More minimum wage info

WZZM 13 Grand Rapids - Michigan Minimum-wage war flares: "Increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 an hour, they said, would have the opposite effect of what supporters of the move intend - to create more job options and offer workers more opportunities."

This will bring companies to Michigan?

WZZM 13 Grand Rapids - Group petitions for vote to raise amount workers in state are paid: "Nearly two months after Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm called for a minimum-wage increase during her State of the State address, an independent group last week announced plans to get the issue on the Nov. 7 ballot."

$1 Billion?

WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids news and weather - Mississippi official: No preference for Kia plant site: "The Detroit-based Automotive News reported Monday that the Gulf Opportunity Zone legislation would allow Mississippi to offer Kia an incentive package worth nearly $1 billion.
The bill was signed into law in 2005.
While Mississippi will be able to offer a better package because of post-Katrina legislation"
It's tough for Michigan to compete with that post-Katrina moolah.

This is why it's real hard to admire so many athletes

Sports Law Blog: "Sports Illustrated has just posted a story on a new book by San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams entitled 'Game of Shadows.' The book examines, in excruciating detail, alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds:"

Holy Red Rock, not Yanni!

Yanni Arrested in Alleged Domestic Dispute: "Yanni Arrested in Alleged Domestic Dispute
45 minutes ago
The musician Yanni was arrested at his home after an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend, authorities said.
Yanni, whose legal name is John Yanni Christopher, was arrested early Friday and faces a domestic battery charge, according to a police report."
Never play chopsticks with Yanni!

Tight election!

News From The Associated Press: "DeLay Wins Four-Way Battle for Nomination
The Hammer only got 63% in a 4 way race! Yeah, big surprise... to the MSM.

This is gonna be sticky....

County work force diverse, but only in lower ranks, report indicates: "The goal for management at the county should be to think outside of the box when filling higher positions, Nash said. Administrators should ask themselves if their current criteria for hiring, like prior experience and formal training, give women and minorities a fair chance to compete.
Traditional 'glass ceilings' have kept women and minorities out of higher-paying fields, so they often lack experience and training, Nash said. Administrators need to look at other qualities in an effort to bring more of them into the more elite fields, he said. "
If "experience and formal training" (like education?) are out as requirments what's going to replace them?

Happy 70th Birthday to the Spitfire.

Silent Running � Blog Archive � Happy 70th Birthday to the Spitfire.: "Happy 70th Birthday to the Spitfire. March 5th, 2006 "
I missed this.

The real George Bush?

Very funny!
http://www.bradfordleegilbert.com/Files/bushcomedian.wmv

What's up with the sheep sex stories?

WZZM13 GRAND RAPIDS Tuesday, March 07, 2006: "Thelma's wounds are healing now. And yet, when anyone comes close, she gets skittish and mean. Sometimes she'll even ram her head into Lori Wyman, the woman who has raised her since she was just a lamb."....Wyman says someone, with some frequency over the last year and a half, invaded her 20-acre property in rural Calhoun County and sexually assaulted Thelma and another sheep named Louise.
Thelma and Louise?

More mutton!

Carolina Journal Silence of the Lambs: "That's because, journalists say, it would be "offensive" to Muslims to print a cartoon depicting the prophet. Of course, all of us know how touchy-feely the media have been over the years about depicting Christian icons. "Art" of the Crucifix in a bottle of urine and a statue of the Virgin Mary smeared with excrement evoked tears of sadness in many a journalist's eye......
Page One photos of protesters burning the Stars and Stripes here and abroad also pass the journalistic smell test."
The difference is these "sheep" do it to us.....

What would Shari Lewis say?

East Valley Tribune Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale: "A Mesa deputy fire chief is on paid leave after being accused of bestial acts with his nextdoor neighbor's lamb. Maricopa County sheriff's deputies took LeRoy Johnson, 52, into custody at his Gilbert home on Saturday."
"Are ya happy to see me or is that a lambchop in your pocket....?"

AtlantaGuy responds: Baa ... more bad reporting by the MSM. My understanding is that the animal made an illegal ewe-turn and the Deputy was simply conducting aroutine body cavity search for drugs and illegal weapons. It's easy tosit in a pine-paneled farm house and second guess the officer's actions;but things are different out there in the barn yard!

Heh....

Mother of the year?

The Indepundit: "Of course she's not doing it for Casey. Mother Sheehan has already gone through Casey's $250,000 insurance payout like a drunken sailor on shore leave, but her poor son doesn't even have a marker on his grave.
What's up with that, Cindy?"

Cabela's massive tax breaks!

Not enough bang for buck - The Boston Globe: "The place was also built with $32 million in state and local tax breaks and grants.
Massachusetts may soon have not one but two of these monster outdoor megastores within five miles of each other. Cabela's and its archrival, Bass Pro Shops, are both looking to build on busy Route 1. One big difference between the two: Cabela's wants as much as $25 million in tax incentives and grants; Bass Pro Shops says it needs no such incentives at all.

Why does one retailer say it needs tax incentives to move here and the other does not? Because it thinks it can get them.
The two retailers have been playing this shakedown game all over the country as they expand out of their heartland base."
Didn't the "progressives" used to call this CORPORATE WELFARE? Watch your wallets, West Michigan taxpayers!

No surprise here.

Board member gets ticketed for crash with bus: "Muskegon County Commissioner Bill Gill, chairman of the county board's transportation committee, was issued a traffic ticket for an 'improper passing' last week after his car was bumped from behind by a Muskegon Area Transit System bus.
Gill, known for angry outbursts in the past, also became 'loud and threatening' with the bus driver after the minor accident, according to the MATS driver's written report. "
Simply said, Commissioner Gill is a bully and a thug.

1st photos of early "progressives"!

The time-warp family who walk on all fours the Daily Mail: "An extraordinary family who walk on all fours are being hailed as the breakthrough discovery which could shed light on the moment Man first stood upright. "
But, why are they wearing shoes on their "feet" and not on their "hands"? Hmmm.....

Be prepared for more ridiculous spending!

Be prepared for more helpful freeway signs: "The 'eyes in the sky' electronic message boards have been up since fall, but do they really give motorists real-time information to help them avoid clogged freeways? "
Who approved this nonsense? I've seen hundreds of these electric nuisances and none work.

NPR Crooks?

Ex-U-M stations chief calls practices suspicious: "The former director of the University of Michigan's public radio and TV stations said Monday he blew the whistle on suspicious business practices at the stations, spurring criminal and internal probes."
And Air America is losing its flagship in NYC. Bummer for the "progressives".

Dead last!

Pointing fingers doesn't get state's job done - 03/03/06 - The Detroit News: "M ichigan has weathered a difficult road the past few years. We are the only state to lose jobs in both 2004 and 2005, and by any objective standard we are at or near the bottom of the barrel in economic growth in this country. As other states are enjoying budget surpluses and robust jobs growth, Michigan continues to lag behind."
And our governor is at war with companies already located in Michigan.

That's $27,000 per employee!

Many businesses agree: Mich. tax is stumbling block: "It wasn't Michigan's weather or good fishing that convinced Advanced Photonix Inc. to move 68 jobs from California and Wisconsin to Ann Arbor.
What sealed the deal last month was the state's offer to cut Advanced Photonix's Single Business Tax by $1 million over 10 years, said Chief Executive Officer Richard Kurtz. The company -- in turn -- must add 37 jobs by 2015."

What ever happened to her?

CNN.com - Runaway bride dolls disappear as quickly as she did - Mar 6, 2006: "DULUTH, Georgia (AP) -- Like the woman who inspired their creation, Runaway Bride bobblehead dolls disappeared quickly during a sports promotion in her hometown."
Now we know!

I keep reading about this.

The Great Space Elevator - Gizmodo: "The Great Space Elevator
Is it real or not?

WWED?

Threads2: "FREDERICK, Maryland-A liberal arts college is reviewing its rules for selecting homecoming royalty after a lesbian was crowned king of the dance, an official said. But Jennifer Jones, the 21-year-old senior who beat out three men for the honor at Hood College, says her victory last month was a plus for the private school. "
I mean...a chick...The King?
What Would Elvis Do?
WWED...

"No Shiite, Sherlock"

OpinionJournal -: "No Shiite, Sherlock"
'The Palestinian Authority security forces are investigating whether Iran, Hizbullah or al-Qaida are behind a new Shi'ite group that has been operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the past few days. . . . A PA security official said he did not understand how a Shi'ite group could operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip 'where we don't have even one Shi'ite.' All the Muslims living in the PA-controlled areas are Sunnis.'--Jerusalem Post, March 6"
OK...not an important story. I just liked the headline...

This isn't gonna work

Fennville teachers to get bonuses if students improve on MEAPS: "How much are higher MEAP scores worth to teachers?
As much as $500 a year in the small town of Fennville. "

Send this link to your "favorite" college professor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vyXkD8TVUQ
click the link to see them at work.

ROTC is commin' at ya!

You knew this was coming!

City sewer rates expected to rise 35 percent: "The Norton Shores City Council Tuesday will consider increasing the city's sewer-use rates 35 percent and charging Idlewild residents more than others pay for water. "
The taxman may not be under the bed, he's down your toilet!

About time!

Threads2: "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that colleges that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus, despite university objections to the Pentagon's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays. Justices rejected a free-speech challenge from law school professors who claimed they should not be forced to associate with military recruiters or promote their campus appearances "
They're gonna be some pants in a bunch at the Ivys.

A cancer drug proves its usefulness. Will the FDA now do the same?

OpinionJournal - Featured Article: "Another man for whom the latest news on Erbitux is bittersweet is Frank Burroughs, who founded the Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs in honor of his daughter, who died of head and neck cancer while trying to obtain Erbitux and other treatments."
If you have a friend or family member with cancer, read this and write a letter to your congressman!
If you trust our government or our legal system to protect you, read this again.

A-Maze-ing Link

Tom McMahon: Super Bowl XX XXth Anniversary Corn Maze
Click on the site. These are real! This one is in Stevensville Michigan.

Why the MSM cover up?

PoliPundit.com Must Read Barone On Reluctance To Document A Saddam Connection To al-Qaida: "Michael Barone has a must read column about why Democrats and political officials seem determined to deny, with 'religious intensity', any relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida."
Read the entire 2 posts for "the rest of the story".

Does the MSM know this?

THE ASTUTE BLOGGER: "I think we should be aware of the CONTEXT of the recent outbreak of violence in Iraq: There has always been sectarian violence within Islam: "

Valentine in parking lot!

A bit late for Valentines day but a nice addition to a beautiful winter morning.

I sure hope the Davidians are someplace else....

KWTX Waco Holds Compost Sale Saturday: "March 4, 2006) The city of Waco will have its annual compost sale Saturday."

Oscar Blogging - The Worst Year to be Nominated for Best Picture

Decision �08 � Blog Archive � Oscar Blogging - The Worst Year to be Nominated for Best Picture:
Hands down, 1939. Look at the competition -

Dark Victory � Warner Bros.-First National
*Gone with the Wind � Selznick International Pictures
Goodbye, Mr. Chips � Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Love Affair � RKO Radio
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington � Columbia
Ninotchka � Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Of Mice and Men � Hal Roach (production company)
Stagecoach � Walter Wanger (production company)
The Wizard of Oz � Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Wuthering Heights � Samuel Goldwyn Productions "

Yikes! What a year! Sorta different from tonight?

Watch out Norton Shores!

MLive.com: Muskegon Town Talk Forum: "'Indeed, it's not too early to discuss merging Norton's fire and or police departments with the city of Muskegon, which has both a higher tax cap and a city income tax to HELP SUSTAIN operations in the face of cuts in the the state revenue and escalating health care costs"
Animal2 notes this editorial in Sunday's Chronicle.

An giant opportunity!

The American Thinker: "Require Dubai to starve the Islamist hate machine!
President Bush may be right that the US port sale to Dubai makes sense. It may be a reward for Dubai's help against al Qaeda. It might even encourage the UAE to become the Switzerland of the Middle East. But we should insist on a new clause: A solemn vow by the UAE to withdraw any support for the Islamist hate machine, the anti-American, anti-democratic, and anti-Israel incitement that keeps the witches, brew boiling."
The big mouths of both parties should read this.

The truth is out there....

New York Post Online Edition: postopinion: "I'M trying. I've been trying all week. The other day, I drove another 30 miles or so on the streets and alleys of Baghdad. I'm looking for the civil war that The New York Times declared. And I just can't find it. "
...it's just as hard to find in the MSM.

Oscar ideas?

Tom McMahon: Gay Westerns:

Butch Cassidy and His Life Partner the Sundance Kid

The Good, The Bad, and The So Five Minutes Ago

High Noon-ish

The Wild Brunch

She Wore A Red Lapel Ribbon (To Award Shows)

High Plains Choreographer


I thought these were funny....

Fascinating read!

TOM WALSH: State needs to value smarter workforce: "WMU hired EPIC/MRA of Lansing to interview owners or managers of 1,181 so-called new economy companies in Michigan and four competing states, including Ohio and Illinois, about how best to grow new companies and create the jobs of the future" ............."Taxes are important, but in a different part of the company life cycle. An emerging business may not care about taxes because it doesn't have profits yet, but it needs to find capital easily and quickly.
I hope the WMU connection doesn't whitewash what the executives really said in the full report. It's also possible that the executives see the "business atmosphere" as a greater problem in Michigan than a lack of educated grads (we do export hundreds of college grads out of our state) We'll see.....

Oops! Fun for the democrats!

Harris Cancels Election Trips (Florida Sen race): "U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key, is canceling campaign stops in Southwest Florida as questions swirl about her ties to a Washington defense contractor at the center of a bribery scandal. "
Not good news for GOPers.

Why is this a "big" story?

Lawmakers rake it in - 03/05/06 - The Detroit News: "Legislative salaries haven't increased in more than three years but now stand at $79,650 -- higher than neighboring states with full-time Legislatures including Ohio ($56,260), Illinois ($57,619) and Wisconsin ($45,569). Indiana, whose Legislature meets about three months annually, pays its lawmakers $11,600 a year."
Maybe the salaries are on the high side but nothing has changed in the last three years. Sounds like The News wants grumpy voters soon.

CBS News calls him a "recent...graduate"

CBS News UNC Graduate Charged With Attempted Murder: "

(AP) A recent University of North Carolina graduate was charged with nine counts of attempted murder Saturday, a day after authorities say he drove through a popular campus gathering spot in an attempt to avenge Muslim deaths."
Imagine how C-BS would have headlined if this terrorist was a "Christian".
Gutless!
The Chronicle used the same headline.

Show this to a democrat and watch the fun!

Halliburton Eyed for Dubai Ports Deal:

Whisper "Haliburton, Rove, Haliburton, Rove......"

Cowabduction.com

Cowabduction.com
If you care about cows!

This sounds good

My Way News: "Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to withdraw from more West Bank settlements immediately after forming Israel's next government and to set Israel's final borders within four years if it wins upcoming elections"

Reporter is shocked!

WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids news and weather - Slow home sales drive prices down: "The slow real estate market is driving down prices"
Suppy...demand? The connection seems to be a new concept to this reporter. I wonder why they don't blame Jennie..... oh, she's a democrat. Never mind.

Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless - New York Times

Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless - New York Times: "'On a family vacation this summer we needed to get access,' ..... needed to send an e-mail message to his boss on the East Coast from Ocean Shores, Wash.. 'I said, 'O.K., let's drive around the beach with the window open.' We found a signal, and the owner of the network was none the wiser,' Mr. Wolf said. 'It took about five minutes.'"
Is this stealing? I don't know.

Powerful voice against the Deal

The Editors on Port Deal on National Review Online: "Dump the Deal

The 45-day delay for more investigation into the United Arab Emirates-owned Dubai Ports World looked last week like a port in a political storm. Now it looks more like a trap. ...."we have yet to hear a compelling argument against it."

It's always good to hear both sides....Except when they have no argument.

Canadian oil flowing into United States

Canadian oil flowing into United States: "Canada has become the biggest exporter of oil to the United States with the re-opening of a pipeline from Alberta to Oklahoma."
Fill 'er up, eh?

How we duped the West, by Iran's nuclear negotiator

Telegraph News How we duped the West, by Iran's nuclear negotiator: "In a speech to a closed meeting of leading Islamic clerics and academics, Hassan Rowhani, who headed talks with the so-called EU3 until last year, revealed how Teheran played for time and tried to dupe the West after its secret nuclear programme was uncovered by the Iranian opposition in 2002."
Read This!

Nifty way to shorten bad movies

Short Film Ending! Videos
OK, just click on it! Even Audrey Hepurn (Wait Until Dark) would approve......Golly, would that farce ever end.....

This sounds strange

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Army said Saturday it will launch a criminal investigation into the April 2004 death of Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who was shot to death by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan in what previous Army reviews had concluded was an accidental shooting."

French Bistro non-attendees?

I guess they're not gonna come to the French Bistro Dinner but pretty funny anyway...

Hey Gordo, thanks for the invite... But we gotta pass.
Way too much carnage for a couple vegetarians: veal, duck, pork!

You need to watch “Babe” again!


When Mrs. X first became a veg, I thought, OK, that’s cool. I’m hip. I have a wife who’s a vegetarian! But then over a period of about 12 years, she “enlightened/brainwashed” me. These days, my daughter Nellie would get very confused if she found out I was eating ducks!

Today I was showing Nellie my old fishing gear from when we lived on our boat. I showed her a small aluminum bat and a gaff. I explained how I would gaff the fish, haul them aboard, and then clobber them on the head with the bat!! She was looking at me, like “what the heck are you talking about”? Fortunately, I never worked in a veal processing plant. That would be a tougher explanation.
Gotta love these parents!

My kid lived, I'm pissed. Give me your money!

Wizbang: Explosively Unique...: "Parents can sue a doctor if a genetic screening misses a severe or fatal condition that would have caused them to seek an abortion, a divided state Supreme Court ruled Friday. "
Much more to this story. Read how our legal system works/doesn't work. Ugly.