http://ncane.com/uzbq
But it became increasingly clear Friday that this 18-year nightmare did not have to be for Dugard, with new details surfacing that authorities blew numerous chances to catch her alleged captor.
Neighbors complained to law enforcement that a psychotic sex addict was in their midst, alarmed that Phillip Garrido was housing young girls in backyard tents. A deputy showed up to investigate, but never went beyond the front porch.
Probation officers showed up at the home, too, but had no inkling that his back yard was actually a labyrinth of tents, sheds and buildings that were Dugard's prison.
They did not even know he had children on the premises.
Garrido also wore a GPS-linked ankle bracelet that tracked his every movement, the result of his sex-crime convictions that sent him away to Leavenworth for a 50-year stint, only to get paroled after 10 years.
"Why is he out and about?" said Dan DeMaranville, who investigated Garrido in the 1970s rape case in Nevada. "If he's on lifetime parole, where was his parole officer? The guy was a sick puppy, and should have been neutered before he was paroled."
The outrage came as a sheriff's department acknowledged that it missed an opportunity to arrest Garrido in 2006 after the neighbor complaint about children in the yard.
"We missed an opportunity to bring earlier closure to this situation," Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren E. Rupf said. "I cannot change the course of events but we are beating ourselves up over this and continue to do so."
"We should have been more inquisitive, more curious and turned over a rock or two."
Duh!
I sure hope there is a new sheriff in town soon!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Kent County prepares to sue state over unfunded foster care programs
Kent County prepares to sue state over unfunded foster care programs
"Kent County has been authorized to sue the state over provisions of a 2008 settlement Michigan reached with a national children's rights advocacy group -- which local officials say illegally impose unfunded mandates, creating a strain on county coffers.
The national group, Children's Rights Inc., sued the state last year after a series of high-profile abuse cases, alleging some children placed with Michigan foster care providers were being harmed because of a lack of adequate monitoring. The case was settled late last year, with the state agreeing to a list of provisions including providing more case workers in abuse and neglect complaints, adding legal counsel for the parties involved and expanding eligibility requirements for foster care.
Kent County officials say the settlement, reached without their consent, violates the state constitution by mandating more than $4 million in added services, only half of which would be reimbursed by the state. They also say having to pay for services mandated by the settlement places in jeopardy less-expensive programs, which are more effective in preventing abuse and neglect"
It's about time!
"Kent County has been authorized to sue the state over provisions of a 2008 settlement Michigan reached with a national children's rights advocacy group -- which local officials say illegally impose unfunded mandates, creating a strain on county coffers.
The national group, Children's Rights Inc., sued the state last year after a series of high-profile abuse cases, alleging some children placed with Michigan foster care providers were being harmed because of a lack of adequate monitoring. The case was settled late last year, with the state agreeing to a list of provisions including providing more case workers in abuse and neglect complaints, adding legal counsel for the parties involved and expanding eligibility requirements for foster care.
Kent County officials say the settlement, reached without their consent, violates the state constitution by mandating more than $4 million in added services, only half of which would be reimbursed by the state. They also say having to pay for services mandated by the settlement places in jeopardy less-expensive programs, which are more effective in preventing abuse and neglect"
It's about time!
AIG CEO defends holiday, slams lynch mob attacks
AIG CEO defends holiday, slams lynch mob attacks
"He makes no apologies for his passion for Croatia, including his palatial villa with 12 bathrooms and his vineyards on the Peljesac Peninsula about a two hours drive north of Dubrovnik."
Who doesn't need 12 bathrooms?
"He makes no apologies for his passion for Croatia, including his palatial villa with 12 bathrooms and his vineyards on the Peljesac Peninsula about a two hours drive north of Dubrovnik."
Who doesn't need 12 bathrooms?
Ted Kennedy's Soviet Gambit
Ted Kennedy's Soviet Gambit
"Kennedy's message was simple.
He proposed an unabashed quid pro quo. Kennedy would lend Andropov a hand in dealing with President Reagan.
In return, the Soviet leader would lend the Democratic Party a hand in challenging Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.
'The only real potential threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations,' the memorandum stated.
'These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign.'"
"Kennedy's message was simple.
He proposed an unabashed quid pro quo. Kennedy would lend Andropov a hand in dealing with President Reagan.
In return, the Soviet leader would lend the Democratic Party a hand in challenging Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.
'The only real potential threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations,' the memorandum stated.
'These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign.'"
Final Cash for Clunkers data
Final Cash for Clunkers data
"TOP SELLERS
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus front-wheel drive
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit"
GM..Fiat...er Chrysler...where are you?
Chairman Obama will be looking into this soon, I'm sure!
"TOP SELLERS
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus front-wheel drive
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit"
GM..Fiat...er Chrysler...where are you?
Chairman Obama will be looking into this soon, I'm sure!
Big Beck: Goes over 3 million viewers, beats O’Reilly
Big Beck: Goes over 3 million viewers, beats O’Reilly in demo: Cable News Ratings for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
"Though a little scandal might alienate advertisers, it’s pure ratings gold.
Last night Glenn Beck had over 3 million viewers at 5pm, second only to O’Reilly for the night.
But, Beck had more 25-54 viewers than O’Reilly (888K to 876K).
I don’t watch or really even care about the cable news wars, but still…wow.
Even though Beck airs before primetime, when there are fewer people watching TV, he had the most 25-54 viewers in the cable news world for the night."
"Though a little scandal might alienate advertisers, it’s pure ratings gold.
Last night Glenn Beck had over 3 million viewers at 5pm, second only to O’Reilly for the night.
But, Beck had more 25-54 viewers than O’Reilly (888K to 876K).
I don’t watch or really even care about the cable news wars, but still…wow.
Even though Beck airs before primetime, when there are fewer people watching TV, he had the most 25-54 viewers in the cable news world for the night."
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
"One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today."
Obama-care with a nicer accent!
"One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today."
Obama-care with a nicer accent!
Real US unemployment rate at 16 pct: Fed official
Real US unemployment rate at 16 pct: Fed official
"The real US unemployment rate is 16 percent if persons who have dropped out of the labor pool and those working less than they would like are counted, a Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.
'If one considers the people who would like a job but have stopped looking -- so-called discouraged workers -- and those who are working fewer hours than they want, the unemployment rate would move from the official 9.4 percent to 16 percent, said Atlanta Fed chief Dennis Lockhart."
16% !!!!!!!!!
"The real US unemployment rate is 16 percent if persons who have dropped out of the labor pool and those working less than they would like are counted, a Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.
'If one considers the people who would like a job but have stopped looking -- so-called discouraged workers -- and those who are working fewer hours than they want, the unemployment rate would move from the official 9.4 percent to 16 percent, said Atlanta Fed chief Dennis Lockhart."
16% !!!!!!!!!
Cash For Clunkers A 'Success' At Exposing Continued Decay at Bailed-Out GM and Chrysler
Cash For Clunkers A 'Success' At Exposing Continued Decay at Bailed-Out GM and Chrysler
"'In contrast, some automakers couldn't really make Cash for Clunkers work for them, and their August sales suffered as a result,' Krebs noted, 'Chrysler and GM — both hurt by extended factory shutdowns during their Chapter 11 proceedings — had limited inventory to feed Cash for Clunkers, while high-end automakers didn't have the right products for these buyers.'
Given the extraordinarily high levels of unsold vehicles GM and Chrysler had on hand earlier this year, I'm not sure that Ms. Krebs's claim about 'limited inventory' holds up, even with the extended shutdowns cited. But even if it does, why wouldn't the geniuses who fashion themselves as 'car czars' have done something about the impending shortage in advance?
The big story in vehicle sales ever since the bailouts of GM and Chrysler commenced in December of last year has been how those two companies have consistently lost market share ever since."
"'In contrast, some automakers couldn't really make Cash for Clunkers work for them, and their August sales suffered as a result,' Krebs noted, 'Chrysler and GM — both hurt by extended factory shutdowns during their Chapter 11 proceedings — had limited inventory to feed Cash for Clunkers, while high-end automakers didn't have the right products for these buyers.'
Given the extraordinarily high levels of unsold vehicles GM and Chrysler had on hand earlier this year, I'm not sure that Ms. Krebs's claim about 'limited inventory' holds up, even with the extended shutdowns cited. But even if it does, why wouldn't the geniuses who fashion themselves as 'car czars' have done something about the impending shortage in advance?
The big story in vehicle sales ever since the bailouts of GM and Chrysler commenced in December of last year has been how those two companies have consistently lost market share ever since."
ABC Buries Harsh Kennedy Obit, One That Labels Him a ‘Failure,’ in the Middle of the Night
ABC Buries Harsh Kennedy Obit, One That Labels Him a ‘Failure,’ in the Middle of the Night
"In the early hours of Wednesday, reporter John Donvan narrated a tough, comprehensive look at the life of Ted Kennedy, one that went so far as to assert that the Senator was sometimes 'a let down, an embarrassment to his family, to his party, to himself.' However, this eight and a half minute segment, which looked into Chappaquiddick, Kennedy’s cheating at Harvard and other scandals, aired at 2:30 in the morning, during a special, late night edition of Nightline.
A much shorter, sanitized version of the piece was replayed on the August 26 edition of World News With Charles Gibson. It left out the harsh words about being a 'failure,' the accounts of public intoxication and affairs, all of which were featured in the Nightline segment."
"In the early hours of Wednesday, reporter John Donvan narrated a tough, comprehensive look at the life of Ted Kennedy, one that went so far as to assert that the Senator was sometimes 'a let down, an embarrassment to his family, to his party, to himself.' However, this eight and a half minute segment, which looked into Chappaquiddick, Kennedy’s cheating at Harvard and other scandals, aired at 2:30 in the morning, during a special, late night edition of Nightline.
A much shorter, sanitized version of the piece was replayed on the August 26 edition of World News With Charles Gibson. It left out the harsh words about being a 'failure,' the accounts of public intoxication and affairs, all of which were featured in the Nightline segment."
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
"Posted by anthony11 on 08/27/09 at 1:58PM
You people act like you are shocked. Everyone new why the company was bought out. It was for a patent on the special coated paper number 5 machine made. This is no shock and the people should have been locking for a job a long time ago instead of letting there unemployment run out. The plant people new this.
a commentPosted by harleyrdr on 08/27/09 at 6:01PM
Anthony11, you're exactly right except there were several patents. The first thing SLAPPI did after buying the mill was transfer all manufacturing of the #1 paper grades like lustro gloss and strobe gloss to their other mills, then gave Muskegon the #3 papers like sommerset gloss etc. Then they claimed they could'nt make a profit in Muskegon. The truth is that they could'nt make a profit on the cheap grades of paper that no printers wanted anymore."
Interesting!
"Posted by anthony11 on 08/27/09 at 1:58PM
You people act like you are shocked. Everyone new why the company was bought out. It was for a patent on the special coated paper number 5 machine made. This is no shock and the people should have been locking for a job a long time ago instead of letting there unemployment run out. The plant people new this.
a commentPosted by harleyrdr on 08/27/09 at 6:01PM
Anthony11, you're exactly right except there were several patents. The first thing SLAPPI did after buying the mill was transfer all manufacturing of the #1 paper grades like lustro gloss and strobe gloss to their other mills, then gave Muskegon the #3 papers like sommerset gloss etc. Then they claimed they could'nt make a profit in Muskegon. The truth is that they could'nt make a profit on the cheap grades of paper that no printers wanted anymore."
Interesting!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Still 'Crazy' -- And Proud of It
Still 'Crazy' -- And Proud of It
"Us right-wing nuts sure is scary!
That's the message from the Washington Post.
To put this in language a conservative would understand, the fourth estate has been alarmed once again by the Burkean proclivities of our nation's citizens.
The Post is in a panic about (to use its own descriptive terms) 'birthers,' 'anti-tax tea-partiers,' and 'town hall hecklers.'
If, last Sunday, you spent a profitless hour reading the Washington Post (itself not too profitable), you noticed the loud yapping and desperate nipping at those who disagree with liberal orthodoxy.
It was as if top management were a toy schnauzer accidentally mistaken for a duster and traumatized by being run back and forth through the venetian blinds.
The wise and prestigious broadsheet institution was so barking mad that it sent three (Three! In these times of hardship for the print media!
When reporters are being laid off right and left--well, mostly right--and stories are going uncovered from rapidly warming pole to pole! Three!) journalists to do battle with 'The Return of Right-Wing Rage.'"
"Us right-wing nuts sure is scary!
That's the message from the Washington Post.
To put this in language a conservative would understand, the fourth estate has been alarmed once again by the Burkean proclivities of our nation's citizens.
The Post is in a panic about (to use its own descriptive terms) 'birthers,' 'anti-tax tea-partiers,' and 'town hall hecklers.'
If, last Sunday, you spent a profitless hour reading the Washington Post (itself not too profitable), you noticed the loud yapping and desperate nipping at those who disagree with liberal orthodoxy.
It was as if top management were a toy schnauzer accidentally mistaken for a duster and traumatized by being run back and forth through the venetian blinds.
The wise and prestigious broadsheet institution was so barking mad that it sent three (Three! In these times of hardship for the print media!
When reporters are being laid off right and left--well, mostly right--and stories are going uncovered from rapidly warming pole to pole! Three!) journalists to do battle with 'The Return of Right-Wing Rage.'"
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
"Officials announced Wednesday the plant that was idled in April will not reopen."
"Officials announced Wednesday the plant that was idled in April will not reopen."
Hoekstra slates health care town hall meetings Monday in Holland; Saturday in Cadillac, Scottville
Hoekstra slates health care town hall meetings Monday in Holland; Saturday in Cadillac, Scottville
"U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is hosting a town hall meeting Monday night in Holland on health care, Hoekstra spokesman Dave Yonkman said.
The session is 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Evergreen Commons, 480 State St.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Hoekstra is also hosting town hall meetings on health care on Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Cadillac High School Auditorium, 400 Linden St.in Cadillac; and from noon to 1:30 p.m. at West Shore Community College's Center Stage Theater at the Arts and Sciences Center, 3000 N. Stiles Road in Scottville."
What? No Muskegon?
"U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is hosting a town hall meeting Monday night in Holland on health care, Hoekstra spokesman Dave Yonkman said.
The session is 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Evergreen Commons, 480 State St.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Hoekstra is also hosting town hall meetings on health care on Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Cadillac High School Auditorium, 400 Linden St.in Cadillac; and from noon to 1:30 p.m. at West Shore Community College's Center Stage Theater at the Arts and Sciences Center, 3000 N. Stiles Road in Scottville."
What? No Muskegon?
Trinity Health recognized as one of country's best
Trinity Health recognized as one of country's best
"Trinity Health -- the Catholic health system that owns Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon -- has been named one of the Top 10 health systems in the United States"
"Trinity Health -- the Catholic health system that owns Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon -- has been named one of the Top 10 health systems in the United States"
Big winners in Cash for Clunkers: Toyota, Honda, and Nissan; Update: Parts business big losers?
Big winners in Cash for Clunkers: Toyota, Honda, and Nissan; Update: Parts business big losers?
"Ford’s “clunkers” sales topped 14 percent, compared with a 15 percent share for the year through July.
GM reported 17 percent of “clunkers” business compared with 21 percent from January to July. Chrysler’s “clunkers” share was 6.6 percent, compared with 11 percent otherwise."
"Ford’s “clunkers” sales topped 14 percent, compared with a 15 percent share for the year through July.
GM reported 17 percent of “clunkers” business compared with 21 percent from January to July. Chrysler’s “clunkers” share was 6.6 percent, compared with 11 percent otherwise."
Government-Run Healthcare: A Prescription for Failure
Investor's Business Daily
"In this exclusive series, Investor's Business Daily explores the real costs & consequences of the healthcare reforms being discussed in Congress."
"In this exclusive series, Investor's Business Daily explores the real costs & consequences of the healthcare reforms being discussed in Congress."
Spartans enter into football series with other state schools
Spartans enter into football series with other state schools
"When asked whether Michigan was considered as a part of this series, Hollis would only say he informed U-M Athletics Director Bill Martin about the idea.
“I firmly believe Michigan State is the university of this state,” he said"
"When asked whether Michigan was considered as a part of this series, Hollis would only say he informed U-M Athletics Director Bill Martin about the idea.
“I firmly believe Michigan State is the university of this state,” he said"
Oooh yeah!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
HOW'S THAT STIMULUS WORKING OUT FOR YOU?
HOW'S THAT STIMULUS WORKING OUT FOR YOU?
"We blew $787 billion and all we got... were these lousy jobs numbers.
WASHINGTON – The number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly for the second straight week, a sign that jobs remain scarce even as other data show the economy is stabilizing....
The Labor Department said Thursday the number of new jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 576,000 last week, from a revised figure of 561,000. Wall Street economists expected a drop to 550,000,"
"We blew $787 billion and all we got... were these lousy jobs numbers.
WASHINGTON – The number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly for the second straight week, a sign that jobs remain scarce even as other data show the economy is stabilizing....
The Labor Department said Thursday the number of new jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 576,000 last week, from a revised figure of 561,000. Wall Street economists expected a drop to 550,000,"
As Budget Deficit Grows, So Do Doubts on Dollar
As Budget Deficit Grows, So Do Doubts on Dollar
"In a new twist to an old refrain among economists, who have long worried about the effects of growing U.S. debt, they say that the huge liabilities the U.S. is taking on to dig its way out of crisis could ultimately undermine faith in the dollar.
'There has been a lot of disappointment with the way the U.S. credit crisis was handled,' says Claire Dissaux, managing director of global economics and strategy for Millennium Global Investments Ltd., a London investment firm specializing in currencies. 'The dollar's loss of influence is a steady and long-term trend.'
On Tuesday, the Obama administration added fuel to concerns about the dollar, saying the U.S. will run a cumulative budget deficit of $9 trillion over the next 10 years, $2 trillion more than it had previously projected."
"In a new twist to an old refrain among economists, who have long worried about the effects of growing U.S. debt, they say that the huge liabilities the U.S. is taking on to dig its way out of crisis could ultimately undermine faith in the dollar.
'There has been a lot of disappointment with the way the U.S. credit crisis was handled,' says Claire Dissaux, managing director of global economics and strategy for Millennium Global Investments Ltd., a London investment firm specializing in currencies. 'The dollar's loss of influence is a steady and long-term trend.'
On Tuesday, the Obama administration added fuel to concerns about the dollar, saying the U.S. will run a cumulative budget deficit of $9 trillion over the next 10 years, $2 trillion more than it had previously projected."
How large is the fiscal hole?
How large is the fiscal hole?
"Economistmom says the actual budget deficit over the next decade is likely to be close to $14 trillion:"
$14 TRILLION!!!!!!!!?
"Economistmom says the actual budget deficit over the next decade is likely to be close to $14 trillion:"
$14 TRILLION!!!!!!!!?
Payday For Unions
Payday For Unions
"If there's any question as to why union toughs turned up at recent health care town halls and got violent, consider what they were gooning for: a $10 billion bailout for their mismanaged pensions — at our expense."
"If there's any question as to why union toughs turned up at recent health care town halls and got violent, consider what they were gooning for: a $10 billion bailout for their mismanaged pensions — at our expense."
Little MSM interest in this story.
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