400 workers to be laid off for 6 months
"A Muskegon company is shutting down -- at least temporarily.
Sappi Paper is closing for at least six months starting April first.
The closure affects about 400 workers.
Company officials say it's all due to the economy and they hope to re-open and hire all employees back after the six month period."
Monday, March 02, 2009
Canada's new haves and have-nots
Canada's new haves and have-nots
"In Canada, there is every prospect for similar resentment to arise, as it becomes evident that the recession is dividing the country into a new class of haves and have-nots.
But this isn't traditional class warfare: The have-nots are workers in the private sector who have no protection against pay cuts, lost jobs and disappearing pensions. The haves are those who work in the public sector, and are insulated by government from any danger.
The startling results revealed by Quebec's Caisse de depot et Public-sector workers make from 8% to 17% more than workers in private firms"
"In Canada, there is every prospect for similar resentment to arise, as it becomes evident that the recession is dividing the country into a new class of haves and have-nots.
But this isn't traditional class warfare: The have-nots are workers in the private sector who have no protection against pay cuts, lost jobs and disappearing pensions. The haves are those who work in the public sector, and are insulated by government from any danger.
The startling results revealed by Quebec's Caisse de depot et Public-sector workers make from 8% to 17% more than workers in private firms"
NASA's Chief Climate Scientist Stirs Controversy With Call for Civil Disobedience
NASA's Chief Climate Scientist Stirs Controversy With Call for Civil Disobedience
"'Oh my goodness,' one of Hansen's former supervisors, Dr. John Theon, told FOXNews.com when informed of the video. 'I'm not surprised ... The fact that Jim Hansen has gone off the deep end here is sad because he's a good fellow.'"
"'Oh my goodness,' one of Hansen's former supervisors, Dr. John Theon, told FOXNews.com when informed of the video. 'I'm not surprised ... The fact that Jim Hansen has gone off the deep end here is sad because he's a good fellow.'"
Sunday, March 01, 2009
BAD TRIP - City pension board approves trips to St. Thomas, Dubai during fiscal crisis
BAD TRIP - City pension board approves trips to St. Thomas, Dubai during fiscal crisis
"Heavy stock market losses and calls for increased taxpayer contributions to fund city employee pensions have not stopped some board members of the Baltimore Employees' Retirement System from taking trips to the Middle East, a swank Caribbean resort, and tropical locales like San Paulo, Brazil to attend “investment” conferences.
Minutes of ERS board meetings reviewed by Investigative Voice show that the body that manages retirement funds for 10,000 city employees approved a travel itinerary in 2007 and 2008 that would make Marco Polo blush.
Among the trips paid for with taxpayer-provided retirement funds was an April 2008 trip to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands by Comptroller Joan Pratt, approved by the board last February, an excursion to San Palo, Brazil in the summer of 2007 by Executive Director Roselyn Spencer approved by the board last year, and most recently a trip by Pratt and Spencer to Dubai approved by the board in the fall of 2008."
"Heavy stock market losses and calls for increased taxpayer contributions to fund city employee pensions have not stopped some board members of the Baltimore Employees' Retirement System from taking trips to the Middle East, a swank Caribbean resort, and tropical locales like San Paulo, Brazil to attend “investment” conferences.
Minutes of ERS board meetings reviewed by Investigative Voice show that the body that manages retirement funds for 10,000 city employees approved a travel itinerary in 2007 and 2008 that would make Marco Polo blush.
Among the trips paid for with taxpayer-provided retirement funds was an April 2008 trip to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands by Comptroller Joan Pratt, approved by the board last February, an excursion to San Palo, Brazil in the summer of 2007 by Executive Director Roselyn Spencer approved by the board last year, and most recently a trip by Pratt and Spencer to Dubai approved by the board in the fall of 2008."
WRONG!
The Wrong Man For The Job
Imagine one of China's and Saudi Arabia's mouthpieces in America writing intelligence reports for the White House. Meet Chas Freeman, who will soon fill all three roles"
Imagine one of China's and Saudi Arabia's mouthpieces in America writing intelligence reports for the White House. Meet Chas Freeman, who will soon fill all three roles"
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Nationwide Ammunition Shortage Hits U.S.
Nationwide Ammunition Shortage Hits U.S.
"But what is causing our current ammunition shortages here in 2009?
Much of the demand comes from continued high law enforcement demand, the same demand that led to shortages two years ago.
Police agencies around the nation have become more militarized in recent years and two trends within this militarization have led to greater police ammunition demand.
An increase in the size and number of paramilitary police units"
"But what is causing our current ammunition shortages here in 2009?
Much of the demand comes from continued high law enforcement demand, the same demand that led to shortages two years ago.
Police agencies around the nation have become more militarized in recent years and two trends within this militarization have led to greater police ammunition demand.
An increase in the size and number of paramilitary police units"
Anti-Gun Deception On The Senate Floor
Anti-Gun Deception On The Senate Floor
"Anti-gun lawmakers swore up and down that once the 'assault weapon' ban expired, the murder rate would go through the roof. Well, the ban expired in 2004 and since then, the murder rate has gone down to a 43-year low."
"Anti-gun lawmakers swore up and down that once the 'assault weapon' ban expired, the murder rate would go through the roof. Well, the ban expired in 2004 and since then, the murder rate has gone down to a 43-year low."
The Incredible Bulk battles the Fat Cats | government, big, invest, everything, small
The Incredible Bulk battles the Fat Cats government, big, invest, everything, small
"If you find it hard to keep track of all these evolutions, the president in his address to Congress finally spilled the beans and unveiled our new hero in his final form:
the Incredible Bulk, Statezilla, Governmentuan, a colossus bestriding the land like a, er, colossus. What superpowers does he have? All of them! He can save the economy, he can reform health care, he can prevent foreclosures, he can federalize day care, he can cap the salary of his archenemies the sinister Fat Cats who 'pad their paychecks and buy fancy drapes.' No longer will the citizenry cower in fear of fancy drapes"
Steyn at his best!
"If you find it hard to keep track of all these evolutions, the president in his address to Congress finally spilled the beans and unveiled our new hero in his final form:
the Incredible Bulk, Statezilla, Governmentuan, a colossus bestriding the land like a, er, colossus. What superpowers does he have? All of them! He can save the economy, he can reform health care, he can prevent foreclosures, he can federalize day care, he can cap the salary of his archenemies the sinister Fat Cats who 'pad their paychecks and buy fancy drapes.' No longer will the citizenry cower in fear of fancy drapes"
Steyn at his best!
MEXICAN DRUG GANGS MOVE NORTH
MEXICAN DRUG GANGS MOVE NORTH
"And, yes they are here. The Los Angeles Times has an interactive map (hint: click on 'unknown affiliation.')"
"And, yes they are here. The Los Angeles Times has an interactive map (hint: click on 'unknown affiliation.')"
How Obama And Biden Fought The Surge
How Obama And Biden Fought The Surge
As we have often noted before (see the related articles links below), Messrs Obama and Biden fought our winning strategy in Iraq – tooth and nail.
A fact you would never guess from Mr. Obama’s remarks yesterday at Camp Lejeune.
But here is another gentle reminder about their prescience, via YouTube:"
As we have often noted before (see the related articles links below), Messrs Obama and Biden fought our winning strategy in Iraq – tooth and nail.
A fact you would never guess from Mr. Obama’s remarks yesterday at Camp Lejeune.
But here is another gentle reminder about their prescience, via YouTube:"
The Intellectual Redneck: Taxing the rich at 100% won't pay for Obama's budget
The Intellectual Redneck: Taxing the rich at 100% won't pay for Obama's budget
"The Wall Street Journal has reported that taxing the rich at 100% won't pay for Obama's budget. Barack Obama promised not to raise taxes on anyone making under $250,000 per year. Where is he going to get the money? The numbers indicate Obama will need to take 100% of the income of everyone making over $75,000."
"The Wall Street Journal has reported that taxing the rich at 100% won't pay for Obama's budget. Barack Obama promised not to raise taxes on anyone making under $250,000 per year. Where is he going to get the money? The numbers indicate Obama will need to take 100% of the income of everyone making over $75,000."
Brutal February for Blue Chips
Brutal February for Blue Chips
"A late burst of selling sealed a dismal finish for the stock market, which hit a fresh 12-year low.
Great hope from the investment world for Prez B Hussein.
"A late burst of selling sealed a dismal finish for the stock market, which hit a fresh 12-year low.
Great hope from the investment world for Prez B Hussein.
TWO AMERICAS
TWO AMERICAS
"Companies are cutting jobs by the tens of thousands.
State and local governments are penny-pinching, too.
So what about Uncle Sam?
Tough times for him as well?
Not exactly.
In fact the number of federal workers is on the rise.
That might seem strange to the 11 million people in the U.S. who are out of work - and the millions more who fear they soon will be. Shouldn't Washington pare down too?
But it is unlikely that President Barack Obama will put any of the nearly 2 million federal civil servants out in the street in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. His proposed $800-plus billion economic aid plan, which includes heavy spending on public works, is expected to increase the ranks of federal workers, although mostly at the state and local level."
"Companies are cutting jobs by the tens of thousands.
State and local governments are penny-pinching, too.
So what about Uncle Sam?
Tough times for him as well?
Not exactly.
In fact the number of federal workers is on the rise.
That might seem strange to the 11 million people in the U.S. who are out of work - and the millions more who fear they soon will be. Shouldn't Washington pare down too?
But it is unlikely that President Barack Obama will put any of the nearly 2 million federal civil servants out in the street in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. His proposed $800-plus billion economic aid plan, which includes heavy spending on public works, is expected to increase the ranks of federal workers, although mostly at the state and local level."
McCain Backs Obama's Iraq Withdrawal Plan
McCain Backs Obama's Iraq Withdrawal Plan
"Sen. John McCain, who lost his White House bid to Barack Obama last fall, is supporting the president's new plan to pull most U.S. troops out of Iraq by the fall of 2010.
"Sen. John McCain, who lost his White House bid to Barack Obama last fall, is supporting the president's new plan to pull most U.S. troops out of Iraq by the fall of 2010.
O my gosh!
Another reason to be glad McCrook ain't our Prez....
$25, 573.48 - what Barack Obama's budget will cost each taxpayer
$25, 573.48 - what Barack Obama's budget will cost each taxpayer
"So how much will President Barack Obama's budget cost us?
The projected 2010 budget of $3.552 trillion can be found on page 114 of the 'New Era of Responsibility' budget here.
......I'm an American taxpayer and the starkest figure is what this could cost me. The latest figure I could find for the number of US taxpayers is 138,893,908 returns in 2007 here.
By my reckoning, that's $25, 573.48 each."
"So how much will President Barack Obama's budget cost us?
The projected 2010 budget of $3.552 trillion can be found on page 114 of the 'New Era of Responsibility' budget here.
......I'm an American taxpayer and the starkest figure is what this could cost me. The latest figure I could find for the number of US taxpayers is 138,893,908 returns in 2007 here.
By my reckoning, that's $25, 573.48 each."
Zero Tolerance, Zero Common Sense
Zero Tolerance, Zero Common Sense
"Her crime? She left three rifle shaped drill team props in the back of her car at Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, Colo. Colorado law mandates expulsion for any student found with a 'dangerous weapon' on school grounds, which includes 'a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm.'
The non-operative rifle props are used during drill routines, where the facsimiles are spun and tossed. The props are made of wood and plastic, are heavily duct‑taped and, of course, cannot function and were never intended to. Morrow had brought them to school because she was preparing for a competition at the Air Force Academy in April and planned to attend a practice right after school."
"Her crime? She left three rifle shaped drill team props in the back of her car at Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, Colo. Colorado law mandates expulsion for any student found with a 'dangerous weapon' on school grounds, which includes 'a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm.'
The non-operative rifle props are used during drill routines, where the facsimiles are spun and tossed. The props are made of wood and plastic, are heavily duct‑taped and, of course, cannot function and were never intended to. Morrow had brought them to school because she was preparing for a competition at the Air Force Academy in April and planned to attend a practice right after school."
Officials say MSU deaths isolated, no public risk
Officials say MSU deaths isolated, no public risk
Police department and Michigan State University Police say there is no reason for students or parents to be alarmed by two recent student deaths, even though they say they're not sure why the men died.
I can tell you that the public is not at risk," MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said, though she declined to release details in one of the cases."
Hep me here.... they promise there is no danger but they don't know what is killing the kids?
Why should anyone believe these prevaricators?
Police department and Michigan State University Police say there is no reason for students or parents to be alarmed by two recent student deaths, even though they say they're not sure why the men died.
I can tell you that the public is not at risk," MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said, though she declined to release details in one of the cases."
Hep me here.... they promise there is no danger but they don't know what is killing the kids?
Why should anyone believe these prevaricators?
American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'
American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'
"The tenderness of the delicate American buttock is causing more environmental devastation than the country's love of gas-guzzling cars, fast food or McMansions, according to green campaigners.
"The tenderness of the delicate American buttock is causing more environmental devastation than the country's love of gas-guzzling cars, fast food or McMansions, according to green campaigners.
At fault, they say, is the US public's insistence on extra-soft, quilted and multi-ply products when they use the bathroom."
The enviro-loonies hate our bums?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Obama Declares War on Investors, Entrepreneurs, Businesses, And More
Obama Declares War on Investors, Entrepreneurs, Businesses, And More
"Let me be very clear on the economics of President Obama’s State of the Union speech and his budget.
He is declaring war on investors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, large corporations, and private-equity and venture-capital funds."
"Let me be very clear on the economics of President Obama’s State of the Union speech and his budget.
He is declaring war on investors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, large corporations, and private-equity and venture-capital funds."
"Muskegon Money" is Muskegonized!
Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce
"Due to circumstances beyond control of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, Muskegon Money can no longer be redeemed. The provider of Muskegon Money Gift Certificates, Certifichecks, Inc. has abruptly ceased operations.
DO NOT ACCEPT, DEPOSIT OR GIVE ANY MUSKEGON MONEY CERTIFICATES!
* Notify your staff
* Remove all window & door decals
* Place a sign up at your business notifying customers you can no longer accept these certificates.
The Chamber will be contacting participating merchants with more details and information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience."
The good news: They told us ASAP.
The bad news: They told us is was a good deal.
"Due to circumstances beyond control of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, Muskegon Money can no longer be redeemed. The provider of Muskegon Money Gift Certificates, Certifichecks, Inc. has abruptly ceased operations.
DO NOT ACCEPT, DEPOSIT OR GIVE ANY MUSKEGON MONEY CERTIFICATES!
* Notify your staff
* Remove all window & door decals
* Place a sign up at your business notifying customers you can no longer accept these certificates.
The Chamber will be contacting participating merchants with more details and information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience."
The good news: They told us ASAP.
The bad news: They told us is was a good deal.
Crowd protests federal stimulus, bailouts at state Capitol
Crowd protests federal stimulus, bailouts at state Capitol
"Stefanie Huffaker of Lansing said she and her 9-year-old daughter Olivia attended because “I want the president and the Congress to know that they’re spending too much money. We don’t have it. It seems like there’s no end.
“They need to slow down. I’m worried about my kids and my grandkids.”"
"Stefanie Huffaker of Lansing said she and her 9-year-old daughter Olivia attended because “I want the president and the Congress to know that they’re spending too much money. We don’t have it. It seems like there’s no end.
“They need to slow down. I’m worried about my kids and my grandkids.”"
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