Coming to a county near you!

Washtenaw Co. faces $8 million to $10 million deficit:

Maybe it's time to get a new budget director?

"ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Washtenaw County officials have to act fast to erase a looming budget deficit possibly ranging from $8 million to $10 million.
County Commissioner Leah Gunn, D-Ann Arbor, said the effect on employees and residents won't be known until officials decide on the best way to address the deficit.
The deficit was discovered two months after the 2008 budget was approved in November."

Imagine grades being important?

Proposal: Athletes must have B average
Under Greg Murray's proposal, student-athletes would be required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
The Detroit Free Press reports it's the first attempt to strengthen the state's two-decades-old standards that allow students to play sports with grades as low as four Ds and two Fs

Will "green" signal the "end" of GR?

Mayor's State of the City: new jobs, 100% green:

Don't you love politicians who make expensive, job destroying promises that sound so ............ warm and friendly!

"Heartwell also pledged in the speech that by 2020, the city will get 100% of its energy for municipal use from renewable or 'green' sources.
.
'We are going to survive Michigan's economic tsunami because we have the people,' Heartwell said. 'That's our true wealth.'

But he acknowledged troubles with the Grand Rapids workforce: One in five of the city's adults cannot read. Tests show its children are struggling too.
Better education has been a goal of prior State of the City speeches and now, the mayor is pointing to some progress: higher reading scores for Grand Rapids Public Schools' fourth-graders. Heartwell also referenced a recent study of the city's kids, which concluded those with nothing to do after school cause problems.
'We will have an after-school program in every public school,' the mayor pledged. 'That's my commitment.'"

One of last year's long-term goals was to end homelessness by 2014. After the speech, we pointed out to the mayor that some shelters report seeing more people this year.
"Homelessness is growing in spite of our efforts we've put in place to end homelessness," the mayor acknowledged.


"To build and to unbuild and to rebuild as we dream," the mayor said, concluding his address.

How long before Grand Rapids is "Detroit West"?

Are teacher sick days taking a bite out of education? - Michigan News, Updates, Photos & Video | Detroit, Lansing - MLive.com

Are teacher sick days taking a bite out of education?

No room to cut the budget and no school choice.

"Area public school teachers took an average of eight days for sick and personal leave last school year — nearly twice the rate for workers in other professions nationally."

"The leadership of Governor Granholm cannot be overstated"?

- mlive.com

The Chronicle editorial board is in love with Jenny!

Who cares about unemployment, U-Hauls going one-way out of town and a bankrupt budget?

The religion of GREEN is paramount!


Regional pact right step for Michigan

The leadership of Gov. Jennifer Granholm on regional issues important to the Great Lakes and our state cannot be overstated. Her hard work on substantive matters that extend beyond Michigan's borders is vital in shaping a better region and world. .....

Granholm joined with others in creating regional pacts to reduce carbon emissions and setting up a "trading system" to meet the new targets, as has been done in other areas of the country by other regional gubernatorial teams. Fresh from her work at the governors' conference, Granholm got to work back home on attaining the proposed goals of reduced greenhouse emissions in this state by creating a 35-member Michigan Climate Action Council to bring a comprehensive climate action plan to the table for consideration.

Farmington Daily Times - Are Navajo Blueeyes seeing red?

Farmington Daily Times - Are Navajo Blueeyes seeing red?: "And there are plenty, Anglo and Navajo, who should share the blame for this disgrace. Sending as many a 400 people to Hawaii for a national conference on education, using precious and limited tribal money and federal funds intended to help Navajo school children, should be illegal.
Perhaps, that is the case. The Department of the Interior confirmed that its Inspector General investigation continues into whether taxpayer money was misused for so many to go so far, and for what?
There were not 400 Navajo representatives at the same conference in the three previous years, including when it was in much closer Phoenix and Denver."

Country club sets a new course for the future - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com

Country club sets a new course for the future - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com: "One of the options is changing the status of the private club -- long a favorite dining and recreational outlet for Muskegon executives and community leaders -- to semi-private or public."

Muhammad's Tribe

Muhammad's Tribe: "Why did the Muslim Middle East become so violent? Philip Carl Salzman explains how Bedouin politics became embedded in modern Islamic sociology"

Opinion: The fictional horrors of war | war, times, iraq, one, home - OCRegister.com

Opinion: The fictional horrors of war war, times, iraq, one, home - OCRegister.com

Stopping Iran: Why the Case for Military Action Still Stands

Stopping Iran: Why the Case for Military Action Still Stands

Instapundit.com -

auInstapundit.com -: "VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: 'After reading most of the McCain animus on conservative blogs, I’m a little worried that some of it goes over the top. . . . McCain’s past support for the flawed immigration bill, McCain-Feingold, and opposition to tax cuts, as well as temper flare-ups at those who questioned his conservative fides are legitimate concerns. But many believe that the two key issues right now are winning, in conservative fashion, the war in all its theaters, and controlling out-of-control spending. He seems in the forefront there. Moreover it seems odd to fault him for telling the truth—however politically unwise—that all the jobs in the automotive industry simply aren’t coming back as before.'"

Founder of Anti-Gun Group Pleads No Contest to Weapons Charges - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

News Articles National News US News:
"A former gang member who founded an anti-violence group called No Guns has pleaded no contest to federal weapons charges.
Hector 'Big Weasel' Marroquin, 51, and co-defendant Sylvia Arrellano, 25, entered pleas Thursday for three counts of manufacture, distribution and transport for sale of an unlawful assault weapon.
Arrellano also pleaded no contest to machine gun conversion and possessing a silencer and acknowledged that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang."...

....Marroquin founded No Guns in 1996, ostensibly to reduce gang and gun violence. The group received $1.5 million from the city as a subcontractor on anti-gang efforts but its contract was canceled last year after authorities learned that Marroquin had hired relatives, including his son, Hector "Little Weasel" Marroquin.

WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids news, weather, sports and video - Local economic confidence lowest since '95

WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids news, weather, sports and video - Local economic confidence lowest since '95: "Not since 1995 has confidence in the local economy been lower, according to Grand Valley State University economist Dr. Hari Singh."

Smoking foes in huff over GVSU's noncompliance - mlive.com

Smoking foes in huff over GVSU's noncompliance - mlive.com: "The school began taking heat Wednesday after the student newspaper, The Lanthorn, reported GVSU maintained it did not have to follow the county's workplace smoking ban, which took effect Jan. 1.
'I regret that this is the position they're taking,' said Marcia Knol, chairwoman of Smoke Free Ottawa, the coalition that pushed for the smoking ban. 'This is a public health code regulation. They are required to comply with health code regulations.'
The university has continued to allow students to smoke at doorways and places ashtrays there for cigarette disposal, a conflict with the ordinance that requires 25 feet between smokers and any entrances and windows.
Tom Butcher, GVSU's general counsel, said universities have autonomy, but said Wednesday a group will study whether its policy should be updated.
'I think we will look at those as guidance to update our policy,' Butcher said.
GVSU Vice President Matt McLogan said the state constitution grants all 15 universities the power to set their own regulations, and the university already has a smoke-free building policy."

Watch What You Put on Trailer Hitches

Watch What You Put on Trailer Hitches: "It's one thing to dangle fuzzy dice from a rear view mirror, but decorating a trailer hitch with a large pair of rubber testicles might be a bit much in Virginia.
State Del. Lionel Spruill introduced a bill Tuesday to ban displaying replicas of human genitalia on vehicles,"

USATODAY.com

USATODAY.com: "States are trying to disconnect computer-generated political calls that are flooding the nation's households at election time."

Al Dente: Yet Another Reason We Should Be Able to Drink at Work

Al Dente: Yet Another Reason We Should Be Able to Drink at Work: "A recent article reports that German researchers just announced that drinking beer promotes good health. How could this lovely dream be possible? They say that, “preliminary studies indicate xanthohumol, a compound found in hops, inhibits a family of enzymes which trigger cancer, as well as help the body detoxify carcinogens.”"

Joke leaves 'em gasping : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News

Joke leaves 'em gasping : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News: "A Greeley businessman apologized Wednesday after a joke about Illinois Sen. Barack Obama fell flat during the National Western Stock Show's annual Citizen of the West banquet.
William R. Farr was pretending to read telegrams congratulating this year's award recipient, University of Colorado President Hank Brown, when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, 'I have a telegram from the White House.'
Then he added, 'They're going to have to change the name of that building if Obama's elected.'"

Political parties spoiled the party for our primary - mlive.com

Political parties spoiled the party for our primary - mlive.com: "Also, given the way the open primary is structured, a Democrat theoretically could put on a Grand Old Party hat for a day and try to shape that party's presidential field. While our formal position is that such a move is unethical, the reality is, this is a game Michiganders on both sides of the political fence love to play.
And it is allowable -- this goes for Republicans, too. You do not have to be a registered member of any party to vote, nor will requesting a partisan ballot make you a registered Republican or Democrat. While the political parties themselves are allowed to know who is and isn't voting, this information is not available to the general public."

MCC, GVSU study plan to serve North Ottawa - mlive.com

MCC, GVSU study plan to serve North Ottawa - mlive.com: "Muskegon Community College and Grand Valley State University today will announce a joint effort that could provide new educational opportunities for North Ottawa County residents.
The plan would enable North Ottawa residents -- 25 years and older -- to complete their basic college courses at the MCC campus, said MCC President David Rule.
MCC and GVSU officials this afternoon will sign an agreement to conduct 'a feasibility study' of the plan that is expected to be completed by June"

Angry school leader warns of big 'ugly' cuts - mlive.com

Angry school leader warns of big 'ugly' cuts - mlive.com: "Big spending cuts at Muskegon Public Schools are coming next year, and the results could be 'ugly.'
That was the warning Superintendent Colin Armstrong gave school board members Monday as district officials begin preparing a budget for the 2008-09 school year.
Current estimates are that $3 million will have to be slashed from the district's budget -- a proposition that makes Armstrong frustrated and angry at state funding for education."

Court orders state to tighten 'factory farm' regulations - mlive.com

Court orders state to tighten 'factory farm' regulations - mlive.com: "The 200 concentrated animal feeding operations in Michigan, known as CAFOs, collectively generate more than 4 billion pounds of manure annually, according to state data. Nearly all of that manure is spread, untreated, on farm fields. The practice can pollute nearby streams with harmful bacteria.
There are at least 16 CAFOs in West Michigan. Several of the massive livestock operations, including den Dulk Dairy Farms in Ravenna and Ryzebol Dairy in Bailey, have been cited by the state in recent years for pollution violations"

Divided council rejects lake taxing board - mlive.com

Divided council rejects lake taxing board - mlive.com: "A divided Norton Shores City Council rejected creation of a Mona Lake taxing district Wednesday -- shocking supporters who said the health of the lake and the channel to Lake Michigan will suffer without stable funding."

Deal afoot to alter Klamath for users - OregonLive.com

Deal afoot to alter Klamath for users - OregonLive.com: "A unique gathering of government agencies, Native Americans, farmers and fishermen Tuesday proposed removing four dams on the Klamath River, with a cornucopia of benefits running to river users ranging from $80 million to tribes to guaranteed irrigation water for farmers.
Yet the linchpin of the historic deal -- an agreement from Portland-based PacifiCorp to remove its four dams -- is missing.
Also absent are agreements from Oregon, California and Congress to pay nearly $1 billion in costs."

Men's 'sexually harassing' hairy chests get under gals' skin - Mainichi Daily News

Men's 'sexually harassing' hairy chests get under gals' skin - Mainichi Daily News: "Once a symbol of virility, hairy chests now gross out enough Japanese to see their exposure judged as a form of sexual harassment, according to Sunday Mainichi (1/27).
Earlier this month, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) banned the display of a poster advertising the 1,000-year-old Somin Festival because it featured a photo of a loincloth-clad man with a bare but hairy chest.
JR East said it couldn't let festival organizers display the poster because it was sexually harassing in that many women were likely to find it offensive."

Jackson Hole energy pigs report consumption

Jackson Hole energy pigs report consumption: "He and his family talk about the energy question and his teenage son is part of the Jackson Hole Middle School Global Warming Hero League, a group of students raising awareness about climate change and its causes.

He said how energy impacts the environment is “something our family talks about a lot.”

As a member of the generation that helped build the valley economy and as a person who relied on petroleum to power his American Dream, Leeds now feels what some call “carbon guilt.”

“I have quite a bit of guilt as a member of a particular age group that is looking at passing on this sorry situation to these middle schoolers,” Leeds said."

Jackson Hole energy pigs report consumption

Jackson Hole energy pigs report consumption: "Lower Valley customers who don’t buy green power may find it difficult to determine the source of their electrons. The company buys electricity from Bonneville Power Administration, which generates energy with nuclear plants and dams centered around the Snake and Columbia river drainages. In one sense, when valley residents toast bread in the morning they generate nuclear waste and impede salmon runs."

'just when I had given up'

The Columbus Dispatch : Passer-by rescues motorist 'just when I had given up': "'I've got to turn around and at least go check,' Brown told himself."

Obama-Farrakhan connection?

The Volokh Conspiracy : "Barack Obama is a member of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright's daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said 'truly epitomized greatness.' That man is Louis Farrakhan."

"I.D.?" "We don't need no stinkin' ID!"

So much for "photo ID" necessary to vote in the Michigan primary.
I just voted and told the nice octogenarian lady that I had no photo ID.
"No problem, sir. Just fill out this form"
I only had to fill out a small form with "my" name, "my" address and "my" date of birth.
I then signed "my" name attesting that I had was "not in possession of" picture ID.
It was in my car.
"GordoM"-vote-early-and-often

Muskegon Heights endorses taxing board for Mona Lake

Norton Shores is going to get in bed with these same "water crooks" again?

And check out who will sit on the board that will spend the money!

City endorses taxing board for Mona Lake: "The Muskegon Heights City Council Monday voted unanimously to support efforts to create a board that would levy taxes for environmental improvements to Mona Lake.
The council still needs to schedule a public hearing before the new taxing district could be formed. The Norton Shores City Council has also endorsed formation of the lake board and set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Norton Shores Public Library, 705 Seminole."

The Mona Lake Watershed Council and the Mona Lake Improvement Association have been studying the issue for a year. Their proposal would raise about $90,000 annually over five years for weed reduction, dredging and other improvements. Most of the 500 affected property owners and those with lakefront lots would pay $200 annually under the proposal. An estimated 95 property owners with deeded access but no frontage would pay 25 to 50 percent of that.
The new Mona Lake Board would be composed of representatives from Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, the county drain commissioner's office and the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, and a resident.

Should Michigan Really Matter to Candidates?

Newsmax.com - Should Michigan Really Matter to Candidates?: "While America mostly prospered from 2000 until 2007, Michigan lost 400,000 jobs and stands to lose another 51,000 in 2008, according to University of Michigan economists.
The reason why Michigan “artificially had a recession,” former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, is “because its government is so bad, its taxes are so high, its unionized work rules are so destructive . . .”"

Michigan can't fix Michigan?

Detroit Free Press tells us it's not our fault, there's nothing we can do to make our state better.


ELECTION 2008: STEPHEN HENDERSON: The next president must pay attention to our problems: "But the payoff for Michigan won't come until there's a president who 'gets it' on the troubles facing U.S. manufacturing in general and the auto industry in particular, and is willing to focus on those issues, something Washington has barely done for eight years."

STEPHEN HENDERSON is the deputy editor of the Free Press editorial page.

Thank God!

Do our children really need another school that denigrates reading, writing and arithmetic?

Please, let us just educate our children!

World school response remains flat - mlive.com: "A lack of public input is threatening plans to establish a bilingual 'International School' in Muskegon that officials believe could give students a competitive advantage."

Dang!

Imagine if this was an "urban" format station?

We'd have national news AND national stars right here in Muskegon!


AM radio station WMHG, 'Timeless Favorites,' silenced - mlive.com: "WMHG was an automated, satellite-feed station. Its music format, from the ABC Radio Network, broadcast a middle-of-the-road oldies format that featured hits of such artists as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. The format began as 'Stardust' in 1998 and in 2007 became known as 'Timeless Favorites.'"

Hypocrite alert!

Survey shows eco-warriors are worst polluters:
A survey of travel habits has revealed that the most environmentally conscious people are also the biggest polluters.
'Green' consumers have some of the biggest carbon footprints because they are still hooked on flying abroad or driving their cars while their adherence to the green cause is mostly limited to small gestures."

See the GOP candidates!

What, no demos in our state?

MI GOP Presidential Primary Events Calendar: "The Michigan Republican Presidential Primary is Tuesday, Jan. 15.

"Is Sak bored or brain dead?"

Custody fights extend to the family pet - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com: "Okay, maybe it's just me, but this strikes me as worse than useless and silly,' Plymouth attorney James P. Ryan, former chair of the State Bar's family law section, wrote on an Internet listserv that goes to some 800 lawyers and judges. 'Part-time legislature, anyone? P.S.: Remember to have your clients count all the fish.'"

......the Grand Rapids Democrat introduced a bill dictating how custody of dogs, cats, gerbils and other pets is to be decided.

That touched off a flurry of comments from other family law specialists including this one from Marshall attorney Lisa McNiff: "Is Sak bored or brain dead?"
Disputes over pets arise "very, very rarely," Kent County Circuit Judge Nanaruth Carpenter said, and, when they do, the parties usually work it out.
"I'm not saying pets are unimportant by any means," Kent County Circuit Judge Mark Trusock said, but "the last thing I want to do is take up the court's time for the custody of a dog. We need to make things simpler, not more complex."
Besides, he said, "There are so many issues I think our legislators could be dealing with," such as balancing the state budget and stopping the loss of jobs.
Sak, speaker pro tem of the House, responded: "We have and will continue to address those issues. Maybe we'll revisit the issue of judicial salaries and pensions," he said, then added, "I'm being humorous."
Before introducing the bill, he did not check with lawyers and judges who handle divorces, Sak said, but he added, "I'm going to vet it through our court system," apparently not intending a pun.

Air force Thunder Birds to return to Battle Creek air show

T-Birds to return to Battle Creek air show: "BATTLE CREEK -- A U.S. Air Force flight group will return to Battle Creek this summer.
The Thunderbirds will appear at this year's Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival July 2-6."

WZZM13 - A primary primer

WZZM13 - A primary primer: "You want to vote for Hillary Clinton, Mike Gravel or Dennis Kucinich."

Geezer blog

The Life of Riley: "OLIVE’S FIFTY FOURTH POST

For those who don’t know our marvelous super-centenarian, Olive Riley,
(a super centenarian is someone over 105. Olive is well her way to 109)
here is Olive singing her most cheerful song."

NYT lies about our troops AGAIN!

Winds of Change.NET: The Media Does It Again: "Damn, is it that hard for reporters and their editors to provide a little bit of context so we can make sense of the anecdotes? It's not in Part 1 of the article. And I'll bet it won't be in the future articles, either.
Because it's not part of the narrative of how our soldiers are either depraved or damaged."

Capitalism, not government, the real 'agent of change' |

Capitalism, not government, the real 'agent of change' : "In 2006 EMI, the world's fourth-biggest recorded-music company, invited some teenagers into its headquarters in London to talk to its top managers about their listening habits. At the end of the session the EMI bosses thanked them for their comments and told them to help themselves to a big pile of CDs sitting on a table. But none of the teens took any of the CDs, even though they were free.'"

Anti-war Soros funded Iraq study

Anti-war Soros funded Iraq study- Times Online: "A STUDY that claimed 650,000 people were killed as a result of the invasion of Iraq was partly funded by the antiwar billionaire George Soros.
Soros, 77, provided almost half the £50,000 cost of the research, which appeared in The Lancet, the medical journal. Its claim was 10 times higher than consensus estimates of the number of war dead.

Romney leads McCain in Michigan poll

Romney leads McCain in Michigan poll: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who badly needs to win Tuesday's Michgian primary, has an 8-point lead over Sen. John McCain of Arizona in a McClatchy/MSNBC poll of Michigan voters to be released Sunday.

ABC News: The Rezko Connection: Obama's Achilles Heel?

ABC News: The Rezko Connection: Obama's Achilles Heel?: "In sharp contrast to his tough talk about ethics reform in government, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., approached a well-known Illinois political fixer under active federal investigation, Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, for 'advice' as he sought to find a way to buy a house shortly after being elected to the United States Senate."

A Spot Check of Global Warming - TierneyLab - Science - New York Times Blog

A Spot Check of Global Warming - TierneyLab - Science - New York Times Blog: "Dr. Pielke calls it “a feast for cherrypickers.” In the Prometheus blog, where you can read the details of his computations, he writes: “One can arrive at whatever conclusion one wants with respect to the IPCC predictions. Want the temperature record to be consistent with IPCC? OK, then you like NASA. How about inconsistent? Well, then you are a fan of RSS. On the fence? Well, UAH and UKMET serve that purpose pretty well.”"

Sandcastle V.I. - The Fabulous Ventures - Billboard Top Hits

Sandcastle V.I. - The Fabulous Ventures - Billboard Top Hits

Big Sale!

Brooks Brothers?

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Classic Wool Jacket: "Classic Wool Jacket

Strong, closely-woven plain weave fabric, usually made from cotton, linen or hemp. Originally used to make sails.
Boiled wool. Full canvas construction. 3-button, double back vent. Locker loop at back neck. Sterling silver buttons. Fully lined with signature stripe lining. Made in Italy. Dry clean only. Cover all buttons before cleaning.
Reg. $2500.00 Sale: $1250.00"

GordoM-would-get-one-but-it's-dry-clean-only

Progressive Blogmeister To His Troops: Vote for Mitt! | Threat Level from Wired.com

Progressive Blogmeister To His Troops: Vote for Mitt! Threat Level from Wired.com: "Superstar blogger and progressive political activist Markos Moulitsas Zuniga on Thursday urged his netroots compatriots in Michigan to vote for Mitt Romney next Tuesday."

Public channel TV viewers will need to convert - mlive.com

Public channel TV viewers will need to convert - mlive.com: "People have to state they want it for public education/government channels,' she said."

Anti-gay shirt fight continues :: Bolingbrook Sun :: News

Anti-gay shirt fight continues :: Bolingbrook Sun :: News: "This case arose two years ago after Neuqua students' varied recognitions of the annual Day of Silence, during which students are allowed to not talk throughout the school day unless doing so interferes with their grades."

Ms Magazine refused this ad?

The Volokh Conspiracy - -: "Yet this is what the American Jewish Congress reports happened when the ad was submitted to Ms. magazine:
When Director of AJCongress’ Commission for Women’s Empowerment Harriet Kurlander tried to place the ad, she was told that publishing the ad “will set off a firestorm” and that “there are very strong opinions” on the subject -− the subject presumably being whether or not one can say anything positive about Israel. Ms. Magazine publisher Eleanor Smeal failed to respond to a signed-for certified letter with a copy of the ad as well as numerous calls by Mr. Gordon over a period of weeks."

and there is no God?

Biggest black hole in the cosmos discovered - space - 10 January 2008 - New Scientist Space: "The most massive known black hole in the universe has been discovered, weighing in with the mass of 18 billion Suns."

GordoM-doesn't-believe-in-God-but-doesn't-believe-this-stuff-"just-happened"

Why I don't go to Barnes and Noble any more

I've had the same experience too many times before.
Thank god AlGore invented amazon.com!

Instapundit.com -: "just went to the local Barnes & Noble where I found Keith Olberman's 'Truth and Consequences' prominently displayed on a middle of the aisle table - impossible to miss. Curious, I went in search of Jonah Goldberg's book and where did I find it? A single copy languished on the bottom row of the current events rack with just the binding end of the book showing. Coincidence?"

GordoM-always-thought-conservative's-money-was-just-as-good-as-lib's-money

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Vaccine-Autism Panic Debunked Yet Again by New Study

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Vaccine-Autism Panic Debunked Yet Again by New Study: "For years, the scientific evidence has been accumulating. The latest, published this week, once again showed that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative long used in childhood vaccines, does not cause the neurological disorders associated with the U.S. autism epidemic."

On This Day

On This Day:

1757 American founding father Alexander Hamilton was born in the West Indies.
His Momma told him to practise his pistol shootin'. He didn't.


1805The Michigan Territory was created.
First evidence of Detroit money pit.


1861Alabama seceded from the Union.
Latent aversion to Michigan finally won over.


1935Aviator Amelia Earhart began a trip from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif., becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean.
Next woman to take that trip was asking "coffee, tea or milk".


1964U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first government report saying smoking may be hazardous to one's health.
New report says "everything may be hazardous to one's health". Class action lawyers donate another $trillion to democrats.


1977France set off an international uproar by releasing Abu Daoud, a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
And they are offended that the world calls them "surrender monkeys"?


2003Calling the death penalty process 'arbitrary and capricious, and therefore immoral,' Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 condemned inmates, clearing his state's death row two days before leaving office."
Gov. Ryan checked into prison shortly after his ruling.

"Outright Scientific Fraud"

Sadly, this is hardly a surprise to anyone who's followed the MSM these last few years.

Instapundit.com -: "BIG -- AND DEVASTATING -- NEWS ON THAT LANCET STUDY claiming massive civilian deaths in Iraq. A National Journal cover story by Neil Munro suggests the possibility of outright scientific fraud. Munro notes serious problems with the study, and a failure on the part of The Lancet's staff to determine if the data on which it was based -- data which the authors will not share -- were even true. In addition, there are problems with conflicts of interest and political bias."

GordoM-wonders-if--Pravda-would-take-over-the-MSM

Deer Collide With 1.5M Vehicles Each Year

New Ideas To Stop Car-Deer Crashes: "Each year more than 200 people die in similar accidents. Deer collide with vehicles 1.5 million times every year - causing more than $1 billion in damage."

Stem cell breakthrough leaves embryos unharmed - health - 10 January 2008 - New Scientist

Stem cell breakthrough leaves embryos unharmed - health - 10 January 2008 - New Scientist: "For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been obtained without having to destroy the embryos they came from.
The breakthrough sidesteps the primary ethical objection to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research – that embryos must perish to yield up hESCs.
The new technique generates stem cells by extracting and culturing a single embryonic cell, leaving the remaining embryo to develop normally."

IBDeditorials.com: Bring Nuke back?

Isn't the choice more nuke plants or these guys?

Seeing The Light: "Energy: Most of France's electricity has been generated by nuclear power for years, and now Great Britain is again looking to atomic energy. Why can't we increase nuclear output in this country?"

Has the MSM no shame at all?

More MSM "science" garbage.

These people are seriously ignorant!

Junkfood Science: If only it were true...: "News around the world has reported that “healthy habits can add 14 years to your life.” As incredible as that sounds, more incredible is that not a single health or medical reporter appears to have read the study behind the headlines and accurately report its findings."

Judges: Anti-Clinton Film Is Advertising

And michael More's films were OK?

Judges: Anti-Clinton Film Is Advertising: "The early reviews are in, and three federal judges appeared in agreement Wednesday that a movie lambasting Hillary Clinton seemed an awful lot like a 90-minute campaign advertisement.
Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group, is challenging the nation's campaign finance laws, which require disclaimers on political advertisements and restrict when they can be broadcast. The group argues 'Hillary: The Movie' and related television advertisements are not political advertising even though the New York senator is in the presidential race.
Attorney James Bopp argued that they should be considered 'issue- oriented' speech because viewers aren't urged to vote for or against the Democrat."

The class action lawyer attack on America

The Volokh Conspiracy: "the Bendectin litigation eventually drew thousands of plaintiffs and cost Merrell Dow several hundred million dollars in defense costs (though not a penny was ever paid to a claimant,"

GordoM-thinks-rich-lawyers-are-costing-more-than-money

University of Michigan "Gay" course

Plus you get 3 credits!

University of Michigan: "Just because you happen to be a gay man doesn't mean that you don't have to learn how to become one. Gay men do some of that learning on their own, but often we learn how to be gay from others"

GordoM-took-history-instead

This Day in History

1920
The League of Nations was established as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect.
Guarantees that diplomacy will replace war in the future.

1946
The first General Assembly of the United Nations convened in London.
Hundreds of wars and genocidal events soon follow.

1964
The Beatles' first album in the United States, "Introducing the Beatles," was released.
Liberals warn that English imports will put Motown out of business.

1967
Republican Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts, the first black elected to the U.S. Senate by popular vote, took his seat.
Yes. He was a Republican.

1978
The Soviet Union launched two cosmonauts aboard a Soyuz capsule for a rendezvous with the Salyut VI space laboratory.
One small step towards bankruptcy for the USSR.

2000
America Online agreed to buy Time-Warner for $162 billion.
In AOL stock....doh!

2003
North Korea withdrew from a global treaty barring it from making nuclear weapons.
Liberals shocked, shocked!

2005
CBS issued a damning independent review of mistakes related to a "60 Minutes Wednesday" report on President George W. Bush's National Guard service and fired three news executives and a producer for their "myopic zeal" in rushing it to air.
Liberals still stand by the "essence" of the fabrication.

2006
Iran resumed nuclear research two years after halting the work to avoid possible U.N. economic sanctions. The move was denounced by the United States and European governments.
Iran "shocked" by denunciations. Decide to double their research. Invite Maddie Albright over for tea.

2007
President George W. Bush announced he would send 21,500 additional U.S. forces to Iraq to quell violence there.
Son of a gun, it worked!
Liberals ban war reports in MSM

Stunning ignorance!

Why not 6, 7 or even 10 years?

Sure hope our bankrupt state hires a bunch of new educators to administer this plan!

State reviews 5-year high school graduation plan: "State educators are considering a proposal seeking to raise the standard graduation time for some Michigan high school students.
The plan allows students in select programs five years to graduate rather than the traditional four. Students would have to be approved for the one-year extension on a case-by-case basis."

GordoM-must-take-a-breath.....

This guy is a conservative? NOT!

Sen. McCain just made my voting choice a bit easier.
Bummer...

Republicans expound on Michigan's hard times - mlive.com: "McCain said he empathized with the state and said helping it as president would be a top priority.
'I am here to look you in the eye and tell you that we are a nation that doesn't leave our people behind,' he said.
Borrowing a page from the economic populism of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, McCain proposed federal payments to compensate for wage loss sustained by older workers forced into lower-paying jobs. He also proposed that local community colleges take on the central role of job retraining he said should be specifically tailored to a community's employment needs."

GordoM-is-glad-the-next-generation-is-gonna-pay-for-all-these-promises

the anti-Muskegon Chronicle?

Imagine if newspapers went back to being the defenders of the citizen and not just shills for city bigshots and the democrat party.

My Ideal News, uh, Thingy Hear ItFrom.Us: "The way I see it, newspapers, for now, are positioned to provide three things that are at a high premium and that most blogs/bloggers can’t deliver. I think most would be wise to capitalize on these by shifting the state of mind from being a newspaper to becoming a news organization/outlet/center:"

GordoM-hasn't-read-much-investigative-journalism-about-government-spending-in-a-while

Leave Hillary Alone!!!

YouTube - Non-Blonde Chris Crocker: Leave Hillary Alone!!!

GordoM-feels-her-pain

Throw the bums out!

"Mrs. Granholm, tare down that legislative wall!"

Cut Legislature down to part-time size: "How can Michigan taxpayers justify the cost of our full-time Legislature, one of only four such lawmaking bodies in the nation?"

An e-mail sent to me outlined this glorious quest:

Attorney and business owner, Henry Woloson, from Clarkston, MI, is heading a movement to place a proposal on the 2008 ballot for a part-time legislature in Michigan.
Some facts he provided:
1 - 46 states have part-time legislatures.
2 - Michigan has 148 full-time legislators.
3 - Michigan has 23% more legislators than California . We have a population
Of 10 million. California 's is 36 million.
4 - California is the only state in the US that pays its lawmakers more than
Michigan.
5 - $115 million-plus is allocated each year for the operation of the
Legislature. This does not include lifetime health benefits for former legislators.

Under the new proposal:
1 - Legislative sessions would be limited to 90 days between Jan. 1 and April 30 each year.
2 - Special sessions could be called - no additional compensation.
3 - Elimination of lifetime benefits for legislators.
4 - Freezing salaries pending later review.
5 - Downsizing from 148 members to 100 members. (75 representative and 25 Senators)
6 - Estimated annual savings - more than $30 million.

Other current considerations:
1 - Extending term limits to 12 years for voters who value legislative Experience.
2 - Having terms of both representative and senators be 4 years with 1/2 of Each group standing for election every 2 years.

Quote: " Michigan needs our state government to become more productive and less Expensive with greater accountability. We hope concerned Michigan citizens Will support our efforts to let the voters decide if they wish to join the Vast majority of states effectively operating with a part-time legislature."

GordoM-likes-lean-and-mean

I thought we were broke?

Didn't the State just raise taxes because there wasn't enough money and there were no more possible cuts in spending?
State buys scenic land in Upper Peninsula: "The state of Michigan is working toward ownership of more than 1,000 acres of scenic land in the Upper Peninsula, officials said Wednesday."

GordoM-thinks-our-state-must-be-shaking-the-money-tree-again........... us-taxpayers

The Marine, the Octopus and the Kid

The Scratching Post: The Marine, the Octopus and the Kid

Dang, I love our Country and our troops!

CLICK ON THE PHOTO!

RightMichigan.com || Preview of Michigan 2008 Presidential Primary

RightMichigan.com Preview of Michigan 2008 Presidential Primary: "Game 4 of the primary season will be interesting. Besides it being my home state, there is much on the line here. Here's a scouting report."

Lying to pollsters?

Libs have trouble in this election because they know if they don't vote for Hillary, they're hate filled, sexist pigs and if they don't vote for B Hussein, they're hate filled racial bigots.

This could be worse than BDS!

The Volokh Conspiracy - -: "Reluctance to admit voting for someone other than Obama?--"

GordoM-wonders-if-Kucinich-voters-are-doubly-hate-filled.

"experts" say "free" is good....

- Free flu shots in Muskegon: "Free flu shots are available at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon on Tuesday.
The flu clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hackley Hospital on Terrace street.
It is sponsored by the Hackley Visiting Nurse Services and Hospice Inc.
Experts say getting a flu shot during the winter can still help prevent illness, since sometimes flu season does not get underway until spring."

Voter cited by opponents of Indiana's ID law registered in two states

Voter cited by opponents of Indiana's ID law registered in two states: "On the eve of a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Indiana Voter ID law has become a story with a twist: One of the individuals used by opponents to the law as an example of how the law hurts older Hoosiers is registered to vote in two states.

Faye Buis-Ewing, 72, who has been telling the media she is a 50-year resident of Indiana, at one point in the past few years also claimed two states as her primary residence and received a homestead exemption on her property taxes in both states."

OpinionJournal - John Fund on the Trail

OpinionJournal - John Fund on the Trail: "Voter-Fraud Showdown
How can anyone object to asking for ID?"

Muskegon Chronicle delusions

Our local newspaper editorialists must have spent too much time in their daily group hug.

Michigan's primary will play an important role - mlive.com:

"The upcoming Michigan primary election has been called many things -- stupid, insulting, visionary, worthless -- but by sheer force of will it's now a piece of the big picture of this year's presidential puzzle.

Our state occupies a key spot in the primary line-up, fourth up after Iowa, a one-party mini-caucus in Wyoming and today's New Hampshire primary, the grand-daddy of them all. In prior years, the focus would have automatically shifted next to South Carolina and Nevada, but now at least some candidates must detour through the Great Lakes region to familiarize themselves with our state and its concerns before heading south."

GordoM-knows-that-our-state-political-leaders-have-mucked-it-up-again-and-the-fools-at-our-sad-newspaper-are-lying-to-their-readers-again

1984 California style!

And they've got a "republican" governor!

State proposes to take control of home temps North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News: "California utilities would control the temperature of new homes and commercial buildings in emergencies with a radio-controlled thermostat, under a proposed state update to building energy efficiency standards.
Customers could not override their (own) thermostats..."

GordoM-hears-they've-got-mandatory-auto-gov-thermostats-planned

Doggie insights!

Sent to GordoM on the web.

It must be true!

Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans

1. Blaming your farts on me...not funny...not funny at all !!!

2. Yelling at me for barking. I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT!

3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose. Stop it!

5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

7. Taking me to the vet for 'the big snip', then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

9. Dog sweaters. Hello ??? Haven't you noticed the fur?

10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth. You're just jealous.
Now lay off me on some of these things, We both know who's boss here!!!

You don't see me picking up your poop do you ???

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY.

A DOG ALWAYS OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

CATS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT!!

GordoM-now-is-a-dog-whisperer

Sort of good news?

Given the outflow of Michiganders, especially in Detroit, over the last few years, doesn't it make sense that the absolute numbers of criminal acts would decline?

After all, there's a whole lot less victims still in Detroit.

It would be better to see the crime/resident ratio.

GordoM wonders why that number isn't published...... yeah right......

Violent crime falls in state's largest cities: "Violent crime in Detroit fell substantially during the first six months of 2007, led by a sharp decline in rapes, robberies and assaults, according to a report from the FBI released today.
Overall, violent crime in the state's largest city fell nearly 12 percent, from 10,551 in the first six months of 2006 to 9,314 last year.

GordoM-doesn't-hear-liberals-protesting-crime-against-Detroit's-citizens

Muskegon Math?

Or just typical crappy reporting from The Chronicle?

Let's see $6,300/yr savings divided by 22 condos equals......$286.36 of savings per year on each $200,000ish condo.

And that's gonna be a big incentive?

Anyone smell a cover up?

Condos get tax-break extension - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com: "The extension will grant Post's development an estimated $6,300 a year of savings in property and income taxes, while making its condominiums more marketable to potential buyers, who also would see tax savings. .........

Post said he plans to build a total of 22 condominium units in contiguous two- and three-story brownstone-style buildings. They would have 1,200 to 2,400 square feet of living space and sell at prices ranging from $175,000 to $280,000."

GordoM's-nose-is-twitchin'

On This Day in History

On This Day:
1913 Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was born in Yorba Linda, Calif.

If Tricky had beaten JFK would Mary Jo and the rest of the Kennedy boys still be alive?

1964 Anti-U.S. rioting broke out in the Panama Canal Zone, resulting in the deaths of 21 Panamanians and three U.S. soldiers.

I thought anti-Americanism started with Georgie!

1987 The White House released a memorandum prepared for President Ronald Reagan in January 1986 that showed a definite link between U.S. arms sales to Iran and the release of American hostages in Lebanon.

Freedom in Nicaragua soon followed!

2007Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, which went on sale the following June."

Not much seemed to happen on this day in history....

GordoM-suspects-there-was-a-lot-of-good-TV-goin'-on-this-day

Well, duh.....

Obama's double digit lead just "poofs" off into the ethernet.

The Numbers: "There will be a serious, critical look at the final pre-election polls in the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire; that is essential. It is simply unprecedented for so many polls to have been so wrong. We need to know why."

GordoM-thinks-a-bunch-of-folks-are-overpaid

Democratic Underground: It’s Diebold again! « Cadillac Tight

Democratic Underground: It’s Diebold again! « Cadillac Tight: "What tickles me to death is that this time the eeeeevil Diebold is working for Hillary Clinton"

GordoM-thought-Diebold-was-still-owned-by-the-GOP

UPDATE: One lane of Henry Street bridge to reopen - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com

UPDATE: One lane of Henry Street bridge to reopen:

"Norton Shores officials hope to have one lane of the Merrill S. Bailey Bridge on Henry Street moving later today, though it could be months before the repairs to the damaged bridge structure is completed."

GordoM-will-expand-his-carbon-footprint-because-of-bridge-gone

Moron Arrested After Driving Truck Into House

Moron Arrested After Driving Truck Into House:

"Note to Mr. Moron: Don't act like one.

Bryan Scott Moron, 20, of Burleson, Texas, was arrested Friday after he lost control of his truck and struck a mailbox, then a house, MyFOXDFW.com reports."

GordoM-has-sympathy-for-Mr-Moron's-last-name-wonders-how-junior-high-was....

On This Day

On This Day:
"1642 Astronomer Galileo Galilei died in Arcetri, Italy. Democrat leaders fear astronomy will cause global cooling.

1815 U.S. forces led by Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, the closing engagement of the War of 1812.
Johnny Horton's great, great, great grandma bought a guitar.

1918 President Woodrow Wilson outlined his 14 points for peace after World War I.
Democrats still think that a great plan that just needed more time.

1935 Rock 'n' roll singer Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss.

Imagine if he was born in Iran!

1959 Charles De Gaulle was inaugurated as president of France's Fifth Republic.
Don't all surrender monkeys look alike?

1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a war on poverty.

Democrats still think that a great plan that just needed more time...... and money.

1973 Secret peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam resumed near Paris.

Secret peace talks kinda suck.

1976 Chinese premier Chou En-lai died in Beijing at age 77.

Not surprising his last name was "lie".

1982 American Telephone & Telegraph settled the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against it by agreeing to divest itself of the 22 Bell System companies.

America now has 2 satellite companies, one cable company per town and 3 phone companies.

1987 The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 2,000 for the first time, ending the day at 2,002.25.

And Tracey Lorenz said the stock market was like Vegas.

1992 President George H.W. Bush, suffering from stomach flu, collapsed during a state dinner in Tokyo.

Sushi and Texans never was a good idea.

1996 Former French president Francois Mitterrand died at age 79.

Sushi and Froggies a good idea.

1998 Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was sentenced in New York to life in prison.

Soon to be released.......


1999 The top two executives of Salt Lake City's Olympic Organizing Committee resigned after disclosures that civic boosters had given cash to members of the International Olympic Committee.

Everyone shocked, shocked....... soon to be released.


2007 A Moroccan man convicted of aiding three of the four suicide pilots who had committed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was sentenced by a German court to the maximum of 15 years in prison for his role in the terror plot."

Already released......

GordoM's-first-45-was-"Fools Rush In"

Where's Gordo?

A continuation of Liam's MLive post:

"That would be a good topic...what is the most humiliating thing that one of your parents (or kids) have ever publicly put you through?"

GordoM-didn't-like-the-girl-boy-odds-back-then-stupid-GordoM

Daily Fred Fact

"Some people are homeless because of their financial situation, others are homeless because of substance abuse, while still others are homeless because they looked at Fred Thompson funny and he destroyed their home"


IMAO: Fred Thompson Facts Archives

France counts cost of health reform

Our froggie friends never were much for planning ahead.

BBC NEWS Europe France counts cost of health reform: "The abundance and generosity of its health service has turned France into a nation of hypochondriacs.

It consumes far more drugs than any other nation in Europe, and they are almost always the expensive patented kind rather than the cheaper generic alternatives."

GordoM-wonders-why-they-need-so-much-wine-with-all-the-free-drugs

French healthcare is 'badly run'

Well, this is France, after all.

BBC NEWS Europe French healthcare is 'badly run': "The report says citizens must pay more and doctors must alter their behaviour.
Failure to do so could add 66 billion euros a year to France's public budget deficit by 2020, it adds.
The warning comes after thousands of health workers protested on Thursday over staff shortages and the 'creeping privatisation' of the health system."

GordoM-doesn't-trust-surrender-monkeys-with-his-health

New Jersey Apologizes for Slavery

I guess everything else is just fine in NJ.

Sure glad they took the taxpayer's time and money to straighten things out.

Still waiting for an apology for Newark....

New Jersey Apologizes for Slavery: "New Jersey became the first Northern state to apologize for slavery, as legislators approved a resolution Monday expressing 'profound regret' for the state's role in the practice."

GordoM-wonders-when-they'll-appologize-for-The-Sopranos