Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Is Muskegon County a Titanic in the making?
Dear unnamed County Commissioner,
Thanks for the invite!
I found the entire 3 hours very interesting... and distressing.
Some observations:
1. Pat Steele's plea "somebody just tell me the rules" seemed to sum up a very serious problem. It went unanswered. Why?
A simple request from a department head to the elected commissioners for clarity should not be unique.
But it is..... in Muskegon county.
2. I understand that getting a consensus among 11 commissioners is a challenge so why not create a "gang of 6" or more outside of your meetings and produce a specific proposal? Is it legal? Maybe 2 groups of 3 each to arrive at a consensus? Maybe an e-mail proposal that would be sent around for comments? It would have been nice to see a specific plan presented to the group. Does one exist?
Please come up with a plan!
At least if there was a vote on a specific proposal, each commissioner would be forced to take a public stand.
If no plan exists, why do you meet?
Seriously.
Why is there NO PLAN to keep our county from bankruptcy?
If you cannot provide a plan for the financial rescue of our county, why don't you all resign?
3. I was surprised that department heads complained about communication.
It may be that many of their complaints are simple grousing but Pat Steele asked a simple, public question that seemed to have no answer.
I know that e-mail is impersonal but at least there is a way to track each communication.
Isn't your charge to communicate your (us taxpayers/voters) desires to the hardworking county employees?
If there is a communication problem and you can't fix it, what do we do?
4. Have you considered a county wide "town hall" meeting. The word bankruptcy was brought up today.
BANKRUPTCY!!!!!!!
Big word!
Maybe a "Muskegon County in Bankruptcy" meeting would get some attention. So far it seems few realize the financial disaster that seems to be our fate.
Don't you think someone needs to tell the people?
I'm sure that you've had many discussions of similar ideas.
But, if I may, another personal comment from a citizen of Muskegon and a taxpayer living in our wonderful county.
I sensed a very clear reluctance from most (not all) of the commissioners to address the giant iceberg that our Titanic of a county has just been warned of from the yardarm.
Today's discussions of how to spend the new "casino" money were, to me, a surreal imagination of the officers of the Titanic obsessing about the minutia of tomorrow's breakfast .... and at the same time complaining about the annoying tipping of the tables where they sat ... as everything and everyone was moments from disaster.
My fear of the "frog in the slowly boiling water" seems to be the unstated policy of our Muskegon County Commissioners to hide the disaster from the people until it is too late.
YOU ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN PROTECT US FROM DISASTER!
Please tell me that I am wrong.
Gentlemen, I'm sure you all have faced far more substantial personal challenges in your long and successful lives..... and defeated them.
Is your legacy to be that of the officers Titanic?
Thanks for the invite!
I found the entire 3 hours very interesting... and distressing.
Some observations:
1. Pat Steele's plea "somebody just tell me the rules" seemed to sum up a very serious problem. It went unanswered. Why?
A simple request from a department head to the elected commissioners for clarity should not be unique.
But it is..... in Muskegon county.
2. I understand that getting a consensus among 11 commissioners is a challenge so why not create a "gang of 6" or more outside of your meetings and produce a specific proposal? Is it legal? Maybe 2 groups of 3 each to arrive at a consensus? Maybe an e-mail proposal that would be sent around for comments? It would have been nice to see a specific plan presented to the group. Does one exist?
Please come up with a plan!
At least if there was a vote on a specific proposal, each commissioner would be forced to take a public stand.
If no plan exists, why do you meet?
Seriously.
Why is there NO PLAN to keep our county from bankruptcy?
If you cannot provide a plan for the financial rescue of our county, why don't you all resign?
3. I was surprised that department heads complained about communication.
It may be that many of their complaints are simple grousing but Pat Steele asked a simple, public question that seemed to have no answer.
I know that e-mail is impersonal but at least there is a way to track each communication.
Isn't your charge to communicate your (us taxpayers/voters) desires to the hardworking county employees?
If there is a communication problem and you can't fix it, what do we do?
4. Have you considered a county wide "town hall" meeting. The word bankruptcy was brought up today.
BANKRUPTCY!!!!!!!
Big word!
Maybe a "Muskegon County in Bankruptcy" meeting would get some attention. So far it seems few realize the financial disaster that seems to be our fate.
Don't you think someone needs to tell the people?
I'm sure that you've had many discussions of similar ideas.
But, if I may, another personal comment from a citizen of Muskegon and a taxpayer living in our wonderful county.
I sensed a very clear reluctance from most (not all) of the commissioners to address the giant iceberg that our Titanic of a county has just been warned of from the yardarm.
Today's discussions of how to spend the new "casino" money were, to me, a surreal imagination of the officers of the Titanic obsessing about the minutia of tomorrow's breakfast .... and at the same time complaining about the annoying tipping of the tables where they sat ... as everything and everyone was moments from disaster.
My fear of the "frog in the slowly boiling water" seems to be the unstated policy of our Muskegon County Commissioners to hide the disaster from the people until it is too late.
YOU ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN PROTECT US FROM DISASTER!
Please tell me that I am wrong.
Gentlemen, I'm sure you all have faced far more substantial personal challenges in your long and successful lives..... and defeated them.
Is your legacy to be that of the officers Titanic?
Why Cramer Should Be Suspended
Why Cramer Should Be Suspended
"We've been here before with Jim Cramer. On Thanksgiving Day of 2006, my Dad and I made it a point to enjoy a nice bowl of applesauce in honor of Jim Cramer. Why applesauce? Because in July of 2006 with Apple (AAPL) stock trading at its low near $50, Cramer told his viewers that they had to pull all their money out of Apple. 'It's turning into applesauce and I can't have you in it.' From that very day, the stock went on to double in price over the next four months while we were invested in option LEAPS that appreciated 20 times themselves over that span. Once Cramer was out, we knew it was time to get in. Believe me, applesauce never tasted so good as it did during that Thanksgiving dinner."
Cramer is a menace to any investor's wealth!
"We've been here before with Jim Cramer. On Thanksgiving Day of 2006, my Dad and I made it a point to enjoy a nice bowl of applesauce in honor of Jim Cramer. Why applesauce? Because in July of 2006 with Apple (AAPL) stock trading at its low near $50, Cramer told his viewers that they had to pull all their money out of Apple. 'It's turning into applesauce and I can't have you in it.' From that very day, the stock went on to double in price over the next four months while we were invested in option LEAPS that appreciated 20 times themselves over that span. Once Cramer was out, we knew it was time to get in. Believe me, applesauce never tasted so good as it did during that Thanksgiving dinner."
Cramer is a menace to any investor's wealth!
The Farhat Theorem
My ex-state representative, Dave Farhat tells us that most candidates get smarter and tougher if they have a primary fight.
It certainly seemed to work with B Hussein Obama. His rough campaign made his candidacy more formidable.
Perhaps the McCain's lackluster performance is a result of his years in a safe Senate seat and the guy just doesn't have the fighting skills honed for the new media.
If he wins, he'd better become a much better communicator.
If he loses.... it doesn't matter.
Either way, Farhat's Theorem seems even more accurate.
It certainly seemed to work with B Hussein Obama. His rough campaign made his candidacy more formidable.
Perhaps the McCain's lackluster performance is a result of his years in a safe Senate seat and the guy just doesn't have the fighting skills honed for the new media.
If he wins, he'd better become a much better communicator.
If he loses.... it doesn't matter.
Either way, Farhat's Theorem seems even more accurate.
Candidate Banners Can Leave Clients, Businesses Bruised
Candidate Banners Can Leave Clients, Businesses Bruised: "'Businesspeople have to be mindful of the sentiments and sensibilities of their market trading area, and Prince George's County is overwhelmingly for Obama,' said community activist Arthur Turner of Kettering, who was among those advocating a boycott. 'People I have talked to look at the sign as a slap in the face. They feel it was blatant disrespect. . . . I have heard people say they will no longer patronize Colony South because of that disrespect.'
The outcry over the hotel marquee tapped into the passion -- and sometimes anger -- that has characterized this fall's presidential campaign. Supporters of Republican candidate John McCain have vented their rage at rallies this week, applauding thunderously as McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, accused Obama of 'palling around with terrorists.'
Prince George's, though, is clearly Obama Country. As the nation's wealthiest mostly black community, where about 77 percent of registered voters are Democrats, residents have Obama placards in their yards, bumper stickers on their cars and the candidate's visage on their T-shirts.
The marquee supporting the GOP ticket in 'an area that is strongly African American was like putting a stink bomb in the middle of the living room,' said University of Maryland political Professor Ron Walters. 'What it does show is the emotions that are around this campaign and this election.'"
Imagine what these people will do if they own the Presidency AND the House AND a veto proof Senate.
The outcry over the hotel marquee tapped into the passion -- and sometimes anger -- that has characterized this fall's presidential campaign. Supporters of Republican candidate John McCain have vented their rage at rallies this week, applauding thunderously as McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, accused Obama of 'palling around with terrorists.'
Prince George's, though, is clearly Obama Country. As the nation's wealthiest mostly black community, where about 77 percent of registered voters are Democrats, residents have Obama placards in their yards, bumper stickers on their cars and the candidate's visage on their T-shirts.
The marquee supporting the GOP ticket in 'an area that is strongly African American was like putting a stink bomb in the middle of the living room,' said University of Maryland political Professor Ron Walters. 'What it does show is the emotions that are around this campaign and this election.'"
Imagine what these people will do if they own the Presidency AND the House AND a veto proof Senate.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll: Day Two
IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll: Day Two: "IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll: Day Two
Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Obama holds a slim 3-point lead over McCain, the IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll shows"
Not so far away!
Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Obama holds a slim 3-point lead over McCain, the IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll shows"
Not so far away!
Man Arrested After Taping Woman's Mouth Shut to Make Her Listen
Man Arrested After Taping Woman's Mouth Shut to Make Her Listen
"Authorities say a Port St. Lucie man bound a woman's hands and taped her mouth shut, claiming he only wanted to make her listen."
"Authorities say a Port St. Lucie man bound a woman's hands and taped her mouth shut, claiming he only wanted to make her listen."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Manipulated attendance forces cuts
Manipulated attendance forces cuts: "The Godwin Heights school board voted Monday night to implement cuts in the wake of an unexpected $1 million shortfall prompted by what the state determined was manipulation of student attendance at the district's alternative high school.
But some students, parents and teachers fear the outcome of those cuts.
'I want to know how you can expect kids to keep going to this district by taking away everything to them that makes the school worth going to?' student Nicole Hill asked the board before the vote.
She said too many cuts have happened already.
Godwin Heights administrators say most students won't be affected. They say they're only cutting classes and athletic programs without enough students to keep them viable."
But some students, parents and teachers fear the outcome of those cuts.
'I want to know how you can expect kids to keep going to this district by taking away everything to them that makes the school worth going to?' student Nicole Hill asked the board before the vote.
She said too many cuts have happened already.
Godwin Heights administrators say most students won't be affected. They say they're only cutting classes and athletic programs without enough students to keep them viable."
Monday, October 13, 2008
Presidential Election '08 Global Poll | Election '08 | Reader's Digest
Presidential Election '08 Global Poll Election '08 Reader's Digest
"The majority in India (73%), South Africa (65%), the Netherlands (55%) and France (52%) would be interested in moving to the U.S."
France?
"The majority in India (73%), South Africa (65%), the Netherlands (55%) and France (52%) would be interested in moving to the U.S."
France?
Candidates differ on female draft
Candidates differ on female draft: "But the two presidential candidates disagree on a key foundation of any future draft: Mr. Obama supports a requirement for both men and women to register with the Selective Service, while Mr. McCain doesn't think women should have to register.
Also, Mr. Obama would consider officially opening combat positions to women. Mr. McCain would not."
Also, Mr. Obama would consider officially opening combat positions to women. Mr. McCain would not."
Diplomatic fights put criminal immigrants back on streets
Diplomatic fights put criminal immigrants back on streets
"Harrison called Andy Kahan, director of the Houston Mayor's Crime Victims Office, asking for help. ........`You got the ultimate suckerpunch,'' Kahan said to Harrison.
Kahan watched Malekzadeh from the corner of his eye, frowning.
``Nobody can do anything to him, and he knows that,'' Kahan said. ``He knows he's not going to go back, no matter what he does. He got the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card.''"
"Harrison called Andy Kahan, director of the Houston Mayor's Crime Victims Office, asking for help. ........`You got the ultimate suckerpunch,'' Kahan said to Harrison.
Kahan watched Malekzadeh from the corner of his eye, frowning.
``Nobody can do anything to him, and he knows that,'' Kahan said. ``He knows he's not going to go back, no matter what he does. He got the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card.''"
The Corner on National Review Online
The Corner on National Review Online:
"As for the 'old' vs the 'new' McCain, I've had little use for either.......Clearly, he's found it difficult (to put it mildly) to make the transition from running against his party to running for it. There's a lesson there: 'Maverick' is an attitude, not a coherent worldview, which is why McCain has been unable to make maverickiness (maverectomy?) into a viable electoral platform. Of course, 'hope' and 'change' are attitudes, too, but so fluffy as to float free of the constraints of reality."
"As for the 'old' vs the 'new' McCain, I've had little use for either.......Clearly, he's found it difficult (to put it mildly) to make the transition from running against his party to running for it. There's a lesson there: 'Maverick' is an attitude, not a coherent worldview, which is why McCain has been unable to make maverickiness (maverectomy?) into a viable electoral platform. Of course, 'hope' and 'change' are attitudes, too, but so fluffy as to float free of the constraints of reality."
BARONE: The coming liberal thugocracy
BARONE: The coming liberal thugocracy: "These attempts to shut down political speech have become routine for liberals."
Liberal Outrage: A Pro-McCain March In Manhattan
The MSM templet of GOP hate and liberal love precludes this video from inclusion on TV.
Middle class finds itself buried in debt
Middle class finds itself buried in debt
"Like a lot of bankruptcy filers, Berthet, a 51-year-old Dearborn Heights resident, saw his problems mount not from a profligate lifestyle but from simple misfortune linked with perhaps too-easy credit."
The general MSM consensus is that debtors aren't at fault.
Sort of like they have a disease buy don't have health insurance.
And now they need wealth insurance,,,,,,,,
Detroit Free Press front page bullet points:
Steps to keep borrowing costs down
Standard of living squeezing middle class
Wealthy people still seeing incomes soar
Cheaper care is across border
More on our falling standard of living
Videos: How Americans are coping with a reduced standard of living
All negative. America a disaster. Rich getting richer. Mexico even better!
"Like a lot of bankruptcy filers, Berthet, a 51-year-old Dearborn Heights resident, saw his problems mount not from a profligate lifestyle but from simple misfortune linked with perhaps too-easy credit."
The general MSM consensus is that debtors aren't at fault.
Sort of like they have a disease buy don't have health insurance.
And now they need wealth insurance,,,,,,,,
Detroit Free Press front page bullet points:
Steps to keep borrowing costs down
Standard of living squeezing middle class
Wealthy people still seeing incomes soar
Cheaper care is across border
More on our falling standard of living
Videos: How Americans are coping with a reduced standard of living
All negative. America a disaster. Rich getting richer. Mexico even better!
Paul Krugman Wins the Nobel Economics Prize - WSJ.com
Paul Krugman Wins the Nobel Economics Prize
"American Paul Krugman won the Nobel economics prize on Monday for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.
Mr. Krugman, born in 1953, and a professor at Princeton University in New Jersey and a columnist for The New York Times, formulated a new theory to answer questions about free trade, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.
'What are the effects of free trade and globalization? What are the driving forces behind worldwide urbanization? Paul Krugman has formulated a new theory to answer these questions,': the academy said in its citation. 'He has thereby integrated the previously disparate research fields of international trade and economic geography,' it said."
The final dumbing down of a once great Nobel institution?
Probably not the final dumbing....
"American Paul Krugman won the Nobel economics prize on Monday for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.
Mr. Krugman, born in 1953, and a professor at Princeton University in New Jersey and a columnist for The New York Times, formulated a new theory to answer questions about free trade, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.
'What are the effects of free trade and globalization? What are the driving forces behind worldwide urbanization? Paul Krugman has formulated a new theory to answer these questions,': the academy said in its citation. 'He has thereby integrated the previously disparate research fields of international trade and economic geography,' it said."
The final dumbing down of a once great Nobel institution?
Probably not the final dumbing....
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Michelle Malkin » Crush the Obamedia narrative: Look who’s “gripped by insane rage”
Crush the Obamedia narrative: Look who’s “gripped by insane rage”
"The Obamedia is attempting to set yet another false narrative: The narrative of the McCain “mob.” McCain-Palin rallies are out of control, they wheedle. Conservatives are mad! They’re yelling mean things about Obama and calling him names! It’ scaaaaary!"
"The Obamedia is attempting to set yet another false narrative: The narrative of the McCain “mob.” McCain-Palin rallies are out of control, they wheedle. Conservatives are mad! They’re yelling mean things about Obama and calling him names! It’ scaaaaary!"
JammieWearingFool
JammieWearingFool: "While the media obsesses over a couple of isolated comments at McCain/Palin rallies, the angry left is busy throwing Molotov cocktails at McCain supporters."
GOP frets about McCain's strategy, prospects
GOP frets about McCain's strategy, prospects: "Several Republicans, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid angering McCain, said the campaign should have sought to plant doubts about Obama's associations with 1960s-era radical William Ayers and others months ago, rather than waiting until the campaign's final weeks. Doing so now, they said, makes the 72-year-old McCain come off as angry, grouchy and desperate, playing into Democrats' hands."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times #2
Granholm says Michigan must 'ride out' tough times
"Turmoil on Wall Street should abate once the presidential election signals what direction the next administration will take on economic policy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Friday."
..."Although not anticipating the recent market free-fall, Granholm said her administration made cautious revenue estimates for the current budget and is continuing tight-fisted policies on hiring and spending.
The budget should have a small surplus at the end of the year, "but we are still going to be extremely conservative in how we operate," she said.
Granholm said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. would provide a $400,000 grant in support of the partnership between Mariah Power, based in Reno, Nev., and Manistee-based MasTech Manufacturing LLC.
Mariah produces the Windspire, a 30-foot-high, vertical-axis wind turbine that sells for $5,000 each and can produce enough power to meet 25 percent of the typical home's needs. The company next year will release another model designed to provide 100 percent of the average home's energy, CEO Mike Hess said."
"tight-fisted"?????
"Turmoil on Wall Street should abate once the presidential election signals what direction the next administration will take on economic policy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Friday."
..."Although not anticipating the recent market free-fall, Granholm said her administration made cautious revenue estimates for the current budget and is continuing tight-fisted policies on hiring and spending.
The budget should have a small surplus at the end of the year, "but we are still going to be extremely conservative in how we operate," she said.
Granholm said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. would provide a $400,000 grant in support of the partnership between Mariah Power, based in Reno, Nev., and Manistee-based MasTech Manufacturing LLC.
Mariah produces the Windspire, a 30-foot-high, vertical-axis wind turbine that sells for $5,000 each and can produce enough power to meet 25 percent of the typical home's needs. The company next year will release another model designed to provide 100 percent of the average home's energy, CEO Mike Hess said."
"tight-fisted"?????
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