Karzai Agrees to Cluster Bomb Treaty
"In a surprising last-minute change of policy, the government of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan agreed on Wednesday to join about 100 nations in signing a treaty banning the use of cluster munitions, a senior Afghan official said.
.....Representatives of about 100 nations began signing the ambitious treaty formally renouncing the use of the bombs, typically anti-personnel weapons that eject dozens of explosive bomblets when detonated. But some of the world’s biggest military powers, including the United States, China and Russia, reject the pact and many of the signatories expressed concern that the treaty they were signing fails to bind the countries most prone to military conflict. ...
Disarmament activists are already looking beyond the Bush administration and are calling on President-elect Barack Obama to sign the cluster munitions treaty and send it for ratification soon after he takes office. For good measure, they want Mr. Obama to sign a 1997 treaty banning the use and sale of anti-personnel landmines.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
S.C. gun tax holiday: Shops see sales boom
S.C. gun tax holiday: Shops see sales boom
"Business was — you might say — booming this past weekend, as the state’s first sales tax-free weekend attracted throngs to gun shops.
“It was a tremendous incentive,” said Ronnie Thrailkill, manager of Shooter’s Choice, a West Columbia gun shop."
"Business was — you might say — booming this past weekend, as the state’s first sales tax-free weekend attracted throngs to gun shops.
“It was a tremendous incentive,” said Ronnie Thrailkill, manager of Shooter’s Choice, a West Columbia gun shop."
Jeeze, reduce taxes and increase revenue!
Who'd of guessed?
Study: Algae blooms do billions in damage
Study: Algae blooms do billions in damage
"Nutrient pollution that causes noxious algae blooms to blanket lakes is more than an environmental nightmare -- the problem also reduces lakefront property values and causes billions of dollars in other economic losses, according to a new study.
Scientists at the University of Kansas concluded that algae blooms fueled by excessive concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in surface waters across the U.S. cause at least $4 billion damage annually. Most of the damage comes in the form of reduced lakefront property values, degraded fisheries and other recreational activities and the loss of biological diversity."
"Nutrient pollution that causes noxious algae blooms to blanket lakes is more than an environmental nightmare -- the problem also reduces lakefront property values and causes billions of dollars in other economic losses, according to a new study.
Scientists at the University of Kansas concluded that algae blooms fueled by excessive concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in surface waters across the U.S. cause at least $4 billion damage annually. Most of the damage comes in the form of reduced lakefront property values, degraded fisheries and other recreational activities and the loss of biological diversity."
Grand Rapids high school students cannot get failing grade under new policy
Grand Rapids high school students cannot get failing grade under new policy
"No Grand Rapids high school students will find failing grades on their report cards when they arrive this week.
Instead, students who performed poorly will see an 'H' for 'held' and an opportunity to make up the work and earn a passing grade by the end of the next trimester.
Teachers union leaders argue the change is another late-marking period scramble to boost sagging scores and undermines their ability to get students to show up and work hard all trimester.
Superintendent Bernard Taylor said the plan gives students a second chance to overcome problems and be successful.
'We are not watering down standards or lowering standards,' Taylor said. 'We're giving people the opportunity to meet standards when they go astray.'"
Very cool, dude!
An "F" is now an "H" and we all feel better about ourselves!
Why not make an "F" a "B" and we'll all feel even better!
"No Grand Rapids high school students will find failing grades on their report cards when they arrive this week.
Instead, students who performed poorly will see an 'H' for 'held' and an opportunity to make up the work and earn a passing grade by the end of the next trimester.
Teachers union leaders argue the change is another late-marking period scramble to boost sagging scores and undermines their ability to get students to show up and work hard all trimester.
Superintendent Bernard Taylor said the plan gives students a second chance to overcome problems and be successful.
'We are not watering down standards or lowering standards,' Taylor said. 'We're giving people the opportunity to meet standards when they go astray.'"
Very cool, dude!
An "F" is now an "H" and we all feel better about ourselves!
Why not make an "F" a "B" and we'll all feel even better!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Governing: Vallejo bankruptcy/November 2008
Governing: Vallejo bankruptcy/November 2008: "Are other cities with budget trouble on the verge of asking the courts for relief?
When the town of Vallejo, California, declared bankruptcy this spring, Mayor Osby Davis predicted — and rightly so — that he'd get an earful from his constituents, employees and retirees. What he didn't anticipate was the chorus of phone calls from mayors outside the city, both close by and clear across the country. They told him they were watching Vallejo's bankruptcy proceedings closely, and some of them, he says, indicated that 'they find themselves not too far behind us.'
Vallejo, a city of 120,000 about 35 miles northeast of San Francisco, flat-out went broke this year through a combination of generous public-safety salaries, declining property values and fiscal mismanagement. The city is estimating a $17 million deficit for the current fiscal year.
Previous municipal bankruptcies generally arose from adverse legal rulings or poor investment decisions. But Vallejo's predicament stems largely from economic conditions felt by cities across the nation, namely declining revenues and rising employee costs. And that scares the dickens out of cities, unions and municipal bondholders.
'Vallejo was sort of the canary in the coal mine — the sickest patient goes first,' says Dean Gloster, an attorney representing Vallejo's unions. 'Even better-run cities are going to be facing similar issues as health care costs rise and the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age.'"
When the town of Vallejo, California, declared bankruptcy this spring, Mayor Osby Davis predicted — and rightly so — that he'd get an earful from his constituents, employees and retirees. What he didn't anticipate was the chorus of phone calls from mayors outside the city, both close by and clear across the country. They told him they were watching Vallejo's bankruptcy proceedings closely, and some of them, he says, indicated that 'they find themselves not too far behind us.'
Vallejo, a city of 120,000 about 35 miles northeast of San Francisco, flat-out went broke this year through a combination of generous public-safety salaries, declining property values and fiscal mismanagement. The city is estimating a $17 million deficit for the current fiscal year.
Previous municipal bankruptcies generally arose from adverse legal rulings or poor investment decisions. But Vallejo's predicament stems largely from economic conditions felt by cities across the nation, namely declining revenues and rising employee costs. And that scares the dickens out of cities, unions and municipal bondholders.
'Vallejo was sort of the canary in the coal mine — the sickest patient goes first,' says Dean Gloster, an attorney representing Vallejo's unions. 'Even better-run cities are going to be facing similar issues as health care costs rise and the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age.'"
My Way News - Rastafarian can sue over Jiffy Lube hair policy
My Way News - Rastafarian can sue over Jiffy Lube hair policy: "A Rastafarian man who refused to shave off his beard or cut his hair to comply with a Jiffy Lube employee grooming policy can take his religious discrimination case to trial, Massachusetts' highest court ruled Tuesday.
The Supreme Judicial Court reversed a decision by a Superior Court judge who had dismissed Bobby T. Brown's lawsuit against a Jiffy Lube franchisee before a trial."
The Supreme Judicial Court reversed a decision by a Superior Court judge who had dismissed Bobby T. Brown's lawsuit against a Jiffy Lube franchisee before a trial."
We won't smell the tourists anymore
We_wont_smell_the_tourists_anymore
"The Capitol Visitors Center, which opened this morning, may have tripled its original budget and fallen years behind schedule, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid found a silver lining for members of Congress: tourists won't offend them with their B.O. anymore.
'My staff tells me not to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway,' said Reid in his remarks. 'In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it's true.'
But it's no longer going to be true, noted Reid, thanks to the air conditioned, indoor space.
And that's not all. 'We have many bathrooms here, as you can see,' Reid continued. 'Souvenirs are available.'
$621 million well spent."
"The Capitol Visitors Center, which opened this morning, may have tripled its original budget and fallen years behind schedule, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid found a silver lining for members of Congress: tourists won't offend them with their B.O. anymore.
'My staff tells me not to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway,' said Reid in his remarks. 'In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it's true.'
But it's no longer going to be true, noted Reid, thanks to the air conditioned, indoor space.
And that's not all. 'We have many bathrooms here, as you can see,' Reid continued. 'Souvenirs are available.'
$621 million well spent."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
NBC Exec: Obama's Skin Color Gives Him More Legitimacy Than Any American Leader In History | NewsBusters.org
NBC Exec: Obama's Skin Color Gives Him More Legitimacy Than Any American Leader In History NewsBusters.org: "Imagine that. Because Obama is black, before he even steps into the White House and accomplishes one darned thing he already has more legitimacy around the world than possibly every American president that came before him."
Sex invariably spells trouble, says Dalai Lama
Sex invariably spells trouble, says Dalai Lama
"The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, on Friday said sex spelt fleeting satisfaction and trouble later"
Well......duh!
"The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, on Friday said sex spelt fleeting satisfaction and trouble later"
Well......duh!
Doctors shocked at hostages's torture
Doctors shocked at hostages's torture: "But the bodies of the victims in this attack bore such signs about the kind of violence of urban warfare that I am still unable to put my thoughts to words,' he said.
Asked specifically if he was talking of torture marks, he said: 'It was apparent that most of the dead were tortured. What shocked me were the telltale signs showing clearly how the hostages were executed in cold blood,' one doctor said.
The other doctor, who had also conducted the post-mortem of the victims, said: 'Of all the bodies, the Israeli victims bore the maximum torture marks. It was clear that they were killed on the 26th itself. It was obvious that they were tied up and tortured before they were killed. It was so bad that I do not want to go over the details even in my head again,' he said."
Asked specifically if he was talking of torture marks, he said: 'It was apparent that most of the dead were tortured. What shocked me were the telltale signs showing clearly how the hostages were executed in cold blood,' one doctor said.
The other doctor, who had also conducted the post-mortem of the victims, said: 'Of all the bodies, the Israeli victims bore the maximum torture marks. It was clear that they were killed on the 26th itself. It was obvious that they were tied up and tortured before they were killed. It was so bad that I do not want to go over the details even in my head again,' he said."
And the sun rises in the east.....will we never learn?
Lawyers call for international court for the environment
Lawyers call for international court for the environment
"Stephen Hockman QC is proposing a body similar to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to be the supreme legal authority on issues regarding the environment.
The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.
But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the 'right to a healthy environment'."
"Stephen Hockman QC is proposing a body similar to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to be the supreme legal authority on issues regarding the environment.
The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.
But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the 'right to a healthy environment'."
Did anyone expect less from the enviro-legal-America-hating-world?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Four for four in state championships
It's four for four in state championships
"It will go down as the greatest day in Muskegon-area football history."
And perhaps in Muskegon sports, period.
The event formerly known as the high school football finals became the "Muskegon Invitational" on Friday as Muskegon Catholic at breakfasttime, Muskegon High just after lunch and finally Montague at suppertime won back-to-back-to-back state title's at Ford Field in downtown Detroit.
"It will go down as the greatest day in Muskegon-area football history."
And perhaps in Muskegon sports, period.
The event formerly known as the high school football finals became the "Muskegon Invitational" on Friday as Muskegon Catholic at breakfasttime, Muskegon High just after lunch and finally Montague at suppertime won back-to-back-to-back state title's at Ford Field in downtown Detroit.
Mumbai just another front
Mumbai just another front
"There was a photograph that appeared in many of the British papers, taken by a Reuters man and captioned by the news agency as follows: 'A suspected gunman walks outside the premises of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Victoria Terminus railway station.' The photo of the 'suspected gunman' showed a man holding a gun. We don't know much about him – he might be Muslim or Episcopalian, he might be an impoverished uneducated victim of Western colonialist economic oppression or a former vice-president of Lehman Brothers embarking on an exciting midlife career change – but one thing we ought to be able to say for certain is that a man pointing a gun is not a 'suspected gunman' but a gunman. 'This kind of silly political correctness infects reporters and news services worldwide,' wrote John Hinderaker of Powerline. 'They think they're being scrupulous – the man hasn't been convicted of being a gunman yet! – when, in fact, they're just being foolish. But the irrational conviction that nothing can be known unless it has been determined by a court and jury isn't just silly, it's dangerous.'"
Remember the liberal media isn't simply a myth.
"There was a photograph that appeared in many of the British papers, taken by a Reuters man and captioned by the news agency as follows: 'A suspected gunman walks outside the premises of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Victoria Terminus railway station.' The photo of the 'suspected gunman' showed a man holding a gun. We don't know much about him – he might be Muslim or Episcopalian, he might be an impoverished uneducated victim of Western colonialist economic oppression or a former vice-president of Lehman Brothers embarking on an exciting midlife career change – but one thing we ought to be able to say for certain is that a man pointing a gun is not a 'suspected gunman' but a gunman. 'This kind of silly political correctness infects reporters and news services worldwide,' wrote John Hinderaker of Powerline. 'They think they're being scrupulous – the man hasn't been convicted of being a gunman yet! – when, in fact, they're just being foolish. But the irrational conviction that nothing can be known unless it has been determined by a court and jury isn't just silly, it's dangerous.'"
Remember the liberal media isn't simply a myth.
It's back-to-back-to-back state champs
It's back-to-back-to-back state champs
"It will go down as the greatest day in Muskegon-area football history."
Muskegon, the winningest team in Michigan high school football history with more than 700 wins and 17 state titles, parlayed the excitement of last week's miraculous comeback victory over Davison into a quick start against Warren De La Salle in a 34-14 victory in the Division 2 championship game. It was the Big Reds' fifth state title since 1986 and third in the past five years under head coach Tony Annese.
"It will go down as the greatest day in Muskegon-area football history."
Muskegon, the winningest team in Michigan high school football history with more than 700 wins and 17 state titles, parlayed the excitement of last week's miraculous comeback victory over Davison into a quick start against Warren De La Salle in a 34-14 victory in the Division 2 championship game. It was the Big Reds' fifth state title since 1986 and third in the past five years under head coach Tony Annese.
Friday, November 28, 2008
DC'S ROTTEN SCHOOLS
DC'S ROTTEN SCHOOLS
"But most DC public schools are hellholes. So DC parents - including the first family - find hypocrisy a small price to pay for fulfilling their parental obligations.
Data compiled by The Washington Post in 2007 of the 100 largest school districts in the country ranked DC third in spending for each student, around $13,000 a pupil, but last in spending on instruction. More than half of every dollar of education spending goes to the salaries of administrators. Test scores are abysmal; the campuses are often unsafe."
"But most DC public schools are hellholes. So DC parents - including the first family - find hypocrisy a small price to pay for fulfilling their parental obligations.
Data compiled by The Washington Post in 2007 of the 100 largest school districts in the country ranked DC third in spending for each student, around $13,000 a pupil, but last in spending on instruction. More than half of every dollar of education spending goes to the salaries of administrators. Test scores are abysmal; the campuses are often unsafe."
Thank "god" the Obama girls won't be subject to the schools Mr Obama enforces on Chicago and American children.
Making the World Safe for Marxism
Making the World Safe for Marxism
"In fact, the interesting question is no longer whether our politics in the US and Europe (not to mention Latin America) are leading to Marxism. The interesting question now is whether voters care. My guess is that almost half the people in the US, and probably more elsewhere, think Marxism is no worse or even better than 'capitalism.'"
"In fact, the interesting question is no longer whether our politics in the US and Europe (not to mention Latin America) are leading to Marxism. The interesting question now is whether voters care. My guess is that almost half the people in the US, and probably more elsewhere, think Marxism is no worse or even better than 'capitalism.'"
Pension Tsunami
Pension Tsunami: "That approaching wave of pension debt is bigger than it looks. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the multiple pension crises that are about to drown America's taxpayers."
Secret sex life of red squirrel uncovered by scientist
Secret sex life of red squirrel uncovered by scientist: "Female red squirrels are giving rabbits a run for their money.
New research by former University of Alberta researcher Jeffrey Lane shows the species is among the most promiscuous of animals, mating with sometimes as many as eight or nine different male squirrels in one day."
New research by former University of Alberta researcher Jeffrey Lane shows the species is among the most promiscuous of animals, mating with sometimes as many as eight or nine different male squirrels in one day."
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Roads, skies less full as Thanksgiving rush starts
Roads, skies less full as Thanksgiving rush starts: "We have to pay the money to change and we don't have the money,' said Kathy Boyd, 54.
Cutbacks didn't deter Donita Hill of Estero, Fla., who was traveling with her husband, Bob to spend Thanksgiving with their son, a resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The couple waited Wednesday to take a train to Worcester, Mass.
'I think sometimes when money is tight, you re-evaluate what's really important to you, and you realize that it's really family and friends,' said Donita Hill.
'Maybe you cut back on the (holiday) gifts a little bit, or maybe you don't have as extravagant a Thanksgiving as you used to,' she said. 'Maybe you don't have a free-range bird as you've had in the past; maybe you go to a Butterball.'"
Cutbacks didn't deter Donita Hill of Estero, Fla., who was traveling with her husband, Bob to spend Thanksgiving with their son, a resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The couple waited Wednesday to take a train to Worcester, Mass.
'I think sometimes when money is tight, you re-evaluate what's really important to you, and you realize that it's really family and friends,' said Donita Hill.
'Maybe you cut back on the (holiday) gifts a little bit, or maybe you don't have as extravagant a Thanksgiving as you used to,' she said. 'Maybe you don't have a free-range bird as you've had in the past; maybe you go to a Butterball.'"
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Muskegon County Commission Chair says bye bye!
Chairman of the Muskegon County Commissioners, Jim Derezinski announced he will not run for reelection as chairman next year!
This is BAD news for Muskegon.
Jim was a fine chairman and said he made his choice because he wanted to be a "pioneer" but he found that pioneers get all the arrows.
Big loss for our county at a critical time
This is BAD news for Muskegon.
Jim was a fine chairman and said he made his choice because he wanted to be a "pioneer" but he found that pioneers get all the arrows.
Big loss for our county at a critical time
France 24 | Icelanders demand PM resign during violent protests | France 24
France 24 Icelanders demand PM resign during violent protests
"Thousands of Icelanders demonstrated in Reykjavik on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Geir Haarde and Central Bank Governor David Oddsson for failing to stop a financial meltdown in the country."
"Thousands of Icelanders demonstrated in Reykjavik on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Geir Haarde and Central Bank Governor David Oddsson for failing to stop a financial meltdown in the country."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Moderates: 'Immigrants should sign Swedish contract' - The Local
Moderates: 'Immigrants should sign Swedish contract'
"A working committee from within the Moderate has developed the proposal and the party will consider the idea at its future convention, reports Sveriges Radio's Ekot news program.
'It is important that when people from different cultures congregate in the same country, that we are very clear over how things are done in Sweden,' said Moderate party secretary Per Schlingmann to Ekot.
'The purpose is ensure that we pass on core Swedish values about equality and so on.'"
"A working committee from within the Moderate has developed the proposal and the party will consider the idea at its future convention, reports Sveriges Radio's Ekot news program.
'It is important that when people from different cultures congregate in the same country, that we are very clear over how things are done in Sweden,' said Moderate party secretary Per Schlingmann to Ekot.
'The purpose is ensure that we pass on core Swedish values about equality and so on.'"
Problems Plague U.S. Flex-Fuel Fleet - washingtonpost.com
Problems Plague U.S. Flex-Fuel Fleet - washingtonpost.com: "The EPAct program offers a cautionary tale as President-elect Barack Obama promises to kill dependence on foreign oil and revive the economy by retooling for the green revolution, experts say.
'This is an example of a law that has had a perversely different effect than what was originally intended,'' said Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists, an nonprofit environmental organization based in Washington."
'This is an example of a law that has had a perversely different effect than what was originally intended,'' said Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists, an nonprofit environmental organization based in Washington."
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Amazon.com: 2008 Pricing - turbotax Discussion Forum
Amazon.com: 2008 Pricing - turbotax Discussion Forum: "Before you buy this product be sure to read the fine print this year....you will now be limited to preparing just ONE return with this software without paying an additional $10 per return to Intuit to prepare any additional returns. Not $10 to e-file but $10 to even prepare and print a return that you could mail in.
No more reasonable 5 return limits anymore, one and done is it. Do a return for your spouse filing separately, pay more. Do a return for your kids...pay more. Do a return for your parents, pay more.
This is now disclosed in very fine print. Don't get caught before you buy with knowledge of exactly what you are getting."
No more reasonable 5 return limits anymore, one and done is it. Do a return for your spouse filing separately, pay more. Do a return for your kids...pay more. Do a return for your parents, pay more.
This is now disclosed in very fine print. Don't get caught before you buy with knowledge of exactly what you are getting."
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