These are the people that the American Left support?
Power Line: "Hamas initially denied any link to the murder, but later admitted that the assailants belonged to one of its groups. It also admitted that the murderers were responsible for cracking down on men and women who defy Islamic teachings by appearing in public together."
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
We elected these people?
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "As Rep. Maxine Waters said at an abortion rally last April, 'I have to march because my mother could not have an abortion.'"
Cool place to murder someone?
Watch out if your spouse invites you to this place!
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "Our Own Private Idaho
Blogger Orin Kerr calls our attention to a law review article by Brian Kalt, who points out that U.S. law provides a way to get away with murder (or any other crime): Do it in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone National Park.
This is possible, according to Kalt, because of an oddity in the federal courts' jurisdiction: Yellowstone is under federal jurisdiction, which means state law does not apply. An 1894 law defines the federal District of Wyoming as including the whole park, including the portions in Idaho and Montana, which means that any crime committed within the park would be tried in federal district court in Wyoming.
But here's the rub: The Sixth Amendment stipulates that a jury in a federal trial must be 'of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.' That means that if you commit a crime in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone, the jury must consist of people who live in both Idaho and the Wyoming District, which is to say, the Idaho portion of Yellowstone, whose population is zero. Thus if you insist on a jury trial, which is your constitutional right, the government will be unable to try you. (The Montana portion of the park has an adult population of 41, making it at least theoretically possible to assemble a jury for a crime committed there.)
Going on a killing spree in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone may be easier said than done, though. After all, the population is zero, so who would you kill? This rules out lots of other crimes, too. There are no houses to burgle, and we're pretty sure there are no liquor stores to rob.
If your ambition is to commit the perfect crime, then, best to set your sights lower. How about this: Load your pickup truck full of mattresses and drive to the Idaho corner of Yellowstone
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "Our Own Private Idaho
Blogger Orin Kerr calls our attention to a law review article by Brian Kalt, who points out that U.S. law provides a way to get away with murder (or any other crime): Do it in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone National Park.
This is possible, according to Kalt, because of an oddity in the federal courts' jurisdiction: Yellowstone is under federal jurisdiction, which means state law does not apply. An 1894 law defines the federal District of Wyoming as including the whole park, including the portions in Idaho and Montana, which means that any crime committed within the park would be tried in federal district court in Wyoming.
But here's the rub: The Sixth Amendment stipulates that a jury in a federal trial must be 'of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.' That means that if you commit a crime in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone, the jury must consist of people who live in both Idaho and the Wyoming District, which is to say, the Idaho portion of Yellowstone, whose population is zero. Thus if you insist on a jury trial, which is your constitutional right, the government will be unable to try you. (The Montana portion of the park has an adult population of 41, making it at least theoretically possible to assemble a jury for a crime committed there.)
Going on a killing spree in the Idaho portion of Yellowstone may be easier said than done, though. After all, the population is zero, so who would you kill? This rules out lots of other crimes, too. There are no houses to burgle, and we're pretty sure there are no liquor stores to rob.
If your ambition is to commit the perfect crime, then, best to set your sights lower. How about this: Load your pickup truck full of mattresses and drive to the Idaho corner of Yellowstone
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
MSU must beware of underdog - 3/20/05
Wrong again!
MSU must beware of underdog - 3/20/05: ", March 20, 2005
March Madness
MSU must beware of underdog
Spartans face tiny Vermont, a Cinderella team riding a gust of incredible emotion.
By Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News"
MSU must beware of underdog - 3/20/05: ", March 20, 2005
March Madness
MSU must beware of underdog
Spartans face tiny Vermont, a Cinderella team riding a gust of incredible emotion.
By Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News"
Canada to Heart Patients: Sorry If You Die Before We Can Treat You
Coming to the USA soon?
Maybe this is the reason we don't hear the MSM lionizing the fabulous "Canadian single payer health care system"?
Canada to Heart Patients: Sorry If You Die Before We Can Treat You
Maybe this is the reason we don't hear the MSM lionizing the fabulous "Canadian single payer health care system"?
Canada to Heart Patients: Sorry If You Die Before We Can Treat You
Lance in Iraq
A view into the mind of the left.
Lance in Iraq: "''I think all war is wrong,'' said Mary McKinney of Nashville. McKinney had her three children with her, including her 2-year-old son in a sling on her chest.
What the article does not mention is that she spoke her words in English, not German or Russian. However, the language of naivete is grating in any dialect.
Liberals today are isolationists in an era when that's simply not feasible. We tried it and we got Pearl Harbor. We tried it again and we got 9/11. Worse, they think America incapable of moral action on the world stage yet believe US citizens should fund it through the corrupt, immoral UN. Once upon a time, the left claimed to be for human rights. No more. They have thrown down the banner and President Bush, to his great credit, picked it up.
UN Parody Update: Annan: Suicide Bombers Deserve Prison
Posted by Lance Frizzell at March 20, 2005 06:28 AM "
Lance in Iraq: "''I think all war is wrong,'' said Mary McKinney of Nashville. McKinney had her three children with her, including her 2-year-old son in a sling on her chest.
What the article does not mention is that she spoke her words in English, not German or Russian. However, the language of naivete is grating in any dialect.
Liberals today are isolationists in an era when that's simply not feasible. We tried it and we got Pearl Harbor. We tried it again and we got 9/11. Worse, they think America incapable of moral action on the world stage yet believe US citizens should fund it through the corrupt, immoral UN. Once upon a time, the left claimed to be for human rights. No more. They have thrown down the banner and President Bush, to his great credit, picked it up.
UN Parody Update: Annan: Suicide Bombers Deserve Prison
Posted by Lance Frizzell at March 20, 2005 06:28 AM "
Monday, March 21, 2005
PEW
Funny how the MSM kinda forgot to "front page" this.
THE STENCH FROM PEW
Reports in The Post last week con cerning the political activities of the supposedly above-the-fray Pew Charitable Trusts were, in a word, shocking.
A former program officer for Pew, Sean Treglia, was caught on videotape bragging about how the foundation worked behind the scenes to create the false impression that there was a 'mass movement' afoot clamoring for campaign-finance reform.
The intent: to hoodwink Congress.
It worked.
Pew did this in the run-up to the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 � a.k.a. McCain-Feingold � by spreading around more than $40 million to grass-roots front groups like Common Cause, the Campaign Finance Institute and the inaptly named Center for Public Integrity.
Pew wasn't alone in its efforts.
Several other major liberal foundations � including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and George Soros' Open Society Institute � colluded with Pew to give $123 million between 1994 and 2004 to promote the regulation of political speech.
But Pew's role in the effort seems to have been particularly insidious.
'Having been on the Hill, I knew that . . . if Congress thought this was a Pew effort, it'd be worthless. It'd be 20 million bucks thrown down the drain,' Treglia says at one point in the tape.
'So, in order, in essence, to convey the impression that this was something coming naturally from outside the Beltway, I felt it was best that Pew stay in the background.'
'By law, the grantees always have to disclose. But I always encouraged the grantees never to mention Pew,' Treglia says. 'Did we push the envelope? Yeah. Were we encouraged internally to push the envelope? Yeah . . . We stayed within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law.'
We'd be loathe to ac"
THE STENCH FROM PEW
Reports in The Post last week con cerning the political activities of the supposedly above-the-fray Pew Charitable Trusts were, in a word, shocking.
A former program officer for Pew, Sean Treglia, was caught on videotape bragging about how the foundation worked behind the scenes to create the false impression that there was a 'mass movement' afoot clamoring for campaign-finance reform.
The intent: to hoodwink Congress.
It worked.
Pew did this in the run-up to the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 � a.k.a. McCain-Feingold � by spreading around more than $40 million to grass-roots front groups like Common Cause, the Campaign Finance Institute and the inaptly named Center for Public Integrity.
Pew wasn't alone in its efforts.
Several other major liberal foundations � including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and George Soros' Open Society Institute � colluded with Pew to give $123 million between 1994 and 2004 to promote the regulation of political speech.
But Pew's role in the effort seems to have been particularly insidious.
'Having been on the Hill, I knew that . . . if Congress thought this was a Pew effort, it'd be worthless. It'd be 20 million bucks thrown down the drain,' Treglia says at one point in the tape.
'So, in order, in essence, to convey the impression that this was something coming naturally from outside the Beltway, I felt it was best that Pew stay in the background.'
'By law, the grantees always have to disclose. But I always encouraged the grantees never to mention Pew,' Treglia says. 'Did we push the envelope? Yeah. Were we encouraged internally to push the envelope? Yeah . . . We stayed within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law.'
We'd be loathe to ac"
Sunday, March 20, 2005
ubiquitious
Not unlike the idiotically overused "gravitas", when the MSM learns a new word, they use it to death.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Bright idea, dumb reaction -Harvard idiocy
A major reason for the failure of black communities to experience the success of comparable "white/brown" communities is that too many of their leaders think this way.
Bright idea, dumb reaction - Comment - Times Online: " I WILL NEVER forget the moment when one of my Harvard classmates raised her hand and objected to the use of the term "black market", which she found unacceptably demeaning to her race. It was a Philip Roth moment, a militant provocation and the economics professor ducked. He was black too, and despised political correctness. But after a pause he said: "We will use the term "shadow market". And we used it, for the whole bloody semester. For in that bastion of censorship that was Harvard in the early 90s, no one dared to challenge anything labelled, however absurdly, as "discrimination".
Bright idea, dumb reaction - Comment - Times Online: " I WILL NEVER forget the moment when one of my Harvard classmates raised her hand and objected to the use of the term "black market", which she found unacceptably demeaning to her race. It was a Philip Roth moment, a militant provocation and the economics professor ducked. He was black too, and despised political correctness. But after a pause he said: "We will use the term "shadow market". And we used it, for the whole bloody semester. For in that bastion of censorship that was Harvard in the early 90s, no one dared to challenge anything labelled, however absurdly, as "discrimination".
What's Left? Shame. Today's "Must Read"
What's Left? Shame. (washingtonpost.com): "Those who claimed, with great certainty, that Arabs are an exception to the human tendency toward freedom, that they live in a stunted and distorted culture that makes them love their chains -- and that the notion the United States could help trigger a democratic revolution by militarily deposing their oppressors was a fantasy -- have been proved wrong. "
Too funny!
Just another of the wonders of the "net". Enjoy.
from MLIVE.com
5896. Funny... Children's Science Test. by EllenJ, 3/18/05 9:30 ET
Email received which will hopefully add a smile to your day:
These are real answers given by children.
Q: Name the four seasons.A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.
Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes largepollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.
Q: How is dew formed?A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.
Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?A: Keep it in the cow.
Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tendsto flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, andnature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.
Q: What are steroids?A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.
Q: What happens to your body as you age?A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.
Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery
Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.A: Premature death.
Q: What is artificial insemination?A: When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow.
Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts---the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity.The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominalcavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I, O, and U.
Q: What is the fibula?A: A small lie.
Q: What does "varicose" mean?A: Nearby.
Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.
Q: What does the word "benign" mean?'A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.
Click to view these responses
Untitled by taxqueen, 3/18/05
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from MLIVE.com
5896. Funny... Children's Science Test. by EllenJ, 3/18/05 9:30 ET
Email received which will hopefully add a smile to your day:
These are real answers given by children.
Q: Name the four seasons.A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.
Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes largepollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.
Q: How is dew formed?A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.
Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?A: Keep it in the cow.
Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tendsto flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, andnature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.
Q: What are steroids?A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.
Q: What happens to your body as you age?A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.
Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery
Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.A: Premature death.
Q: What is artificial insemination?A: When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow.
Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts---the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity.The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominalcavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I, O, and U.
Q: What is the fibula?A: A small lie.
Q: What does "varicose" mean?A: Nearby.
Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.
Q: What does the word "benign" mean?'A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.
Click to view these responses
Untitled by taxqueen, 3/18/05
E-mail This Post
» Forums Help » User Agreement » Privacy Policy
About Us User Agreement Privacy Policy Help/Feedback Advertise With Us© 2005 MLive.com. All Rights Reserved.
AARP=Democrat Party
If there was ever a better proof that AARP is an arm of the democrat party, I'd like to see it. Here the AARPsters recycle the lie that "private accounts in Social Security will not solve the system's solvency problem." That is right out of the democrat handbook. No one, not Bush, not anyone in the administration or anyone who supports SS reform has ever stated that private accounts would "solve" the system's problems. They have said and continue to say that privatizing part of the system is only one step toward solvency.
Also note that the left/AARP aren't interested in a SS "lock-box" any more. The private accounts are the "lock-box", a place where the thieving government can't take your money away. The Gore/AARP lock gives your money to the govt. for "safe keeping". Some lock box. Jeeze.
In a message dated 3/18/2005 12:25:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, miaarp@aarp.org writes:
Legislative Update
Please call the local office of your member of Congress during the period from March 19-31. Tell them respectfully that proposals to create private accounts in Social Security will not solve the system's solvency problem. Indeed, these accounts would hurt the system because the money carved out will have to be replaced with more taxpayer dollars to pay benefits. The "solution" should not be worse than the problem.
Below you will find your local Congressional Representative's offices. Please find your member's number and place a call. Thanks!
Bill Knox
Associate State Director for Government Affairs
AARP Michigan
Also note that the left/AARP aren't interested in a SS "lock-box" any more. The private accounts are the "lock-box", a place where the thieving government can't take your money away. The Gore/AARP lock gives your money to the govt. for "safe keeping". Some lock box. Jeeze.
In a message dated 3/18/2005 12:25:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, miaarp@aarp.org writes:
Legislative Update
Please call the local office of your member of Congress during the period from March 19-31. Tell them respectfully that proposals to create private accounts in Social Security will not solve the system's solvency problem. Indeed, these accounts would hurt the system because the money carved out will have to be replaced with more taxpayer dollars to pay benefits. The "solution" should not be worse than the problem.
Below you will find your local Congressional Representative's offices. Please find your member's number and place a call. Thanks!
Bill Knox
Associate State Director for Government Affairs
AARP Michigan
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
This is scary!
I always wondered about the AA Airbus 310 crash right after 9-11. The A310 uses "fly by wire" controls, meaning that the pilots input is interpreted by computers to control the airplane. The "experts" concluded that pilot error caused the crash. But if the pilots moved the flight controls too violently, why did the programming of the computer allow those pilot inputs to destroy the airplane? Lot's of political input into this one. I'm not a conspiracy buff, but this is beginning to look like a major cover up. Keep an eye out for more on this story.
Instapundit.com -: "March 14, 2005
HMM. I'D MISSED THIS STORY:
At 35 000 feet above the Caribbean, Air Transat flight 961 was heading home to Quebec with 270 passengers and crew. At 3.45pm last Sunday, the pilot noticed something very unusual. His Airbus A310's rudder -- a structure over 8m high -- had fallen off and tumbled into the sea. In the world of aviation, the shock waves have yet to subside. . . .
One former Airbus pilot, who now flies Boeings for a major United States airline, told The Observer: 'This just isn't supposed to happen. No one I know has ever seen an airliner's rudder disintegrate like that. It raises worrying questions about the materials and build of the aircraft, and about its maintenance and inspection regime. We have to ask as things stand, would evidence of this type of deterioration ever be noticed before an incident like this in the air?'
He and his colleagues also believe that what happened may shed new light on a previous disaster. In November 2001, 265 people died when American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus A300 model which is almost identical to the A310, crashed shortly after take-off from JFK airport in New York. According to the official report into the crash, the immediate cause was the loss of the plane's rudder and tailfin, though this was blamed on an error by the pilots."
Instapundit.com -: "March 14, 2005
HMM. I'D MISSED THIS STORY:
At 35 000 feet above the Caribbean, Air Transat flight 961 was heading home to Quebec with 270 passengers and crew. At 3.45pm last Sunday, the pilot noticed something very unusual. His Airbus A310's rudder -- a structure over 8m high -- had fallen off and tumbled into the sea. In the world of aviation, the shock waves have yet to subside. . . .
One former Airbus pilot, who now flies Boeings for a major United States airline, told The Observer: 'This just isn't supposed to happen. No one I know has ever seen an airliner's rudder disintegrate like that. It raises worrying questions about the materials and build of the aircraft, and about its maintenance and inspection regime. We have to ask as things stand, would evidence of this type of deterioration ever be noticed before an incident like this in the air?'
He and his colleagues also believe that what happened may shed new light on a previous disaster. In November 2001, 265 people died when American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus A300 model which is almost identical to the A310, crashed shortly after take-off from JFK airport in New York. According to the official report into the crash, the immediate cause was the loss of the plane's rudder and tailfin, though this was blamed on an error by the pilots."
Charter school seniors may leave campus at lunch
Can someone tell me why students are allowed off campus at all during the day? According to the article, this policy passed without parental support. Why did the Board support it? The negatives of this policy are obvious: drug, alcohol, smoking abuse. Kids coming back to class late, or the temptation to not return at all. Dangerous driving in a very busy area. Why allow it? Or is this just another case of journalistic sophistry?
Charter school seniors may leave campus at lunch:
Monday, March 14, 2005
By Teresa Taylor Williams
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Similar to their peers in nearby traditional schools, seniors at Muskegon Technical Academy are now free to leave the charter school during lunch period.
But their new freedom is for only one day per week, and they must adhere to stipulations given by school officials.
Earlier this month, the school board reluctantly approved open campus lunch for 12th-graders who are passing all classes and have parent permission and no suspensions this school year.
The idea of allowing the high-schoolers at the sixth- through 12th-grade school to leave during lunch period was discussed last fall, and board members along with Superintendent Barbara Stellard were not in favor of it because of lack of parental support. "
Charter school seniors may leave campus at lunch:
Monday, March 14, 2005
By Teresa Taylor Williams
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Similar to their peers in nearby traditional schools, seniors at Muskegon Technical Academy are now free to leave the charter school during lunch period.
But their new freedom is for only one day per week, and they must adhere to stipulations given by school officials.
Earlier this month, the school board reluctantly approved open campus lunch for 12th-graders who are passing all classes and have parent permission and no suspensions this school year.
The idea of allowing the high-schoolers at the sixth- through 12th-grade school to leave during lunch period was discussed last fall, and board members along with Superintendent Barbara Stellard were not in favor of it because of lack of parental support. "
Kyoto costs ballooning, Canada cabinet ministers warned
No surprise. The old bait and switch has been played on voters of all countries so often it's not even news anymore. Any bets that you won't see this story anywhere else except the blogosphere? Kyoto is bad enough. Now the Canadian economy is going to get creamed because they've grown faster than some bureaucrat predicted.
The Globe and Mail: Kyoto costs ballooning, cabinet ministers warned: "OTTAWA -- The full cost to Ottawa of meeting Canada's targets for fighting global warming under the controversial Kyoto accord could exceed $10-billion, senior federal cabinet ministers have been warned.
That's twice what the federal government has budgeted so far for Kyoto."
Read the whole article.
The Globe and Mail: Kyoto costs ballooning, cabinet ministers warned: "OTTAWA -- The full cost to Ottawa of meeting Canada's targets for fighting global warming under the controversial Kyoto accord could exceed $10-billion, senior federal cabinet ministers have been warned.
That's twice what the federal government has budgeted so far for Kyoto."
Read the whole article.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Squirrel blogging! Muskegon Protection racket!
Don Squirreleone
Well, I've finally given into a force that refuses to be denied. Over the years, all types of squirrels have been invading and even eating my birdfeeders. I thought I had tried everything, squirrel-proof feeders, vaseline on the feeder poles and I even bought a BB gun to try to dissuade my varmit neighbors from overindulging at my free food-bank.
Nothing worked until I met Don Squirreleone. Don, a local red squirrel gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I noticed that Don was the loudest and most obnoxious of my rodential invaders. He spent an inordinate time perched on my deck, staring directly at me, chirping squirrel challenges to my manhood and then climbing on and munching all over my feeders. I tried my usual defenses, even unloading all 13 BB shots into the woods as Don raced out of range and returned to taunt me as I spilled hundreds of BBs on my carpet. Quite often he even returned and mooned me.
But then I noticed something. The much larger grey, black and fox squirrels had disappeared from my feeders and the birds were returning! Whenever another would climb onto the deckrail, Don would chirp like a banshee-that-chirped and chase the intruder away.
It then all became clear. This was not just some run-of-the-mill rodent with panda bear affectations. This little red squirrel was "the Man". He owned the neighborhood. He ran the Show. Don, and Don alone, kept his bird feeders safe for birds.... and Don.
And I realized that I was powerless to challenge his primacy over the deck that I built with my own hands.
I'm now comfortable with my new status. I ladle out a halfcup of premium seed every few days or so for Don. The other squirrels are gone. My feeders are loaded with finches, cardinals, nuthatches etc. and life seems pretty good.
Dang, I gotta run. More seed needed on the deck. Don is mooning me again.
Don Corleone
Don Squirreleone staredown
Ferocious!
Posted by Hello
Carnival of the Recipes #30
I always get this link from Instapundit.com. Both are worth the visit. What's not to like about "Redneck Gourmet"? Pass it on.
pamibe � Carnival of the Recipes #30: "The Redneck Gourmet gives us Cheese Stuffed Shells With Tomato Meat Sauce. I for one appreciate the in-depth instructions, Virgil!"
pamibe � Carnival of the Recipes #30: "The Redneck Gourmet gives us Cheese Stuffed Shells With Tomato Meat Sauce. I for one appreciate the in-depth instructions, Virgil!"
Bird help!
This bird landed on my feeder today. It sat with a male house finch so I think it is a female but it is mostly white. Has anyone seen a similar bird? Does anyone know what this bird really is?
Albino House Finch?
update: With a little help from Muskegon County Nature Club Homepage, a member sent me this.
"We're 99% sure the bird is a house finch, and we'd call it "leucistic" rather than "albino" since the bird does have some color (but we're no experts)."
Thanks!
Albino House Finch?
update: With a little help from Muskegon County Nature Club Homepage, a member sent me this.
"We're 99% sure the bird is a house finch, and we'd call it "leucistic" rather than "albino" since the bird does have some color (but we're no experts)."
Thanks!
The New York Times--Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged Television News
This long, tedious NYT article is really trying to convince the reader that the Bush administration's efforts are the begining of "a New Age" and you need to be warned about the Rove-a-nation of your home TV. You know, spin, but with beady eyes. Buried way down is this little gem. It sure kinda wrecks the whole story if they put it up front, doesn't it?
The New York Times > Washington > Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged Television News: "The practice, which also occurred in the Clinton administration...."
The New York Times > Washington > Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged Television News: "The practice, which also occurred in the Clinton administration...."
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Next time you hear the NYT prognosticate....
... remember this gem. And they wonder why we don't believe them any more.
JustOneMinute: Nobody Likes An "I Told You So": "The coming elections - long touted as the beginning of a new, democratic Iraq - are looking more and more like the beginning of that worst-case scenario.
It's time to talk about postponing the elections."
The New York Times Editorial 1/12/2005
JustOneMinute: Nobody Likes An "I Told You So": "The coming elections - long touted as the beginning of a new, democratic Iraq - are looking more and more like the beginning of that worst-case scenario.
It's time to talk about postponing the elections."
The New York Times Editorial 1/12/2005
Are we chasing quality contractors away?
Credit to the Chronicle for at least reporting this but isn't it about time that they engage in a tiny bit of investigative journalism to find out the real reason we, the taxpayers, are paying more for this project than has been bid? And, given that the "word" is out on bidding Muskegon jobs, are fewer contractors going to bid in the future? Isn't this just the same as those practices that have destroyed such cities as Detroit?
Commissioners clash over construction bids: "Low bidder Brian Schultz warned the commission that if it made a practice of rejecting the lowest bid in favor of contractors in the Muskegon area, it would find that fewer contractors would go to the trouble and expense of preparing bids, competition would suffer and costs would go up.
'It really degrades the bidding process,' Schultz said. "
Commissioners clash over construction bids: "Low bidder Brian Schultz warned the commission that if it made a practice of rejecting the lowest bid in favor of contractors in the Muskegon area, it would find that fewer contractors would go to the trouble and expense of preparing bids, competition would suffer and costs would go up.
'It really degrades the bidding process,' Schultz said. "
Harvard Medical-Bankruptcy Study
Interesting how the lie about medical debt as the major cause of bankruptcy is now being repeated by the MSM as if it were Gospel. And they wonder why they're losing viewers/readers?
Gail Heriot on Harvard Medical-Bankruptcy Study on National Review Online: "Some bankruptcies are caused by crushing medical debt. But they aren't half of all bankruptcies, and the only way to create the impression they are is to jimmy the figures. For example, the study classifies 'uncontrolled gambling,' 'drug addiction,' 'alcohol addiction,' and the birth or adoption of a child as 'a medical cause,' regardless of whether medical bills are involved"
Gail Heriot on Harvard Medical-Bankruptcy Study on National Review Online: "Some bankruptcies are caused by crushing medical debt. But they aren't half of all bankruptcies, and the only way to create the impression they are is to jimmy the figures. For example, the study classifies 'uncontrolled gambling,' 'drug addiction,' 'alcohol addiction,' and the birth or adoption of a child as 'a medical cause,' regardless of whether medical bills are involved"
Thursday, March 10, 2005
A little more about that Italian reporter gal...
... who was "kidnapped" in IRAQ. She's a reporter for an Italian, Communist, anti-American newspaper. Oh, and the Italian government just paid $1,000,000 to the terrorists to "free" her. Money that will be spent on killing Americans.
Zacht Ei - About Giuliana Sgrena: "About Giuliana Sgrena
Mr. Harald Doornbos is a veteran war reporter. He is no archetypical hawk nor a staunch supporter of the United States. In fact, he used to be a reporter for the communist newspaper 'De Waarheid' (The Truth, or Pravda, if you like) before it went bust. (This doesn't necessarily mean he was ever a communist, by the way. De Waarheid used to be a huge employer.)
However, this doesn't make him overly sympathetic towards Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist who was held hostage by Iraqi insurgents. Some snippets from this article which was published today in a Dutch Christian broadsheet.
'Be careful not to get kidnapped,' I told the female Italian journalist sitting next to me in the small plane that was headed for Baghdad. 'Oh no,' she said. 'That won't happen. We are siding with the oppressed Iraqi people. No Iraqi would kidnap us.'
It doesn't sound very nice to be critical of a fellow reporter. But Sgrena's attitude is a disgrace for journalism. Or didn't she tell me back in the plane that 'common journalists such as yourself' simply do not support the Iraqi people? 'The Americans are the biggest enemies of mankind,' the three women behind me had told me, for Sgrena travelled to Iraq with two Italian colleagues who hated the Americans as well.
(Doornbos goes on to explain how the women demeaned him for travelling as an embedded reporter with the US military, for security reasons. They didn't want to hear about any safety concerns.)
'You don't understand the situation. We are anti-imperialists, anti-capitalists, communists,' they said. The Iraqis only kidnap American sympathizers, the enemies of the Americans have nothing to fear.
(Doornbos tells them they're out of their mind.)
But they knew better. When we arrived at Baghd"
Zacht Ei - About Giuliana Sgrena: "About Giuliana Sgrena
Mr. Harald Doornbos is a veteran war reporter. He is no archetypical hawk nor a staunch supporter of the United States. In fact, he used to be a reporter for the communist newspaper 'De Waarheid' (The Truth, or Pravda, if you like) before it went bust. (This doesn't necessarily mean he was ever a communist, by the way. De Waarheid used to be a huge employer.)
However, this doesn't make him overly sympathetic towards Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist who was held hostage by Iraqi insurgents. Some snippets from this article which was published today in a Dutch Christian broadsheet.
'Be careful not to get kidnapped,' I told the female Italian journalist sitting next to me in the small plane that was headed for Baghdad. 'Oh no,' she said. 'That won't happen. We are siding with the oppressed Iraqi people. No Iraqi would kidnap us.'
It doesn't sound very nice to be critical of a fellow reporter. But Sgrena's attitude is a disgrace for journalism. Or didn't she tell me back in the plane that 'common journalists such as yourself' simply do not support the Iraqi people? 'The Americans are the biggest enemies of mankind,' the three women behind me had told me, for Sgrena travelled to Iraq with two Italian colleagues who hated the Americans as well.
(Doornbos goes on to explain how the women demeaned him for travelling as an embedded reporter with the US military, for security reasons. They didn't want to hear about any safety concerns.)
'You don't understand the situation. We are anti-imperialists, anti-capitalists, communists,' they said. The Iraqis only kidnap American sympathizers, the enemies of the Americans have nothing to fear.
(Doornbos tells them they're out of their mind.)
But they knew better. When we arrived at Baghd"
Report: Welfare payments so low 'kids do without'
Sorry to be a big bad dude, but welfare payments are supposed to be a temporary support. Someone who can't get a job within six months isn't looking. It is supposed to be very uncomfortable to be on welfare. That's why so many Michiganders moved from welfare to JOBS after Engler tightened the rules. Everyone, especially the children, benefited.
Report: Welfare payments so low 'kids do without':
"Report: Welfare payments so low 'kids do without'
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
By Lynn Moore
In six short months, Kristine Ryder has gone from earning her own living to teetering on the brink of losing her home to foreclosure.
For the six months since she lost her job, Ryder, of Laketon Township, has relied on welfare cash assistance. She gets $414 per month, $64 of which is taken out for heating and electric payments, leaving her $350 to pay for her house, car, utilities and all those other expenses of life that add up quickly"
Report: Welfare payments so low 'kids do without':
"Report: Welfare payments so low 'kids do without'
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
By Lynn Moore
In six short months, Kristine Ryder has gone from earning her own living to teetering on the brink of losing her home to foreclosure.
For the six months since she lost her job, Ryder, of Laketon Township, has relied on welfare cash assistance. She gets $414 per month, $64 of which is taken out for heating and electric payments, leaving her $350 to pay for her house, car, utilities and all those other expenses of life that add up quickly"
Good, fast work dealing with syphilis outbreak
Imagine the outcry if the Chronicle editorialistas printed this same editorial but talking about "AIDs" instead of "syphilis".
Good, fast work dealing with syphilis outbreak: "Kraus used a simple strategy in combating the sudden rise in cases. He alerted seven health-care agencies around the county to be on the lookout for signs of syphilis in incoming patients, and also provided them with special testing equipment and antibiotics with which to begin immediate treatment."
Good, fast work dealing with syphilis outbreak: "Kraus used a simple strategy in combating the sudden rise in cases. He alerted seven health-care agencies around the county to be on the lookout for signs of syphilis in incoming patients, and also provided them with special testing equipment and antibiotics with which to begin immediate treatment."
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Residents object to plan for housing development
I have no clue if this is a good idea or not but what a lame headline and article. "Some residents" always object to every new idea or hope for progress in Muskegon. That's news? How 'bout some real analysis of the specific situation? Four/5/6 years of college grants a journalism degree for this fluff?
Residents object to plan for housing development: "Residents object to plan for housing development "
Residents object to plan for housing development: "Residents object to plan for housing development "
This is the same tactic that Democrat Senator....
....Bird has used 3 times in the recent past. I always worry when those "smarter" than me tell me half the true story. A lot like the communists in their propaganda.
Dear MoveOn member,Tomorrow, March 10th, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the nomination of mining and cattle industry lobbyist William Myers III for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals—the second highest court in the land. Myers is the first of 20 judicial nominees Bush has re-submitted in his second term. All 20 repeat nominees were rejected last term by Senate Democrats (as compared to the 204 judges they accepted) because these nominees consistently sided with corporate special-interests over the rights of ordinary Americans.This time, Bush is ready to fight dirty to force these nominees through. Dick Cheney has even threatened to use a parliamentary trick to eliminate the centuries-old rule requiring judges to have broad support in the Senate. This would effectively silence all 44 Democratic senators and the 173 million Americans they represent—the majority of the country.
With the first crucial vote on the first judge in less than a day, we're launching a national campaign to let our senators know that we out here in America are counting on them to hold the line on all 20 of Bush's rejected, corporate judges, and beat back his dirty parliamentary tricks.
The first phase is this national petition that we will hand deliver to your senators before the confirmation votes for the 20 judges. And tomorrow, MoveOn members will host over 1000 house meetings to create local plans to save the judiciary. The courts we have for the next 30 years may depend on your efforts in the next few weeks.
Please sign today:http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
To ram his nominees through, Bush is hoping to use a parliamentary trick the Republicans refer to as the "nuclear option." For 200 years, if enough senators strongly objected to a federal judge, they could use a filibuster to force more debate until all their concerns were addressed. That's how Democrats blocked the worst of these 20 nominees last term. Actually changing the rule would require a 2/3 vote of the Senate—and Bush doesn't have near that level of support.
So instead, Vice President Cheney has threatened to abuse his authority as President of the Senate, and just declare that the right to filibuster judges is null and void. If Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist can twist enough arms to get 50 senators to support the ruling, the filibuster is history. For the first time ever, one party would have complete control over judicial nominations, all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Both parties in the Senate were given the power to approve or reject judicial nominations because—above all else—judges must be trusted by Americans on all sides to rule fairly. So why does Bush refuse to send a few replacement nominees both parties can agree on? Why is he so intent on smashing Democratic resistance to these and all future nominees? Because while his presidency will be over in 4 years, the judges he appoints will be on the bench for the rest of their lives. This is Bush's big push to lock in his hard-right, corporate-friendly ideology for decades to come—and that is exactly why we must not back down now.
The whole plot is set into motion tomorrow, with the committee vote on William Myers. We must draw the line here, by stopping Bush's 20 repeat nominees and standing up to the "nuclear option."
Please sign the petition today:http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
Thanks for all that you do,
--Ben Brandzel, Eli Pariser and the whole MoveOn PAC Team Wednesday, March 9th, 2005
P.S. Here's a brief summary of just the first three of the 20 partisan judges re-nominated by President Bush.
William Myers III has never been a judge and spent most of his career as a lobbyist for the cattle and mining industry. [1] He has written that all habitat conservation laws are unconstitutional because they interfere with potential profit. [2] In 2001, Bush appointed him as the chief lawyer for the Department of the Interior. In that role he continued as a champion of corporate interests, setting his agenda in meetings with former employers he promised not to speak with, and even illegally giving away sacred Native American land to be strip mined. [3]Terrence Boyle was a legal aide to Jesse Helms. As a judge, his signature decisions have attempted to circumvent federal laws barring employment discrimination by race, gender, and disability. [4] His rulings have been overturned a staggering 120 times by the conservative 4th District Court of Appeals, either due to gross errors in judgment or simple incompetence. [5] William Pryor Jr. served as Attorney General of Alabama, where he took money from Phillip Morris, fought against the anti-tobacco lawsuit until it was almost over, and cost the people of Alabama billions in settlement money for their healthcare system as a result. [6] He called Roe v. Wade "the worst abomination of constitutional law in our history," and has consistently argued against the federal protections for the civil rights of minorities, lesbian and gay couples, women, and the disabled. [7]
Notes: [1] "Unfit to Judge," Community Rights Council, 4/2/04.[2] "Myers Troubling Legal Philosophy," People for the American Way.[3] "Environmental Group Calls on Senate to Block Myers Nomination: Ethical Problems and Anti-Environmental Activism Make Him Unfit for Judgeship," Friends of the Earth, 2/5/05.[4] "Federal Judge Terrence Boyle Unfit for Promotion to Appeals Court," People for the American Way, 2/23/05.[5] "Eastern District of North Carolina Terrence Boyle Nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit," Alliance for Justice.[6] Eric Fleischauer, "Pryor Called a Tobacco Sellout," Decatur Daily News, 10/30/02.[7] Ann Woolner, "Bush Judicial Candidate Shows How Things Change," Bloomberg News, 5/16/03.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON PACNot authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Dear MoveOn member,Tomorrow, March 10th, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the nomination of mining and cattle industry lobbyist William Myers III for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals—the second highest court in the land. Myers is the first of 20 judicial nominees Bush has re-submitted in his second term. All 20 repeat nominees were rejected last term by Senate Democrats (as compared to the 204 judges they accepted) because these nominees consistently sided with corporate special-interests over the rights of ordinary Americans.This time, Bush is ready to fight dirty to force these nominees through. Dick Cheney has even threatened to use a parliamentary trick to eliminate the centuries-old rule requiring judges to have broad support in the Senate. This would effectively silence all 44 Democratic senators and the 173 million Americans they represent—the majority of the country.
With the first crucial vote on the first judge in less than a day, we're launching a national campaign to let our senators know that we out here in America are counting on them to hold the line on all 20 of Bush's rejected, corporate judges, and beat back his dirty parliamentary tricks.
The first phase is this national petition that we will hand deliver to your senators before the confirmation votes for the 20 judges. And tomorrow, MoveOn members will host over 1000 house meetings to create local plans to save the judiciary. The courts we have for the next 30 years may depend on your efforts in the next few weeks.
Please sign today:http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
To ram his nominees through, Bush is hoping to use a parliamentary trick the Republicans refer to as the "nuclear option." For 200 years, if enough senators strongly objected to a federal judge, they could use a filibuster to force more debate until all their concerns were addressed. That's how Democrats blocked the worst of these 20 nominees last term. Actually changing the rule would require a 2/3 vote of the Senate—and Bush doesn't have near that level of support.
So instead, Vice President Cheney has threatened to abuse his authority as President of the Senate, and just declare that the right to filibuster judges is null and void. If Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist can twist enough arms to get 50 senators to support the ruling, the filibuster is history. For the first time ever, one party would have complete control over judicial nominations, all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Both parties in the Senate were given the power to approve or reject judicial nominations because—above all else—judges must be trusted by Americans on all sides to rule fairly. So why does Bush refuse to send a few replacement nominees both parties can agree on? Why is he so intent on smashing Democratic resistance to these and all future nominees? Because while his presidency will be over in 4 years, the judges he appoints will be on the bench for the rest of their lives. This is Bush's big push to lock in his hard-right, corporate-friendly ideology for decades to come—and that is exactly why we must not back down now.
The whole plot is set into motion tomorrow, with the committee vote on William Myers. We must draw the line here, by stopping Bush's 20 repeat nominees and standing up to the "nuclear option."
Please sign the petition today:http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
Thanks for all that you do,
--Ben Brandzel, Eli Pariser and the whole MoveOn PAC Team Wednesday, March 9th, 2005
P.S. Here's a brief summary of just the first three of the 20 partisan judges re-nominated by President Bush.
William Myers III has never been a judge and spent most of his career as a lobbyist for the cattle and mining industry. [1] He has written that all habitat conservation laws are unconstitutional because they interfere with potential profit. [2] In 2001, Bush appointed him as the chief lawyer for the Department of the Interior. In that role he continued as a champion of corporate interests, setting his agenda in meetings with former employers he promised not to speak with, and even illegally giving away sacred Native American land to be strip mined. [3]Terrence Boyle was a legal aide to Jesse Helms. As a judge, his signature decisions have attempted to circumvent federal laws barring employment discrimination by race, gender, and disability. [4] His rulings have been overturned a staggering 120 times by the conservative 4th District Court of Appeals, either due to gross errors in judgment or simple incompetence. [5] William Pryor Jr. served as Attorney General of Alabama, where he took money from Phillip Morris, fought against the anti-tobacco lawsuit until it was almost over, and cost the people of Alabama billions in settlement money for their healthcare system as a result. [6] He called Roe v. Wade "the worst abomination of constitutional law in our history," and has consistently argued against the federal protections for the civil rights of minorities, lesbian and gay couples, women, and the disabled. [7]
Notes: [1] "Unfit to Judge," Community Rights Council, 4/2/04.[2] "Myers Troubling Legal Philosophy," People for the American Way.[3] "Environmental Group Calls on Senate to Block Myers Nomination: Ethical Problems and Anti-Environmental Activism Make Him Unfit for Judgeship," Friends of the Earth, 2/5/05.[4] "Federal Judge Terrence Boyle Unfit for Promotion to Appeals Court," People for the American Way, 2/23/05.[5] "Eastern District of North Carolina Terrence Boyle Nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit," Alliance for Justice.[6] Eric Fleischauer, "Pryor Called a Tobacco Sellout," Decatur Daily News, 10/30/02.[7] Ann Woolner, "Bush Judicial Candidate Shows How Things Change," Bloomberg News, 5/16/03.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON PACNot authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Farmers Market move debated
This is a novel argument. No surprise that it is supported by zero facts or specific ways that moving the site would keep vendors fees lower. No wonder the MSM is viewed with such skepticism and contempt. Jeeze....
Market move debated: "Some, like Vice Mayor Bill Larson, liked the idea of moving the market to a city-owned site as a way of keeping fees to vendors low. "
Market move debated: "Some, like Vice Mayor Bill Larson, liked the idea of moving the market to a city-owned site as a way of keeping fees to vendors low. "
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Eat Your History
Go to the site, check out the recipe and send the history to someone, younger, who you want to become a better American in the future.
Eat Your History: "Thursday, March 03, 2005Star Spangled Banner & Crab Cakes
'Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke. Does not such a country, and such defenders of their country, deserve a song?' Those words were spoken by Francis Scott Key, overcome with emotion, after witnessing American troops defeat the British in the Battle for Baltimore during the War of 1812. The 'Star Spangled Banner' was the result.
Today, in 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed congressional legislation making 'The Star Spangled Banner' our national anthem. What took them so long? Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814!
Here's the quick history: Major George Armistead knew that, eventually, the British would attack Baltimore. He commissioned the widow Mary Young Pickerell to sew a United States flag to the measurements of 30 x 42. Why? He wanted his position known, not only to the friendlies, but to the enemy. Mrs. Pickerell, with the aid of her 13 year old daughter, Caroline, sewed the flag and Major Armistead ran it up a 90' flag pole.
Anyway, the British landed 3,000 land troops just north of Ft. McHenry, Maryland, on September 12, 1814. They were the 'advance team' for the British ships that would commence bombardment of the Fort the next morning. One problem. 10,000 Americans blocked the advancement of the British troops. (Do you love free people, or what?) The bombardment from British ships on Ft. McHenry started the next day, at dawn, and continued for 25 hours. Ft. McHenry had a mere 1,000 soldiers, but they valiantly returned fire on the superpower of the day.
When Francis Scott Key went to sleep the night of September 13, the sights and sounds of the battle had begun to wane. Awakening at dawn the next day, he didn't know if the Americans had been defeated or had been victorious.
"
Eat Your History: "Thursday, March 03, 2005Star Spangled Banner & Crab Cakes
'Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke. Does not such a country, and such defenders of their country, deserve a song?' Those words were spoken by Francis Scott Key, overcome with emotion, after witnessing American troops defeat the British in the Battle for Baltimore during the War of 1812. The 'Star Spangled Banner' was the result.
Today, in 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed congressional legislation making 'The Star Spangled Banner' our national anthem. What took them so long? Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814!
Here's the quick history: Major George Armistead knew that, eventually, the British would attack Baltimore. He commissioned the widow Mary Young Pickerell to sew a United States flag to the measurements of 30 x 42. Why? He wanted his position known, not only to the friendlies, but to the enemy. Mrs. Pickerell, with the aid of her 13 year old daughter, Caroline, sewed the flag and Major Armistead ran it up a 90' flag pole.
Anyway, the British landed 3,000 land troops just north of Ft. McHenry, Maryland, on September 12, 1814. They were the 'advance team' for the British ships that would commence bombardment of the Fort the next morning. One problem. 10,000 Americans blocked the advancement of the British troops. (Do you love free people, or what?) The bombardment from British ships on Ft. McHenry started the next day, at dawn, and continued for 25 hours. Ft. McHenry had a mere 1,000 soldiers, but they valiantly returned fire on the superpower of the day.
When Francis Scott Key went to sleep the night of September 13, the sights and sounds of the battle had begun to wane. Awakening at dawn the next day, he didn't know if the Americans had been defeated or had been victorious.
"
Bird nerd!
I'm a bird nerd, lower level. Nerdy about birds but not too knowledgeable about the feathered dudes and dudettes. This excellent link came from kimkomando.com. Go there and expand your feathered web-life.
Birding Focus
Birding Focus
The White House Greetings Office
The BEST cheap gift to someone you love who loves freedom, family and the American Way. Or a great pimp to the Bush-haters who still bay at the moon and gnash their teeth at the mention of elections in IRAQ. I sent one to my Dad for his 80th this May. I'll update when it happens.
Don't forget! This is a real easy site but they want a 6 week lead. Another cool site of the day from kimkomando.com
The White House Greetings Office: "ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS. Anniversary greetings are extended only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above.
OTHER GREETINGS. A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important events such as:
Wedding (send your request after the event)
Baby's Birth (must be born during the George W. Bush Administration; send request only after baby's birth)
Eagle Scout Award
Girl Scout Gold Award
Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion "
Don't forget! This is a real easy site but they want a 6 week lead. Another cool site of the day from kimkomando.com
The White House Greetings Office: "ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS. Anniversary greetings are extended only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above.
OTHER GREETINGS. A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important events such as:
Wedding (send your request after the event)
Baby's Birth (must be born during the George W. Bush Administration; send request only after baby's birth)
Eagle Scout Award
Girl Scout Gold Award
Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion "
Oakridge delegation helps re-enact famed civil rights events
This is an excellent experience and a great story for the Chronicle to publish. When will Oakridge or the Chronicle support a visit to the former communist countries and report the genocide and economic failure that communism/socialism breeds? Maybe a trip to Benton Harbor would reveal some of the same failed policies?
Oakridge delegation helps re-enact famed civil rights events:
"Oakridge delegation helps re-enact famed civil rights events
Monday, March 07, 2005
By Randy Rogoski
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
It's one thing to read about the civil rights movement's 'Bloody Sunday' in books.
It's quite another to visit the places where history happened and talk to the people who made it. "
Oakridge delegation helps re-enact famed civil rights events:
"Oakridge delegation helps re-enact famed civil rights events
Monday, March 07, 2005
By Randy Rogoski
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
It's one thing to read about the civil rights movement's 'Bloody Sunday' in books.
It's quite another to visit the places where history happened and talk to the people who made it. "
Nice story about Michigan State Women's Hoops!
The MSU gals not only won the regular season, they won the tournament and this coach has done wonders on a campus that reveres the men's coach, Izzo. Kudos to Coach McCallie and her team.
It wasn't too long ago that the MSU women's coach left E Lansing for UM. That gave Joanne her chance. Pretty cool.
The State News - www.statenews.com: "McCallie named Coach of the Year
Haynie, Bowen and Shimek also garner honors
By CHRIS BARSOTTI
MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie shared the honor of Big Ten Coach of the Year after she led her team to a record of 25-3, an MSU record for wins."
It wasn't too long ago that the MSU women's coach left E Lansing for UM. That gave Joanne her chance. Pretty cool.
The State News - www.statenews.com: "McCallie named Coach of the Year
Haynie, Bowen and Shimek also garner honors
By CHRIS BARSOTTI
MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie shared the honor of Big Ten Coach of the Year after she led her team to a record of 25-3, an MSU record for wins."
BBC NEWS | Africa | Niger cancels 'free-slave' event
If there was ever a better proof that the US main stream media (MSM) and the UN are corrupt and worthless, it is that you read this on a blog and not on Dan Rather or the Chronicle front page.
BBC NEWS Africa Niger cancels 'free-slave' event: "Niger cancels 'free-slave' event
The government of Niger has cancelled at the last minute a special ceremony during which at least 7,000 slaves were to be granted their freedom.
A spokesman for the government's human rights commission, which had helped to organise the event, said this was because slavery did not exist. "
BBC NEWS Africa Niger cancels 'free-slave' event: "Niger cancels 'free-slave' event
The government of Niger has cancelled at the last minute a special ceremony during which at least 7,000 slaves were to be granted their freedom.
A spokesman for the government's human rights commission, which had helped to organise the event, said this was because slavery did not exist. "
Don't forget, he was the only GOPer convicted in the .....
..... billion dollar Keating/Saving & Loan scandal in the 80s. He took dirty money in the past. He's back to his old tricks.
boortz.com: Nealz Nuze Today's Nuze: "JOHN MCCAIN UNDER FIRE
If you listen closely, you just might hear the sound of John McCain's 2008 presidential hopes slipping into the ether. Maybe not entirely...after all, many other Senators have done worse, including The Poodle. At any rate, this bit of scandal seems to involve an area where the saintly John McCain was thought to be untouchable: dirty campaign contributions. Here's the deal:
Cablevision is a large cable company that wants the federal government to require cable operators to offer channels on an a la carte basis. For those of you educated in government schools, that means being able to buy individual channels, as opposed to an entire package. So, for instance, if you have no interest in sports or cooking or whatever, you wouldn't have to buy those channels. Most cable operators are opposed to the idea, except Cablevision. Enter John McCain.
Cablevision made a $200,000 donation to a tax-exempt group that McCain co-founded. A bit odd, isn't it, that at that very same time McCain was pushing Cablevision's cause with federal regulators. McCain says he was in favor of a la carte channel pricing before Cablevision donated the money, and he says he wasn't directly involved in the group that took the money. Draw your own conclusions.
Is it influence peddling? Maybe. Time will tell. There will no doubt be an investigation. By the way...that's not a bad idea...being able to buy individual channels. After all, why should you be forced to pay for Animal Planet if you don't watch it? And while we're at it .. they ought to pay US to watch all of those government access channels."
boortz.com: Nealz Nuze Today's Nuze: "JOHN MCCAIN UNDER FIRE
If you listen closely, you just might hear the sound of John McCain's 2008 presidential hopes slipping into the ether. Maybe not entirely...after all, many other Senators have done worse, including The Poodle. At any rate, this bit of scandal seems to involve an area where the saintly John McCain was thought to be untouchable: dirty campaign contributions. Here's the deal:
Cablevision is a large cable company that wants the federal government to require cable operators to offer channels on an a la carte basis. For those of you educated in government schools, that means being able to buy individual channels, as opposed to an entire package. So, for instance, if you have no interest in sports or cooking or whatever, you wouldn't have to buy those channels. Most cable operators are opposed to the idea, except Cablevision. Enter John McCain.
Cablevision made a $200,000 donation to a tax-exempt group that McCain co-founded. A bit odd, isn't it, that at that very same time McCain was pushing Cablevision's cause with federal regulators. McCain says he was in favor of a la carte channel pricing before Cablevision donated the money, and he says he wasn't directly involved in the group that took the money. Draw your own conclusions.
Is it influence peddling? Maybe. Time will tell. There will no doubt be an investigation. By the way...that's not a bad idea...being able to buy individual channels. After all, why should you be forced to pay for Animal Planet if you don't watch it? And while we're at it .. they ought to pay US to watch all of those government access channels."
Yes Virginia....
... there is a Santa Claus. Here is a great example between the GOPers and the Donkeys. If you want the UN to continue its past "success" vote demo. Georgie wants change.
boortz.com: Nealz Nuze Today's Nuze: "So what makes Bolton such a hard-liner?
He led the charge against the International Criminal Court, referring to the day he withdrew the U.S. signature on the treaty as 'the happiest moment of my government service.' So far, so good. Next, he is being criticized for traveling to South Korea and calling the communist gargoyle of the north, Kim Jong-Il a 'tyrannical dictator' who made North Korea a 'hellish nightmare.' That sounds about right to me! I wonder why it upsets the Euro-wimps so much.
Then there's this quote, another zinger about the UN: 'If the U.N. Secretariat Building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference.' Truer words have never been spoken. Sounds like just the man the United States needs representing us at the United Nations."
boortz.com: Nealz Nuze Today's Nuze: "So what makes Bolton such a hard-liner?
He led the charge against the International Criminal Court, referring to the day he withdrew the U.S. signature on the treaty as 'the happiest moment of my government service.' So far, so good. Next, he is being criticized for traveling to South Korea and calling the communist gargoyle of the north, Kim Jong-Il a 'tyrannical dictator' who made North Korea a 'hellish nightmare.' That sounds about right to me! I wonder why it upsets the Euro-wimps so much.
Then there's this quote, another zinger about the UN: 'If the U.N. Secretariat Building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference.' Truer words have never been spoken. Sounds like just the man the United States needs representing us at the United Nations."
Monday, March 07, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
NPR blogging
Here in Muskegon MI (flyover country) I'm watching the PBS presentation of "Broadway's Lost Treasures". It IS excellent. Wonderful TV. Too bad PBS pays no taxes and gets its bandwidth (or whatever they call free access to our television) for free. It still seems to me that if there can be tax-paying, job creating, good old capitalist TV stations that show "Girls gone wild", "Howard Stern", "The Golf Channel" etc. ad nausium, there can be enough support for PBSish programming without my forced tax dollar. But, golly , Patti Lupone is amazing!!!!!
This is what socialism and strong unions get a country.
Somehow, the Chronicle missed this. I hope our governor didn't.
BBC NEWS Business German jobless rate at new record: "The figure of 5.216 million people, or 12.6% of the working-age population, is the highest jobless rate in Europe's biggest economy since the 1930s"
BBC NEWS Business German jobless rate at new record: "The figure of 5.216 million people, or 12.6% of the working-age population, is the highest jobless rate in Europe's biggest economy since the 1930s"
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Wall Street Journal advice on party conversation!
Slow news day for Muskegon. How 'bout some verbal intercourse advice?
DigitalRoom.net has an essay called "How to Win an Argument," and its first bit of advice is "Drink liquor":
Suppose you're at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot entralls [sic] your date. But if you drink several large shots of Jack Daniels, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture. People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.
The essay concludes with "Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler":
This is your heavy artillery, for when your opponent is obviously right and you are spectacularly wrong. Bring Hitler up subtly. Say: "That sounds suspiciously like something Adolf Hitler might say" or "You certainly do remind me of Adolf Hitler."
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "
DigitalRoom.net has an essay called "How to Win an Argument," and its first bit of advice is "Drink liquor":
Suppose you're at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot entralls [sic] your date. But if you drink several large shots of Jack Daniels, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture. People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.
The essay concludes with "Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler":
This is your heavy artillery, for when your opponent is obviously right and you are spectacularly wrong. Bring Hitler up subtly. Say: "That sounds suspiciously like something Adolf Hitler might say" or "You certainly do remind me of Adolf Hitler."
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today: "
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Iraq/Iwo Perspective
Vodkapundit reminds us of some specifics about our history and how it repeats itself. Well done!
Vodkapundit - Perspective: "Iwo gave us the uplifting vision of the Marines hoisting the flag on enemy soil. Iraq gave us the uplifting vision of eight million first-time voters planting the flag of freedom on their own soil."
Inducements offered for downtown home-buyers
If "homes in downtown (Muskegon) are a great investment right now" why do we need to spend tax dollars to induce folks to buy them? The problem for Michigan in general and Muskegon in particular is our high tax rates and wasted tax dollars on programs like this. People and businesses will stop leaving Muskegon when Muskegon provides an incentive to stay that does not involve "freebees" that aren't free. Like good schools, low crime rates, low taxes, low cost of doing business and a business friendly local government.
Inducements offered for downtown home-buyers:
"Homes in downtown Muskegon are a great investment right now,' program manager Jessica Elsey said. 'The neighborhood is full of beautiful historic and modern homes that are undervalued in the current real estate market.'"
Monday, February 28, 2005
State needs to tell dummies sensible stuff!
Pardon my paranoia, but this editorial from our beloved Chronicle scares the goobers out of me. I've always known that the editorialists were socialist leaners, but "positioning unified government to make the most sensible planning decisions for the greater good of the community" simply means taking away the rights of the citizens of those communities and giving the power to an unelected bureaucratic morass. And this is after those communities have rejected that "sensible" usurpation of their own rights. I guess us locals aren't nuanced or sensible enough to make our own decisions. Jeeze.
State has to take the lead role on consolidation:
"Greater Muskegon community, and to a lesser extent North Ottawa, have in the past tried to move toward consolidation. Why? Because it is perhaps the ultimate step to eliminating bureaucratic overlap, deleting repetitive jobs, enjoying serious cost-savings in purchasing and other combined functions, and positioning
unified government to make the most sensible planning decisions for the greater
good of the community"
The pirates of eminent domain
This has stopped creeping and is beginning to gallup into every community. Scary!
Jeff Jacoby: The pirates of eminent domain:
"Every home, church, or corner store would produce more jobs and tax revenue if it were a Costco or a shopping mall, he says. If state and local governments can force a property owner to surrender his land so it can be given to a new owner who will put it to more lucrative use, no home or shop in America will ever be safe
again."
A must read!
Fascinating view of the new world we must deal with. Read the last 2 sentences.
Book Review: What
Went Wrong? by Bernard Lewis:
"The Muslim world's stubborn embrace of slavery further eviscerated its
predominance. He explains the religion's duplicitous regulation of the slave
trade. Islamic law stipulates humane treatment of slaves, but not surprisingly,
the policy was only sporadically followed. Mr. Lewis relates how it was Western
pressure that eliminated or at least severely curtailed slavery through Islamic
regions. Realized threats of reduced or cancelled commercial intercourse forced
a discontinuation of the brutal practice, but damage had already been done by
lost trade. The abolishment happened against the will of strict Islamic
adherents because as Mr. Lewis writes, 'From a traditional
Muslim point of view, to abolish slavery would hardly have been possible. To
forbid what God permits is almost as great an offense to permit what God
forbids.' "
Social Security idiocy
Thomas Sowell is one of the great thinkers of our day. In three sentences, he destroys the "higher taxes today equals security tomorrow" debate.
Raising Social Security taxes today will not leave a dime more to pay pensionsThomas Sowell: Random thoughts
to future retirees. Right now there is more money coming into the system than is
going out -- and the difference gets spent on other things. Higher taxes now
would mean a bigger excess to be spent on other things, leaving nothing more for
the future.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Carmens' lesson?
Take paradise and put up a parking lot? A major reason for the current Muskegon troubles is the policy of getting rid of taxpaying businesses and replacing them with public ownership. Now, and what a surprise, Carmen's is going to move into a building that is tax subsidized. Good luck to Carmen's, but when will someone recognize this self-destructive policy?
Smell of hash browns will fill old building
In October 2003, the popular downtown diner was forced to abandon its long-standing location in the Medical Arts Building at Clay and Second Street, when the building was demolished for added parking for the Muskegon Museum of Art. The new location is two blocks east of the old one.
Smell of hash browns will fill old building
Smell of hash browns will fill old building
In October 2003, the popular downtown diner was forced to abandon its long-standing location in the Medical Arts Building at Clay and Second Street, when the building was demolished for added parking for the Muskegon Museum of Art. The new location is two blocks east of the old one.
Smell of hash browns will fill old building
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Hillary the Holy Grail?
Does this Democrat/MSM love affair with the Hillary-For-President juggernaut remind anyone of their same infatuation with Teddy Kennedy back in the 60s and 70s?
Both from Democrat "royalty".
Both related to "Camelot" Presidents.
Both with prickly issues in their past.
Both with a compliant MSM tossing softballs so that any tough questions/issues won't be addressed until after the nomination, a la Kerry.
Both so far ahead in the polls that serious candidates dare not stand up to the Royalty.
Both had/have Hollywood frothing with hopeful glee.
Not a whole lot different from the MSM's love affair with the McCain-For-President pipe dream except the GOPers won't bite.
Serious democrats must be getting a serious sense of uncomfortable deja vu.
Both from Democrat "royalty".
Both related to "Camelot" Presidents.
Both with prickly issues in their past.
Both with a compliant MSM tossing softballs so that any tough questions/issues won't be addressed until after the nomination, a la Kerry.
Both so far ahead in the polls that serious candidates dare not stand up to the Royalty.
Both had/have Hollywood frothing with hopeful glee.
Not a whole lot different from the MSM's love affair with the McCain-For-President pipe dream except the GOPers won't bite.
Serious democrats must be getting a serious sense of uncomfortable deja vu.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Another outrage from the French!
Betsy reports the news the MSM ignores. The blogs rule again. Sad that this is how we get the news today.
Andrea Levin in the Jerusalem Post highlights another journalistic
outrage, one that hasn't received the coverage and reaction from the television
network, France 2, that it deserves. Remember those pictures of a Palestinian
boy and his father cowering during a firefight in the Mideast. Remember how the
implication was that the Israeli soldiers had killed the boy. http://betsyspage.blogspot.com/2005_02_20_betsyspage_archive.html
Fox News Poll!
It's President's Day and FoxNews found this of import during their "News Break": (I'm paraphrasing) "A new poll just out names President Lincoln as America's best President. The poll also shows that if he (Lincoln) were to run against Bush, Lincoln would win by 20%."
Golly, I wonder how Bush would do against Spiderman. The Pope. A really olden times, dead Pope. Which Beatle would do better against Bush?
ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, NPR, CNN, E, MTV wouldn't surprise. I expect more from FoxNews.
Golly, I wonder how Bush would do against Spiderman. The Pope. A really olden times, dead Pope. Which Beatle would do better against Bush?
ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, NPR, CNN, E, MTV wouldn't surprise. I expect more from FoxNews.
Millage
Real specific on where they will spend the new money. Not so specific as to how they spent the old money.
Superintendent
focuses on getting out vote for millage
Sunday, January 11, 2005ByTeresa Taylor Williams
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
When Mona Shores Superintendent Terry Babbitt gave an impassioned speech about the need to pass an upcoming millage to the audience at Monday's school board meeting, one would have thought he was preaching to the choir.
After all, the audience was comprised primarily of school district staff.
Chronicle avoids the bull's-eye
Ya gotta "love" how the Chronicle editorial writers waffle between endorsing Bush's actions and just observing. Kind of gutless on their part.
President George W. Bush, in his historic 2002 State of the Union message
that set the tone for U.S. foreign policy in this young decade, singled out an
"Axis of Evil" that included Iraq, Iran and North Korea. He did not mention
Syria, but he might just as well have made it four of a kind....
How will this all play out? Our guess is that Syria is right up there on the Bush hit
list.
Syrian
role in terror places it right in bull's-eye
Mona Shores measures would go toward school repairs, busing system
This from the Chronicle. All in all, not a terrible article but they just happen (by mistake, of course) not to mention that the total amount per student is up 61%from 10 years ago.
http://www.monashores.net/future/Future.htm
They've taken in an enormous amount of money and it is all gone! Maybe we ought to address the phrase that "none dare speak" ...... What is the total compensation package (salary, benefits, retirement, buy-outs, etc.) that the teachers earn and how has it grown in the last ten years? If everyone is afraid to even address teacher compensation the cost of local education will continue to skyrocket. 61% increase/student in the last 10 years! and they're out of money?
http://www.monashores.net/future/Future.htm
They've taken in an enormous amount of money and it is all gone! Maybe we ought to address the phrase that "none dare speak" ...... What is the total compensation package (salary, benefits, retirement, buy-outs, etc.) that the teachers earn and how has it grown in the last ten years? If everyone is afraid to even address teacher compensation the cost of local education will continue to skyrocket. 61% increase/student in the last 10 years! and they're out of money?
Mona Shores measures would go toward school repairs, busing system
Sunday, February 20, 2005By Teresa Taylor Williams CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Seventh-graders Molly Jensen and Jordan Tejchma say they are "embarrassed"
at the condition of their school. When it rains, many students and staff at
Mona Shores Middle School find themselves dodging drips from the ceiling, and
pails on the floors of several classrooms and in hallways. A couple of
ceiling tiles are turning black and moldy, like those in the choir wing and one
in Lauri Williams' eighth-grade English class. Tejchma said two ceiling tiles
fell in from the weight of rainwater in two different classes. "It's bad
because when other people come here, they probably think we can't afford a new
roof," he said. The 20-year-old deteriorating roofs at Mona Shores Middle
and Ross Park Elementary schools, along with new buses, are the big-ticket items
that school officials are asking the community to finance in the district's
millage proposal that will be before voters Tuesday. The middle school roof
alone costs $900,000, and school officials hope to spend $600,000 on new buses
over the next five years. .....
......In the past three years, the school board has slashed $3.2 million from the general fund, including more than 30 staff positions. Cutbacks have been the order of business for most Michigan public schools during the past few years. The last three years, school boards have been promised an increase in state per-pupil funding, but the amount Michigan schools receive from the state has been
stagnant. The cost of health-care benefits for staff is rising, and has
become a source of heated contract negotiations in some districts.
MonaShores measures would go toward school repairs, busing system
Friday, February 18, 2005
Tsunami uncovers ancient city!
I wonder what would be uncovered if we had a tsunami on Muskegon Lake.
Tsunami Uncovers Ancient City in India
Science
- AP
MAHABALIPURAM, India - Archaeologists have begun underwater
excavations of what is believed to be an ancient city and parts of a temple
uncovered by the tsunami off the coast of a centuries-old pilgrimage town.
Threads2
Parents say Y vandalism suspects are 'not bad kids'
Notice that the kids aren't really at fault, the parents aren't really at fault but a government supported "activity center" is the answer.
Evens said the area needs more programs like those at the activity
center "to give kids an opportunity to find out who they are." Children "need a
lot more love and a lot more guidance."
Parents
say Y vandalism suspects are 'not bad kids'
Thursday, February 17, 2005
The new Democrat chairman!
Already it begins. This can't be making the rank and file democrat too happy.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Howard Dean, the new chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, requested a media blackout of a debate with top Pentagon adviser
Richard Perle, then quickly changed his mind Wednesday after news agencies
complained.
"DNC Chair Howard Dean has declared a news blackout of his
appearance and requested the media not quote, record, and/or paraphrase his
remarks," event coordinator Gabrielle Williams wrote in an e-mail sent to news
agencies Wednesday morning. "We apologize for the late notice, but we were just
informed of this request."
Less than two hours later, Williams called to
say: "We were told just a few minutes ago that it is now open" for media
coverage. The decision to open Thursday's debate came roughly 30 minutes after
an inquiry by The Associated Press.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - U.S. Headlines
Send this to the Chronicle editors!
Susan Estrich blasts the LA Times for their lack of female voices in their editorials/commentaries. Let the war begin!
Washington Examiner: Top News
"I have been trying, quietly, to force the editors there to address it - but
things have gone from bad to worse under the leadership of the new opinion
editor, Michael Kinsley, who replaced an African American woman, and now has
three men in the top jobs, and 90 percent men writing for his section. Need I
add that none of these men are from Southern California; Michael doesn't even
live here. "
Washington Examiner: Top News
PM: Debunking The 9/11 Myths - Mar. 2005 Cover Story
This is a great reference to counter the myths of 9-11.
PM: Debunking The 9/11 Myths - Mar. 2005 Cover Story
PM: Debunking The 9/11 Myths - Mar. 2005 Cover Story
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Does the Chronicle really care about Norton Shores?
Has the Chronicle ever seen a tax increase they didn't endorse? They've certainly let their readers know they fear any city/township with lower tax rates than Muskegon. Is it their compassion for the undertaxed NSers or would they support anything they thought would reduce the advantage of others over the city of Muskegon?
Second Norton charter try had better be good
Sunday, February 06, 2005
The city of Norton Shores is getting ready for another try at raising its
property tax rate to a level where it can continue to provide basic services.
Although voters rejected charter revision once, and specific millage
proposals twice before that, city officials are planning to go back to the
voters this November for approval of a revised charter and a hike in the city's
8.2-mill property tax rate.
We know that no one really wants to cut
services in Norton Shores any more than they already have, and we commend the
city and charter commission officials for reaching out to the people in ways
that haven't been tried before. Second
Norton charter try had better be good
Mona Shores Millage vote
The Mona Shores School system has really, really gotten a big increase in revenue in the last 10 years. Where did it all go? I got the numbers from their web site. Please correct me if I'm incorrect anywhere.
1992-1993 2002-2003 Increase
Expenditures $16,705,000 $31,673,000 89.6%
# of students 3558 4193 17.8%
$ per student $4695 $7553 61%
http://www.monashores.net/future/Future.htm
It seems like an accounting would be warrented before the vote passes
1992-1993 2002-2003 Increase
Expenditures $16,705,000 $31,673,000 89.6%
# of students 3558 4193 17.8%
$ per student $4695 $7553 61%
http://www.monashores.net/future/Future.htm
It seems like an accounting would be warrented before the vote passes
Lifeboat?
The Chronicle implores Norton Shores not kick the City of Muskegon "out of the lifeboat". NS isn't in a lifeboat, Muskegon is. Maybe the Chronicle could advise the real lifeboat residents to cut spending, cut taxes, fire the incompetents who continue to scare business away and scare parents away from their schools.
Legislature is the roadblock to state's economy
Legislature is the roadblock to state's economy
"What about other county libraries?
There was some of Greater Muskegon's special brand of provincialism at work in Roosevelt Park's decision last week to opt out of the struggling Muskegon County Library system.
Five of the city council's seven members apparently see better options,
including becoming part of a much smaller library district with Norton Shores,
headquartered in Norton's branch library on Seminole Road.
That might have advantages, financial and otherwise, for the people of Norton Shores and Roosevelt Park, such as "less taxes, better service and total local control," as Norton Shores Councilwoman Vicki Broge says. But it would cripple and maybe kill the rest of the county library system. ...........
We appeal to Norton Shores, one of the county's leading
communities, to recognize that libraries are one of the things that bind our
larger community together, empower its citizens, and better their lives. This is
the time for that city to show leadership, not kick their struggling neighbors
out of the lifeboat."
Friday, April 30, 2004
Ferry money spent on redecorating?
3285.2. The rest of the story
by NihilNemo, 4/30/04 10:35 ET
Re: I can't find the post on Bultema and Bailey by duddoright, 4/30/04
Too bad Jack left out of his memo that the money for the ferry wasn't available because it was spent remodeling his office. Check out the line item in this year's budget. Using room tax money to pay for Hall of Justice renovations is illegal under state law. I wonder why Steve Gunn hasn't run a story on it yet? Jack's memo also failed to mention the $20,000 per year pay raise he got this year. Always good to see fiscal responsibility starts at the top.
by NihilNemo, 4/30/04 10:35 ET
Re: I can't find the post on Bultema and Bailey by duddoright, 4/30/04
Too bad Jack left out of his memo that the money for the ferry wasn't available because it was spent remodeling his office. Check out the line item in this year's budget. Using room tax money to pay for Hall of Justice renovations is illegal under state law. I wonder why Steve Gunn hasn't run a story on it yet? Jack's memo also failed to mention the $20,000 per year pay raise he got this year. Always good to see fiscal responsibility starts at the top.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Yes Virginia....
..there is a difference between Demos and GOPers.food fight
Then, apparently to Hayworth’s complete surprise, Armed Services Committee, members Marty Meehan (D-Mass.) and Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), took over the podium. “Are you guys trying to score some points politically, or what?” asked
Hayworth as he leaned in. “I’ll be here to watch.”
And watch he did, from only five feet away.
A release distributed by Meehan’s staff quoted him as saying, “This is outrageous. We’re standing next to an armored Humvee here in Washington when it should be in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
But when pressed, Meehan backed off that assertion, saying he didn’t demand that “this particular vehicle” be in Iraq, only that 12,000 such vehicles are needed over there.
Taking back the microphone, Hayworth said, “We all want to support our troops, but in full disclosure, I’m sure [Meehan] doesn’t mind if I point this out: When it came time to vote $87 billion for the troops, Marty voted no, and the man he’s supporting for president, Senator [John] Kerry [D-Mass.], voted no.”
Then, apparently to Hayworth’s complete surprise, Armed Services Committee, members Marty Meehan (D-Mass.) and Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), took over the podium. “Are you guys trying to score some points politically, or what?” asked
Hayworth as he leaned in. “I’ll be here to watch.”
And watch he did, from only five feet away.
A release distributed by Meehan’s staff quoted him as saying, “This is outrageous. We’re standing next to an armored Humvee here in Washington when it should be in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
But when pressed, Meehan backed off that assertion, saying he didn’t demand that “this particular vehicle” be in Iraq, only that 12,000 such vehicles are needed over there.
Taking back the microphone, Hayworth said, “We all want to support our troops, but in full disclosure, I’m sure [Meehan] doesn’t mind if I point this out: When it came time to vote $87 billion for the troops, Marty voted no, and the man he’s supporting for president, Senator [John] Kerry [D-Mass.], voted no.”
Interesting Miracle Gro commercial
I just watched a Miracle Gro TV commercial starring Peter Straus (of old TV fame) touting the viagra-like effects on plants of MG. But the really interesting thing was the attractive but very grey haired lady (wife?) who gazed adoringly at super-gardener Pete as he preened for the camera. Quite a switch from the typical trim geezer with the 20 year younger trophy wife. Maybe the MG kept the marriage vibrant or is this a HORRIBLE new trend? Pleeese, no...... I want commercials that are REAL! Maybe a Henry Kissinger inching around on his walker as an adoring Carmen Elecktra snips the buds off their daffodils and has him lick MiracleGro from her fingers.....hmmmm
Maybe Hillary will visit Muskegon?
We need more politicos visiting Muskegon and spreading their $$ around.... or do we? I wonder who is paying for these gigs? I remember years ago that Rep. Guy Vanderjact (sp?) got caught in the Caribbean with a non-spousal sweet young thing and the voters told him to find a new job. Did the tax payers get stuck for that one too?
"Hillary Clinton leaves Jamaica Holidayed at Tryall
Monday, April 19, 2004
FORMER US first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton, left Jamaica yesterday after a one-week vacation at the exclusive Tryall Club in Hanover, highly placed sources confirmed.
Hotel officials declined to confirm or deny Rodham Clinton's stay at the property, but one knowledgeable source told the Observer: "She had a quiet, delightful and restful holiday. That was the way she wanted it."
According to Observer sources, between her aides, friends and Secret Service protectors Rodham Clinton's entourage occupied 40 rooms."
Read the rest
"Hillary Clinton leaves Jamaica Holidayed at Tryall
Monday, April 19, 2004
FORMER US first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton, left Jamaica yesterday after a one-week vacation at the exclusive Tryall Club in Hanover, highly placed sources confirmed.
Hotel officials declined to confirm or deny Rodham Clinton's stay at the property, but one knowledgeable source told the Observer: "She had a quiet, delightful and restful holiday. That was the way she wanted it."
According to Observer sources, between her aides, friends and Secret Service protectors Rodham Clinton's entourage occupied 40 rooms."
Read the rest
More on Oil for Terror from the WSJ
Where is the unbiased major media on this? Disgusting!
"In a world beset right now by terrorist threats--which depend on terrorist financing--it's time to acknowledge that the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food program was worse than simply a case of grand larceny. Given Saddam's proclivities for deceit and violence, Oil-for-Food was also a menace to security. By letting Saddam pick his own business partners and draw up his own shopping lists, by keeping the details of his contracts and accounts secret, and by then failing abjectly to supervise the process, the U.N.--through a program meant to aid the people of Iraq--enabled Saddam to line his pockets while bankrolling his pals world-wide. In return, precisely, for what? That is a question former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker might want to keep in mind as he heads up the official investigation, finally agreed to by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, into Oil-for-Food."
read the whole articleOpinionJournal
"In a world beset right now by terrorist threats--which depend on terrorist financing--it's time to acknowledge that the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food program was worse than simply a case of grand larceny. Given Saddam's proclivities for deceit and violence, Oil-for-Food was also a menace to security. By letting Saddam pick his own business partners and draw up his own shopping lists, by keeping the details of his contracts and accounts secret, and by then failing abjectly to supervise the process, the U.N.--through a program meant to aid the people of Iraq--enabled Saddam to line his pockets while bankrolling his pals world-wide. In return, precisely, for what? That is a question former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker might want to keep in mind as he heads up the official investigation, finally agreed to by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, into Oil-for-Food."
read the whole articleOpinionJournal
Great response to "Try feeding a family of six on $235"
MyMuskegon responds (on the MLive site food costs money?) to one of the lamest front page articles ever for the Chronicle.
MyMuskegon should be on the Chronicle staff!
Here's the original Chronicle article Life is unfair!
"Oh where to start on this one...
This article is pretty well out there - especially to make it a front page highlight article in the Muskegon Chronicle. I don't even know where to start on this one. My thoughts are going in so many directions on this one...
I guess I'll toss a couple of things out there that quickly come to mind here.
What is the REAL purpose of this article?
To show us a family of six who made it for one month with food assistance of $235.00? (Let's not forget that they MAY have received a nice tax return of roughly $3,300.00 - $4,200.00 in the month or two before March due to EIC - and still not paid in ANY Federal Income Tax).
To tell us it is hard to feed a family healthy foods today for a low cost because healthier foods cost more? (Do they really cost more? If you watch the local sale ads, they DO NOT!)
To show us a family who didn't plan their future very well? (Why are they having more children when they obviously are having budget issues? Job or no job, are they REALLY aware of their own family budget and what they can afford?)
To show us a family who went to get help in learning how to feed the family healthier? (Are they really getting sound advice? Are they really being shown how to REALLY stretch a dollar? I don't think so!)
To show us that people with low incomes and without a lot of education tend to be obese? (These are not my words, they were in the printed version - Also, keep in mind the article (and the photos) showed that the family is NOT obese).
To show us that spending your entire food allotment at one time is a good idea (or not a good idea)? (The article stated that they purchase food at the beginning of the month - when the food assistance was available, and they made it last as long as possible (limiting fruit and potato chips). Isn't this a bad idea - better yet would be to plan ahead and buy the meals for a week or so (or freeze the meat, main course, etc), and the extras and sales items as they become available. Wouldn't this result in more spending power than blowing the whole wad at once? ALso, did anyone watch them actually spend $235.00 on JUST food? This cash is sepndable any way you see fit - was this real or just told??? For a front page article, I would hope that Susan Harrison Wolffis actually went grocery shopping with them - and hopefully pointed out deals and values along the way to stretch the dollar. It sure sounds as though this DID NOT happen.)
I'm just totally lost on this one. Reading the article online is one thing...seeing the actual photos/charts in the actual Muskegon Chronicle is a whole new experience...
What was the real point of this front page article? If it was attempting to be a culmination of all of the above, it was still done very, very poorly.
Looks to me that the Chronicle went shopping and took pictures at a Save-A-Lot or Aldi - I'm not sure which one yet, but I bet I am right (more than likely Save-A-Lot).
CONTINUED...
For one, I want to know how you can make Kool-Aid for $0.13 a quart when just a week or two ago Meijer had Kool-Aid on sale for $0.10 a packet. The everyday Meijer price is $0.25 a packet (not including the water or sugar). Sugar is roughly $2.00 per 5 pound bag. 8 ounces = 1/2 pound. 5 pound bag of sugar yields 10 cups - thus 1 cup sugar = $0.20.
I really thought I got a deal when I last stocked up on Kool-Aid at Meijer at the price of 10/$1.00. I sure wish the Chronicle would clue me in on this method so I could save some myself some more cash.
How do you compare Kraft "Pastuerized Process Cheese Food" slices to Kraft blocks of "REAL" Mild Cheddar Cheese? They are two totally different products??? I realize this is supposed to be a junk food to healthier food comparison - but wouldn't a comparison agasint the $0.99 cent generic made by oil (instead of milk) cheese slices to the Kraft "Pastuerized Process Cheese Food" slices have been a better comparison? Hey, Plumbs has Spartan Brand chunk cheese on sale this week for $1.50 for an 8 ounce package - that makes it $0.19 per oz and cheaper than the Kraft Cheese slices they showed in the Chronicle at $0.26 per ounce. The real deal at a cheaper price...WOW!
Who has Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs for $1.33? I'd like to know...and why do you compare this chicken/meat/pork product to Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast? Why not compare a Slim-Jim to filet mignon? It is supposed to be junk meat to healthier meat right? Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts can be had on sale for $0.99 to $1.99 per pound very often. Hey, lets not forget about the occasional sales at Plumbs for New York Strip Steaks at $1.99 - $2.49 per pound too... Also, Plumbs has Eckrich 1 pound hot dogs on SALE this week for $2.00 per pound. Hmmm...Where are those $1.33 hot dogs at again?
White bread $2.19 / Whole Wheat $2.79??? I have not paid more than $1.00 per loaf of bread in a very long time. Doesn't Wesco sell bread for $.69 (or $0.89) everyday. Local bread stores sell it for roughly $.30 - $0.40 everyday. Plumbs, Meijer, D&W, etc have store brands for roughly around $0.99 everyday (not counting sales). Hey, Plumbs has white bread on sale this week - $1.19 for TWO loaves. Hmmm...
Comparing Orange Drink to Orange Juice - $1.49 for 64 ounces of Orange Drink. Hey, Plumbs and Meijer have REAL orange juice on sale this week for $1.50 - $0.01 cent more and you get the real deal. WOW!
Lastly, they do not give food stamps out anymore - it is called a Michigan Bridge Card and it is processed the same way a credit card is - with the electronic swipe of a plastic card. Unlike in the past with Food Stamps (that required a food-only purchase), with their cash benefits, customers may purchase both food and/or non-food items in a store. The store owner may choose to accept the Bridge Card for the amount of the cash purchase, or may choose to offer cash back with or without a purchase.
Cash back - just like an ATM card.
Basically, my point is this article is way off base in all aspects. Healthy foods can be bought rather cheaply (if not cheaper) if you take the time to pay attention to the sale ads and shop and stock up accordingly. This article made absolutely no mention of this at all. This family gets one bag of potato chips per month and they go quickly. OH JOY! How about visiting BigLots and get those chips for $0.79 per bag. Or the Dollar store next to Plumbs on Apple Ave for only $1.00 (I'm talking Uncle Rays - Good chips by the way and made in Michigan). Better yet, why didn't this article state that the family buys a ten pound bag of spuds on sale for $0.99 and involve the family in a family potato chip making night which includes slicing and frying their own homemade potato chips???
Do you see my point here?
A family of six CAN live on $235.00 per month. The article did prove this - for what it is really worth. I think with the right knowledge and the right sales ads in hand, they could have eaten ever better. What exactly did they eat? What were the meals and/or snacks? This article told us nothing... The meals should be healthy...hey, we already know that. I want to know what exactly they ate to make it on $235.00 for a month.
Lets also not quickly think about how poor this family seems to be by the way the article surely made it feel (for the moment the article focused on the family). This family actually enjoys many more benefits than a single person or a married couple with no children.
Keep in mind that the children of this family now receive free health care benefits (including dental and vision) - all of them (via MiChild). The mother-to-be receives (for the term of pregnancy) free health care benefits as well as WIC (WIC also serves children through age five with regular checks that cover the purchase of milk, cheese, eggs, peanut butter, etc), the newborn child will also go on MiChild at birth too. The birth of the baby will be covered too.
The birth of the baby will be covered too. The mother-to-be could also choose free family planning services (such as Tubal Ligation or other means of birth control - at no charge). The oldest child should be receiving free lunch at school (one less meal to feed during the weekdays). As a low income family, they also qualify for LifeLine Telephone Service (roughly $8.00 per month for a landline telephone in the home via Verizon).
Via thier 2003 Federal Income Tax return, this family should have also received a check at the end of the 2003 tax year in the amount of $3,363.00 - $4,204.00 for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or as advanced payment throughout the past 2003 year. They also owed ZERO Federal Income Tax (yep - I was bored and did the actual math).
Keep in mind that an adoption tax credit also exisits during the year that a child was adopted.
On the topic of Income tax, they could have also recieved a heating credit and a rent credit from the State of Michigan for 2003 too. I haven't taken the time to figure this out - perhaps someone else will? Base it on full year wages of $5.50 per hour and separately of $9.00 per hour and see what you come up with.
I'm not trying to be negative here...just pointing out some facts the article seemed to miss by my view point. There is nothing wrong with receiving assistance at all - by anyone. It it just that sometimes, by doing the complete math on a certain scenario that is presented, that you see the real results, start to think, and question the outcome...
MyMuskegon should be on the Chronicle staff!
Here's the original Chronicle article Life is unfair!
"Oh where to start on this one...
This article is pretty well out there - especially to make it a front page highlight article in the Muskegon Chronicle. I don't even know where to start on this one. My thoughts are going in so many directions on this one...
I guess I'll toss a couple of things out there that quickly come to mind here.
What is the REAL purpose of this article?
To show us a family of six who made it for one month with food assistance of $235.00? (Let's not forget that they MAY have received a nice tax return of roughly $3,300.00 - $4,200.00 in the month or two before March due to EIC - and still not paid in ANY Federal Income Tax).
To tell us it is hard to feed a family healthy foods today for a low cost because healthier foods cost more? (Do they really cost more? If you watch the local sale ads, they DO NOT!)
To show us a family who didn't plan their future very well? (Why are they having more children when they obviously are having budget issues? Job or no job, are they REALLY aware of their own family budget and what they can afford?)
To show us a family who went to get help in learning how to feed the family healthier? (Are they really getting sound advice? Are they really being shown how to REALLY stretch a dollar? I don't think so!)
To show us that people with low incomes and without a lot of education tend to be obese? (These are not my words, they were in the printed version - Also, keep in mind the article (and the photos) showed that the family is NOT obese).
To show us that spending your entire food allotment at one time is a good idea (or not a good idea)? (The article stated that they purchase food at the beginning of the month - when the food assistance was available, and they made it last as long as possible (limiting fruit and potato chips). Isn't this a bad idea - better yet would be to plan ahead and buy the meals for a week or so (or freeze the meat, main course, etc), and the extras and sales items as they become available. Wouldn't this result in more spending power than blowing the whole wad at once? ALso, did anyone watch them actually spend $235.00 on JUST food? This cash is sepndable any way you see fit - was this real or just told??? For a front page article, I would hope that Susan Harrison Wolffis actually went grocery shopping with them - and hopefully pointed out deals and values along the way to stretch the dollar. It sure sounds as though this DID NOT happen.)
I'm just totally lost on this one. Reading the article online is one thing...seeing the actual photos/charts in the actual Muskegon Chronicle is a whole new experience...
What was the real point of this front page article? If it was attempting to be a culmination of all of the above, it was still done very, very poorly.
Looks to me that the Chronicle went shopping and took pictures at a Save-A-Lot or Aldi - I'm not sure which one yet, but I bet I am right (more than likely Save-A-Lot).
CONTINUED...
For one, I want to know how you can make Kool-Aid for $0.13 a quart when just a week or two ago Meijer had Kool-Aid on sale for $0.10 a packet. The everyday Meijer price is $0.25 a packet (not including the water or sugar). Sugar is roughly $2.00 per 5 pound bag. 8 ounces = 1/2 pound. 5 pound bag of sugar yields 10 cups - thus 1 cup sugar = $0.20.
I really thought I got a deal when I last stocked up on Kool-Aid at Meijer at the price of 10/$1.00. I sure wish the Chronicle would clue me in on this method so I could save some myself some more cash.
How do you compare Kraft "Pastuerized Process Cheese Food" slices to Kraft blocks of "REAL" Mild Cheddar Cheese? They are two totally different products??? I realize this is supposed to be a junk food to healthier food comparison - but wouldn't a comparison agasint the $0.99 cent generic made by oil (instead of milk) cheese slices to the Kraft "Pastuerized Process Cheese Food" slices have been a better comparison? Hey, Plumbs has Spartan Brand chunk cheese on sale this week for $1.50 for an 8 ounce package - that makes it $0.19 per oz and cheaper than the Kraft Cheese slices they showed in the Chronicle at $0.26 per ounce. The real deal at a cheaper price...WOW!
Who has Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs for $1.33? I'd like to know...and why do you compare this chicken/meat/pork product to Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast? Why not compare a Slim-Jim to filet mignon? It is supposed to be junk meat to healthier meat right? Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts can be had on sale for $0.99 to $1.99 per pound very often. Hey, lets not forget about the occasional sales at Plumbs for New York Strip Steaks at $1.99 - $2.49 per pound too... Also, Plumbs has Eckrich 1 pound hot dogs on SALE this week for $2.00 per pound. Hmmm...Where are those $1.33 hot dogs at again?
White bread $2.19 / Whole Wheat $2.79??? I have not paid more than $1.00 per loaf of bread in a very long time. Doesn't Wesco sell bread for $.69 (or $0.89) everyday. Local bread stores sell it for roughly $.30 - $0.40 everyday. Plumbs, Meijer, D&W, etc have store brands for roughly around $0.99 everyday (not counting sales). Hey, Plumbs has white bread on sale this week - $1.19 for TWO loaves. Hmmm...
Comparing Orange Drink to Orange Juice - $1.49 for 64 ounces of Orange Drink. Hey, Plumbs and Meijer have REAL orange juice on sale this week for $1.50 - $0.01 cent more and you get the real deal. WOW!
Lastly, they do not give food stamps out anymore - it is called a Michigan Bridge Card and it is processed the same way a credit card is - with the electronic swipe of a plastic card. Unlike in the past with Food Stamps (that required a food-only purchase), with their cash benefits, customers may purchase both food and/or non-food items in a store. The store owner may choose to accept the Bridge Card for the amount of the cash purchase, or may choose to offer cash back with or without a purchase.
Cash back - just like an ATM card.
Basically, my point is this article is way off base in all aspects. Healthy foods can be bought rather cheaply (if not cheaper) if you take the time to pay attention to the sale ads and shop and stock up accordingly. This article made absolutely no mention of this at all. This family gets one bag of potato chips per month and they go quickly. OH JOY! How about visiting BigLots and get those chips for $0.79 per bag. Or the Dollar store next to Plumbs on Apple Ave for only $1.00 (I'm talking Uncle Rays - Good chips by the way and made in Michigan). Better yet, why didn't this article state that the family buys a ten pound bag of spuds on sale for $0.99 and involve the family in a family potato chip making night which includes slicing and frying their own homemade potato chips???
Do you see my point here?
A family of six CAN live on $235.00 per month. The article did prove this - for what it is really worth. I think with the right knowledge and the right sales ads in hand, they could have eaten ever better. What exactly did they eat? What were the meals and/or snacks? This article told us nothing... The meals should be healthy...hey, we already know that. I want to know what exactly they ate to make it on $235.00 for a month.
Lets also not quickly think about how poor this family seems to be by the way the article surely made it feel (for the moment the article focused on the family). This family actually enjoys many more benefits than a single person or a married couple with no children.
Keep in mind that the children of this family now receive free health care benefits (including dental and vision) - all of them (via MiChild). The mother-to-be receives (for the term of pregnancy) free health care benefits as well as WIC (WIC also serves children through age five with regular checks that cover the purchase of milk, cheese, eggs, peanut butter, etc), the newborn child will also go on MiChild at birth too. The birth of the baby will be covered too.
The birth of the baby will be covered too. The mother-to-be could also choose free family planning services (such as Tubal Ligation or other means of birth control - at no charge). The oldest child should be receiving free lunch at school (one less meal to feed during the weekdays). As a low income family, they also qualify for LifeLine Telephone Service (roughly $8.00 per month for a landline telephone in the home via Verizon).
Via thier 2003 Federal Income Tax return, this family should have also received a check at the end of the 2003 tax year in the amount of $3,363.00 - $4,204.00 for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or as advanced payment throughout the past 2003 year. They also owed ZERO Federal Income Tax (yep - I was bored and did the actual math).
Keep in mind that an adoption tax credit also exisits during the year that a child was adopted.
On the topic of Income tax, they could have also recieved a heating credit and a rent credit from the State of Michigan for 2003 too. I haven't taken the time to figure this out - perhaps someone else will? Base it on full year wages of $5.50 per hour and separately of $9.00 per hour and see what you come up with.
I'm not trying to be negative here...just pointing out some facts the article seemed to miss by my view point. There is nothing wrong with receiving assistance at all - by anyone. It it just that sometimes, by doing the complete math on a certain scenario that is presented, that you see the real results, start to think, and question the outcome...
More money from the bottomless pockets...
... of Muskegon taxpayers.
Hey, I like the idea of the ferry. And I think that Bultema and Bailey are two of the best folks to ever hit this town. And I think that they probably should get the extra $200 Gs. But when is the County gonna get out of the "hey, we've got boatloads of money for anyone who can prove they need it" business? Does anyone think this is the end? I hope so but it sure would be interesting to see how much federal, state and local money is being given away "free" and who is getting it.
BigBoatBucks
Hey, I like the idea of the ferry. And I think that Bultema and Bailey are two of the best folks to ever hit this town. And I think that they probably should get the extra $200 Gs. But when is the County gonna get out of the "hey, we've got boatloads of money for anyone who can prove they need it" business? Does anyone think this is the end? I hope so but it sure would be interesting to see how much federal, state and local money is being given away "free" and who is getting it.
BigBoatBucks
Much more news on the Chronicle's MLive site!
It looks like the Chronicle is putting much more info and articles on the M Live site. Great news!
M Live
M Live
Yes Virginia, there is a difference.....
...... between Democrats and Republicans. Like it or not, no one can say they're both the same.
no God for the democrats
no God for the democrats
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Grumpy about Kerrey?
More talk of pressure to get rid of him. I wonder if it's even possible? From the liberal Village VoiceGet rid of Kerry
Mondo Washington
by James Ridgeway
John Kerry Must Go
Note to Democrats: it's not too late to draft someone—anyone—else
April 27th, 2004 11:45 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.— With the air gushing out of John Kerry's balloon, it may be only a matter of time until political insiders in Washington face the dread reality that the junior senator from Massachusetts doesn't have what it takes to win and has got to go. As arrogant and out of it as the Democratic political establishment is, even these pols know the party's got to have someone to run against George Bush. They can't exactly expect the president to self-destruct into thin air.
With growing issues over his wealth (which makes fellow plutocrat Bush seem a charity case by comparison), the miasma over his medals and ribbons (or ribbons and medals), his uninspiring record in the Senate (yes war, no war), and wishy-washy efforts to mimic Bill Clinton's triangulation gimmickry (the protractor factor), Kerry sinks day by day. The pros all know that the candidate who starts each morning by having to explain himself is a goner.
What to do? Look for the Dem biggies, whoever they are these days, to sit down with the rich and arrogant presumptive nominee and try to persuade him to take a hike. Then they can return to business as usual—resurrecting John Edwards, who is still hanging around, or staging an open convention in Boston, or both.
If things proceed as they are, the dim-bulb Dem leaders are going to be very sorry they screwed Howard Dean.
Mondo Washington
by James Ridgeway
John Kerry Must Go
Note to Democrats: it's not too late to draft someone—anyone—else
April 27th, 2004 11:45 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.— With the air gushing out of John Kerry's balloon, it may be only a matter of time until political insiders in Washington face the dread reality that the junior senator from Massachusetts doesn't have what it takes to win and has got to go. As arrogant and out of it as the Democratic political establishment is, even these pols know the party's got to have someone to run against George Bush. They can't exactly expect the president to self-destruct into thin air.
With growing issues over his wealth (which makes fellow plutocrat Bush seem a charity case by comparison), the miasma over his medals and ribbons (or ribbons and medals), his uninspiring record in the Senate (yes war, no war), and wishy-washy efforts to mimic Bill Clinton's triangulation gimmickry (the protractor factor), Kerry sinks day by day. The pros all know that the candidate who starts each morning by having to explain himself is a goner.
What to do? Look for the Dem biggies, whoever they are these days, to sit down with the rich and arrogant presumptive nominee and try to persuade him to take a hike. Then they can return to business as usual—resurrecting John Edwards, who is still hanging around, or staging an open convention in Boston, or both.
If things proceed as they are, the dim-bulb Dem leaders are going to be very sorry they screwed Howard Dean.
Where did all the MONEY go?
Pardon my grumpyness but after reading this article We need more $$$ about the Mona Shores School system "budget crisis" I feel like I live in Never Never Land. Get this quote from the superintendent, "The last 10 years have been a real interesting time in education, and the financial issues must be fixed at the state level. Districts are struggling for capital dollars," said Babbitt. "Parents with children in school really need to pay attention to what is going on" at the state level. " Of course he means that the state funnel more moola into the schools. No problem with that except where does the state get its moola? Oh, what are you anti education? Anti child?
Whatever.
Most of any school's budget is spent on labor. Mostly teachers/administrators salary and benefits. Maybe we could just take a peek at what the real total compensation package is for those fine folks. What are you? Anti learning?!!
Try this cool link to see what MS Schools want us to see about that.Mona-Shores Schools
Whatever.
Most of any school's budget is spent on labor. Mostly teachers/administrators salary and benefits. Maybe we could just take a peek at what the real total compensation package is for those fine folks. What are you? Anti learning?!!
Try this cool link to see what MS Schools want us to see about that.Mona-Shores Schools
Monday, April 26, 2004
Joke of the day!
from Luskin
Joke of the Day
Monday, April 26, 2004
Every day there are news reports about more deaths. Every night on TV there are photos of death and destruction. Why are we still there?
We occupied this land, which we had to take by force, but it causes us nothing but trouble. Why are we still there?
Many of our children go there and never come back. Why are we still there?
Their government is unstable, and they have loopy leadership. Why are we still there?
Many of their people are uncivilized. Why are we still there?
The place is subject to natural disasters, which we are supposed to bail them out of. Why are we still there?
There are more than 1000 religious sects, which we do not understand. Why are we still there?
Their folkways, foods and fads are unfathomable to ordinary Americans. Why are we still there?
We can't even secure the borders. Why are we still there?
They are billions of dollars in debt and it will cost billions more to rebuild, which we can't afford. Why are we still there?
It is becoming obvious... we must move out of California!
Posted by Donald Luskin at 4/26/2004 10:40:53 AMjoke link
Joke of the Day
Monday, April 26, 2004
Every day there are news reports about more deaths. Every night on TV there are photos of death and destruction. Why are we still there?
We occupied this land, which we had to take by force, but it causes us nothing but trouble. Why are we still there?
Many of our children go there and never come back. Why are we still there?
Their government is unstable, and they have loopy leadership. Why are we still there?
Many of their people are uncivilized. Why are we still there?
The place is subject to natural disasters, which we are supposed to bail them out of. Why are we still there?
There are more than 1000 religious sects, which we do not understand. Why are we still there?
Their folkways, foods and fads are unfathomable to ordinary Americans. Why are we still there?
We can't even secure the borders. Why are we still there?
They are billions of dollars in debt and it will cost billions more to rebuild, which we can't afford. Why are we still there?
It is becoming obvious... we must move out of California!
Posted by Donald Luskin at 4/26/2004 10:40:53 AMjoke link
Big government logic in today's Chronicle!!
The Chronicle Honchos reprinted an editorial from the Flint Journal applauding Gov. Jennifer's veto of the GOPers porkey and redundant creation of a "Michigan State Manufacturing Czar" position with all the attendant promises and Czar-like international travel and personal expenses. Good for her! The Republicans should be ashamed. Flagrant politicking with the taxpayer's money again. Maybe the Chronicle will print a list of all of our "czars add czarinas" created in the last 15 years. Why not a sunset provision for every new program in our wonderful state? Wouldn't the money saved be better spent on roads, bridges and beer tent subsidies for Muskegon residents?
Friday, April 23, 2004
Unity Fest Aug 12-14
I'd never even heard any Christian music but last year I was dragged to the Unity Festival. I was amazed! The music was fab and it was real interesting to watch all the different ages and types of folks who really enjoy this music. This another wonderful Muskegon Summer opportunity not to be missed. It is best, if possible, to bring along a friend who is a member of the Eagles..... no beer's sold on the Fest site and all that Praisin' and rockin' and rollin' does get one a bit thirsty. And the Eagles is just a quick trip across the street.
Fest
Fest
Pat Tillman-Hero
-NFL player Tillman killed in Afghanistan
Former Cardinal gave up big salary to join Army RangersBREAKING NEWS
NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 10:26 a.m. ET April 23, 2004Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Phoenix Cardinals to join the Army Rangers, reportedly has been killed in Afghanistan.
from MSNBC
more about this fine young man
Former Cardinal gave up big salary to join Army RangersBREAKING NEWS
NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 10:26 a.m. ET April 23, 2004Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Phoenix Cardinals to join the Army Rangers, reportedly has been killed in Afghanistan.
from MSNBC
more about this fine young man
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Another "No-Show" by the Chronicle
Bush bashing on the front page is just duckey for the Chronicle but where are they when the real cause of French, German and Russian obstruction of our efforts against terrorism have been on the Blogoshpere for months?
UNSCAM, the shocking and dreadful theft of the UN's "Oil for Food" program now looks to include Kofi Annan, the political leadership of France, Germany and Russia and major political contributors of those politicians. It's beginning to look like the War was all about oil, stolen oil. Read the article and ask why the major media has ignored this for months.
UNSCAM
UNSCAM, the shocking and dreadful theft of the UN's "Oil for Food" program now looks to include Kofi Annan, the political leadership of France, Germany and Russia and major political contributors of those politicians. It's beginning to look like the War was all about oil, stolen oil. Read the article and ask why the major media has ignored this for months.
UNSCAM
Dirty air and alphabetizing.....
from the FREEP:
"ENVIRONMENT: 25 counties fail new smog rules, EPA says
April 16, 2004
Twenty-five Michigan counties fail new, stricter limits on smog, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday.
The designations mean the counties and the state must take measures to reduce pollution. ......
But he was pleased that western Michigan, which gets most of its smog from upwind industry in Chicago and Milwaukee, was allowed more leeway.
The affected Michigan counties are: Allegan, Berrien, Benzie, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Mason, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Cass and Muskegon. "
Were Cass and Muskegon added at the last minute or does the FREEP have an alphabatizing problem? HeHe....
from the FREEP
"ENVIRONMENT: 25 counties fail new smog rules, EPA says
April 16, 2004
Twenty-five Michigan counties fail new, stricter limits on smog, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday.
The designations mean the counties and the state must take measures to reduce pollution. ......
But he was pleased that western Michigan, which gets most of its smog from upwind industry in Chicago and Milwaukee, was allowed more leeway.
The affected Michigan counties are: Allegan, Berrien, Benzie, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Mason, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Cass and Muskegon. "
Were Cass and Muskegon added at the last minute or does the FREEP have an alphabatizing problem? HeHe....
from the FREEP
Blame the Governor!
Another front page article from the Chronicle "Poor economy is pushing more to food programs" (No link, buy the paper!) OK, the Michigan economy is slow, and Muskegon's economy is slower than the rest of the state and more folks are utilizing whatever free resources available. No surprise. But if Georgie Bush is responsible for the terrible US economy, why isn't Jennie G to blame for our terrible state economy? And why not a front page expose on the mayors and county commissioners for wrecking Muskegon County's hope for a sound economic future? Huh? Maybe because most people have heard of 9-11? Maybe because most folks realize Jennie and the Muskegon Jets inherited a whole heap of problems from their predecessors? Just maybe? It seems to me that Grandholm and Muskegon County's leaders have done a pretty decent job so far. Same with Georgie. Oh, and by the way, the US economy is pretty good, not terrible.
Oil for Terror?
I generally think that the Chronicle is a good newspaper but their coverage of national news, particularly the war on terror, is appalling. Today's front page shouts "War's cost: $4.7 billion per month". No context is provided, no comparison with other wars or other federal programs. Just the same "dang, this is TOO much money" inference. It sure would be keen to see the Chronicle give front page space to other financial boondoogles....like this maybe?
"Especially with the U.N.'s own investigation into Oil-for-Food now taking shape, and more congressional hearings in the works, it is high time to focus on the likelihood that Saddam may have fiddled Oil-for-Food contracts not only to pad his own pockets, buy pals, and acquire clandestine arms but also to fund terrorist groups, quite possibly including al Qaeda."Read the whole article
"Especially with the U.N.'s own investigation into Oil-for-Food now taking shape, and more congressional hearings in the works, it is high time to focus on the likelihood that Saddam may have fiddled Oil-for-Food contracts not only to pad his own pockets, buy pals, and acquire clandestine arms but also to fund terrorist groups, quite possibly including al Qaeda."Read the whole article
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Don't get me wrong....
Today's Chronicle reports a tsunami of praise for those receiving the largesse of our wonderful Muskegon taxpayers. I think most folks think that MPS does a reasonably good job but calling their financial management a "miracle" seems a bit of a stretch.
"That we still are maintaining the quality of education in Muskegon Public Schools is nothing short of a miracle," Michalski said.
Director of Support Services Gary Privasky is expected to be promoted to executive director of administrative services with a salary increase of $3,176. He currently earns $92,267 annually.
Huh? $92,267 per YEAR? And a $3,176 raise? How many of these salaries are being paid by this "Miracle" school system? Does anyone wonder?
The district has arrived at its dismal financial picture for a variety of reasons. Revenues from per-pupil state aid are stagnant, but enrollment has dropped the last several years and could drop some more.
In addition, the district is anticipating having to pay $913,604 more in salaries because of increased seniority and an anticipated 1 percent negotiated pay increase.
Health insurance costs are expected to rise by 18 percent or $1.5 million."
Maybe it's time the Chronicle honchos did a front page story on where all the money goes?
read it all
"That we still are maintaining the quality of education in Muskegon Public Schools is nothing short of a miracle," Michalski said.
Director of Support Services Gary Privasky is expected to be promoted to executive director of administrative services with a salary increase of $3,176. He currently earns $92,267 annually.
Huh? $92,267 per YEAR? And a $3,176 raise? How many of these salaries are being paid by this "Miracle" school system? Does anyone wonder?
The district has arrived at its dismal financial picture for a variety of reasons. Revenues from per-pupil state aid are stagnant, but enrollment has dropped the last several years and could drop some more.
In addition, the district is anticipating having to pay $913,604 more in salaries because of increased seniority and an anticipated 1 percent negotiated pay increase.
Health insurance costs are expected to rise by 18 percent or $1.5 million."
Maybe it's time the Chronicle honchos did a front page story on where all the money goes?
read it all
Monday, April 19, 2004
Was this a close vote?
That's $7500 per student per year. I wonder how that compares to charter and private schools in the area.
New School Ain't Cheap
Whitehall District Schools operates on a $16.5 million budget with 280 employees and 2,200 students.
The new 750-student high school, on land formerly in Whitehall Township but annexed to the city of Whitehall in 2002,
New School Ain't Cheap
Whitehall District Schools operates on a $16.5 million budget with 280 employees and 2,200 students.
The new 750-student high school, on land formerly in Whitehall Township but annexed to the city of Whitehall in 2002,
Sunday, April 18, 2004
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