Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Embattled IRS plans employee bonuses for 2013 work

Embattled IRS plans employee bonuses for 2013 work - Washington Times:
"Citing the need to boost employee morale, the Internal Revenue Service’s new commissioner said Monday that he will pay out millions of dollars in bonuses to agency employees, reversing a decision his predecessor made to save money amid the sequester budget cuts and other belt-tightening last year.

 The agency remains under fire for targeting tea party groups, but Commissioner John Koskinen said the bonuses are needed to retain and attract good employees in a time of cutbacks"

The States People Are Fleeing In 2013

The States People Are Fleeing In 2013 - Forbes:
"In fact, most of the top-10 states people are leaving are located in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, including Illinois (60%), New York (58%), Michigan (58%), Maine (56%), Connecticut (56%) and Wisconsin (55%).
According to Stoll, this reflects a consistent trend of migration from the Frost Belt to the Sun Belt states based on a combination of causes."

Royal Caribbean uses 80-inch HDTVs to create 'virtual balcony staterooms'

Royal Caribbean uses 80-inch HDTVs to create 'virtual balcony staterooms':
"Every cruise-goer wants the ability to recreate the Jack and Rose experience of "flying" on the bow of the ship from their room, but unless you book a window suite early, getting that experience can pose a Titanic-sized challenge.
For latecomers who want the waterside experience, Royal Caribbean is offering "virtual balcony staterooms" with 80-inch floor-to-ceiling HD displays framed to look like an actual balcony.
The TVs display close to real-time video from the bow and stern of the ship shot on RED Epic HD cinema cameras, complete with audio.
Guests can set the mood by switching between cams using an in-room remote, or close the curtains on the display if it gets too romantic."

Obama's america.......Students film feminist porno in Columbia University library

Students film feminist porno in Columbia University library:
"Feminist students filmed porno to fight “gender tension” at Columbia.
The girls engage in activities including kissing, rubbing eggs on their bodies, and twerking around a chicken carcass.
Claimed the library represented sexism at the school because only male authors' names are on the building."

WeMOG Wed. 1:00

Ski Crystal Valley
Wednesday, February 5
1:00 

Car Pool - 11:30 - Russ' Parking lot, Holton Road, southwest corner.
Lunch and " Pink/Blue Bush" Stop -  Pentwater Monroe Road convenience store (buy a lunch or bring a lunch).
Hit the trails by 1:00.

History for February 5

History for February 5 - On-This-Day.com:

Happy Birthday! Hank Aaron, Christopher Guest







1937 - U.S. President Roosevelt proposed enlarging the U.S. Supreme Court. The plan failed.
 

1987 - The Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 2,200-point for the first time. The market closed at 2201.49. 


1994 - White separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, MS, of the 1963 murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. 


1997 - Investment bank Morgan Stanley announced a $10 billion merger with Dean Witter. 


2003 - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presented evidence to the U.N. concerning Iraq's material breach of U.N. Resolution 1441.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

The 2nd Amendment-For anyone who needs a bit more

Are Republicans 'embezzling' from Michigan’s public schools?

Ken Braun: Are Republicans 'embezzling' from Michigan’s public schools? | MLive.com:
One need not look very hard these days to discover an accusation that Republicans have not been shoveling enough loot to public education. 
Following Gov. Snyder’s State of the State speech last month, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D - East Lansing, stated the current state budget surplus was “nothing more than the money the Governor and the Republican-led Legislature have embezzled from our public schools, our working families and our retired seniors living on fixed incomes.”
“Embezzled” is strong word, implying even a felony. 
But the most obvious thieving from taxpayers, the state budget, public schools and much else was Michigan’s chronically awful economy that began in 2001 and continued through Gov. Snyder’s arrival in office.
How did public school funding survive through all that?
From 2001 to 2010, gross spending per capita on K-12 schools increased 20.3 percent. 
This increase was slightly less than price inflation
Jennifer Granholm - a Democrat - was governor for eight of those years, and Sen. Whitmer was a member of the Michigan Legislature throughout the whole period.

This Man Will Show You More In a Minute Than You’ll See In a Decade. Seriously

This Man Will Show You More In a Minute Than You’ll See In a Decade. Seriously. | Mobiledia

Better Business Bureau warns of 'one ring' phone scam from Caribbean Islands

Better Business Bureau warns of 'one ring' phone scam from Caribbean Islands | Allegheny Co. News - WTAE Home:
While most Pittsburghers probably wouldn’t mind a trip to the Caribbean to avoid the cold winter months, most of them probably weren’t expecting phone calls from the islands that the Better Business Bureau warns are part of a "one ring" scam.

“They're using autodialers to call thousands and thousands of our cellphones.

And they let it ring once, and then when the consumers goes to look to see who called, some that may be pretty curious may call that number back and automatically you’re going to be charged an additional $30 on your phone bill,” said the BBB’s Warren King.

The calls cost $20 up front and $9 for each additional minute.

The White House's Misstep on GM's Pay Gap

The White House's Misstep on GM's Pay Gap | Fox Business:
You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.” -- President Barack Obama, State of the Union, January 2014
"Our success should depend not on accident of birth, but the strength of our work ethic and the scope of our dreams. It's how the daughter of a factory worker is CEO of America's largest automaker." -- President Barack Obama, State of the Union, January 2014
In his State of the Union address last week, President Barack Obama applauded the success story of Mary Barra, 52, the new chief executive of General Motors (GM) who sat with First Lady Michelle Obama. Barra became the first female CEO of the global automaker after a 33-year career at GM.

Trouble is, Barra is not even getting 77%, but less than half, 48%, of the pay of GM's outgoing male CEO who had no prior experience running a car company. 

IRS data: The top 1% pay 37% of all taxes, the bottom half pay 2%, a blubbering David Letterman can’t believe the facts

IRS data: The top 1% pay 37% of all taxes, the bottom half pay 2%, a blubbering David Letterman can’t believe the facts | AEIdeas:

IRS.
In the video below from February 2011 at about 8 minutes into the segment, a confused and blubbering David Letterman just can’t believe the IRS statistics in the chart above when Rand Paul cites them and makes the case that the rich are paying their fair share of federal income taxes.
Sen. Paul: If you look at the income tax, the top 1% pay about a third of the income tax. The top 50%, those who make $70,000 and above, pay 96% of the income tax, so the middle class and above are paying all of the income tax. We are paying our fair share. Even you are probably paying your fair share, you don’t need to pay more.
Letterman: Right, but I think there’s something wrong with those numbers. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I’m pretty sure there’s something wrong with them…
(Applause)
Letterman: Thank you, you’re applauding my stupidity, god bless you.
At the very end of the segment, a blubbering Letterman sums up his confused liberalism and resistance to the facts by saying, “I think he’s wrong about some of these things. I just can’t tell you why. I’m sorry. “

GOP War on Conservatives Backfires

GOP War on Conservatives Backfires

On Friday, every political campaign had to file its 2013 year end report with the FEC.
The reports delivered two big surprises.
The Democrats are dominating the Republicans in fundraising.
More surprising, perhaps, though, is that Tea Party and conservative SuperPACs raised around three times as much as GOP establishment SuperPACs.
The DC GOP may have started the war against the Tea Party, but it won't finish it.
The GOP attack on the Tea Party came about for two reasons. 
The first was to deflect from the massive defeat suffered by Rove and other GOP consultants. 
Rarely in the history of mankind have so many resources been squandered so spectacularly. Perhaps the more important reason, though, is that the Tea Party movement is becoming a serious thorn in the side of Washington insiders. 
-The movement has effectively ended earmarks.
-It threatens any corporatist giveaway.
-It calls out cronyism in both parties.
-It demands that Congress repeals ObamaCare, while business interests would rather "fix" -the law to push the obligation for health benefits onto the government.
-More importantly, though, it wants rational immigration reform that doesn't simply flood -the market with cheap labor as business would desire. 

You Can Buy A House For One Dollar Or Less In Economically Depressed Cities All Over America

You Can Buy A House For One Dollar Or Less In Economically Depressed Cities All Over America | Zero Hedge:

Free Home In Yakima, WashingtonIn fact, the city of Detroit once had the highest per capita income in the entire nation.  But as millions of good jobs have been shipped overseas, these once prosperous communities have degenerated into rotting, decaying hellholes.  Now homes that once housed thriving middle class families cannot even be given away.  This is happening all over America, and what we are witnessing right now is only just the beginning.
The photo that I have posted below was sent to me by a reader just the other day.  It is a photo of a house in Yakima, Washington that is apparently being given away for free.  At one time it was probably quite a lovely home, but now nobody seems to want it...

......And guess who is selling more "one dollar homes" than anyone else?
If you guessed "the federal government" you would be correct.
Right now, the federal government is selling foreclosed homes to low income families all over the country for just one dollar...

"It's OK, You Can Admit It..." - The "Independent" US Media Just Wants You To Shop Till You Drop

"It's OK, You Can Admit It..." - The "Independent" US Media Just Wants You To Shop Till You Drop | Zero Hedge:

Obamacare's Broken Promises

Why Every Honest Citizen Should Own a Gun (Video)

Why Every Honest Citizen Should Own a Gun (Video):

Viewers furious Michelle Obama ruined the ‘Puppy Bowl’: ‘Is nothing safe?’

Viewers furious Michelle Obama ruined the ‘Puppy Bowl’: ‘Is nothing safe?’ - BizPac Review:

"For some, Animal Planet’s annual “Puppy Bowl” is more sacred than the Super Bowl. 

 CNN summed it up in a nutshell:

. . .  the sublime result of pairing a bunch of wiggly puppies — 66, in fact — with squeaky toys and a mini-stadium set.

Add a “rufferee” and a kitty-filled halftime, and every floppy tackle or slobbered-on football inspires an unintelligible burst of baby talk and giggles.

That’s the power of puppies!

 Maybe it’s not for everyone, but those who love it want to keep politics out, and who can blame them?

 This year, Michelle Obama had to go and ruin it for many who just wanted to have a joyful day void of lectures and goofy (human) faces . . . oh , and “anti-fat propaganda.”

 Twitchy captured the sentiments of the highly disappointed viewers:"

"We're from the government......"-------------The Belarusian Connection

Obama's geniuses hired "experts" from Belarus?
Not USA?
Is there even more to this idiocy?

The Belarusian Connection | Washington Free Beacon:
"U.S. intelligence agencies last week urged the Obama administration to check its new healthcare network for malicious software after learning that developers linked to the Belarus government helped produce the website, raising fresh concerns that private data posted by millions of Americans will be compromised.

The intelligence agencies notified the Department of Health and Human Services, the agency in charge of the Healthcare.gov network, about their concerns last week.

Specifically, officials warned that programmers in Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, were suspected of inserting malicious code that could be used for cyber attacks, according to U.S. officials familiar with the concerns."

» Students Sign Petition To Have Gun Owners Executed In Concentration Camps

» Students Sign Petition To Have Gun Owners Executed In Concentration Camps Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!:
"Media analyst Mark Dice has once again documented how many young Americans are completely disconnected from reality, capturing California college students signing a fake petition to imprison all legal gun owners in concentration camps and even to have them executed.
“We just want to make sure we disarm the citizens. We can trust the government to be the only ones with guns.” Dice said to students on campus in San Diego, while they unquestioningly signed the petition to “repeal the Second Amendment.”
“These peasants don’t need guns,” Dice stated, adding “We want to put all registered gun owners in prison,” prompting one student to replay “Yes, it’s too dangerous.” for people to own guns.
“It’s just a simple repeal of the Second Amendment and we’ll be terminating and executing all of the gun owners.” Dice told another signatory who replied “OK, thank you.” and walked off."

History for February 4

History for February 4 - On-This-Day.com

Birth anniversary of civil rights hero Rosa Parks (1913-2005).

Birth anniversary Charles Lindbergh (1902-74)

Happy Birthday! Gabrielle Anwar,  Alice Cooper


1789 - Electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States. 


1932 - The first Winter Olympics were held in the United States at Lake Placid, NY

1941 - The United Service Organizations (USO) was created. 



1945 - During World War II, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began a conference at Yalta to outline plans for Germany's defeat. 



1948 - Ceylon gained independence within the British Commonwealth. The country later became known as Sri Lanka. 



2004 - Facebook was launched.



Monday, February 03, 2014

Is this "lifestyle" really something our society ought to encourage? ------Steroid Use Much Higher Among Gay and Bi Teen Boys

Steroid Use Much Higher Among Gay and Bi Teen Boys « CBS DC:
 "Gay and bisexual teen boys use illicit steroids at a rate almost six times higher than do straight kids, a “dramatic disparity” that points up a need to reach out to this group, researchers say.
Reasons for the differences are unclear.
The study authors said it’s possible gay and bi boys feel more pressure to achieve a bulked-up “ideal” male physique, or that they think muscle-building steroids will help them fend off bullies.
Overall, 21 percent of gay or bisexual boys said they had ever used steroids, versus 4 percent of straight boys."

Armed Robber Shot Multiple Times By Restaurant Employee

article imageArmed Robber Shot Multiple Times By Restaurant Employee:

"A robbery attempt went very wrong for Calvin Jequan Benson, 22, at Wings on the Run restaurant.

Instead of leaving with money in his pocket, he left with multiple gunshot wounds.

Benson entered Wings on the Run in Greenville, S.C. around 10 p.m. on Thursday evening, armed with a gun, and attempted to rob the restaurant, reports WSPA.

Things did not go as planned for Benson."

The "governing" mindset is like cancer. It will grow and grow unless we apply radiation and chemo----Property Rights Bill Introduced After Va. Woman Threatened with Fines for Kids' Birthday Party

Property Rights Bill Introduced After Va. Woman Threatened with Fines for Kids' Birthday Party | CNS News:
""Local officials who abuse zoning authority powers to cower citizens into submission and deprive land owners of Constitutional rights in the enjoyment of their land must be subject to fines and actual damages they cause including attorney fees,"
Delegate Bob Marshall noted in support of his HB 1219 recently introduced in the Virginia General Assembly.

Marshall introduced his bill in direct response to incidents precipitated by county officials who threatened Virginia citizen farmer Martha Boneta. 
Boneta gained national attention after she was cited and threatened with $5,000 per-day fines for hosting such 'menacing activities' as a birthday party for eight 10-year old girls without a permit and advertising pumpkin carvings. Virginians rallied at two "pitchfork protests" in support of Boneta."