Building for a future of American renting serfs

Building for a future of American renting serfs: Private housing starts for structures with at least 5 units hits a post recession high. More than 11 million Americans spend more than 50 percent of income on rent » Dr. Housing Bubble Blog:
There was much celebration regarding the jump in private housing starts. 
However, once you begin to look beyond the headlines you realize that the big jump came largely because of multi-family starts. 
In other words, building more rentals in the form of apartments for a growing population that rents. 
Private starts for places with 5 units or more has now hit a post recession high. 
This makes sense given the fall in rental vacancy rates and the rise in rental prices. 
Yet what we find is that more income is being siphoned off into a less productive sector of our economy. Real estate tends to be a big plus for an economy when it happens organically with rising incomes, good overall employment prospects, and first time buyers leading the charge. 
Today it is more of a shifting of assets into fewer hands while extracting more income from the productive sectors of the economy. 
Not everyone can have their flipping show on cable television. 
For example, over 11 million Americans now pay 50 percent or more of their income to rent. 
Many of those people are here in California. 
The trend to building rentals aligns with the underlying reality that many future Americans will be less affluent compared to their parents.

American Innovation!-----Markets in everything: Uber will now deliver your lunch

AEIdeas » Markets in everything: Uber will now deliver your lunch

Following several other recent innovative additions to the services offered by the ride-sharing, taxi-alternative leader Uber (UberPool that allows customers to share a ride and split the cost, Uber for Business that allows employees who use Uber to bill their trips directly to their company andUberFamily — a car seat option for parents on the go), it now uses its fleet of cars and drivers to deliver food with its new UberFresh service.

Here are more details from Engadget.com:

The service starts today, and, as advertised, you’ll swipe to the “UberFresh” section of your Uber app and a driver will bring you lunch. No, you don’t get in the car and go somewhere; think of it like app-based food delivery. For the service’s initial launch, your lunch options are limited to a single item per day (there’s a menu on Uber’s site right here). Admittedly, the options for the first week look pretty delicious, and the Yelp rankings for each restaurant back up Uber’s choices as at least somewhat legit.

MP: What’s next from Uber? Who knows, but it certainly won’t be a service that any taxi cartel has thought to offer, and will be another reason that Uber represents the future of innovative transportation services, while traditional taxi cartels might soon be relics of a past era when the interests of producers were more important than the interest of consumers.

Ralph Weems brain damaged after 'being attacked by 20 black men' in parking lot

Ralph Weems brain damaged after 'being attacked by 20 black men' in parking lot | Mail Online

Man, 32, is left with brain damage after 'being attacked by gang of 20 black men' in parking lot after being told Waffle House 'wasn't safe for white people after Ferguson'

• Ralph Weems IV, who was injured early Saturday, was placed in a medically induced coma at North Mississippi Medical Center 
• Police Chief Tim Brinkley said 22-year-old Courtez McMillian of Okolona was arrested on Monday evening and that more arrests are pending
• McMillan is being held in the Clay County Detention Center and will be charged with aggravated assault
• Weems' pal David Knighten said a man waved him over and told him politely that people were upset by the killing Michael Brown, 18
• When he went in to the restaurant he said Weems was arguing with other men
• They say the men followed them to a nearby Huddle House and beat them, he said 

Ya think? We need a "study" for this? And "fruit" will fix it?----------Study raises question: Is obesity becoming new normal for kids?

Study raises question: Is obesity becoming new normal for kids? | MLive.com:
"GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A study that finds parents are becoming less likely to recognize their child is overweight should serve as a wake-up call – for parents and the community, a child psychologist says.
The rapid rise in childhood obesity rates may be making it more difficult for parents of obese or overweight children to accurately assess their condition, according to the report published Monday, Aug. 25, in the journal Pediatrics.
...“We just look around at people in our neighborhood and in our schools and we compare,” she said. “If a lot of the other kids are about the same size as my child, then (parents may think) ‘my child is probably just fine.’”
But that may not be the case, as obesity becomes more prevalent. Among children ages 6 to 11, only 7 percent were obese in 1980.
By 2012, that number rose to nearly 18 percent, according to research cited by the study.
.....A community-wide approach, she said, would include making sure fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available in all neighborhoods and providing parks and recreational activities are available to people at all income levels."

Former Marine Brutally Beaten as Revenge for Ferguson; Told Waffle House ‘Not Safe for Whites’; Race-Hustlers Silent

Former Marine Brutally Beaten as Revenge for Ferguson; Told Waffle House ‘Not Safe for Whites’; Race-Hustlers Silent:
"Former U.S. Marine Ralph Weems, a 32 year old white male, was left with life-threatening injuries after being followed by a mob of 20 black black men then beaten. Prior to the attack, Weems, who is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, entered the Waffle House in West Point, Mississippi. His friend, David Knighten, said that someone waved him over and told him the restaurant was not safe for whites because the black people inside were angry over the death of Michael Brown."

"There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs-partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs."

Booker T. Washington

The evolution of Spartan Stadium as told through rare historical photos

The evolution of Spartan Stadium as told through rare historical photos | MLive.com:
"EAST LANSING — Today, in front of a private group of donors and media, Michigan State University will unveil its $24.5 million north end zone addition to Spartan Stadium.
The project includes a two-level, 55,000-square-feet addition, a recruiting facility available to all sports on the concourse level, a new media center, new locker rooms, new restrooms, concessions and a donor plaza.
But this project is about more than bricks and mortar.
With the addition of the recruiting facility and the locker rooms, Michigan State football is no longer playing the catch-up game that defined so many expansions of the past.
From its humble beginnings on the corner of Shaw Lane and Red Cedar Road in 1923 to its jumbotron-laced current state in 2014, here's a look at the evolution of Spartan Stadium as told through rare historical photos."

Junk science, junk politics, junk president-------Obama Pursuing Climate Accord in Lieu of Treaty

Obama Pursuing Climate Accord in Lieu of Treaty - NYTimes.com:
"WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is working to forge a sweeping international climate change agreement to compel nations to cut their planet-warming fossil fuel emissions, but without ratification from Congress. 
 In preparation for this agreement, to be signed at a United Nations summit meeting in 2015 in Paris, the negotiators are meeting with diplomats from other countries to broker a deal to commit some of the world’s largest economies to enact laws to reduce their carbon pollution.
But under the Constitution, a president may enter into a legally binding treaty only if it is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate. 
To sidestep that requirement, President Obama’s climate negotiators are devising what they call a “politically binding” deal that would “name and shame” countries into cutting their emissions."

Watch: Obama Just Got Shunned By Vets During A Speech, And It Couldn't Be More Awkward

Watch: Obama Just Got Shunned By Vets During A Speech, And It Couldn't Be More Awkward:
"A president whose approval rating is suffering often tries to rescue his popularity by wrapping himself in the flag.
You know, giving a rousing, stars-and-stripes speech about our American values as exemplified and protected by the armed forces…or going before a military group to generate supportive applause and good ole red, white, and blue media coverage.
Well, if that sort of ratings boost was Barack Obama’s goal in appearing before the American Legion’s annual convention in Charlotte, NC, not only did the president fall short of that goal…he absolutely fumbled the ball."

Headline of the day!--------Police: Naked, drunken man caught trying to break into home

Police: Naked, drunken man caught trying to break into home | MLive.com:
"HASTINGS, MI -- A man was arrested last week after police said he tried to enter a home in Hastings while naked and intoxicated."

Why is this "news". In Flint?--------Convicted felon arrested for possessing a gun in Flint, police say

Convicted felon arrested for possessing a gun in Flint, police say | MLive.com:
"FLINT, MI -- Flint Police arrested a convicted felon Monday morning, alleging he was in possession of a handgun.
Around 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, police received a call regarding a man with a gun in the 2200 block of Welch Blvd. near North Ballenger Highway in Flint, according to a release by the department.
 Once there, police located a convicted felon, and nearby, a stolen handgun that someone attempted to hide, the release states.
 The man was arrested and lodged in jail while prosecutors review charges."

VIDEO: Native American Washington Redskins Fans Fight Back to Save Team Name

VIDEO: Native American Washington Redskins Fans Fight Back to Save Team Name:
"In reaction from white Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proclamation that the team name of the Washington “Redskins” is suddenly considered racist after more than seven decades, the Washington Post  Editorial Board, Phil Sims and Tony Dungy have decided to ban the word from their vocabularies. Some Native Americans are speaking out in favor of keeping the Redskins name, claiming that it honors their heritage. "

Harassment Charges for Student Who... Told Joke [Gasp!]

Harassment Charges for Student Who... Told Joke [Gasp!] - Hit & Run : Reason.com

No joke:
A University of Oregon student was charged with five separate code-of-conduct violations for shouting a kind of funny, vaguely inappropriate four-word phrase out the window of a campus dormitory.

The female student was at a friend's room inside UO's Carson Hall when she decided to stick her head out the window and shout, "I hit it first," at a random couple on the street.
The couple yelled back at her and then later reported the incident to the floor's residential advisor. The RA then made the student apologize.

The student contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which shared these details because of what happened next:

That did not end the matter, however. On June 13, the student was shocked to receive a “Notice of Allegation” letter charging her with five separate conduct violations for her four-word joke. In addition to dubious allegations of violating the residence hall’s noise and guest policies, UO charged the student with “[h]arassment,” “disruption,” and “[d]isorderly conduct.” ...

As FIRE noted, the Supreme Court has defined peer harassment in the educational setting as conduct “so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive” as to effectively deprive the target of educational opportunities or benefits. The student’s isolated, four-word comment plainly fails to meet these criteria.

Harassment and disorderly conduct for making a lame joke? That sounds crazy, although if you read the campus's absurdly broad anti-harassment policy, the student no doubt violated it:

A Look Back at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014

History for August 27

History for August 27 - On-This-Day.com:
Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S.) 1908, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (Mother Theresa) 1910, Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens 1952 


1789 - The Declaration of the Rights of Man was adopted by the French National Assembly. 


1858 - The first cabled news dispatch was sent and was published by "The New York Sun" newspaper. The story was about the peace demands of England and France being met by China. 


1859 - The first oil well was successfully drilled in the U.S. by Colonel Edwin L. Drake near Titusville, PA. 


1889 - Charles G. Conn received a patent for the metal clarinet. 


1894 - The Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. The provision within for a graduated income tax was later struck down by the U.S.Supreme Court. 


1921 - The owner of Acme Packing Company bought a pro football team for Green Bay, WI. J.E. Clair paid tribute to those who worked in his plant by naming the team the Green Bay Packers. (NFL) 


1938 - Robert Frost, in a fit of jealousy, set fire to some papers to disrupt a poetry recital by another poet, Archibald MacLeish. 


1981 - Work began on recovering a safe from the Andrea Doria. The Andrea Doria was a luxury liner that had sank in 1956 in the waters off ofMassachusetts. 


1984 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced that the first citizen to go into space would be a teacher. The teacher that was eventually chosen was Christa McAuliffe. She died in the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. 


1996 - California Governor Pete Wilson signed an order that would halt state benefits to illegal immigrants. 


1998 - "Titanic" became the first movie in North America to earn more than $600 million. 


2001 - Work began on the future site of a World War II memorial on the U.S. capital's historic national Mall. The site is between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. 

You Won’t Believe What Rick Perry is Doing with His Mugshot…

You Won’t Believe What Rick Perry is Doing with His Mugshot…:
"It seems that Texas Governor Rick Perry lives by the mantra, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
The tough-talking governor who faces an indictment for abuse of power charges has turned the tables on his accusers and is actually using the arrest to raise his profile before a likely 2016 presidential run."

Gov’t Watchdog Says IRS Lawyer Admitted Lois Lerner’s ‘Lost’ Emails Were Backed Up | TheBlaze.com

Gov’t Watchdog Says IRS Lawyer Admitted Lois Lerner’s ‘Lost’ Emails Were Backed Up | TheBlaze.com:
"Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told FoxNews Monday that attorneys for the IRS have admitted that all of the supposedly lost emails from former IRS employee Lois Lerner are backed up, and that the IRS has not admitted this because they say it would be too hard to dig them out of these backed up files."

This Patriotic Guy Has The Perfect Response To People Offended By American Flags On His Truck

This Patriotic Guy Has The Perfect Response To People Offended By American Flags On His Truck:
"A recurring theme among many patriotic Americans is their proud display of the U.S. flag, and they are more than happy to challenge those who are less than comfortable with the stars and stripes."

Cannabis-infused fizzy drinks on sale in US

Cannabis-infused fizzy drinks on sale in US - Telegraph:
"A cannabis-infused fizzy drink is now on sale in the state of Washington as part of the ever-expanding US market for legal pot products.
Less than two months after recreational cannabis became legal in the west coast state, Washingtonians can now get their highs out of a soda bottle.
The drinks, called Legal, come in cherry, lemon and pomegranate flavours but are all infused with 10mg of liquid cannabis. The drinks cost around $10 (£6).
They are being marketed as a gentler alternative to smoking that could be attractive to those still wary about cannabis.
"It's much more approachable, as opposed to 'Hey, mom and dad, do you want a joint?'" said Adam Stites, the founder of Mirth Provisions."

Is Burger King Calling the White House’s Bluff? | TheBlaze.com

Is Burger King Calling the White House’s Bluff? | TheBlaze.com:
"Burger King could be moving to Canada — sort of.
Analysts say it’s a direct challenge to the White House."

Cop Hits Man in the Head 20 Times as Onlookers Plead 'Don't Punch Him No More'

Cop Hits Man in the Head 20 Times as Onlookers Plead 'Don't Punch Him No More' - Hit & Run : Reason.com:

Once the cops have pinned a non-violent suspect to the ground, how many times are they allowed to punch him in the head? Is it fewer than 20? I would say so, but I'm not a Greenville County, South Carolina, deputy.

Greenville officers approached a man at a Walmart parking lot on Saturday. The man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and didn't respond to police questions or instructions. Eventually, the officers followed the man inside the store, where they attempted to detain him. The deputies claim the man resisted, though video footage of the incident certainly makes said resistance look passive, rather than violent. But once the two cops had the man on the ground, one of them immediately began punching him in the head. I count at least 20 blows.

Onlookers were horrified, and begged the deputies to stop. Many thought the treatment of the man was cruel, according to WSPA.com. "Please don't punch him like that, don't punch him no more," said one witness. (More video footage can be seen here.)

Breach of Homeland Security Background Checks Raises Red Flags

Breach of Homeland Security Background Checks Raises Red Flags:
""If [leaking] credit card data [to attackers] is like giving your kids a spoonful of sugar, compromising background checks is like handing them cocaine," says Rick Dakin, CEO of Coalfire, the nation's largest independent IT governance, risk, and compliance firm.
"This is not lightweight data.
These are very rich databases on how to compromise national security."
USIS is the third-party commercial firm that performs employee background checks for the Department of Homeland Security, including the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection units."

OMG, we're all gonna disappear! Oh.... wait a minute..... never mind............Why Are There So Many Sinkholes in Florida?

Why Are There So Many Sinkholes in Florida? - The Atlantic:
"Reports of sinkholes show up in Florida newspapers so often, they deserve their own section.
But Kromhout says, despite popular perception, that there does not seem to be an increase in sinkholes across the state. 
“I am doubtful that sinkholes are occurring any more frequently than any other time with Florida’s recent geologic past,” says Kromhout.
(Then again, Kromhout says he isn't aware of any studies that have assessed sinkhole frequency over time.)"

Atheist Activist Reveals the Big Secret She Says 24 Members of Congress Are Keeping From the Public | TheBlaze.com

Atheist Activist Reveals the Big Secret She Says 24 Members of Congress Are Keeping From the Public | TheBlaze.com:
"A secular activist group is claiming that there are 24 members of Congress who have a big secret that they refuse to tell their constituents and the general public: they’re atheists.
This would be significant, if true, considering that there are currently no outspoken — or even open — nonbelievers serving in Congress."

College textbook prices (+150%) vs. Consumer Prices (+47%) vs. Recreational book prices (+0.08%), 1998 to 2014

Mark J. Perry on Twitter: CHART: College textbook prices (+150%) vs. Consumer Prices (+47%) vs. Recreational book prices (+0.08%), 1998 to 2014 

Drunk, vengeful democrat. And GUILTY!!!-------Setting the Record Straight

A horror!------US health official: Ebola has 'upper hand'

My Way News - US health official: Ebola has 'upper hand':

Liberia has resorted to some of the most stringent measures to control the disease, including sealing off an entire slum neighborhood in the capital. 

Sirleaf has also declared a state of emergency and ordered all her ministers and top government officials to remain in the country or return from any trips.

Late Monday, her office said in a statement that any official who defied that order had been fired. The order was issued a few weeks ago and officials had been given a week to return. The statement did not say how many or who had been fired.

FOX wins with Truth, Justice and the American Way!

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BLOODBATH AT TURNER: 550 Buyouts, Layoffs Imminent; HLN, CNN Among Cuts...

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FOXNEWS Hits Ratings Highs, MSNBC Sputters in Summer's Busiest Week...

‘You’ve Lost Where You Come From!’: Al Sharpton Has Harsh Words for the Black Community During Michael Brown’s Funeral | Video | TheBlaze.com

‘You’ve Lost Where You Come From!’: Al Sharpton Has Harsh Words for the Black Community During Michael Brown’s Funeral | Video | TheBlaze.com:
"Rev. Al Sharpton had harsh words for the black community on Monday during the funeral for Michael Brown, the 18-year-old black man fatally shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, earlier this month.
Sharpton said the “bad apples” must be taken care of within American police departments, but the black community must also be “straight up” about its own issues."

Heh-----Obama Statue Stolen From Porch, Found Later With Empty Bottles Of Alcohol And Cigarette

Obama Statue Stolen From Porch, Found Later With Empty Bottles Of Alcohol And Cigarette | Truth And Action:
A life-sized statue of Obama was stolen off the porch of Tiffany Bruce from Wilkes-Barre, PA, who went into such a panic over the theft she had to go to the hospital.
“That statue was actually $1249,” Bruce said. 

Who also noted it took her months to save up for it.

The statue was later found in a nearby city with an empty bottle of Twisted Tea in its hand, a pack of empty Twisted Tea bottles on the bench next to it and a cigarette in its mouth.

It’s unknown who took the statue.

These are the 25 most popular mobile apps in America

These are the 25 most popular mobile apps in America - Quartz: