35,000 signatures to establish a county executive form of government with a reduced number of commissioners.
The charter form of government, approved in 2009 by voters, cut the number of commissioners from 26 to 13.
Flynn, a member of Crain's 2010 class of 20 in their 20s, was the executive director of "Charter = County Executive," which collected 35,000 signatures to establish a county executive form of government with a reduced number of commissioners.
The charter form of government, approved in 2009 by voters, cut the number of commissioners from 26 to 13.
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