Fiscal Problems Not Stopping Flint From Pursuing $2.4M Hydrogen Bus [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"In a city with an unemployment rate near 18 percent and a fiscal situation so bad it requires an emergency manager, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority is trying to buy a hydrogen bus that sells for $2.4 million — more than seven times as much as a traditional bus.
..A typical diesel bus cost about $327,000, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The MTA is requesting that it be able to use federal stimulus funds it was approved for three years ago.
In September 2009, Reuters reported that the Mass Transportation Authority would get $2.2 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to buy two zero-emission buses and that the buses would be deployed in 2010.
However, the MTA’s choice to make the buses, Fischer Coachworks, went out of business in 2010"
Friday, April 12, 2013
Trayvon Martin's Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit
Trayvon Martin's Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit:
Trayvon Martin's family has reached a settlement in a wrongful death suit they filed against the homeowners association of the sub-division where Martin was killed........"the figure is believed to be in excess of $1 million.
The settlement does, however, state that Zimmerman is not part of the agreement.
Lawyers for Martin's family have made it clear that they still plan to file a civil claim against Zimmerman at a later point."
Trayvon Martin's family has reached a settlement in a wrongful death suit they filed against the homeowners association of the sub-division where Martin was killed........"the figure is believed to be in excess of $1 million.
The settlement does, however, state that Zimmerman is not part of the agreement.
Lawyers for Martin's family have made it clear that they still plan to file a civil claim against Zimmerman at a later point."
Democrats are Blocking Resolution to Honor Lady Thatcher
Democrats are Blocking Resolution to Honor Lady Thatcher
"A Senate resolution to honor Lady Thatcher was supposed to pass last night.
However, per well placed sources on the Hill, Democrats have a hold on the resolution.
To refuse to honor a woman of such great historical and political significance, who was deeply loyal to the United States, is petty and shameful.
One truly has to wonder, what is it about Lady Thatcher that gives them pause?
Her unfaltering commitment to freedom?
Or perhaps the way she fought for individual liberty and limited government?"
"A Senate resolution to honor Lady Thatcher was supposed to pass last night.
However, per well placed sources on the Hill, Democrats have a hold on the resolution.
To refuse to honor a woman of such great historical and political significance, who was deeply loyal to the United States, is petty and shameful.
One truly has to wonder, what is it about Lady Thatcher that gives them pause?
Her unfaltering commitment to freedom?
Or perhaps the way she fought for individual liberty and limited government?"
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Biden Directly Confronts NRA and 'Black Helicopter Crowd' as Gun Deal Looms
Biden Directly Confronts NRA and 'Black Helicopter Crowd' as Gun Deal Looms - J.K. Trotter - The Atlantic Wire:
"A visibly emotional Biden indulged no such circumspection, comparing the most vehement opponents of expanded background checks, which 92% of Americans support, to conspiracy theorists.
"The black helicopter crowd is really upset," Biden said, taking on a kind of faux voice in describing fears about background checks —
"It's kind of scary, man," he said."
"A visibly emotional Biden indulged no such circumspection, comparing the most vehement opponents of expanded background checks, which 92% of Americans support, to conspiracy theorists.
"The black helicopter crowd is really upset," Biden said, taking on a kind of faux voice in describing fears about background checks —
"It's kind of scary, man," he said."
N.Y. Dad’s Pistol License Suspended Over Something His 10-Year-Old Son Said — and It Could Be 8 Years Before He Gets It Back
N.Y. Dad’s Pistol License Suspended Over Something His 10-Year-Old Son Said — and It Could Be 8 Years Before He Gets It Back | TheBlaze.com:
".......a teacher overheard the students talking and informed the principal, who then immediately called police and filed a report.
He said the principal told police something to the effect of, there’s a “kid with a gun, ready to go.”
Mayer maintains that no serious death threats were made by the students.
The Hauppauge Public School District has not returned several messages left by TheBlaze, therefore, it is not clear what they are claiming was said.
School officials then “interrogated” the boys, Mayer explained.
It was later determined that the 10-year-old boys did not have access to a BB gun, paintball gun or any actual firearms."
".......a teacher overheard the students talking and informed the principal, who then immediately called police and filed a report.
He said the principal told police something to the effect of, there’s a “kid with a gun, ready to go.”
Mayer maintains that no serious death threats were made by the students.
The Hauppauge Public School District has not returned several messages left by TheBlaze, therefore, it is not clear what they are claiming was said.
School officials then “interrogated” the boys, Mayer explained.
It was later determined that the 10-year-old boys did not have access to a BB gun, paintball gun or any actual firearms."
DJs' April Fools' prank leads to small-scale panic
DJs' April Fools' prank leads to small-scale panic:
A pair of longtime disc jockeys have gotten in hot water for their annual April Fools' Day joke.
The problem:
They joked about water quality, saying "dihydrogen monoxide" was coming out of residents' taps.
It caused small-scale panic among some radio listeners in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., metro area.
"The two DJs, Val St. John and Scott Fish, who have been with WWGR-FM here for 16 years and 10 years respectively, were suspended indefinitely.
The radio station has recanted the joke and been apologizing during station breaks."
A pair of longtime disc jockeys have gotten in hot water for their annual April Fools' Day joke.
The problem:
They joked about water quality, saying "dihydrogen monoxide" was coming out of residents' taps.
It caused small-scale panic among some radio listeners in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., metro area.
"The two DJs, Val St. John and Scott Fish, who have been with WWGR-FM here for 16 years and 10 years respectively, were suspended indefinitely.
The radio station has recanted the joke and been apologizing during station breaks."
Safe from Sequester: $704,198 for Gardening at NATO Ambassador’s Home
Safe from Sequester: $704,198 for Gardening at NATO Ambassador’s Home | CNS News:
"Just over a week after sequestration took effect, the State Department allotted more than $700,000 for gardening at a U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Brussels, Belgium."
"Just over a week after sequestration took effect, the State Department allotted more than $700,000 for gardening at a U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Brussels, Belgium."
Muskegon Community College board chairman promises changes to millage increase campaign
Muskegon Community College board chairman promises changes to millage increase campaign | MLive.com:
"Crandall then talked about improving and expanding MCC’s health education facility.
Improvements include expanding the facility and renovating it.
He also went over the renovation of creative and performing arts facilities, which includes moving creative art department out of the existing building into a new space.
There would be five new art studies, three classrooms, an exhibition gallery, a kiln room, improvements to the Overbrook Theater, expanded lab and a multimedia instructional space."
"Crandall then talked about improving and expanding MCC’s health education facility.
Improvements include expanding the facility and renovating it.
He also went over the renovation of creative and performing arts facilities, which includes moving creative art department out of the existing building into a new space.
There would be five new art studies, three classrooms, an exhibition gallery, a kiln room, improvements to the Overbrook Theater, expanded lab and a multimedia instructional space."
The most shocking news you won't see in the MSM today
Blog: The most shocking news you won't see in the MSM today:
"I can't describe it.
It sounded like a little alien," West testified, telling a judge and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas jury that the body of the child was about 18 to 24 inches long and was one of the largest babies she had seen delivered during abortion procedures at Gosnell's clinic.
West said she saw the child, whose face and features were not yet completely formed, lying on a glass tray on a shelf and she told a co-worker to call Gosnell about it and fled the room."
"I can't describe it.
It sounded like a little alien," West testified, telling a judge and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas jury that the body of the child was about 18 to 24 inches long and was one of the largest babies she had seen delivered during abortion procedures at Gosnell's clinic.
West said she saw the child, whose face and features were not yet completely formed, lying on a glass tray on a shelf and she told a co-worker to call Gosnell about it and fled the room."
EPA acknowledges releasing personal details on farmers, senator slams agency
EPA acknowledges releasing personal details on farmers, senator slams agency | Fox News:
"But Sen. John Thune, who originally complained about the release, slammed the EPA for trying to retroactively recover the sensitive data.
"It is inexcusable for the EPA to release the personal information of American families and then call for it back, knowing full well that the erroneously released information will never be fully returned," he said in a statement to FoxNews.com.
"While EPA acknowledging that it erred is a first step, more must be done to protect the personal information of our farmers and ranchers now and in the future.
I will continue to demand answers from the EPA on how this information was collected and why it is still being distributed to extreme environmental groups to the detriment of our farm and ranch families."
"But Sen. John Thune, who originally complained about the release, slammed the EPA for trying to retroactively recover the sensitive data.
"It is inexcusable for the EPA to release the personal information of American families and then call for it back, knowing full well that the erroneously released information will never be fully returned," he said in a statement to FoxNews.com.
"While EPA acknowledging that it erred is a first step, more must be done to protect the personal information of our farmers and ranchers now and in the future.
I will continue to demand answers from the EPA on how this information was collected and why it is still being distributed to extreme environmental groups to the detriment of our farm and ranch families."
Completely Predictable
Completely Predictable | Sumner Books:
"That means total net government spending per household ($50,074) exceeded median household income (49,445) by $629.
Government in the United States, of course, has not always spent more per year than the median household earns.
As recently as 2000, the relationship between government spending and household income was dramatically different.
Data from the Census Bureau and the OMB show that in that year net spending by all levels of government was $3,239,913,876,000.
That equaled $29,941 for each of the nation’s then 108,209,000 households. In 2000, the median household income was $41,990.
Thus, between 2000 and 2010, government in this country went from spending $12,049 less than the median household income to spending $629 more."
"That means total net government spending per household ($50,074) exceeded median household income (49,445) by $629.
Government in the United States, of course, has not always spent more per year than the median household earns.
As recently as 2000, the relationship between government spending and household income was dramatically different.
Data from the Census Bureau and the OMB show that in that year net spending by all levels of government was $3,239,913,876,000.
That equaled $29,941 for each of the nation’s then 108,209,000 households. In 2000, the median household income was $41,990.
Thus, between 2000 and 2010, government in this country went from spending $12,049 less than the median household income to spending $629 more."
Megabus or weather? MDOT weighs in on Amtrak's Grand Rapids-to-Chicago ridership loss
Megabus or weather? MDOT weighs in on Amtrak's Grand Rapids-to-Chicago ridership loss | MLive.com
"Janet Foran, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which subsidizes the route, said a combination of factors likely caused an 11 percent ridership decrease on the Pere Marquette Line in March.
The decrease over March 2012 — and ridership being down 2.2 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 — was announced Tuesday by Amtrak.
Despite some MLive readers' pondering whether one cause for the decrease was the low-cost Megabus service, which began traveling from Grand Rapids to Chicago last summer, Foran said it was an unlikely scenario.
"We have no way to confirm that, but certainly [Megabus] is another means to get to Chicago and back," Foran said. "And I think that … I feel more strongly that the weather had an impact on travel."
"Janet Foran, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which subsidizes the route, said a combination of factors likely caused an 11 percent ridership decrease on the Pere Marquette Line in March.
The decrease over March 2012 — and ridership being down 2.2 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 — was announced Tuesday by Amtrak.
Despite some MLive readers' pondering whether one cause for the decrease was the low-cost Megabus service, which began traveling from Grand Rapids to Chicago last summer, Foran said it was an unlikely scenario.
"We have no way to confirm that, but certainly [Megabus] is another means to get to Chicago and back," Foran said. "And I think that … I feel more strongly that the weather had an impact on travel."
Smoking Is a ‘Preexisting Condition’
Smoking Is a ‘Preexisting Condition’ - Kevin D. Williamson - National Review Online:
"The District of Columbia’s Obamacare czars — the board that sets rules for the phony insurance marketplace, or “exchange,” that the law creates — have decided that henceforth insurers shall be forbidden by law to charge smokers higher rates than non-smokers.
Smoking, as it turns out, “is a preexisting medical condition,” according to Dr. Mohammad Akhter, the chairman of the D.C. Health Exchange Board.
Two liberal states, California and Connecticut, have decided likewise, while Colorado and Alaska have rejected the idea."
"The District of Columbia’s Obamacare czars — the board that sets rules for the phony insurance marketplace, or “exchange,” that the law creates — have decided that henceforth insurers shall be forbidden by law to charge smokers higher rates than non-smokers.
Smoking, as it turns out, “is a preexisting medical condition,” according to Dr. Mohammad Akhter, the chairman of the D.C. Health Exchange Board.
Two liberal states, California and Connecticut, have decided likewise, while Colorado and Alaska have rejected the idea."
Captain Capitalism: They Are Coming For Your 401k's
Captain Capitalism: They Are Coming For Your 401k's:
"They Are Coming For Your 401k's
What do I keep telling you?
It is going to happen.
Enjoy the decline."
"They Are Coming For Your 401k's
What do I keep telling you?
It is going to happen.
Enjoy the decline."
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
All the News that Fit To Serve Democrats
Da Tech Guy's Blog » Blog Archive » All the News that Fit To Serve Democrats
With the president re-elected the thought was some attention might take place, Senators Kelly Ayotte, John McCain & Lindsey Graham managed to use it to achieve hearings but the meat and the potatoes of what happened and why we didn’t act to stop it remains unclear.
During my conference call Captain Larry Bailey, a navy seal with 27 years of service noted that Watergate involved a break-in and the theft of papers but lead to years of dedicated investigation from the congress culminating in the resignation of a president in the United States.
That being the case you would think an event that lead to the death of an American Ambassador, an attack that took place on the anniversary of 9/11 just two months before an election might have gotten a little bit of traction in the press.
Alas the press that was so anxious to bring down a Republican president had no interest in dead Americans if it could hamper the re-election of a Democrat one.
What is clear is that with a Democrat majority in the senate and the media solidly behind them such hearing are of little danger to Obama.
Even if the midterm elections flip the senate, the Obama administration with two years to go is unlikely to face an awful lot of trouble from such a hearing.
So why such opposition to such a committee, why the knee jerk attempt to protect Barack Obama when he doesn’t need protecting?
Ah but it is NOT Barack Obama the mainstream media is protecting, nor is it the Obama administration that is being shielded, it is not even any type of covert operation that is being protected from public disclosure.
They are protecting Hillary Clinton.
Senate appears unlikely to penalize higher ed for long-term contracts signed ahead of right-to-work law
Senate appears unlikely to penalize higher ed for long-term contracts signed ahead of right-to-work law | Crain's Detroit Business:
"Last month, Wayne State governors ratified an eight-year contract, and the University of Michigan reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with a union representing 1,500 lecturers. Both contracts were settled before the right-to-work law went into effect."
"Last month, Wayne State governors ratified an eight-year contract, and the University of Michigan reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with a union representing 1,500 lecturers. Both contracts were settled before the right-to-work law went into effect."
What is the future of the Black community in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights?
Question of the Day: What is the future of the Black community in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights? | MLive.com:
"The predominately African-American city of Muskegon Heights in particular continues to face obstacles impacting the vitality of the city.
In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed an emergency manager for Muskegon Heights Public Schools, who in turn transformed the district into privately-ran public charter system.
Most recently, testing results conducted by Mosaica Education, the company running the city’s schools, found that nearly all ninth graders started the school year at least three grades behind in reading and mathematics."
"The predominately African-American city of Muskegon Heights in particular continues to face obstacles impacting the vitality of the city.
In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed an emergency manager for Muskegon Heights Public Schools, who in turn transformed the district into privately-ran public charter system.
Most recently, testing results conducted by Mosaica Education, the company running the city’s schools, found that nearly all ninth graders started the school year at least three grades behind in reading and mathematics."
Muskegon's brownfield authority considers $2 million assistance for Terrace Point Landing
Muskegon's brownfield authority considers $2 million assistance for Terrace Point Landing | MLive.com:
"Rooks and his Terrace Point Landing LLC have asked to be included in the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plan.
Inclusion would offer the residential developer up to $2 million in property-tax captured dollars to complete an environmental assessment, cleanup activities and installation of roads and utilities."
"Rooks and his Terrace Point Landing LLC have asked to be included in the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plan.
Inclusion would offer the residential developer up to $2 million in property-tax captured dollars to complete an environmental assessment, cleanup activities and installation of roads and utilities."
Obama 2014 budget analysis: Numbers based on imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
Obama 2014 budget analysis: Numbers based on imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike | Mail Online:
"Early analysis: Obama's 2014 budget numbers are based on bad math, phantom revenues, imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
White House promises $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction, although similar previous claims have been debunked.
New method of measuring cost-of-living increases will lower benefit payouts and push middle-class earners into higher tax brackets
Speaker Boehner's spokesperson: 'Any deficit reduction will come exclusively from tax hikes'
Administration's formula depends on cost savings from Obamacare, which may be more costly to implement than previously thought"
"Early analysis: Obama's 2014 budget numbers are based on bad math, phantom revenues, imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike
White House promises $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction, although similar previous claims have been debunked.
New method of measuring cost-of-living increases will lower benefit payouts and push middle-class earners into higher tax brackets
Speaker Boehner's spokesperson: 'Any deficit reduction will come exclusively from tax hikes'
Administration's formula depends on cost savings from Obamacare, which may be more costly to implement than previously thought"
Silting and low water close Muskegon harbor to large freighters, dredging to begin soon
Silting and low water close Muskegon harbor to large freighters, dredging to begin soon | MLive.com:
"Huizenga and Hansen, along with federal and state officials, outlined commercial harbor dredging plans for this spring, a state-funded emergency dredging program for public marinas in West Michigan communities and possible relaxation of environmental restrictions on dredging during this low-water emergency."
"Huizenga and Hansen, along with federal and state officials, outlined commercial harbor dredging plans for this spring, a state-funded emergency dredging program for public marinas in West Michigan communities and possible relaxation of environmental restrictions on dredging during this low-water emergency."
ABC, CBS and NBC Turn a Blind Eye to ObamaCare Setbacks
ABC, CBS and NBC Turn a Blind Eye to ObamaCare Setbacks | Media Research Center:
"For the past couple of weeks there has been a steady drip of bad news for ObamaCare, but you wouldn't know it if you only get your news from the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks.
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims;
to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks: "
"For the past couple of weeks there has been a steady drip of bad news for ObamaCare, but you wouldn't know it if you only get your news from the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks.
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims;
to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks: "
Air Force One Becomes Tool For Gun Control, Exploiting Mass Murder
Air Force One Becomes Tool For Gun Control, Exploiting Mass Murder - Investors.com:
"According to Hawkins, for Alinsky and followers such as Obama, "you do whatever it takes ... even if what it takes is telling bald-face lie after bald-face lie."
In a speech Monday at the University of Hartford, accompanied by some of the parents of the victims of the Newtown massacre in December, in which 20 elementary school children and six adult staff were slaughtered, Obama claimed that his push for gun control was apolitical.
Why, then, was he yelling?"
"According to Hawkins, for Alinsky and followers such as Obama, "you do whatever it takes ... even if what it takes is telling bald-face lie after bald-face lie."
In a speech Monday at the University of Hartford, accompanied by some of the parents of the victims of the Newtown massacre in December, in which 20 elementary school children and six adult staff were slaughtered, Obama claimed that his push for gun control was apolitical.
Why, then, was he yelling?"
Obama declares Thursday 'National Equal Pay Day,' despite paying female staffers less than male counterparts
Obama declares Thursday 'National Equal Pay Day,' despite paying female staffers less than male counterparts | The Daily Caller:
"...... the Obama White House has failed in recent years to pay female employees the same amount as male ones."
"...... the Obama White House has failed in recent years to pay female employees the same amount as male ones."
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