Friday, February 01, 2013
Menendez drained more than 1/3 of bank account in January to pay for past Dominican Republic travel
Menendez drained more than 1/3 of bank account in January to pay for past Dominican Republic travel | The Daily Caller
"A check that Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez wrote to his longtime campaign donor Dr. Salomon Melgen on Jan. 4 to cover private jet travel to the Dominican Republic represented more than one-third of his cash-on-hand — and perhaps as much as 90 percent — according to an analysis of his most recent U.S. Senate financial disclosure report."
"A check that Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez wrote to his longtime campaign donor Dr. Salomon Melgen on Jan. 4 to cover private jet travel to the Dominican Republic represented more than one-third of his cash-on-hand — and perhaps as much as 90 percent — according to an analysis of his most recent U.S. Senate financial disclosure report."
$100K Teachers? Unions Are Standing In the Way
$100K Teachers? Unions Are Standing In the Way [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Charles Owens, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said there are teachers in public schools worth $100,000 or more.
"But the current school system doesn't reward that kind of achievement," Owens said.
"It rewards bureaucracy and sloth and tenure. …
We won't measure performance.
We won't measure standards.
We just think they should make $100,000 a year because it is the right thing to do.
It will attract people.
No doubt about that.
And given the current structure of public education where pay is how long you stick around and not performance, I think it would get a lot of people — I wouldn't be so sure about the qualified part."
Charles Owens, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said there are teachers in public schools worth $100,000 or more.
"But the current school system doesn't reward that kind of achievement," Owens said.
"It rewards bureaucracy and sloth and tenure. …
We won't measure performance.
We won't measure standards.
We just think they should make $100,000 a year because it is the right thing to do.
It will attract people.
No doubt about that.
And given the current structure of public education where pay is how long you stick around and not performance, I think it would get a lot of people — I wouldn't be so sure about the qualified part."
ObamaCare´s Broken Promises
Lucianne.com News Forum - Thread:
"The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2011" is surely one of the most misnamed pieces of legislation ever to become law.
The only part of that title that is anywhere near reality is the date "2011".
And even that is suspect, as various versions of this monstrosity have been produced since probably the time of the Truman Administration.
Written in more or less its present form, it has been lying in a desk drawer until the opportune time to pull it out came along.
No other part of that title even applies."
"The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2011" is surely one of the most misnamed pieces of legislation ever to become law.
The only part of that title that is anywhere near reality is the date "2011".
And even that is suspect, as various versions of this monstrosity have been produced since probably the time of the Truman Administration.
Written in more or less its present form, it has been lying in a desk drawer until the opportune time to pull it out came along.
No other part of that title even applies."
Detroit mayoral candidate Lisa Howze to air Super Bowl ad to promote campaign, city's 'brighter future'
Detroit mayoral candidate Lisa Howze to air Super Bowl ad to promote campaign, city's 'brighter future' | MLive.com
"Howze faces stiff competition from Sheriff Benny Napolean and former DMC CEO Mike Duggan, who both have clear intentions of running, though neither have held official announcements.
State Rep. Fred Durhal, Jr. is also running, though his campaign has so far been relatively quiet.
Mayor Dave Bing has not yet said whether or not he'll seek re-election.
Other high-profile figures rumored as potential candidates include City Council President Charles Pugh, ousted Corporation Counsel Krystal Crittendon and outspoken attorney Geoffrey Fieger."
"Howze faces stiff competition from Sheriff Benny Napolean and former DMC CEO Mike Duggan, who both have clear intentions of running, though neither have held official announcements.
State Rep. Fred Durhal, Jr. is also running, though his campaign has so far been relatively quiet.
Mayor Dave Bing has not yet said whether or not he'll seek re-election.
Other high-profile figures rumored as potential candidates include City Council President Charles Pugh, ousted Corporation Counsel Krystal Crittendon and outspoken attorney Geoffrey Fieger."
Navy cuts up $277M minesweeper
Navy cuts up $277M minesweeper | Washington Free Beacon
The $277 million USS Guardian, a Naval warship that clears waterways of mines, crashed into a coral reef near the Philippines earlier this month.
The Navy will disassemble it piece by piece in order to avoid damaging the reef rather than tow the multi-million dollar ship off of the reef and perform necessary repairs.
“Our only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections,” Capt. Darryn James, a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, was quoted as saying Tuesday by the Military Times.
One Navy source criticized decision makers for deliberately destroying the expensive warship just weeks before devastating cuts to the defense budget are scheduled to take place.
“Boneheaded decision making on the way into the reef and boneheaded decision making on the way out,” said the source, who requested anonymity so as not to be seen criticizing the Navy. “It’s amazing how we can find ways to spend more money we don’t have on the eve of sequestration.”
It remains unclear how much the cleanup operation will cost U.S. taxpayers.
It is believed the ship crashed into the reef due to the use of flawed maps.
“The U.S. Navy also revealed Jan. 18 that the digital navigational chart in use by the Guardian misplaced the correct location of the reef by about eight nautical miles,” the Military Times reported.
The $277 million USS Guardian, a Naval warship that clears waterways of mines, crashed into a coral reef near the Philippines earlier this month.
The Navy will disassemble it piece by piece in order to avoid damaging the reef rather than tow the multi-million dollar ship off of the reef and perform necessary repairs.
“Our only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections,” Capt. Darryn James, a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, was quoted as saying Tuesday by the Military Times.
One Navy source criticized decision makers for deliberately destroying the expensive warship just weeks before devastating cuts to the defense budget are scheduled to take place.
“Boneheaded decision making on the way into the reef and boneheaded decision making on the way out,” said the source, who requested anonymity so as not to be seen criticizing the Navy. “It’s amazing how we can find ways to spend more money we don’t have on the eve of sequestration.”
It remains unclear how much the cleanup operation will cost U.S. taxpayers.
It is believed the ship crashed into the reef due to the use of flawed maps.
“The U.S. Navy also revealed Jan. 18 that the digital navigational chart in use by the Guardian misplaced the correct location of the reef by about eight nautical miles,” the Military Times reported.
STUDY: New E15 Gas Can Ruin Auto Engines.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » STUDY: New E15 Gas Can Ruin Auto Engines.
"STUDY: New E15 Gas Can Ruin Auto Engines.
“In 2010 and 2011, EPA gave the green light to use E15 – the 15 percent ethanol gasoline blend – in model-year-2001-and-later cars and some other vehicles.
EPA’s action was irresponsible.
EPA knew E15 vehicle testing was ongoing but decided not to wait for the results.
Why did EPA move forward prematurely?
Part of the answer may be the need to raise the permissible concentration level of ethanol so that greater volumes could be used, as required by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.
Most gasoline sold today is an E10 blend, but rising volume requirements under the law can’t be met much longer without going to higher blends.”
Reader Bill Richmond emails: “Feds are pushing E15, not because of green fantasies about E15 itself, but because the existing formulas (mostly E10) weren’t using enough ethanol to meet the mandated amount of ethanol use.
Central planning failures always lead to more central planning.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Well, not really.”
Except for central planners."
"STUDY: New E15 Gas Can Ruin Auto Engines.
“In 2010 and 2011, EPA gave the green light to use E15 – the 15 percent ethanol gasoline blend – in model-year-2001-and-later cars and some other vehicles.
EPA’s action was irresponsible.
EPA knew E15 vehicle testing was ongoing but decided not to wait for the results.
Why did EPA move forward prematurely?
Part of the answer may be the need to raise the permissible concentration level of ethanol so that greater volumes could be used, as required by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.
Most gasoline sold today is an E10 blend, but rising volume requirements under the law can’t be met much longer without going to higher blends.”
Reader Bill Richmond emails: “Feds are pushing E15, not because of green fantasies about E15 itself, but because the existing formulas (mostly E10) weren’t using enough ethanol to meet the mandated amount of ethanol use.
Central planning failures always lead to more central planning.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Well, not really.”
Except for central planners."
Mikulski’s ‘Paycheck Fairness Act’ Would Allow Employees to Discuss Salaries « CBS DC
Mikulski’s ‘Paycheck Fairness Act’ Would Allow Employees to Discuss Salaries « CBS DC
"Mikulski and DeLauro said the Paycheck Fairness Act would also allow women to seek punitive damages for pay discrimination, establish a grant program to strengthen salary negotiation and other workplace skills and require the Department of Labor to enhance outreach and training efforts to eliminate pay disparities."
"Mikulski and DeLauro said the Paycheck Fairness Act would also allow women to seek punitive damages for pay discrimination, establish a grant program to strengthen salary negotiation and other workplace skills and require the Department of Labor to enhance outreach and training efforts to eliminate pay disparities."
Thursday, January 31, 2013
IRS: Cheapest Obamacare Plan Will Be $20,000 Per Family
IRS: Cheapest Obamacare Plan Will Be $20,000 Per Family | CNS News
"In a final regulation issued Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assumed that under Obamacare the cheapest health insurance plan available in 2016 for a family will cost $20,000 for the year.
Under Obamacare, Americans will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty to the IRS"
"In a final regulation issued Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assumed that under Obamacare the cheapest health insurance plan available in 2016 for a family will cost $20,000 for the year.
Under Obamacare, Americans will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty to the IRS"
Dominican prostitute: Senator Bob Menendez 'likes the youngest and newest girls'
Dominican prostitute: Senator Bob Menendez 'likes the youngest and newest girls' | The Daily Caller
"In a little-noticed email published online Wednesday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a young Dominican woman wrote nine months ago that she slept with 59-year-old New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez at a series of sex parties organized by Dr. Salomon Melgen, a longtime Menendez campaign donor."
"In a little-noticed email published online Wednesday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a young Dominican woman wrote nine months ago that she slept with 59-year-old New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez at a series of sex parties organized by Dr. Salomon Melgen, a longtime Menendez campaign donor."
School District Reaches Five-Year Contract Preventing Teacher From Leaving the Union
School District Reaches Five-Year Contract Preventing Teacher From Leaving the Union [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The Taylor School District reached a five-year tentative agreement with the Taylor Federation of Teachers that would prevent its union employees from having the option of leaving the teacher’s union, the superintendent confirmed."
"The Taylor School District reached a five-year tentative agreement with the Taylor Federation of Teachers that would prevent its union employees from having the option of leaving the teacher’s union, the superintendent confirmed."
Rezoning proponents asking Muskegon County judge for permission to enter Sappi lawsuit to defend Nov. 6 vote
Rezoning proponents asking Muskegon County judge for permission to enter Sappi lawsuit to defend Nov. 6 vote | MLive.com
"Page, Douglas and other citizens want the property redeveloped with non-industrial uses, such as restaurants, hotels or marinas allowed under the waterfront marine zoning. Page has argued that the city’s master plan called for a non-industrial use of the Sappi property if the paper mill ended operations."
"Page, Douglas and other citizens want the property redeveloped with non-industrial uses, such as restaurants, hotels or marinas allowed under the waterfront marine zoning. Page has argued that the city’s master plan called for a non-industrial use of the Sappi property if the paper mill ended operations."
Plan B: Muskegon County to look at alternative to locating new juvenile center in empty schools
Plan B: Muskegon County to look at alternative to locating new juvenile center in empty schools | MLive.com: "The possible change in approach for finding a location for a new juvenile center will discussed at a public meeting, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, according to Sheriff Dean Roesler and County Administrator Bonnie Hammersley.
"The consultants will be presenting to the committee alternative options to the previous options," Hammersley said. "
"The consultants will be presenting to the committee alternative options to the previous options," Hammersley said. "
Study: New E15 gas can ruin auto engines
Study: New E15 gas can ruin auto engines | WashingtonExaminer.com
"Failure of these components could result in breakdowns that leave consumers stranded on busy roads and highways," said the industry report.
Worse: API said the fuel problems--not found in E5 or E10 blends--aren't always covered by auto warranties."
"Failure of these components could result in breakdowns that leave consumers stranded on busy roads and highways," said the industry report.
Worse: API said the fuel problems--not found in E5 or E10 blends--aren't always covered by auto warranties."
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Union bosses clinging to power, revenue in wake of Right to Work
Guest column: Union bosses clinging to power, revenue in wake of Right to Work | MLive.com
Unfortunately, some union bosses are seeking to wage war on their own members, as another leaked memo from Michigan Education Association’s (MEA), Steven Cook, proves.
Cook’s memo outlines a series of tactics to challenge the new law and remove his members’ newfound choice by locking as many school employees as possible into long-term, dues- mandatory contracts before the freedom to work law takes effect on March 23.
He also details how the MEA plans to threaten teachers and other members if they try to opt out of their previously mandatory memberships at any time other than August, which is the only month applications permit resigning from the union.
Way to “represent” and “advocate” for your members, right?
In fact, his memo goes to great lengths to discuss MEA’s strategy for clinging to power, spending member dollars on continuing the ‘right to work’ legal battle while continuing to drain our educators’ paychecks, whether they want to be in the union or not.
It’s no surprise that Cook never discusses how to improve union representation, add value for its members or, heaven forbid, trim the fat. It’s all about the revenue.
Climate-Change Misdirection
Bjorn Lomborg: Climate-Change Misdirection - WSJ.com
"This does not mean that climate change isn't an issue.
It means that exaggerating the threat concentrates resources in the wrong areas.
Consider hurricanes (though similar points hold for wildfire and drought).
If the aim is to reduce storm damage, then first focus on resilience—better building codes and better enforcement of those codes.
Ending subsidies for hurricane insurance to discourage building in vulnerable zones would also help, as would investing in better infrastructure (from stronger levees to higher-capacity sewers).
These solutions are quick and comparatively cheap.
Most important, they would diminish future hurricane damage, whether climate-induced or not.
Had New York and New Jersey focused resources on building sea walls and adding storm doors to the subway system and making simple fixes like porous pavements, Hurricane Sandy would have caused much less damage."
"This does not mean that climate change isn't an issue.
It means that exaggerating the threat concentrates resources in the wrong areas.
Consider hurricanes (though similar points hold for wildfire and drought).
If the aim is to reduce storm damage, then first focus on resilience—better building codes and better enforcement of those codes.
Ending subsidies for hurricane insurance to discourage building in vulnerable zones would also help, as would investing in better infrastructure (from stronger levees to higher-capacity sewers).
These solutions are quick and comparatively cheap.
Most important, they would diminish future hurricane damage, whether climate-induced or not.
Had New York and New Jersey focused resources on building sea walls and adding storm doors to the subway system and making simple fixes like porous pavements, Hurricane Sandy would have caused much less damage."
The 25 Best Quotes From Thomas Sowell
The 25 Best Quotes From Thomas Sowell - John Hawkins
[page]:
"3) "Weighing benefits against costs is the way most people make decisions — and the way most businesses make decisions, if they want to stay in business.
Only in government is any benefit, however small, considered to be worth any cost, however large."
2) "In short, killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a viable political strategy, so long as the goose does not die before the next election and no one traces the politicians’ fingerprints on the murder weapon."
3) "There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.""
[page]:
"3) "Weighing benefits against costs is the way most people make decisions — and the way most businesses make decisions, if they want to stay in business.
Only in government is any benefit, however small, considered to be worth any cost, however large."
2) "In short, killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a viable political strategy, so long as the goose does not die before the next election and no one traces the politicians’ fingerprints on the murder weapon."
3) "There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.""
Davos divided on tackling the scourge of obesity
Davos divided on tackling the scourge of obesity | Reuters
"business leaders meeting in Davos can't agree on what they can or should do to address it."
"business leaders meeting in Davos can't agree on what they can or should do to address it."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)