$2 BILLION!??? On windmills?!!!------Bill to repeal Michigan renewable standard faces long odds

Bill to repeal Michigan renewable standard faces long odds | Midwest Energy News:
"Despite strong public support for renewable energy expansion in Michigan, three state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would repeal Michigan’s 10 percent renewable energy standard.

State Rep. Tom McMillin, a Republican from suburbs north of Detroit who is term-limited out of office this year, introduced House Bill 5872 on Oct. 1.
It would repeal the section in Michigan’s 2008 renewable energy law that stipulates how much capacity should come from renewable sources by 2015.
The bill is co-sponsored by fellow House Republicans Ken Goike and Ray Franz.
Michigan utilities are on pace to meet the 10 percent standard by the end of next year.
Over the summer, a Senate working group involving lawmakers and stakeholders has studied how the state should move forward once the mandate is reached."
...And while roughly $2 billion was invested since 2009, largely in on-shore wind, Clift said Michigan is also “on the front edge” of an expanded solar industry.

Just Watch Oprah’s Reaction After Actress Rejects Labels and Declares Herself Not ‘African-American’ | Video | TheBlaze.com

Just Watch Oprah’s Reaction After Actress Rejects Labels and Declares Herself Not ‘African-American’ | Video | TheBlaze.com:

"Actress and singer Raven-Symone left Oprah Winfrey visibly surprised during an interview when she explained that she’s “tired of being labeled” and considers herself “American,” not “African-American.”

Here's the status of gay marriage in all 50 states

My Way News - Here's the status of gay marriage in all 50 states

The Supreme Court turned away appeals this week that effectively raised the number of states allowing the practice from 19 to 30. 

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court rejected bans in Idaho and Nevada, which would become the 31st and 32nd states with same-sex marriage if the ruling is not put on hold for the Supreme Court to consider.

Here's the status of gay marriage in all 50 states:

WHERE GAY MARRIAGE IS STILL NOT LEGAL AND CASES ARE PENDING:

— MICHIGAN — The state's ban was overturned by a federal judge in March following a rare trial that mostly focused on the impact on children. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati heard arguments Aug. 6, and a ruling is pending.

Inside September’s “Born Again” Jobs Report

Inside September’s “Born Again” Jobs Report | David Stockman's Contra Corner

At the end of the day, the US economy has not generated a single net new job outside of the HES Complex since mid-2001. 

There were 107.8 million non-HES jobs then and there were 107.6 million reported last Friday. 

Worse still, we are still 1.5 million jobs below the 2007 peak.

Stated differently, during the Greenspan Bubble of 2001-2007, the US economy at least gained several million non-HES jobs from the prior peak. 

This time we are still peddling backwards.

You would think that one of these days the labor market expert running our monetary politburo might notice. But you would be wrong.

Maybe more money for the teacher's union members will help?------This simple subtraction problem just got a lot more difficult thanks to Common Core

This simple subtraction problem just got a lot more difficult thanks to Common Core | Rare:

40% property tax increase!!! Today 12:30-----Editorial Board conversation: Join city of Muskegon officials to discuss Nov. 4 road millage request

Editorial Board conversation: Join city of Muskegon officials to discuss Nov. 4 road millage request | MLive.com:
"MUSKEGON, MI – The MLive Muskegon Chronicle Editorial Board will be conducting a public conversation with city of Muskegon officials concerning the 4-mill property tax for roads on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Editorial Board will be providing a position on the request to increase the city of Muskegon's annual levy from 10 to 14 mills with the current Muskegon City Commission dedicating the new property tax to road repairs and maintenance.
One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of taxable value.
The additional mills, if approved by voters, would provide approximately $2 million more per year in revenues to the city.
City officials have estimated that more than $72 million in road repairs are needed in Muskegon to bring all roads and streets up to acceptable standards."

Why is Obama leaving these people to be murdered?------The Siege Of Kobani: Obama’s Syrian Fiasco In Motion

The Siege Of Kobani: Obama’s Syrian Fiasco In Motion | David Stockman's Contra Corner:
"Another humanitarian catastrophe may be just hours away at Kobani. 
The latter is the Syrian Kurdish town on the border with Turkey that is now surrounded by ISIS tanks and is being pounded day after day by ISIS heavy artillery.

Already this lethal phalanx, which fuses 21st century American technology and equipment with 12th century religious fanaticism, has rolled through dozens of Kurdish villages and towns in the region around Kobani, sending 180,000 refugees fleeing for their lives across the border.
Self-evidently the lightly armed Kurdish militias desperately holding out in Kobani are fighting the right enemy—-that is, the Islamic State.
So why has Obama’s grand coalition not been able to relieve the siege?  
Why haven’t American bombers and cruise missiles, for instance, been able to destroy the American tanks and artillery which a terrifying band of butchers has brought to bear on several hundred thousand innocent Syrian Kurds who have made this enclave their home for more than a century? 
Why has not NATO ally Turkey, with a 600,000 man military, 3,500 tanks and 1,000 modern aircraft and helicopters, done anything meaningful to help the imperiled Kurds?"

Ted Cruz Is About to Propose a Constitutional Amendment | TheBlaze.com

Ted Cruz Is About to Propose a Constitutional Amendment | TheBlaze.com:

"Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will soon propose an amendment to the Constitution that would prevent the federal government or the courts from nullifying state marriage laws."

All the governor's taxes

All the governor's taxes

Michigan's individual income tax revenue jumped 25% between 2011 and 2012, a $1.4-billion increase. About $560 million of that is because of income growth, and much of that is because of a one-time spike in national income tied to changes in the federal tax code.

The remainder of the increase can be explained by deductions and tax credits that were either eliminated or modified significantly. For millions of Michigan residents, these were experienced as tax increases.

They include:

■ $270 million from a decrease in the homestead property tax credit.

■ $240 million from cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

■ $200 million from the pension tax changes.

■ $50 million from the elimination of deductions for children.

■ $50 million from the elimination of the special exemption for age and unemployment compensation.

■ $90 million from elimination of other nonrefundable credits, such as city income tax, homeless/food bank contributions and contributions to public universities and public broadcasting.

The average taxpayer received half as much in credits in 2012 as in 2011. In addition, the new tax code freezes the individual income tax rate at 4.25%; before the changes, that rate was scheduled to drop 0.1 percentage point each year until it reached 3.9% in 2015.

In fact, Michigan had the fifth largest percentage increase in tax revenue collected from individuals, according to a survey of government tax collections by the U.S. Census Bureau during fiscal year 2013.

Jimmy Kimmel Asks Americans, ‘Who Is Joe Biden?’ Try Not to Wet Your Pants at the Answers | Video | TheBlaze.com

Jimmy Kimmel Asks Americans, ‘Who Is Joe Biden?’ Try Not to Wet Your Pants at the Answers | Video | TheBlaze.com:

"Answers ranged from, “I think he’s a governor or something,” to, “Terrorist group.” One guy even suggests he’s a Republican who is going to be president soon that probably opposes Obama because Biden is white."

Eclipse Calculator – Eclipses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

Eclipse Calculator – Eclipses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

Lunar Eclipse to Veil Moon Red in Predawn Hours of Wednesday

Lunar Eclipse to Veil Moon Red in Predawn Hours of Wednesday:
"In the predawn hours of Oct. 8, early risers and restless souls weary from insomnia are in for a rare spectacle as the Hunter's Moon glows a coppery red, and is veiled by Earth's great shadow.
Wednesday's total lunar eclipse, set to begin a little after 5 a.m. EDT, will be the second of four consecutive "blood moons" to be visible in the United States during a two-year time span."

FBI Seeks Help Identifying the English-Speaking Islamic State Terrorist Seen in This Bone-Chilling Propaganda Video

FBI Seeks Help Identifying the English-Speaking Islamic State Terrorist Seen in This Bone-Chilling Propaganda Video | Video | TheBlaze.com:
"The FBI is seeking information that will help officials identify an English-speaking Islamic State terrorists featured in a terrifying propaganda video released in September."

History for October 8

History for October 8 - On-This-Day.com
Eddie Rickenbacker 1890, Juan Peron 1895, Jesse Jackson 1941 


Chevy Chase 1943, Sigourney Weaver 1949, Matt Damon 1970 - Actor 


1895 - The Berliner Gramophone Company was founded in Philadelphia, PA. 


1918 - U.S. Corporal Alvin C. York almost single-handedly killed 25 German soldiers and captured 132 in the Argonne Forest in France. York had originally tried to avoid being drafted as a conscientious objector. After this event his was promoted to sergeant and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 


1944 - "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" debuted on CBS radio. 


1966 - The U.S. Government declared that LSD was dangerous and an illegal substance. 


1993 - The U.S. government issued a report absolving the FBI of any wrongdoing in its final assault in Waco, TX, on the Branch Davidian compound. The fire that ended the siege killed as many as 85 people. 

Report: Beheading Plot Disrupted After Police Arrest Four Islamic Terrorists in London | Video | TheBlaze.com

Report: Beheading Plot Disrupted After Police Arrest Four Islamic Terrorists in London | Video | TheBlaze.com:

“This is a breaking story here in London, but the material that we have from Scotland Yard and the intelligence services is they have uncovered the first ISIS plot here in the U.K.,” Coughlin said on Fox News. “Basically, British jihadists coming back to London and wanting to carry out a plot, and I’m told the plot was to behead people on the streets of London.”

Allen West: ‘Barack Hussein Obama is an Islamist’

Allen West: ‘Barack Hussein Obama is an Islamist’:

"West, a favorite among many in the pro-freedom, pro-Constitution Tea Party movement, listed six instances where the Obama regime has been “working counter to the security of the United States of America”:"

FBI Director Stuns With Comments on Americans Who May Try to Return to U.S. After Fighting With Islamic State | Video | TheBlaze.com

FBI Director Stuns With Comments on Americans Who May Try to Return to U.S. After Fighting With Islamic State | Video | TheBlaze.com:

"FBI Director James Comey was hammered by his critics after he told CBS News over the weekend that Americans who fight alongside the Islamic State in Syria are “entitled to come back” to the U.S. due to their citizenship."

Liberal Women Should Be Fighting Islam Tooth and Nail - Eagle Rising

Liberal Women Should Be Fighting Islam Tooth and Nail - Eagle Rising:

"The White House consorts with American-based pro-radical Muslim organizations on almost a weekly basis – in the name of goodwill… Then our president initiates new regulations to suit their needs. Then, adding insult to injury, he refuses to act in a decisive fashion to crush the burgeoning monsters of ISIS in The Middle East, and Islam grows stronger.
But to my mind’s eye there is one group in America which should be standing up and beating drums against this new menace to freedom, and that’s women. Nowhere in the world and nowhere in any other philosophy or religion are women treated more poorly than in Islam.
I’ve done a little research on Islam and women, and here are a few salient facts that ought to have the “fairer sex” of this nation losing sleep."

WATCH: This Soldier Is Taking ISIS Into His Own Hands And Isn’t Waiting For Obama To Give Him Orders

WATCH: This Soldier Is Taking ISIS Into His Own Hands And Isn’t Waiting For Obama To Give Him Orders:

"This is the story of another American who has taken up arms on the faraway battlefield, but in this case the man is fighting against the Islamic State, not for it. That means he could one day come face-to-face with fellow Americans who are fighting for the other side."

Now Lansing Politicians Want a Poet Laureate!

Now Lansing Politicians Want a Poet Laureate! [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Maybe it’s something in the water.
In recent weeks Lansing politicians have proposed laws mandating an official poem for Michigan and forcing taxpayers to buy a state flag for the survivors of current or former legislators when they die. 
Now comes yet another piece of institutional grandiosity: a bill to create an official state poet laureate.

Never mind pension underfunding and damaged roads, to name two issues crying out for legislative solutions; members of our full-time Legislature seem to have both the time and the sense of entitlement to designate an official state poet.

Alas, given the usual political incentives, were the measure to become law (unlikely) the candidates would probably sound less like the ancient Greek Homer of “Iliad” and “Odyssey” fame and more like a modern namesake — Homer Simpson. Doh!

Iran May Have Just Accidently Blown The Lid Off This Secret They've Been Hiding From America And Israel

Iran May Have Just Accidently Blown The Lid Off This Secret They've Been Hiding From America And Israel:

"It’s not the first time this sort of mysterious explosion has led to speculation about the extent and condition of Iran’s nuclear program. Back in May of this year, Israel National News reported an immense, unexplained blast outside a city in northern Iran."

VIDEO: Will the PC Police Force Subway to Remove This New Ad Because it’s ‘Offensive’ to Muslims?

VIDEO: Will the PC Police Force Subway to Remove This New Ad Because it’s ‘Offensive’ to Muslims?:

"In June, TPNN reported that a Texas man was told to remove his American flag because “it’s a threat to Muslims.” And just days ago, we reported that a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) banned moistened hand wipes because they might offend Muslim customers."

Honestly, are we Americans or are we sheep?


We are so going to regret all this PC-BS.

Ouch: Obama Might Feel Like Giving Up And Resigning After What Democrats Are Doing To Him

Ouch: Obama Might Feel Like Giving Up And Resigning After What Democrats Are Doing To Him:

"President Obama’s slumping approval ratings have been widely reported, but now there’s a new wrinkle in the president’s polling that may explain why Democrat candidates want to keep their distance from the head of their party — and a great distance, at that."

Cuz most teachers were girls?-The state of boys: In crisis

The state of boys: In crisis « Watchdog.org:
"...boys aren’t just heading into a danger zone but already are living in it.


Some national statistics:
*Preschool boys are expelled nearly five times more often than girls
*Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with learning disorders
*Boys are 30 percent more likely to flunk out or drop out of school

Here in New Mexico, the figures are just as bad, if not worse.
Two weeks ago, the Legislative Finance Committee released the state’s dropout rates, and the statistics were sobering: 58 percent of the dropouts were boys — 16 percent higher than for girls.
The people at LFC did some more digging for me and came back with even more depressing numbers.
Boys make up 62.5 percent of the students in the past school year suspended or expelled and 60.7 percent of those who had to repeat the ninth grade.
The numbers for Hispanic and Native American boys were disproportionately high.
The pattern continues into higher education."