The Power of Cook County, Illinois

Vote early and often in Cook county...... a treasured tradition!

The Power of Cook County, Illinois - The New Editor:

"In the race for the most popular votes in the Democratic Party's presidential primary contests, Sen. Barack Obama's lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton is about 711,000 votes -- not including Florida or Michigan -- according to Real Clear Politics.

Of Sen. Obama's 711,000 popular-vote lead, 650,000 -- or more than 90% of the total margin -- comes from Sen. Obama's home state of Illinois, with 429,000 of that lead coming from his home base of Cook County.

That margin in Cook County represents almost 60% of Obama's total lead nationwide.

Interestingly, Sen. Obama's 429,000-vote margin in Cook County alone is larger than the winning margin of either candidate in any state.

Chicago Dems still know how to support their candidates better than anyone else in the country..."

Victor Davis Hanson on Wrong on Wright on National Review Online

The story the MSM won't report.

Victor Davis Hanson on Wrong on Wright on National Review Online:

"Over the past four days, I asked seven or eight random (Asian, Mexican-American, and working-class white) Americans in southern California what they thought of Obama’s candidacy — and framed the question with, “Don’t you think that was a good speech?” The answers, without exception, were essentially: “Forget the speech. I would never vote for Obama after listening to Wright.” In some cases, the reaction was not mild disappointment, but unprintable outrage."

Women, Want a Healthy Marriage? Marry Man Uglier Than You, Study Says

Rep. Henry Waxman must have the BEST marriage in America.

Women, Want a Healthy Marriage? Marry Man Uglier Than You, Study Says

"The best marriages are those where women marry men who are less attractive than themselves, research has found."

Lib whine-fest over Rush's "Operation Chaos"

This is good lib-squooshie

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com: "Writer: 'Limbaugh undermines American values'
March 24, 2008
I am appalled by Rush Limbaugh's shameless appeal to his listeners to intentionally throw the democratic process in the primaries.
Limbaugh believes that Hillary Clinton would lose to John McCain, while Obama could beat McCain. In order to keep Obama out of the election in November, he wants to set up a false win for Clinton in the primaries.
He encouraged his Republican listeners to register as Democrats then vote for Clinton in the primaries in order to undermine Obama. While I do not necessarily support Obama, I do support fair-play and honesty.
It is despicable to cast votes that are outright lies in order to further a political agenda."

Deepening Democratic Dilemma

Deepening Democratic Dilemma: "Over the last week, I have been repeatedly asked by non-political people about Obama's connection with Wright's tirade. In the process, Obama's political persona has been altered -- transformed, as described by one friendly Chicago politician, from Harvard Law Review to South Side activist."

Obama racial issues may extend to Pa.

Obama racial issues may extend to Pa. - Carrie Budoff Brown - Politico.com: "Stephanie Gill, a bartender in a white working-class neighborhood, noticed the shift immediately.

A week ago, her customers at Rauchut’s Tavern in Tacony didn’t have much to say about Barack Obama. But when she returned to work Wednesday, a day after the Illinois senator attempted to quell the furor over his pastor’s racially incendiary remarks, the reaction inside the corner bar was raw and unapologetic.
“People are not happy with Obama,” Gill said. “It’s the race stuff.”

If It's Intentional, Is It Malpractice?

If It's Intentional, Is It Malpractice?: "Over the last five years, we have witnessed something remarkable: our principal news media outlets have fabricated an alternative reality around the Iraq war by simply misreporting the facts. They have done this in order to advance their own political agenda. It is really quite extraordinary; someone should write a book about it."

Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick charged with perjury, obstruction, misconduct

Jeepers, no mention of his political party!

He must be one of those crooked, pervert Republicans...... right?

Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick charged with perjury, obstruction, misconduct

"Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, a one-time rising star and Detroit's youngest elected leader, was charged Monday with perjury and other counts after sexually explicit text messages contradicted his sworn denials of an affair with a top aide"

March Madness | James T. Harris

The true meaning of Easter..... and basketball....hilarious.

March Madness James T. Harris

NATIONAL JOURNAL: 2007 Vote Ratings (03/07/2008)

The most liberal senator in the US Senate!

Compiled by a lefty magazine, no less!

NATIONAL JOURNAL: 2007 Vote Ratings (03/07/2008): "Senate Liberal Scores"

YouTube - Raining McCain

WAY too funny!
Click and enjoy.

YouTube - Raining McCain

Michigan population drops .3%

Michigan population drops .3%: "Michigan still is shrinking.

The state's population dropped 30,500 people, or 0.3 percent, to 10.07 million residents from July 2006 to July 2007, according to population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau."

Sidewalk claims cost Flint $1.3M since 1999

Your taxdollars at work in Flint!
I wonder just where they got the $1.3M....and where the federal block grant moolah went....
Sidewalk claims cost Flint $1.3M since 1999: "Flint used to spend about $250,000 annually on sidewalk repairs. But the federal block grant money earmarked for the fixes hasn't been used, or was spent elsewhere, in recent years"

YouTube - Wicked Tony Performance

Coming to MSU's Wharton Center 7/16-8/3/2008

YouTube - Wicked Tony Performance

Obama's promise of a new majority, and the question it prompts

Even more liberal than Mrs Bill, Teddy Kennedy and Harry Reid!

Obama's promise of a new majority, and the question it prompts

"But this promise leads, inevitably, to a question: Can such a majority be built and led by Obama, whose voting record was, by one ranking, the most liberal in the Senate last year?"

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Why Our Children Isn't Learning

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Why Our Children Isn't Learning: "To soothe the bruised egos of educators and children in lackluster schools, Massachusetts officials are now pushing for kinder, gentler euphemisms for failure.
Instead of calling these schools 'underperforming,' the Board of Education is considering labeling them as 'Commonwealth priority,' to avoid poisoning teacher and student morale."

Granholm's budget based on bogus studies!

GOP against some of Granholm's budget
"Granholm wants to borrow money to create up to 100 smaller, more intimate high schools that would have no more than 400 students each. A quarter of Michigan's high schools have failed to meet goals mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act for at least two years, and Granholm said studies show smaller schools have better results."

Curbing soot 'may blunt global warming' | The Daily Telegraph

Maybe cooking inside the house with poop ought to be "dis-incentivised"?
Maybe they need a McDonalds?

Curbing soot 'may blunt global warming' The Daily Telegraph: "Each year, more than 400,000 deaths among women and children in India alone, and 1.6 million worldwide, are attributed to smoke inhalation during indoor cooking using biofuels such as wood or dung,"

EU parliament Pres. says Olympics boycott should be considered

What brave folks, those EU leaders!

Not many other choices when you have no military.

EU parliament Pres. says Olympics boycott should be considered
"A boycott of this summer's Beijing Olympic Games should be considered if China does not re-evaluate its actions in Tibet, the president of the European Parliament said in an interview to be published in a German newspaper on Sunday."

Darfur peacekeeping force at risk of failing, already - International Herald Tribune

This is what the UN brings to the needy today......NOTHING!

Darfur peacekeeping force at risk of failing, already
"As Darfur smolders in the aftermath of a new government offensive, a long-sought peacekeeping force, expected to be the world's largest, is in danger of failing even before it begins its mission because of bureaucratic delays, stonewalling by the Sudanese government and reluctance from troop-contributing countries to send peacekeeping forces into an active conflict."

I've had nightmares about this.....

Ace of Spades HQ: "Obligatory: The Easter Bunny Hates You"

Happy Easter! Chocolate bunnies, eggs and all...

Junkfood Science: Happy Easter! Chocolate bunnies, eggs and all...: "Hope today is a joyous one for all.
Just why do bunnies lay eggs on Easter. :)"

Teachers at war with parents and children

Given the proven failure of public schools, this is pretty disgusting.

Certifying Parents - WSJ.com:

"A California court ruled this month that parents cannot 'home school' their children without government certification. No teaching credential, no teaching. Parents 'do not have a constitutional right to home school their children,' wrote California appellate Justice Walter Croskey."

The case was initiated by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services after a home-schooled child reportedly complained of physical abuse by his father. A lawyer assigned to two of the family's eight children invoked the truancy law to get the children enrolled in a public school and away from their parents. So a single case of parental abuse is being used to promote the registration of all parents who crack a book for their kids. If this strikes some readers as a tad East German, we know how you feel."

Immigrants over citizens in Canada?

The Calgary Sun - Deal-breaker: "AIDS Calgary told Kaufmann about 22% of their clients are immigrants, and a spokeswoman there acknowledged there might be a backlash from Canadians worried about this added burden on an already beleaguered public health-care system.
Well, no kidding.
Let the backlash begin and let it not be sidetracked by the inevitable, mindless, sentimental blathering about compassion and moral responsibility to others that this debate will engender.
I've got loads of compassion.
You know who I feel sorry for?
I feel sorry for the senior whose declining years are reduced to a pain-filled prison because she can't get a hip replacement in timely fashion because there's not enough money or efficiency in the health-care system."

I-35W bridge-stlye healthcare for America?

These same folks want to take over our healthcare system?

Old photos show flaws in steel of I-35W bridge: "Two crucial gusset plate connections on the Interstate 35W bridge were visibly deformed at least four years before the structure collapsed, according to photographs newly released by the National Transportation Safety Board."

Purim Headlines

from volokh:

Purim Headlines:
A day late, but the Jewish equivalent of April Fools headlines. Very funny.

Purim Headlines: "we at Jewlarious began to wonder what the Jewish world would look like if it was indeed upside down. If you picked up the newspaper, you might find something like this."

It's a record year for snowfall -but.....

Wouldn't it be interesting to see just how "they" (who are "they") determined it was a record snowfall for the entire state?

Typical MSM "news" article.

It's a record year for snowfall -
"It's just as you suspected - this has been the snowiest winter ever in the Ann Arbor area, or at least since 1880 when record-keeping started."

Vermont court to decide if unpopular prison food is punishment

Vermont court to decide if unpopular prison food is punishment: "A federal judge in Michigan ruled 20 years ago that feeding the stuff to prison inmates amounted to punishment."

In Easter Sermon, New Obama Pastor Charges Rev. Wright Victim of ‘Lynching’

How dare that traitorous replacement for B Hussein's "spiritual leader" compare the evil of lynching to criticism of his evil words!

In Easter Sermon, New Obama Pastor Charges Rev. Wright Victim of ‘Lynching’ - America’s Election HQ: "Moss did not directly mention his spiritual mentor by name, but implied to the congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ that Wright, who has delivered sermons in which he likened the U.S. to the Ku Klux Klan and said it is damned for its state-sponsored terrorism, is facing the same challenges Jesus did."

YouTube - Here Comes Peter Cottontail

YouTube - Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Happy Easter!

damn Canadian bunny!

Report: Border gridlock hurts economy

Report: Border gridlock hurts economy: "'There's an obsession with China around the globe,' Austin said. 'We do more trade with Canada in one day than we do over weeks and months with China.'"

One last concert for brave Muskegon woman

One last concert for brave Muskegon woman: "So why is this concert so special for Jessica? It's the first time she's seen Matt Nathanson face to face.
And it will be one of the last times she hears him."

Watch out, nation! Neitzel, Spartans playing best basketball of the season

Watch out, nation! Neitzel, Spartans playing best basketball of the season

"Neitzel hit a ridiculous three-pointer on which he ran to the right corner, caught a pass, turned and fired. It's hard to explain just how difficult that is, but I will try: Imagine a figure skater doing a triple axel while juggling."

RightCuz: Bush vs Gore round II - An inconvenient Truth

RightCuz: Bush vs Gore round II - An inconvenient Truth

RightMichigan.com || Keeping Michigan in the Dark: What do the House Democrats have to hide?

RightMichigan.com Keeping Michigan in the Dark: What do the House Democrats have to hide?: "Yesterday Attorney General Mike Cox joined House Republicans in calling on Andy Dillon and his tax-hike caucus to give Republican 'sunshine' legislation an up or down vote on the floor of the House. Bills were drafted last year and have been languishing in committee ever since without so much as a hearing.
Simply put, the legislation would put all state government spending on a publicly accessible web site. When the Dems tell us they need more of our cash it only stands to reason that they explain precisely where it's going and why."

Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon - Drag race!

Top Gear: Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon - Snotr

Edwards unlikely to endorse - David Paul Kuhn - Politico.com

The Breck guy is runnin' for the 2012 nomination!

Edwards unlikely to endorse
"John Edwards is unlikely to endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton before the nomination is decided, according to interviews with several members of the former candidate's inner circle."

Clinton ally calls Richardson "Judas"

So nice to see Mrs Bill is surrounded by such sensitive folks.

Richardson Backs Obama
“An act of betrayal,” said James Carville, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and a friend of Mr. Clinton.
“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week."

Taking Christ out of Christianity

Why go to a "Christian" church if you don't want Christ?

No wonder "churches" are in trouble.

Taking Christ out of Christianity:

"That triumphal barnburner of an Easter hymn, Jesus Christ Has Risen Today - Hallelujah, this morning will rock the walls of Toronto's West Hill United Church as it will in most Christian churches across the country.
But at West Hill on the faith's holiest day, it will be done with a huge difference. The words 'Jesus Christ' will be excised from what the congregation sings and replaced with 'Glorious hope.'"

S.F. deficit grows to projected $338 million

We're not San Francisco .... yet.

But cities and states have yet to face up to the fact that too many are essentially insolvent.

Say "bye bye" to your jobs, city and state workers.

S.F. deficit grows to projected $338 million: "City officials will likely order significant layoffs, cut programs and increase various fees to close the gap."

Passports probe focuses on worker with Obama connection

This ought to cool the liberal MSM's outrage.

If Barak's folks did the dirty deed, it must be OK......

Passports probe focuses on worker
"The State Department investigation of improper computer access to passport records of three presidential candidates is focusing on one remaining employee — a contract worker with a company headed by an adviser to the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama"

Climate facts to warm to

"Hockey stick"?

What Hockey stick"?

We don't need no stinkin' hockey stick!

We've got the liberal media to lie for us.....

Climate facts to warm to
"actually, there has been cooling, if you take 1998 as your point of reference. If you take 2002 as your point of reference, then temperatures have plateaued. This is certainly not what you'd expect if carbon dioxide is driving temperature because carbon dioxide levels have been increasing but temperatures have actually been coming down over the last 10 years.'"

It Just Wouldn’t Be Easter without Peeps

It Just Wouldn’t Be Easter American Princess:
"It Just Wouldn’t Be Easter …without Peeps.
And its become something of a tradition to have a pre-Easter Peep-a-palooza of Peep links. So here we go!
First of all, via MM, and in honor of our Token Liberal, we have a portrait of Barack Obama made out of smushed Peeps."

Hilarious car review

Jeremy Clarkson Renault Laguna Sport Tourer Dynamique review Driving - Times Online: "So how much do you have to hate the sight of your wife and children before you think, “I’d rather go outside into the cold and spend a couple of hours burnishing my wheel nuts”?"

Obama Aide: Bill Clinton Like McCarthy

Obama Aide: Bill Clinton Like McCarthy:

Clinton's campaign said the comments were being misinterpreted and quickly posted a clarification on its Web site. But retired Air Force Gen. Merrill 'Tony' McPeak said he was disappointed by the comments and compared them to those of McCarthy, the 1950s communist-hunting senator."

'Being voted unsexiest woman alive hurt so much', says Sarah Jessica Parker

I always thought she was Ruth Buzzi.....

'Being voted unsexiest woman alive hurt so much', says Sarah Jessica Parker

"Am I really the unsexiest women in the world? Wow!It's kind of shocking when men...
'It's so brutal in a way, so filled with rage and anger."

Turtle fence redux

Only $320,000 spent to keep turtles from.... turtle love?

MDOT plans to repair car-damaged turtle fence

"'Most people I talked to were just kind of shaking their heads,' Hoekstra said. 'It's too bad that the state, which is suffering tough economic times, would throw money at a project like this.'"

K12 Reformer - Mike Reno: Perhaps “Rubber Stamping” should be a crime too!

K12 Reformer - Mike Reno: Perhaps “Rubber Stamping” should be a crime too!: "According to the article, he did this at least 40 times, based on the 40 phony invoices found in his house. That would average $57,500 per invoice, which is a spending level that would – or should – include some approval/oversight at the school board level.

I’d bet that there were 40 instances were there was a unanimous round of seven AYE votes approving those fraudulent purchases, or the invoices. There’s a good chance that not one single question was asked before each of the 40 approvals."

Core Principles: A little factoid for you all

Core Principles: A little factoid for you all: "On a statewide average, Michigan residents see $24 in revenue sharing dollars returned to them. In Detroit, on the other hand, the average resident receives $241 per resident."

Obama Focus Group

YouTube - Obama Focus Group

Hope.

Change.

Obama-nation!

On board the world's first 'gigayacht'

The boat sure has a lot of green on it!

On board the world's first 'gigayacht': The £100m luxury yacht with its own garden, pool and tennis court

"Life can have its little irritations when you're cruising around the world on your £100million superyacht."

Divisive Dem Contest Could Boost McCain

20% of disgruntled libs will bolt for McCrook?

Divisive Dem Contest Could Boost McCain
"Among Obama supporters, 20 percent said they would vote for Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, if Clinton beats their candidate for the nomination. Among Clinton supporters, 19 percent said they would support McCain in November if Obama is the Democratic nominee. (See poll)"

Pregnant Mother, Tortured, Dies in Ill.

Faces of evil.

I actually cried when I read this horrific and sad story.

Pregnant Mother, Tortured, Dies in Ill.: "Banished to the basement, the 29-year-old mother with a childlike mind and another baby on the way had little more than a thin rug and a mattress to call her own on the chilly concrete floor.
Dorothy Dixon ate what she could forage from the refrigerator upstairs, where housemates used her for target practice with BBs, burned her with a glue gun and doused her with scalding liquid that peeled away her skin."

Lifetime Energy Cost Per Mile: Prius v. Hummer H3

CARPE DIEM: Lifetime Energy Cost Per Mile: Prius v. Hummer H3: "2005 Hybrid Vehicle energy efficiency over their lifetimes:
1. Honda Insight: $2.94 per mile
2. Ford Escape Hybrid: $3.18 per mile
3. Honda Civic Hybrid: $3.24 per mile
4. Toyota Prius: $3.25 per mile
5. Honda Accord Hybrid: $3.30 per mile"

2005 Hummer H3: $1.949 per mile

GR protesters speak out on unemployment

GR protesters speak out on unemployment:

"Most of the protestors came from Hart Enterprises in Sparta, where they make surgical instruments.
Their company wants to expand but the department of environmental quality, DEQ, says it cannot because it sits on wetlands.
The company is threatening to move out of the state, leaving behind 115 employeee like Connie Parrish."

Bilingual program salvaged from International School - mlive.com

Does anyone think this "immersion" is anything other than a scam to "teach" Mexican kids in spanish?

My gosh, it's first graders. Shouldn't they be learning how to read in English?

Another disgusting, anti-child, anti-american move by the "educators" in Muskegon.

Another reason to move out of Muskegon NOW!

Bilingual program salvaged from International School
"One of those pieces -- a two-way Spanish-English immersion program -- is set to open in the fall at Moon Elementary School as a more limited program than first envisioned.
The voluntary program will provide instruction primarily in Spanish for English- and Spanish-speaking students in kindergarten and first grade, with more grades added in future years."

Hillary's Balkan Adventures, Part II - Fact Checker

Hillary's Balkan Adventures, Part II - Fact Checker: "'I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.'
--Hillary Clinton, speech at George Washington University, March 17, 2008."

Archives show Clinton lied: Obama campaign

Archives show Clinton lied: Obama campaign
"Obama aides said the schedules, which were released Wednesday after much back and forth between Clinton lawyers and the National Archives, undermined the New York senator's most contentious claims of foreign policy experience.
Seizing on the controversial North American Free Trade Agreement, they highlighted an ABC News report which cited participants at one White House meeting in 1993 as saying Clinton was 'fully supportive' of NAFTA.
'It does make you wonder if this was one of the reasons why there was such a reluctance to get those records out there on a timely basis,' Obama strategist David Axelrod said on a conference call."

Stingray Kills Woman on Boat in Fla.

Stingray Kills Woman on Boat in Fla.: "A 75-pound stingray killed a Michigan woman Thursday when it flew out of the water and struck her in the face as she rode in a boat in the Florida Keys, officials said.
Judy Kay Zagorski, of Pigeon, Mich., was sitting in a boat going 25 mph when the spotted eagle ray, with a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet, leaped out of the water, said Jorge Pino, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission."

My Way - Sports News

My Way - Sports News: "Oregon was too far away. Penn State was too rural. Michigan was a close second.
Terrelle Pryor, the highly touted western Pennsylvania prep quarterback, announced Wednesday that he will play for Ohio State."

County to seek millage renewal for veterans - mlive.com

County to seek millage renewal for veterans - mlive.com: "Since it opened in August of 1990, the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs has dramatically increased the variety of services it offers and the number of veterans it serves.
And the voters of Muskegon County have stuck with the department every step of the way, approving a property tax millage to help support its programs in 1994, then approving a 10-year extension of that millage in 1998.
Now it's time for the department to seek voter assistance again as it prepares for the challenge of serving a new generation of veterans coming home after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Female Teachers Arrested for Fighting During School

2 Female Teachers Arrested for Fighting During School

Eighth grade teachers Tawana Horton, 30, and Cambrella Pinckney, 28, bumped into each other during a hallway class change Friday afternoon at St. Andrews Middle School and began fighting, according to a report by the Richland County sheriff's department."

FOXNews.com - Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

FOXNews.com - Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas - Politics Republican Party Democratic Party Political Spectrum: "A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.
Polls show that a majority of Americans support policies that would reduce greenhouse gases. But when it comes to paying for it, it's a different story.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., wants to help cut consumption with a gas tax but some don't agree with the idea, according to a new poll by the National Center for Public Policy Research."

Borders explores sale, suspends dividend

Borders explores sale, suspends dividend
"Book retailer Borders Group Inc (BGP.N) on Thursday suspended its quarterly dividend and said it was reviewing strategic options, including the sale of some or all of its businesses, and its shares sank more than 30 percent to a new year low."

Governor Jennifer Granholm frustrates town hall attendees

Sweden?

Governor Jennifer Granholm frustrates town hall attendees by lacking specific economic answers

"She pointed to Sweden as a possible model for Michigan, noting it has created 400,000 jobs in renewable and alternative energy. Sweden, like Michigan, has about 10 million people, enjoys a long coastline and has abundant forests."