Governor has one choice left: Sing?

Governor has one choice left: Sing?
"Blagojevich's buddies—the ones he still has left—surely aren't amused. They must be wondering how long it will take for Blagojevich to crack under the federal weight and start singing about all his friends.

This is the governor who once bragged that he had the 'testicular virility' to make tough decisions. This is the governor who compared himself to John Wayne."

Granholm expects big stimulus

Granholm expects big stimulus
"'It may lessen the need right now to do immediate, drastic cuts,' she said. 'With this stimulus coming up, it would be foolish to put up drastic cuts when we know that relief is on the way.'"

Great, our cute gov is delusional.....our state is bankrupt but she's waiting for Daddy Obama to pour moolah into michigan.

Great......

Mich. lawmakers still get health care perk.... pork

Mich. lawmakers still get health care perk
"Michigan lawmakers seem likely to finish the year without halting or scaling back a perk that's the envy of most workers - full health care coverage in retirement after six years of service."
Under current law, former lawmakers can tap into the health insurance once they turn 55.

The House and Senate overwhelmingly voted last December to make lawmakers work longer before having most of their health care premiums picked up by taxpayers. Neither chamber passed the same version, however, so the old system remains in place.

While the bill wouldn't affect current legislators, future lawmakers would have to work 14 years - six in the House and eight in the Senate, the most allowed under term limits - to get 90 percent of their premium paid by the state, the same percentage legislators now get after six years.

Unless new legislators work other state government jobs, they could have no more than 42 percent of their premium covered - 3 percent for each year if they serve the maximum 14 years.

Yankee extortion?

The Volokh Conspiracy
"The New York Yankees have just asked New York City for an additional $259 million in tax-exempt government-backed bonds to finance the construction of their new stadium. This comes on top of the $940 million in previously approved bonds and up to $450 million in direct government spending on the project. Even prior to the current funding request, the new Yankee stadium had already gotten more government subsidies than any other stadium project in American history. The rival Mets are also asking for additional government bond for their new stadium, albeit a much smaller amount."

Remember this when NYC demands a bailout....likely soon......

PensionWatch

PensionWatch: "But California state government employees have an employer who regularly and by law provides a $40-50,000 contribution to each employee’s pension account — year in and year out — good budget times and bad. (And in bad years they borrow the money!)"

Pension Tsunami

Pension Tsunami
"That approaching wave of pension debt is bigger than it looks. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the multiple pension crises that are about to drown America's taxpayers."

If you need more worries, read this.
Yikes!

Muskegon ranks highest in nation for unemployment

Muskegon ranks highest in nation for unemployment

"Muskegon's jobless rate averaged 22.1% in the latest period. That's more than twice the rate from 2000.
Detroit ranked second with a 21.6% jobless rate. Pontiac was ninth at 19%.

Muskegon Mayor Steve Warmington says the census information is flawed. He says the study is based on all people in the city. He says people 16 and up, including students, senior citizens and people who aren't actively looking for work are included in the census survey.
Warmington said he understands the number is very high and is disappointed but also says 'The number doesn't accurately reflect everyone in Muskegon.'"

The unemployment numbers would have been WAAAY lower if they'd have included only employed persons.....

We're #16!

Report: Local schools' air quality among the worst
"Children playing outside Lincoln Park Elementary School in Norton Shores are possibly breathing the worst air in the state.
That's according to an investigative report published in Monday's USA TODAY.

Over the span of eight months, reporters identified and ranked 127,800 public, private and parochial schools based on the concentrations and health hazards of chemicals likely to be in the air outside.

Only 15 schools nationwide were identified as having worse air quality than Mona Shores' Lincoln Park, according to the newspaper.

Other schools in the Mona Shores, Muskegon and Muskegon Heights public school districts were identified as having some of the worst air in the nation.

However, the report may not be current. The findings were based on emissions reports from 20,000 industrial sites that were filed in 2005.

Junk science RULES!

We're #1

Muskegon, Detroit lead nation's cities in unemployment
"Census Bureau report on U.S. communities with at least 20,000 people says Muskegon and Detroit are first and second in unemployment.
The report compares the jobless rate in 2000 with the average for 2005 through 2007 and says unemployment increased in 71% of the cities and towns.
It says Muskegon's unemployment averaged 22.1% in the latest period, more than twice its rate in 2000.
Detroit's rate was 21.6%, while Pontiac was ninth at 19%."

Everything I hear is that it's Engler/Bush's fault.

Let's see... worst state.... worst city.... re-elected most everyone..... anyone see a pattern here?

Bald Eagle Music Video

The Palm Pistol

The Palm Pistol: "The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. It is also ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity."

Gimp gun!

Ain't ergonomics great!

Locally made wind turbines to create jobs

Locally made wind turbines to create jobs
"Energy savings improves to 30 percent when combined with the 30 CFL low-energy light bulbs included in the package, which will retail for $2,899 plus about $500 for professional installation.
Governmental rebates and tax credits could save buyers hundreds of dollars more."

This is lunacy!

30 light bulbs will reduce home electricity use by 15%!!!!!
How much did that "study" cost?

And it all make sense because "government rebates and tax credits".

The junk science dark ages have descended upon us.

No more "corporate welfare"?

My Way News - White House says auto deal is 'very likely'
"The size of the package hasn't been finalized, but it is expected to be between $14 billion and $17 billion."

The MSM has sort of forgotten one of their favorite terms of old, "corporate welfare".

Tax cuts to businesses used to be "corporate welfare" but enormous checks to the same companies are now simply a "bailout".

Gotta love the MSM. So much gravitas!

harrassing an intern is OK!

The Volokh Conspiracy
"this case also reflects that it is not a violation of the federal Title VII to sexually harass interns in D.C. or elsewhere."

Ummmm... interns... immune from Title VII..... ummmmm...... interns.....

New graduation requirements offer flexibility

New graduation requirements offer flexibility
"The 2006 law that established the graduation requirements allows students to ask for a 'personal curriculum' that would allow them to waive some of the required courses. They can waive part of the dreaded algebra II requirement as well as some of the other required courses in social studies, physical education, health or arts.
Schools can develop a customized personal curriculum for transfer students, students who have disabilities, or whose career paths would be better served by taking more of a different core class."

Huh?

Free discount prescription drug card offered to Michigan residents

Free discount prescription drug card offered to Michigan residents
"In an effort to reduce health care costs, the Michigan Retailers Association is offering a discount prescription drug card program that can save an average of 30 percent on many prescription drugs.
Free to all Michigan residents, the Michigan Retailers Free Rx Card has no income restrictions, age limits or applications to fill out. The card is accepted at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies in Michigan and around the country.
Members can download a card by visiting http://retailers.com"

Michigan News

Michigan News
Bankrupt ethanol maker VeraSun Energy Corp. will mothball its ethanol plant here until it finds permanent financing to fund its operations."

Michigan gets more federal home heating aid

Michigan gets more federal home heating aid
"The federal government earlier this year released $5.1 billion in fuel assistance to states, nearly doubling federal money to help poor people cope with high home heating bills expected this winter."

A "double" here, a "double" there and pretty soon we're talkin' some real money, eh?

Mechanisation Photo Gallery by Malcolm Niekirk at pbase.com

Mechanisation Photo Gallery by Malcolm Niekirk at pbase.com

Army cadets take trash-talking to new heights - wtop.com

Army cadets take trash-talking to new heights - wtop.com: "Perhaps bothered by losing the last six Army-Navy football games, a few Army cadets took trash-talking to a whole new level this week. College football's most storied rivalry just got a bit more personal."