Did the Stimulus Stimulate? The Weekly Standard
"This is the economic equivalent of assuming there are 1,000 angels on the head of a pin, observing that we have 10 pins, and therefore calculating that we must have 10,000 angels.
The math is fine.
But it sheds no light on the key policy issue—were the recently passed acts of government stimulus cost effective?
The degree of cost effectiveness was an assumed number, not one calculated using any version of the scientific method."
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"
American Thinker: Free Speech Lawsuit: NYC Bans "911 Images"
"The ad was refused. When I asked on what grounds, CBS Outdoor told me that the city said that 'images of 911 were not allowed.'
I was floored. I said, 'It is American history. How can it be banned? What about Pearl Harbor? Is that censored too? On what grounds are 911 images banned? It is unconscionable.'
The CBS Outdoor representative told me: 'You can't run the plane.'"
"The ad was refused. When I asked on what grounds, CBS Outdoor told me that the city said that 'images of 911 were not allowed.'
I was floored. I said, 'It is American history. How can it be banned? What about Pearl Harbor? Is that censored too? On what grounds are 911 images banned? It is unconscionable.'
The CBS Outdoor representative told me: 'You can't run the plane.'"
Monday, August 09, 2010
Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute
Flight Attendant Uses Emergency Slide to Escape Dispute - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com
"A JetBlue flight attendant apparently upset with an uncooperative passenger on a just-landed flight unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on the public-address system, pulled the emergency-exit chute, slid off the plane and fled Kennedy International Airport, a law enforcement official said."
"A JetBlue flight attendant apparently upset with an uncooperative passenger on a just-landed flight unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on the public-address system, pulled the emergency-exit chute, slid off the plane and fled Kennedy International Airport, a law enforcement official said."
The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien Régime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people
The Obama presidency increasingly resembles a modern-day Ancien Régime: extravagant and out of touch with the American people – Telegraph Blogs
"It is the kind of impunity that has been highlighted on the world stage this week by Michelle Obama’s hugely costly trip to Spain, which has prompted a New York Post columnist Andrea Tantaros to dub the First Lady a contemporary Marie Antoinette.
As The Telegraph reports, while the Obamas are covering their own vacation expenses such as accommodation, the trip may cost US taxpayers as much as $375,000 in terms of secret service security and flight costs on Air Force Two."
"It is the kind of impunity that has been highlighted on the world stage this week by Michelle Obama’s hugely costly trip to Spain, which has prompted a New York Post columnist Andrea Tantaros to dub the First Lady a contemporary Marie Antoinette.
As The Telegraph reports, while the Obamas are covering their own vacation expenses such as accommodation, the trip may cost US taxpayers as much as $375,000 in terms of secret service security and flight costs on Air Force Two."
U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing
U.S. electricity blackouts skyrocketing - CNN.com
"Experts on the nation's electricity system point to a frighteningly steep increase in non-disaster-related outages affecting at least 50,000 consumers."
"Experts on the nation's electricity system point to a frighteningly steep increase in non-disaster-related outages affecting at least 50,000 consumers."
Pelosi Economics
Pelosi Economics [Mackinac Center]
"Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. Speaker of the House, recently said that unemployment benefits are creating jobs faster than practically any other program.
'It injects demand into the economy,' Pelosi said. 'It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.'
Some public policy experts and national media writers sound off on Pelosi's comments:"
"Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. Speaker of the House, recently said that unemployment benefits are creating jobs faster than practically any other program.
'It injects demand into the economy,' Pelosi said. 'It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.'
Some public policy experts and national media writers sound off on Pelosi's comments:"
Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]
Auditor General Uncovers Numerous Troubles with Dept. of Community Health [Mackinac Center]
"A 94-year-old nursing home resident was held in a 'hammerlock' position so she could not move while a Medicaid provider forced her to give an impression for dentures. She had been without teeth for 50 years and didn't want them. When she left the exam room, her face, neck and dress were covered with impression plaster."
"A 94-year-old nursing home resident was held in a 'hammerlock' position so she could not move while a Medicaid provider forced her to give an impression for dentures. She had been without teeth for 50 years and didn't want them. When she left the exam room, her face, neck and dress were covered with impression plaster."
86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections
FOXNews.com - 86 Days to Decide: Activists Say Tea Party Imposters Infiltrating Elections
"In New Jersey, a 'Tea Party' candidate surfaces but local activists haven't heard of him.
In Michigan, a Democratic operative appears closely tied to a slate of candidates running under the Tea Party banner."
"In New Jersey, a 'Tea Party' candidate surfaces but local activists haven't heard of him.
In Michigan, a Democratic operative appears closely tied to a slate of candidates running under the Tea Party banner."
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success
Obama owes Bush thanks for Iraq success--Editorial - NYPOST.com
"How's this for hubris: President Obama extolling his 'new strategy' in Iraq -- even though it never would have succeeded had his original vision prevailed?
The president struck a triumphal tone this week about the Iraq mission coming to an end -- but shunned the word 'success.'
He spoke of 'ending' the war, but took pains to avoid context.
Sen. John McCain rightly called the address 'small-minded' and 'bizarre.'"
"How's this for hubris: President Obama extolling his 'new strategy' in Iraq -- even though it never would have succeeded had his original vision prevailed?
The president struck a triumphal tone this week about the Iraq mission coming to an end -- but shunned the word 'success.'
He spoke of 'ending' the war, but took pains to avoid context.
Sen. John McCain rightly called the address 'small-minded' and 'bizarre.'"
The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights
The Six Figure Cops of Sterling Heights [Mackinac Center]
"In Sterling Heights, Police Chief Michael Reese made $132,310 in 2009.
He was only the third highest paid employee in his department.
Sgt. Paul Korell's $146,256 and Sgt. Guy Holmes' $138,322 were the two highest annual paychecks in a department where 50 of the 254 full and part-time employees made six figures."
"In Sterling Heights, Police Chief Michael Reese made $132,310 in 2009.
He was only the third highest paid employee in his department.
Sgt. Paul Korell's $146,256 and Sgt. Guy Holmes' $138,322 were the two highest annual paychecks in a department where 50 of the 254 full and part-time employees made six figures."
LET THEM EAT CAKE...
LET THEM EAT CAKE... Newsradio 620 Charlie Sykes
"*'Modern-Day Marie Antoinette' Andrea Tantaros at New York Daily News is the first to make the call.
The problem for her, though, is not so much the excess itself as the excess on the public dime, as well as the hypocrisy:
[Sacrifice] was a key theme in President Obama's inaugural address to the nation ...
But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns--or forgoing them altogether--the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice ...
To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another.
Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny ...
I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard.
We all need downtime--the First Family included.
It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonization of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy"
"*'Modern-Day Marie Antoinette' Andrea Tantaros at New York Daily News is the first to make the call.
The problem for her, though, is not so much the excess itself as the excess on the public dime, as well as the hypocrisy:
[Sacrifice] was a key theme in President Obama's inaugural address to the nation ...
But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns--or forgoing them altogether--the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice ...
To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another.
Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny ...
I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard.
We all need downtime--the First Family included.
It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonization of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy"
Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
Lansing to ask voters for school sinking fund lansingstatejournal.com
"The Lansing Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to ask voters in November to support a property tax increase for building repairs.
The move comes after three years of studying the issue.
Superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. said the proposal, if approved, 'enhances the opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn.'"
Bullshit!
The teachers took all the money and now there's none left to fix the buildings.
And aren't the MEAP scores just.......disgusting!
"The Lansing Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to ask voters in November to support a property tax increase for building repairs.
The move comes after three years of studying the issue.
Superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. said the proposal, if approved, 'enhances the opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn.'"
Bullshit!
The teachers took all the money and now there's none left to fix the buildings.
And aren't the MEAP scores just.......disgusting!
Catching our breath
Catching our breath - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"It's all happening too fast, isn't it?
MSU's getting a football or basketball recruit every 12 minutes, preseason polls are coming out, Barry Alvarez is giving strong hints again, Rich Rodriguez is making more unwanted headlines ... and it's not like this has been your typical slow summer anyway."
"It's all happening too fast, isn't it?
MSU's getting a football or basketball recruit every 12 minutes, preseason polls are coming out, Barry Alvarez is giving strong hints again, Rich Rodriguez is making more unwanted headlines ... and it's not like this has been your typical slow summer anyway."
Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds
Hamtramck-Detroit feud builds freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Hamtramck officials say the city is no longer paying its monthly Detroit Water and Sewerage bill in response to a feud with the City of Detroit over a tax agreement."
A template for NS and RP vs Muskegon Heights?
"Hamtramck officials say the city is no longer paying its monthly Detroit Water and Sewerage bill in response to a feud with the City of Detroit over a tax agreement."
A template for NS and RP vs Muskegon Heights?
Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal
Congress could hand Michigan schools $318 million, but plan may be less than ideal MLive.com
"And critics such as the Education Action Group argue the bill isn't about education, but is more of a bail-out for teachers unions, designed to spare members from making wage and benefit concessions."
"And critics such as the Education Action Group argue the bill isn't about education, but is more of a bail-out for teachers unions, designed to spare members from making wage and benefit concessions."
ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”: Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be…
Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROGER SIMON: Michelle’s “Excellent Adventure”
Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be President.
Michelle’s $375,000 Spanish vacation — with the Daily Mail dubbing her a “modern-day Marie Antoinette” — is further proof of my thesis.
What man who wanted to be re-elected (or see his party do well in November) would let his wife go off on such an “excellent adventure” in these economic times?
Of course no one denies the right of people to have vacations – I’m coming to the end of one myself on my beloved Bainbridge Island — but closing Mediterranean beaches while booking 60-plus rooms in a five star Marbella hotel for her entourage?
It is beyond tone deaf, perhaps to the level of subconscious (or even deliberate) self-sabotage.
At the very least, something most peculiar is going on.
The first lady goes off on a jaunt worthy of 18th Century aristocracy at the very moment of her husband’s birthday."
Another sign Obama doesn’t really want to be President.
Michelle’s $375,000 Spanish vacation — with the Daily Mail dubbing her a “modern-day Marie Antoinette” — is further proof of my thesis.
What man who wanted to be re-elected (or see his party do well in November) would let his wife go off on such an “excellent adventure” in these economic times?
Of course no one denies the right of people to have vacations – I’m coming to the end of one myself on my beloved Bainbridge Island — but closing Mediterranean beaches while booking 60-plus rooms in a five star Marbella hotel for her entourage?
It is beyond tone deaf, perhaps to the level of subconscious (or even deliberate) self-sabotage.
At the very least, something most peculiar is going on.
The first lady goes off on a jaunt worthy of 18th Century aristocracy at the very moment of her husband’s birthday."
Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President?
Letter from Detroit: Where's the Urban President? - Yahoo! News
"Detroit's official unemployment rate is 24%, the highest among major U.S. cities.
But officials here believe the actual jobless rate may be 50%, since the official statistics fail to include people who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits or have stopped looking for work.
To put this in historical context: a decade ago, Detroit's jobless rate was 6.7%
At the height of the Great Depression, in 1933, about one-quarter of Americans were unemployed."
"Detroit's official unemployment rate is 24%, the highest among major U.S. cities.
But officials here believe the actual jobless rate may be 50%, since the official statistics fail to include people who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits or have stopped looking for work.
To put this in historical context: a decade ago, Detroit's jobless rate was 6.7%
At the height of the Great Depression, in 1933, about one-quarter of Americans were unemployed."
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts'
Man reacts to worldwide fame after dog bites off toe to save his life: 'I didn't think it would go this nuts' MLive.com:
"He returned home after having several drinks only to fall asleep, and wake up with only a stump left of his big right toe.
Kiko, sleeping nearby, had blood on its face.
At the hospital, where the infected toe was later amputated, Douthett learned the dog likely saved his life.
He indeed had Type 2 diabetes, and his blood-sugar levels were dangerously high.
He's now on the mend.
He's taking diabetes medication, and notes that Kiko was to be released today from the 'house quarantine' Kent County authorities had the terrier under in case of rabies.
Just to be safe, Douthett sleeps in his shoes."
"He returned home after having several drinks only to fall asleep, and wake up with only a stump left of his big right toe.
Kiko, sleeping nearby, had blood on its face.
At the hospital, where the infected toe was later amputated, Douthett learned the dog likely saved his life.
He indeed had Type 2 diabetes, and his blood-sugar levels were dangerously high.
He's now on the mend.
He's taking diabetes medication, and notes that Kiko was to be released today from the 'house quarantine' Kent County authorities had the terrier under in case of rabies.
Just to be safe, Douthett sleeps in his shoes."
Congresskook Gabrielle Giffords Wants to Use Green Energy to Fight Taliban
Moonbattery: Congresskook Gabrielle Giffords Wants to Use Green Energy to Fight Taliban
"If you were wondering why victory in the longest war in US history is nowhere in sight, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) presents the answer — our country is run by moonbats.
Here Gabby demands that General David Petraeus explain why the military doesn't help save the planet by using hydropower in the Afghan deserts"
"If you were wondering why victory in the longest war in US history is nowhere in sight, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) presents the answer — our country is run by moonbats.
Here Gabby demands that General David Petraeus explain why the military doesn't help save the planet by using hydropower in the Afghan deserts"
The Arizona experiment
NOVACK: The Arizona experiment - Washington Times
"It's also worth noting that former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, now secretary of Homeland Security, already tried a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses, a replica of the Obamacare exchanges. 'Healthcare Group' was to be financially self-sustaining in just a couple of years, the governor assured the legislature and the state.
However, the program needed a huge taxpayer-funded bailout, benefits were reduced and eligibility was severely curtailed.
The only party who didn't seem to suffer inordinately?
The Arizona health care giants who in 2008 somehow found enough cash to mount an aggressive effort against a ballot measure written to protected health care rights for Arizonans and their families.
Outspending supporters 5 to 1 during campaign worked, as the measure (back in refined form on this year's Arizona ballot) failed by less than 9,000 votes out of 2.1 million cast."
We will suffer from the healthcare-government/corporate complex until it kills us.
"It's also worth noting that former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, now secretary of Homeland Security, already tried a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses, a replica of the Obamacare exchanges. 'Healthcare Group' was to be financially self-sustaining in just a couple of years, the governor assured the legislature and the state.
However, the program needed a huge taxpayer-funded bailout, benefits were reduced and eligibility was severely curtailed.
The only party who didn't seem to suffer inordinately?
The Arizona health care giants who in 2008 somehow found enough cash to mount an aggressive effort against a ballot measure written to protected health care rights for Arizonans and their families.
Outspending supporters 5 to 1 during campaign worked, as the measure (back in refined form on this year's Arizona ballot) failed by less than 9,000 votes out of 2.1 million cast."
We will suffer from the healthcare-government/corporate complex until it kills us.
Senate OKs vote on cash to states
Senate OKs vote on cash to states - Washington Times
"Congress is poised to extend a taxpayer-funded lifeline to cash-strapped states after the Senate on Wednesday advanced another round of $26 billion in stimulus spending for teachers and health care,"
"Congress is poised to extend a taxpayer-funded lifeline to cash-strapped states after the Senate on Wednesday advanced another round of $26 billion in stimulus spending for teachers and health care,"
New Policy Allows Pledge of Allegiance at Massachusetts School District
FOXNews.com - New Policy Allows Pledge of Allegiance at Massachusetts School District
"No student, teacher or administrator will be required to participate in a recitation, an Arlington High School official confirmed to FoxNews.com."
"No student, teacher or administrator will be required to participate in a recitation, an Arlington High School official confirmed to FoxNews.com."
Democrats startlingly silent on "ground zero mosque" -
Democrats startlingly silent on "ground zero mosque" - War Room - Salon.com
"Yesterday President Obama's spokesman pointedly declined to take a position on the planned Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, calling it a local issue."
Coward or islamist?
Or both.
"Yesterday President Obama's spokesman pointedly declined to take a position on the planned Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, calling it a local issue."
Coward or islamist?
Or both.
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