Sunday, February 15, 2009

Deal to Close California Budget Gap Stalls - WSJ.com

Deal to Close California Budget Gap Stalls
"One vote shy of a budget deal, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday pressured reluctant Republicans in the Legislature to pass a complex plan to close the state's $42 billion deficit."

Edumication - Alive and Well and Living in Muskegon

Edumication - Alive and Well and Living in Muskegon
"A view from the Gaza Strip, providing jail jumpsuit candidates for the future - The Muskegon Bored with Education Member who came up the ingenious plan for insuring sports victories by not havinng the 2.0 Grade Point requirement should be promoted to Stuporintendant of Schools."

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Lawmakers Add $250 Tax Credit For Retired Public Employees

Lawmakers Add $250 Tax Credit For Retired Public Employees
"Retired public employees in states including Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado and California won't miss out on a $250 stimulus payment, thanks to a last-minute change to economic recovery legislation Congress is expected to approve by the weekend.
'This is teachers,"

We tighten our belts so they can loosen theirs......

CARPE DIEM: Another Bike-Sharing Program is Failing: Paris

Another Bike-Sharing Program is Failing: Paris
"Making matters worse is a YouTube sensation/trend known as “Velib Extreme” where people are taking the bikes down staircases and on BMX courses just for kicks,"

An Afterthought...

CRACK'D MUSKEGON NEWZ
An Afterthought...: "He looks lakeward, 'This place, in winter, looks like one of those after-the-nuclear disaster movies. Last summer it appeared only marginally better than in winter-time...' ."

2+2=5?

live dangerously be a conservative
"Give people what they want ??
Give people what they need ??
Better yet, talk people into wanting what they need ??"

A Conservative Teacher: A Partial List of Spending in the Destroy America Act of 2009

A Conservative Teacher: A Partial List of Spending in the Destroy America Act of 2009
"Just a couple comments to this insanity. Why would a fully funded Census Bureau need an additional billion dollars- what kind of a game is this hiding? I thought Amtrak and Smithsonian were going privatized- how did they suddenly get back on the nationalization path? It's interesting how many palaces government is building itself- 'green' buildings I imagine are very beautiful to look at. Am I correct in seeing that $10 million is going to build 'urban canals'- what the poop is that about? Seriously, they should just include an item for '$10 billion just to piss away' and stop with the pretend items."

“Speechless: Silencing Christians”

Hello Michigan: “Speechless: Silencing Christians”
"This is disgraceful and a bit local to me here. This comes via the Detroit Free Press:

WOOD-TV 8 has decided not to air a controversial, one-hour paid program sponsored by the American Family Association due to criticism from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community."

Two Delphi white-collar retirees seek others to protest benefits cut

Two Delphi white-collar retirees seek others to protest benefits cut
"Conger figures about 4,000 of the Troy-based auto parts maker's 15,000 present and future salaried retirees have Great Lakes Bay Region ties, either as residents, owning vacation homes or having worked in a Flint of Saginaw County Delphi facility."

Remember this.

If these folks win their lawsuit, we taxpayers will do the payin'.

Incoming MEDC leader's goals: fuse entrepreneurialism, technology and capital

Incoming MEDC leader's goals: fuse entrepreneurialism, technology and capital
"Greg Main said the state's task ahead lay in figuring out how to combine entrepreneurship, technology as a source of innovation, and capital resources to benefit existing companies and to create new ones."

Michigan business OWNERS tell everyone that over-regulation, high taxes and thuggish unions are the reasons they are leaving, cutting back or closing shop in Michigan.

And now we hire this fool who promises to address none of the real problems?

We're doomed!

Mother of children killed in Fruitport Township fire, Tosha Captain, blames gas company

Mother of children killed in Fruitport Township fire, Tosha Captain, blames gas company
"But a DTE Energy spokesman says the company tried repeatedly to contact the family to arrange a payment assistance program after months of unpaid bills.
DTE spokesman Len Singer said the company shut off natural gas to the home Jan. 28 because the customer had not paid any bill since September."

Indeed a tragedy.
But there were 5 adults living in the home. And the gas bill, split 5 ways wasn't paid?

I'd be interested in how many cell phones and cable TV add ons they had.

Muskegon school district seeks public input on millage vote

Muskegon school district seeks public input on millage vote
"Three public meetings have been scheduled by the Muskegon school district to discuss an upcoming millage vote.
The meetings this month and in early March are designed to inform voters about the plan to pay for $12.7 million in improvements by delaying a tax reduction."

Understand this. The school system says it's out of money.

Not because their total amount of money "IN" is decling. It's because the teacher's union members took all the maintenance money for themselves.

So now it's our fault. Our wallets that must be emptied.

Everyone else and every tax paying business is cutting back. But schools continue to expand, spend and figure new ways to spend.

Oh yeah, the teachers always get their COL and step-up in pay every year.

But the rest of us gotta tighten our belts so the teacher's union members can loosen theirs.

Norton Avenue KFC restaurant closed for good

Norton Avenue KFC restaurant closed for good
"Closing the restaurant, 715 W. Norton, was based on financial reasons,"

This is actually old news as the KFC closed about 2-3 weeks ago.

But Muskegon has lost at least 15 restaurants in the last year.

Why note this closure and none of the others?

Federal obligations exceed world GDP

Federal obligations exceed world GDP
"As the Obama administration pushes through Congress its $800 billion deficit-spending economic stimulus plan, the American public is largely unaware that the true deficit of the federal government already is measured in trillions of dollars, and in fact its $65.5 trillion in total obligations exceeds the gross domestic product of the world.
The total U.S. obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits to be paid in the future, effectively have placed the U.S. government in bankruptcy, even before new continuing social welfare obligation embedded in the massive spending plan are taken into account."

Thursday, February 12, 2009

D.C. voting rights advances in Senate

D.C. voting rights advances in Senate
"A Senate committee voted 11-1 Wednesday to give the District a full voting seat in Congress, adding momentum to legislation that would end decades of frustration for residents of the nation's capital. Backers declared that they have enough support pass the measure, while critics expressed concern about its constitutionality."

Clearly unconstitutional... and clearly the demo-crooks care not.

CARPE DIEM: Off the Deep End


CARPE DIEM: Off the Deep End
"We aren't deficit scolds, but these levels are uncharted territory,"

CHARLES PLATT GOES UNDERCOVER AT WAL-MART

CHARLES PLATT GOES UNDERCOVER AT WAL-MART
"Some people, usually community activists, loath Wal-Mart.
Others, like the family of four struggling to make ends meet, are in love with the chain.
I, meanwhile, am in awe of it."

Fascinating!

P-P-P-PORKY AMENDMENTS

P-P-P-PORKY AMENDMENTS
"Schumer, again, this time updated and.....enhanced."

The Harbor Theater-this weekend!

The Harbor Theater
"Admission Prices: $6 Adults, $5 Members, $5 Seniors, $4 Senior Members $4.50 Students

MOSCOW-BELGIUM and I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG open February 20th!
WALTZ WITH BASHIR opens February 27th!

THE READER - Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture"

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Perfect Storm - Economic Presentation

A Perfect Storm - Economic Presentation

The MOST important video your WALLET will ever see!

Heavy Infantry

Heavy Infantry
"We've gotten used to journalists acting as lazy propagandists against the Iraq war effort, but yesterday's piece by USA Today's Gregg Zoroya takes the cake, stuffs its face with it, and goes back for seconds. 'Pentagon Reports U.S. Troop Obesity Doubles Since 2003,' reads the headline. For years the Angry Left has insisted that the liberation of Iraq was illegal and immoral, but Zoroya may be the first to claim it is fattening:"

Doctors are the most trustworthy and journalists the least, poll finds - Telegraph

Doctors are the most trustworthy and journalists the least, poll finds - Telegraph: "Less than a quarter believe government ministers are trustworthy, 21 per cent trust politicians in general and journalists are ranked as the least trustworthy with just 19 per cent believing they tell the truth"

Politicians beat "journalists" in trust?

yikes!

Trying to Live on 500K in New York City - NYTimes.com

Trying to Live on 500K in New York City - NYTimes.com

Obama wants to empty Manhatten?

Barack Obama's Economic Policy, Guided By Liberal Ideology, Is Impeding Recovery

Barack Obama's Economic Policy, Guided By Liberal Ideology, Is Impeding Recovery
"The Obama administration's economic policies do not include any of the four Reagan components. In fact, the stimulus plan is the greatest increase in government spending in the history of the planet. Meanwhile, the Fed is furiously reinflating, sowing more havoc down the line. Mr. Obama is still promising future increases in tax rates by letting the Bush tax cuts lapse, because for ideological reasons he thinks even current rates are too low. And instead of deregulating for more energy production, he is still promising massive increases in regulatory barriers -- through global warming cap-and-trade legislation -- to increased production from proven energy sources to serve an extreme environmentalist ideology."

Jindal pushing classroom discipline changes

Jindal pushing classroom discipline changes
"Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to give teachers more authority to remove troublesome students from their classrooms and to stiffen penalties for parents who let their children skip classes regularly."

Hope, dudes!

Macomb Commissioner facing recall for English Proposal?

Macomb Commissioner facing recall for English Proposal?
"Harry had discovered that the county spends more on bilingual education than on English as a Second Language. In other words, the county is investing more to keep immigrants speaking their native language than learning the language that will help them improve their economic standing. In fact, as reported by U.S. English.org, U.S. Census data reveals that an immigrant's income rises about 30% as a result of learning English."

Proposed minimum GPA for Muskegon High School athletes tabled

Proposed minimum GPA for Muskegon High School athletes tabled
"Funding worries appear to have doomed, at least for now, a plan to require a minimum grade point average for Muskegon High School athletes.
A committee of the board of education decided Tuesday to table a policy requiring athletes to carry at least a 2.0 average grade. Committee members expressed concern that the district would not be able to afford the costs of tutoring that academically struggling athletes would need to meet the requirement."

Don't these youngsters have.. you know.... like...... teecheers..... ?

Sen. Harkin: 'We need the Fairness Doctrine back' - Politico.com

Michael Calderone's Blog: Sen. Harkin: 'We need the Fairness Doctrine back'
"Just this morning, I reported that Sen. Debbie Stabenow has backed off on the idea of holding hearings for radio accountability, something she discussed last week with liberal radio host Bill Press (leading to an uproar on conservative talk radio over the Fairness Doctrine).

Well today, Sen. Tom Harkin appeared on Press's show and came out in favor of the Fairness Doctrine.
BILL PRESS: And, thanks for your leadership, thanks for your good work, it's great to have you there Senator. And, great to have you on the show. Appreciate it.

SENATOR TOM HARKIN (D-IA): Well, anytime – just let me know Bill. I love being with you, and thanks again for all you do to get the truth and the facts out there. By the way, I read your Op-Ed in the Washington Post the other day. I ripped it out, I took it into my office and said 'there you go, we gotta get the Fairness Doctrine back in law again.'

BILL PRESS: Alright, well good for you. You know, we gotta work on that, because they are just shutting down progressive talk from one city after another. All we want is, you know, some balance on the airwaves, that's all. You know, we're not going to take any of the conservative voices off the airwaves, but just make sure that there are a few progressives and liberals out there, right?

SENATOR TOM HARKIN (D-IA): Exactly, and that's why we need the fair -- that's why we need the Fairness Doctrine back."

The free market won't support "progressive talk" so we'll have the Brown Shirts of Pelosi/Reid/Omama force it on our airwaves.

Well, it's at least "change"....

Risky pension fund fliers must end

Risky pension fund fliers must end
"The worse news was that a significant part of the difference between Detroit's loss and the average loss appears to have come from investments in local businesses that went belly up. Five such deals alone account for $140 million of the $2 billion-plus in losses. The pension boards' losing gambits include a now-defunct waste injection well in Romulus and an Asian Village restaurant venture that lasted about a year....
Taxpayers can only hold their breath in hopes disaster won't befall them, while insisting that the pension boards clean up their acts."

"Hold our breath"?

Why not address the problem!

The public pension funds need to be reworked!

Calculating Employee Compensation

Calculating Employee Compensation
"When one does an in-depth analysis of the real rates of employee compensation in the public sector vs. the private sector, the solution to government deficits is clear. The solution is not “furloughs” or even layoffs. The solution is to cut their pay and their benefits to levels equivalent to what people make in the private sector. This step would not only restore equity to the workforce, but would immediately eliminate the structural deficits endured by state and local governments."

CONGRESS $HOPPING CARTS

CONGRESS $HOPPING CARTS
"The $838 billion economic stimulus bill that passed the Senate yesterday contains $300 million for the government to purchase a fleet of 'green' cars.
But the money won't just go to buy fuel-efficient hybrids such as the Ford Escape or Chevy Volt.
The cash also can be used to purchase 'neighborhood electric vehicles.'"

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Are you the change you’ve been waiting for? …

Are you the change you’ve been waiting for? …

Don't attack us please, UK ads to say

Don't attack us please, UK ads to say on Pak TV
The British government will air ads on Pakistani television urging terrorists to not attack Britain."

Eight arrested in Michael Phelps case

Eight arrested in Michael Phelps case
"We've also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong.
Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000."

Obamarama Linkapalooza

Obamarama Linkapalooza

Stealth bill would drop restrictions on travel to Cuba

Stealth bill would drop restrictions on travel to Cuba
"While most of the nation focused on the stimulus bill winding through Congress, nine representatives introduced a bill calling for an end to the 46-year-old ban on travel to Cuba."

Hey, what we don't know can't hurt us.... right?

MORE ON THOSE UNDERFUNDED/OVERGENEROUS PUBLIC PENSIONS

MORE ON THOSE UNDERFUNDED/OVERGENEROUS PUBLIC PENSIONS
"The common presumption is that public servants forgo high wages in exchange for safe jobs and benefits. The reality is they get all three.

State and local government workers get paid an average of $25.30 an hour, which is 33% higher than the private sector’s $19, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Throw in pensions and other benefits and the gap widens to 42%."

Yessir we got trouble, right here in River City

........why do people who live off the taxpayer get better benefits than the taxpayers?

When will "we" start asking this question with force!

Posted using ShareThis

Monday, February 09, 2009

"Let them eat garlic bread?"


The Platters to perform in fundraiser at Muskegon's Frauenthal Theater
"There also is discussion of having Cole's Quality Foods Inc. make 'the world's largest garlic bread,' he said."

Well, that does sort of difuse the Marie Antoinette thing....if you get my drift..... err...cake.......

The Platters to perform in fundraiser at Muskegon's Frauenthal Theater


The Platters to perform in fundraiser at Muskegon's Frauenthal Theater
"A fundraising campaign for celebrations this summer to commemorate Muskegon County's sesquicentennial has landed doo-wop legends The Platters for a concert next month at the Frauenthal Theater.
Bob Scolnik, a spokesman for the event, confirmed that the '50s music act has signed a contract to perform 7:30 p.m. March 21.
The concert is part of Scolnik's campaign to raise money to pay back the county's $10,000 pledge for sesquicentennial celebrations this summer.

Scolnik is a member of the county board, representing District 11.

The county's 150th anniversary of becoming a governmental unit is July 18."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Platters

1955: The Platters hit #1 on the R&B chart and #1 (2/18/56) on the pop chart with the Mercury single “The Great Pretender.”
1956: The Platters reach #1 with the Mercury Records release “My Prayer.”
May 19, 1956: The Platters hit #4 on the R&B chart and #4 on the pop chart with the Mercury Records release “(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch.”
May 13, 1957: The Platters hit #5 on the R&B chart and #16 on the pop chart with the Mercury Records single “He’s Mine.”
April 15, 1958: Twilight Time (The Platters) was a hit.
April 21, 1958: The Platters hit #1 on the R&B chart and #1 on the pop chart with “Twilight Time” and #3 on the R&B chart and #1 (1/19/59) on the pop chart with “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” Both singles are released on Mercury Records.
January 13, 1959: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (The Platters) was a hit.
1990: The Platters are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

National Socialism?


Bloomberg.com: Opinion
"But the bill goes further.
One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions"

Judges tentatively order Calif. inmates released

Judges tentatively order Calif. inmates released
"A special panel of federal judges has tentatively ruled that California must release tens of thousands of inmates to relieve overcrowding.
The judges say no other solution will improve conditions so poor that inmates die regularly of suicides or lack of proper care.
They say the state can cut the population of its 33 adult prisons through changes in parole and other policies without endangering public safety."

Let's get those judge's names and addresses and remember.

» 2009 Federal Income Tax Brackets

2009 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Projected)
Here’s what they projected for the income tax brackets for 2009, compared to 2008 figures:"

Pensions in Detroit out more than $2 billion


Pensions in Detroit out more than $2 billion
"Detroit's public pensions lost more than $2 billion, 30% of their value, in an 18-month period ending in December — which may eventually require the deficit-ridden city to double contributions to the plans."

General Motors to Invest $1 Billion in Brazil Operations -- Money to Come from U.S. Rescue Program

General Motors to Invest $1 Billion in Brazil Operations -- Money to Come from U.S. Rescue Program
"General Motors plans to invest $1 billion in Brazil to avoid the kind of problems the U.S. automaker is facing in its home market, said the beleaguered car maker."

White House Census Power Grab May Violate the Constitution

White House Census Power Grab May Violate the Constitution
"Here's an argument that it's unconstitutional for the president to take over the Census from the secretary of commerce.

It goes like this: Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution provides for an 'actual enumeration' and a statute passed by Congress provides that the duties under this clause are to be performed by the secretary of commerce.

Article I (as Joseph Biden didn't know in debate) is about the legislative, not the executive branch.

Hence, it is argued, the president can't substitute a sampling for the enumeration required to be done by the secretary."

And the outrage from the liberal media............

State retirement costs may ’skyrocket’

State retirement costs may ’skyrocket’
"As schools and health and welfare programs face deep and painful cuts in the new state budget, spending on retirement costs for state workers will increase 10 percent.
Most retirement costs are locked in by labor contracts, making them untouchable by budget negotiators."

Recession Info Center: Summary of employment


Recession Info Center: Summary of employment
"The United States has experienced several episodes of high unemployment in its modern history:

1933-1934: The years 1933-1934 saw the unemployment rate reaching close to
25%,
which gradually went down to 15% by 1940.

1957-1958: Unemployment rate reached 7.5% for a short period.

1975-1976: Unemployment rate maxed at 9%.

1981-1982: Unemployment rate peaked at 10.4%.

1986-1987: Unemployment peaked at 7.2%.

1992-1993: Unemployment peaked at about 7.9%.

2002-2003: Unemployment rate reached 6.3%.

2008-2009: ???"

Flint spends $87,219 on vehicle repairs in 2007 and 2008 without seeking competitive bids

Flint spends $87,219 on vehicle repairs in 2007 and 2008 without seeking competitive bids
"The administration has sidestepped its own procedures -- and the City Council -- when repairing city vehicles over the past two years.

The city spent $87,219 in 2007 and 2008 repairing vehicles without getting competitive bids and without following other procedures outlined in city ordinances."

Same old, same old...... we'll be "bailing out" Flint soon.

Will anyone follow the money on this?

Yeah right....

Blow-up Doll Party


Blow-up Doll Party
"A Florida man was arrested yesterday after he was spotted fondling and making out with a pair of blow-up dolls in a supermarket parking lot."

Hey!

We gotta have some fun...... don't we?

Keep The Pressure On, Spread The News, Kill The “Stimulus”

Keep The Pressure On, Spread The News, Kill The “Stimulus”
"The CBO claims we will work our way through this recession before this bill’s pork even begins to role out of DC. We clearly don’t need this bill to avoid catastrophe - it IS a catastrophe. It is a lame attempt by the liberals in DC to appear like they are doing something useful. It is a naked power and money grab.
When I see someone in DC taking massive loans out in the name of my family (debt raising bills) I expect them to be serious about it and use it well. Otherwise I will be spending a lot of time exposing them as the liars they are. If the Democrat Party continues down this path it will not only consume all the federal dollars the mind could imagine for the next 50 years, it will have consumed all its political capitol and good will."

The CBO says we don't need this porkapalusa?!!!!!

Where is the wonderful liberal media on this?!!!!!

House and Senate ‘Spendulus’ Bills: Hunt for the Bacon!

House and Senate ‘Spendulus’ Bills: Hunt for the Bacon!
"House and Senate ‘Spendulus’ Bills: Hunt for the Bacon!
At more than 1,500 pages, the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus bill aren’t exactly a light read"

This has links to both the house and senate porkapolusa bills.

All of the thousands of pages!

Isn't our gov'ment great!

Arizona Rancher Who Stopped Illegal Immigrants at Border Now Fighting $32 Million Lawsuit

Arizona Rancher Who Stopped Illegal Immigrants at Border Now Fighting $32 Million Lawsuit
"An Arizona man who has waged a 10-year campaign to stop a flood of illegal immigrants from crossing his property is being sued by 16 Mexican nationals — seeking $32 million in damages — who accuse him of conspiring to violate their civil rights when he stopped them at gunpoint on his ranch on the U.S.-Mexico border"

Who is paying for this lawsuit!!!!!!!

Kent, Ottawa County assessors brace for appeals from property owners as values jump past market worth




Kent, Ottawa County assessors brace for appeals from property owners as values jump past market worth
"At the same time, most property tax bills will show a 4.4 percent increase in taxable value based on last year's Consumer Price Index, or inflation rate."

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Frauenthalians Cage Fight!

Roll over Rachmaninov; Frauenthal gets ready to rumble
"Cage fighting is a mixture of martial arts, wrestling and boxing in which. The fight takes place in a large metal c the winner is determined by knockout or submission by one competitor or a referee's decisionage."

Wow!

What a perfect metaphor for the cage fight between our Frauenthalians and us poor taxpayers!

Of course, the "decisionage" in Muskegon tax matters is a millage vote, congenitally supported by our lone newspaper (and soon to be dead) TheChronicle, in the frost of February, voted upon by 10% of the citizens with a 51% approval.

Making us the perfect "6% solution" for ripping off us taxpayers.

Muskegon revokes tax break for restaurant developer

Muskegon revokes tax break for restaurant developer
Earlier this month, Promised Land Associates, 3355 Merriam, which once proposed a $1.2 million restaurant and nightclub for 709 Terrace, missed the last of a series of city-imposed deadlines for showing financial means to develop the project."

When will there be an analysis of the "success" of these endless tax breaks for Muskegon commissioner's friends?

The Spectator

The Spectator: "President Obama has had, by general consent, a torrid First Fortnight. To put it another way, it has taken precisely two weeks for the illusion that brought him to power to be exposed for the nonsense that it so obviously was. The transformational candidate who was going to sweep away pork-barrel politics, lobbyists and corruption has been up to his neck in sleaze, as eviscerated here by Charles Krauthammer. Despite the fact that he came to power promising to ‘ban all earmarks’, his ‘stimulus’ bill represents billions of dollars of special-interest tax breaks, giveaways and protections -- which have nothing to do with kick-starting the economy and everything to do with favouring pet Democrat causes"

OBAMA ON AFGHANISTAN

OBAMA ON AFGHANISTAN: “Now he’s asking questions?”
Mr. Obama. It’s beginning to seem that your policy positions undergo drastic revisions when it actually comes time for you to take responsibility, as opposed to standing on the sidelines and criticizing someone else.”"

Althouse: "Barack Obama's temperament is famously unflappable."

Althouse: "Barack Obama's temperament is famously unflappable."

Stimulus will lead to 'disaster,' Republican warns

Stimulus will lead to 'disaster,' Republican warns
"Leading Republicans warned Sunday that the Obama administration's $800 billion-plus economic stimulus effort will lead to what one called a 'financial disaster.'"

Remember who called it a "disaster".

How to cause a depression

How to cause a depression
"Tucked within the economic stimulus bill the House passed last week was a clause requiring state and local public works agencies to buy American iron and steel for their reconstruction projects, and the Senate expanded it to all manufactured goods."

Um... the USA is.... was... the world's largest exporter .....

Obama's NSC Will Get New Power

Obama's NSC Will Get New Power
"Jones, a retired Marine general, made it clear that he will run the process and be the primary conduit of national security advice to Obama, eliminating the 'back channels' that at times in the Bush administration allowed Cabinet secretaries and the vice president's office to unilaterally influence and make policy out of view of the others.

'We're not always going to agree on everything,' Jones said, and 'so it's my job to make sure that minority opinion is represented' to the president. 'But if at the end of the day he turns to me and says, 'Well, what do you think, Jones?,' I'm going to tell him what I think.'"

"tobacco.. money"?

Early push positioned states for green jobs now
"Michigan created a $2 billion fund using tobacco settlement money to target four economic sectors, one being alternative energy."

So they are "OUTED" by their own lies.


Mona Shores Millage 2009 ballot

Mona Shores Millage 2009 ballot

click it to "Viagraize" it.!

Just like our taxes!

Spartans' inconsistency shines through vs. Indiana

Spartans' inconsistency shines through vs. Indiana
"Despite a roster that includes three starting freshmen (and nine total on the 14-player roster), Indiana was a constant threat to the far more experienced Spartans throughout the opening 20 minutes.
Despite two errant field-goal attempts and six turnovers on their first eight possessions, the fuzzy-cheek Hoosiers still were an absolute thorn in Michigan State's side during the first half.
And in spite of an Indiana squad that is the least experienced in Big Ten history, returning just 19 total points and only 185 playing minutes from last season -- and ranks either 10th or 11th in pretty much every Big Ten team statistical category -- the Spartans' largest first-half lead of nine points, at 33-24, didn't even occur until Cedar Springs' Austin Thornton hit a pair of free throws with 78 seconds on the clock.

Take away half of the Hoosiers' 12 first-half turnovers and improve their 30-percent shooting for the period just a tad, and IU likely would have led Michigan State at the break.

It wasn't until Kalin Lucas' driving layup with 13:47 remaining that the Spartans were finally able to put up a double-digit advantage (41-30) against the undermanned Hoosiers. That also was part of a 13-1 MSU run that finally gave this game the appearance of a first-place conference team schooling the league's cellar-dweller.

But Michigan State was never able to put away Indiana prior to redshirt senior center Goran Suton's complete inside domination of the youthful Hoosier beginning halfway through the second half. The Spartans, despite their many advantages over a Hoosier squad that pretty much lost everything from last season with regard to coaches and players, never really delivered a legitimate knockout punch inside Breslin Center until Suton took over."

Despite author Howie's screed, this post looks like a 3rd grader's attempt to spite our Spartans, though in spite of Howie's college degree, he seems to be a 4th grader trying to impress his teacher, despite the odds of any educator giving this idiocy a D or worse, in spite of red-shirt-post-grad-soon-to-be-unemployed Howie's spiteful post.


Public Pension Troubles Loom for State and Local Governments

Public Pension Troubles Loom for State and Local Governments
"We have watched with trepidation as the stock market declines and along with it the value of our retirement accounts. Yet with our personal accounts, it’s our own problem. When it comes to public pensions, it’s the taxpayer’s problem."

Michigan Judge Finds Escaped Prisoner in His Trunk

Michigan Judge Finds Escaped Prisoner in His Trunk
"A Michigan judge says he's learned a lesson about locking his car after a 16-year-old prisoner who escaped from a courthouse cell was found hiding in the vehicle's trunk.
The Macomb Daily reports the teen had vanished Friday after appearing in juvenile court in Mount Clemens on a probation violation.
Sheriff's deputies searched for about an hour until a security officer became suspicious when he saw a picture that had fallen to the ground outside judge's car.
A deputy checked the car and found the boy in the trunk.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Peter Maceroni says the teen likely used a button inside the unlocked car to open the trunk.
The judge says that from now on he will lock the car when he's at the courthouse.

Seriously, let's look at this dufus judge!

Kristin Chenoweth sings "My New Philosophy"

YouTube - Kristin Chenoweth sings "My New Philosophy"

just cuz it's fun!

Black History month!


How Much Michigan Black History Do you know?

by Lisa Diggs

February is Black History Month, so we’re taking a look at a few of the many significant people and events that helped shape Michigan and the nation.

African Americans have been living in Michigan for nearly 250 years, arriving originally as slaves, until the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 banned human slavery, long before Michigan became a state.
In 1836, thirteen escaped or freed slaves petitioned the Michigan legislature for permission to start a church. Their efforts lead to the formation of the Second Baptist Church in Detroit. They purchased a permanent site in 1857, where the congregation still celebrates today.
Michigan residents played a pivotal role in the formation and execution of the Underground Railroad between 1830 and 1860. Station operators provided food, clothing, directions, and shelter to help slaves escape to freedom in Canada.
Nationally, the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law forced the return of African Americans who had escaped the horrors of slavery. To counter that, the Michigan legislature prohibited the use of county jails for the detention of escaped slaves and directed county prosecuting attorneys to defend the recaptured slaves.
Fannie M. Richards moved to Detroit with her family in the 1850’s and fought for equal rights. She opened a private school for African American children in 1863, and joined others in 1869 in filing suit with the Michigan Supreme Court, and arguing that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. The court agreed and in 1871 she became the first African American teacher in the newly integrated Detroit Public Schools.
Barber, John Wilson, chosen as Wayne County coroner, became the state’s first African American elected to public office in 1876.
At a time when neither women, nor people of color, were encouraged to express their views, Sojourner Truth emerged. Born a slave in New York in 1797, she was freed in 1828, and moved to Battle Creek in 1856. She traveled throughout the nation preaching about emancipation and the rights of African Americans and women.
In 1864, Detroiter Henry Barns commanded Michigan’s first and only African American military regiment. 895 brave men served in what was eventually designated the 102nd U.S. Colored Infantry.
Elijah McCoy took a job with the Michigan Central Railroad in 1870, where he invented an automatic lubricator cup that eliminated the previous need for trains to stop along the way to oil locomotive bearings. His patented invention was often imitated, but not duplicated, leading to the term “the real McCoy”. [Andy Comment: McCoy had his shop in Ypsilanti, my home town. I never learned of him until I went to Washington, D.C.]
After being kicked out of a restaurant for refusing to sit in the “colored” section, Detroit native, William Ferguson, filed a discrimination suit. He lost originally, but won on an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. He went on to become the first African American elected to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives in 1892.
In 1924, a then 10-year old Joe Louis moved to Detroit with his family. By age 19 he was already an amateur boxing champion. He won the heavyweight title of the world in 1937, and then became an icon for democracy and equality in 1938, when he defeated Hitler’s symbol of “Aryan Superiority”, Max Schmelling, in a first-round knockout in their famous rematch.
Songwriter, Barry Gordy opened his own recording company in 1953. The following year, he created Motown Records, and changed music history. The company launched the careers of Michigan natives, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross.
In the nation’s largest civil rights gathering up to that time, an estimated 125,000 people marched down Woodward Avenue in 1963. The march ended at Cobo Hall, where the Reverend Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech for the first time.
Forty-five years later, the United States has elected its first African American president. He stands on the shoulders of these and many other courageous men and women, who have fought for daily evidence of all of our inalienable rights.
To learn more, plan a visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

WHO GETS WHAT: Billions to colleges and students

WHO GETS WHAT: Billions to colleges and students
"The stimulus plan emerging in Washington could offer an unprecedented, multibillion-dollar boost in financial help for college students trying to pursue a degree while they ride out the recession.

It could also hand out billions to the states to kick-start idled campus construction projects and help prevent tuition increases at a time when families can least afford them."

Totally bogus lie!

The crooks who will get our children's money are the college teachers and their corrupt comrades in the government-industrial complex that sucks taxpayer's money like a limousine liberal in a "private" jet.

Drugmakers' push boosts 'murky' ailment

Drugmakers' push boosts 'murky' ailment
"Two drugmakers spent hundreds of millions of dollars last year to raise awareness of a murky illness, helping boost sales of pills recently approved as treatments and drowning out unresolved questions - including whether it's a real disease at all.

Key components of the industry-funded buzz over the pain-and-fatigue ailment fibromyalgia are grants"

EVERY doctor I've spoken to says this is a totally bogus "ailment".

Nash won't resign, despite attorney general's opinion


Nash won't resign, despite attorney general's opinion
"The state attorney general's office has indicated that Charles Nash's roles on the Muskegon school board and the county board are incompatible, but that's not enough to convince Nash to resign one of them.......

...Nash said he doesn't intend to resign because he sees no conflict in serving on both boards.
"I'm trying to help the school and the county at the same time," Nash said.
"I don't see what the problem is."


This is the new democrat paradigm.

"I didn't know it was wrong", "I simply made a mistake", "I don't see what the problem is".

DON'T THEY READ THEIR OWN NEWSPAPER?

DON'T THEY READ THEIR OWN NEWSPAPER?
"Milwaukee Public Schools would reap $88.6 million over two years for new construction under the economic stimulus package just passed by the U.S. House of Representatives - even though the district has 15 vacant school buildings, a large surplus of property and no plans for new construction."

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON NITROUS

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON NITROUS
"Comedy gold to cleanse the palate, courtesy of a trip to the dentist and a liberal dose of nitrous.... Alternate title: “Michael Phelps, the early years.”"

Michigan's fees on uninsured motorists only compound problem for struggling taxpayers

Michigan's fees on uninsured motorists only compound problem for struggling taxpayers
"There is little doubt that in these economic times, hundreds of thousands of Michigan motorists -- an estimated one-fifth -- are breaking the law by driving uninsured vehicles"

Mt. Rushmore of Sports - ESPN

Mt. Rushmore of Sports - ESPN
"SportsNation nominations carved the faces of 191 people onto the 52 Mt. Rushmores of Sports."

Saturday, February 07, 2009

CARPE DIEM: Even The NY Times Understands...

CARPE DIEM: Even The NY Times Understands...: "The proposal could increase ticket prices by about 8%, which could dim Broadway’s lights as tourists start thinking twice about that vacation in Manhattan. If tourism slumps in the city,"

CARPE DIEM: Taking Apart the $819 billion Stimulus Package



click to enlarge

The American Spectator : The True Origins of This Financial Crisis

The American Spectator : The True Origins of This Financial Crisis
"The stakes in the competing narratives are high.

The diagnosis determines the prescription.

If the Times diagnosis prevails, the prescription is more regulation of the financial system;

if instead government policy is to blame, the prescription is to terminate those government policies that distort mortgage lending.


There really isn’t any question of approach is factually correct: right on the front page of the Times edition of December 21 is a chart that shows the growth of home ownership in the United States since 1990.
In 1993 it was 63 percent; by the end of the Clinton administration it was 68 percent.
The growth in the Bush administration was about 1 percent.
The Times itself reported in 1999 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were under pressure from the Clinton administration to increase lending to minorities and low-income home buyers--a policy that necessarily entailed higher risks.
Can there really be a question, other than in the fevered imagination of the Times, where the push to reduce lending standards and boost home ownership came from?"

Friday, February 06, 2009

Obama executive order favors union labor

Obama executive order favors union labor: "President Barack Obama on Friday issued an executive order backing the use of union labor for large-scale federal construction projects.

The order encourages federal agencies to have construction contractors and subcontractors enter project labor agreements. Those agreements require contractors to negotiate with union officials, recognize union wages and benefits and generally abide by collective-bargaining agreements.

Obama's order restores a Clinton administration order that was revoked by President George W. Bush"

Obama's Leninism

Obama's Leninism
"The Founding Fathers divided the American government against itself so that, according to James Madison, “ambition is made to check ambition.” The purpose was to preserve our freedom and make it impossible for leaders to frighten and manipulate the citizens into accepting rash and precipitous proposals."

Val Kilmer ponders run for NM governor in 2010

Val Kilmer ponders run for NM governor in 2010: "Fresh from the inauguration, actor Val Kilmer is pondering running for governor of New Mexico in 2010, when Democrat Bill Richardson's second term ends."

Obama's Brown Shirts?


Reporter restrained after Panetta hearing
Following Leon Panetta’s confirmation hearing Thursday, several reporters approached the CIA director-designate in the hallway outside room G-50 in the Dirksen Building.

There, CongressDaily reporter Chris Strohm — upon asking a question — was physically restrained by a man who accompanied Panetta at hearings both days.

Strohm, when reached by phone Friday, said he was unsure of the man’s role.
“I felt this hand grab my right arm and push me aside,” Strohm said.

By his account, Strohm told the man, “Please don’t touch me” more than once. Eventually, the man let him go.

Tim Starks, a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, said he witnessed Strohm approach Panetta and ask a question, just before the man began “grabbing him by the arm and moving him away.”

“I said to the guy, ‘That’s not the way you do it,’” recalled Starks.

Starks said that he’s covered the CIA for years and had never seen a reporter strong-armed that way before, adding that the agency is typically respectful of journalists.

Reflecting on the incident, Strohm played it down somewhat, saying that he’s “had worse happen” while reporting.

A staff assistant at The Panetta Institute said they are not addressing any media inquiries before Panetta’s confirmation. The White House declined to comment.

After today’s hearing, there was no similar incident: Panetta briefly answered questions from reporters."

The new "brownshirts"?

FDA: Ga. plant knowingly shipped tainted products

FDA: Ga. plant knowingly shipped tainted products
"Food and Drug Administration officials earlier had said Peanut Corp. of America waited for a second test to clear peanut butter and peanuts that initially were positive for salmonella. But the agency amended its report Friday, noting that the Blakely, Ga., plant actually shipped some products before receiving the second test and sold others after confirming salmonella.

Federal law forbids producing or shipping foods under conditions that could make it harmful to consumers' health."

Yes this company is crooked.

But we don't pay for this company's products unless we chose to.

But we are forced to pay for the FDA and they are the fools who promised to protects us from these crooks.

Why is there no outrage at our government who steals our money and allows crooks to poison us?

Federal civil rights lawsuit against Muskegon County to continue

Federal civil rights lawsuit against Muskegon County to continue
"The Department of Justice alleges the county violated federal civil rights law by allowing ongoing sexual harassment of a female employee by a male co-worker who was eventually fired, prosecuted and jailed. The government alleges the harassment occurred in the period 1999-2006.

Also Wednesday, Scoville granted a motion by the victim to intervene in the case. Eva Amaya, a former 60th District Court employee, filed her own federal lawsuit against the county in October, alleging the county retaliated against her for complaining in 2006 to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Amaya was terminated from her job last year.

The male employee, Eugene Beene, eventually was fired in 2006 after other women complained about him. Beene later pleaded guilty to attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, based on his behavior at work."

Why the heck is our county fighting this outrage?

They already fired the thug for harassment!

Entertainment Calendar, Feb. 6, 2009

Entertainment Calendar, Feb. 6, 2009
"Love is in the air!, North Muskegon High School French students present sixth annual French Cabaret, North Muskegon High School, 5:30 p.m. today; and 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Show performed in French with PowerPoint in English. Reservations: 719-4170. Tickets: $18 adults (dinner and show), $15 students (dinner and show); Saturday matinee (no food), $10 adults, $5 students; Ages five and under (free)."

North Muskegon turns into France this weekend


North Muskegon turns into France this weekend
"When North Muskegon French students put on their cabaret this weekend, it will be hard to remember the performance is a type of classroom.
But French teacher, Bernadette Billock, uses the performance as a way to engage, excite and encourage fluency.
Roughly 80 students in North Muskegon High School's French program will present the sixth annual cabaret, themed 'L'Amour Est Dans L'Air,' (Love is in the Air) Friday and Saturday at the school."

Woman torched home for money, then blamed it on racists

Woman torched home for money, then blamed it on racists, authorities say
"Forsyth County authorities say Pamela Graf had an elaborate scheme to set fire to her home for the insurance money and then blame it on her support of President Barack Obama.
The scheme included spraying racist graffiti on a nearby fence and pretending to be in Washington D.C., for the presidential inauguration on Jan. 18 when her five-bedroom, 2,900-square foot house went up in smoke, authorities said late Friday."

Sounds so much like our Grand Rapids story....

Stimulis: Because all economies have performance issues

Difference between Muslims and Jews

Difference between Muslims and Jews

The Global Islamic population is approximately 1,200,000,000, that is, ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED MILLION or 20% of the world's population.

They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:1988 - Najib Mahfooz Peace:1978 - Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat1994 - Yaser Arafat:1990 - Elias James Corey1999 - Ahmed Zewai Medicine:1960 - Peter Brian Medawar1998 - Ferid Mourad
TOTAL: 7

The Global Jewish population is approximately 14,000,000, Only FOURTEEN MILLION or about 0.02% of the world's population.

They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:1910 - Paul Heyse1927 - Henri Bergson1958 - Boris Pasternak1966 - Shmuel Yosef Agnon1966 - Nelly Sachs1976 - Saul Bellow1978 - Isaac Bashevis Singer1981 - Elias Canetti1987 - Joseph Brodsky1991 - Nadine Gordimer WorldPeace:1911 - Alfred Fried1911 - Tobias Michael Carel Asser1968 - Rene Cassin1973 - Henry Kissinger1978 - Menachem Begin1986 - Elie Wiesel1994 - Shimon Peres1994 - Yitzhak RabinPhysics:1905 - Adolph Von Baeyer1906 - Henri Moissan1907 - Albert Abraham Michelson1908 - Gabriel Lippmann1910 - Otto Wallach1915 - Richard Willstaetter1918 - Fritz Haber1921 - Albert Einstein1922 - Niels Bohr1925 - James Franck1925 - Gustav Hertz1943 - Gustav Stern1943 - George Charles de Hevesy1944 - Isidor Issac Rabi1952 - Felix Bloch1954 - Max Born1958 - Igor Tamm1959 - Emilio Segre1960 - Donald A. Glaser1961 - Robert Hofstadter1961 - Melvin Calvin196 2 - Lev Davidovich Landau1962 - Max Ferdinand Perutz1965 - Richard Phillips Feynman1965 - Julian Schwinger1969 - Murray Gell-Mann1971 - Dennis Gabor1972 - William Howard Stein1973 - Brian David Joseph son1975 - Benjamin Mottleson1976 - Burton Richter1977 - Ilya Prigogine1978 - Arno Allan Penzias1978 - P eter L Kapitza1979 - Stephen Weinberg1979 - Sheldon Glashow1979 - Herbert Charles Brown1980 - Paul Berg1980 - Walter Gilbert1981 - Roald Hoffmann1982 - Aaron Klug1985 - Albert A. Hauptman1985 - Jerome Karle1986 - Dudley R. Herschbach1988 - Robert Huber1988 - Leon Lederman1988 - Melvin Schwartz1988 - Jack Steinberger1989 - Sidney Altman1990 - Jerome Friedman1992 - Rudolph Marcus1995 - Martin Perl2000 - Alan J. HeegerEconomics:1970 - Paul Anthony Samuelson1971 - Simon Kuznets1972 - Kenneth Joseph Arrow1975 - Leonid Kantorovich1976 - Milton Friedman1978 - Herbert A. Simon1980 - Lawrence Robert Klein1985 - Franco Modigliani1987 - Robert M. Solow1990 - Harry Markowitz1990 - Merton Miller1992 - Gary Becker1993 - Robert FogelMedicine:1908 - Elie Metchnikoff1908 - Paul Erlich1914 - Robert Barany1922 - Otto Meyerhof1930 - Karl Landsteiner1931 - Otto Warburg1936 - Otto Loewi1944 - Joseph Erlanger1944 - Herb ert Spencer Gasser1945 - Ernst Boris Chain1946 - Hermann Joseph Muller1950 - Tadeus Reichstein1952 - Selman Abraham Waksman1953 - Hans Krebs1953 - Fritz Albert Lipmann1958 - Joshua Lederberg1959 - Arthur Kornberg1964 - Konrad Bloch1965 - Francois Jacob1965 - Andre Lwoff1967 - George Wald1968 - Marshall W. Nirenberg1969 - Salvador Luria1970 - Julius Axelrod1970 - Sir Bernard Katz1972 - Gerald Maurice Edelman1975 - Howard Martin Temin1976 - Baruch S. Blumberg1977 - Roselyn Sussman Yalow1978 - Daniel Nathans1980 - Baruj Benacerraf1984 - Cesar Milstein1985 - Michael Stuart Brown1985 - Joseph L. Goldstein1986 - Stanley Cohen [& Rita Levi-Montalcini]1988 - Gertrude Elion1989 - Harold Varmus1991 - Erwin Neher1991 - Bert Sakmann1993 - Richard J. Roberts1993 - Phillip Sharp1994 - Alfred Gilman1995 - Edward B. Lewis

TOTAL: 129 ONE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE!

The Jews are NOT promoting brain washing children in military training camps, teaching them how to blow themselves up and cause maximum deaths of Jews and other non Muslims!
The Jews don't hijack planes, nor kill athletes at the Olympics, or blow themselves up in German restaurants.
There is NOT one single Jew who has destroyed a church.
There is NOT a single Jew who protests by killing people.
The Jews don't traffic slaves, nor have leaders calling for Jihad and death to all the Infidels.
Perhaps the world's Muslims should consider investing more in standard education and less in blaming the Jews for all their problems.
Muslims must ask "what can they do for humankind" before they demand that humankind respects them!!
Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability onIsrael's part, the following two sentences really say it all:

"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence.
If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel."
-Benjamin Netanyahu

Congress risks criticism over luxury retreat trips

Congress risks criticism over luxury retreat trips
"Members of Congress were quick to shame corporate executives for over-the-top extravagance during the economic crisis, flying private jets and taking luxury junkets. But some lawmakers are strolling fancy resorts spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars and mingling with lobbyists.
'We're very mindful' of perceptions, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson told reporters Thursday camped outside of the sprawling Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., where House Democrats spent about $100,000 on their three-day annual retreat"

Could the Stimulus Start a Trade War?

The Volokh Conspiracy
"Could the Stimulus Start a Trade War?
Some commentators and trade experts have expressed concern that the 'Buy American' provisions in the stimulus are not only wasteful, but potentially harmful in that they could be a prelude to greater protectionism, both here and abroad."

United States Senate elections, 2010

United States Senate elections, 2010
"Elections to the United States Senate will be held on November 2, 2010, with at least 36 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested."

Good resource for how these crooks will vote in 2010.

And it doesn't look good for the GOPers.

They defend 14 seats and have 4 retiring.
That's 18 out of 36 seats up for election.

Recycling -- we all can help out

Recycling -- we all can help out
"Obama's larger point was about the profligate ways that we have long accepted as rightfully ours in this country now are going through a painful but long overdue re-examination.
As that relates to recycling, Americans can scarcely afford to keep throwing virtually everything away, wasting the world's resources in the name of our supposed right of 'convenience.'"

The jihad against Britain's Jews

The Spectator:
"Jewish parents report that their children – some as young as eight – are now running a gauntlet of attack from their Muslim classmates at school who accuse them of ‘killing Palestinian children’. Comments by adults about ‘Jews controlling all the money/the media/the BBC’ (yes, really! All because it allowed Israel’s spokesman to put the case for Israel from time to time) are now commonplace in both private and public discourse."

Here's the juice on wind power

Here's the juice on wind power
"Fascinating idea -- owning a wind generator that could be tied into the electrical grid, allowing homeowners to use and sell power to Consumers Energy, rather than the other way around.

Want to know more? Attend a free workshop Feb. 11, in which terms and concepts like 'net metering,' as well as the availability of various loans and grants, will be discussed by experts at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon from 10 a.m. to noon.

It will involve speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Consumers Energy. To register, contact Muskegon Area First, at (231) 724-3181.

For our money, such face-to-face discussions can throw on a proverbial light switch, quickly illuminating good ideas that, until then, might have seemed shrouded in mystery."

Into the belly of the Beast.

Cut downtown Jackson parking fees now

Cut downtown Jackson parking fees now
"The council will consider cutting parking assessments for downtown merchants by 30 percent. The move follows a report from an ad-hoc group that the city collects far more money than it needs to provide and maintain downtown parking."

Cherry speech post.... gone!

cherry speech - Google Search
"Flat speech raises questions about Lt. Gov. John Cherry's ...

This is no longer a good link.

Interesting.

U.S. should cap lawyer fees while they're at it

U.S. should cap lawyer fees while they're at it
"Then there are the bankruptcy lawyers. For them, these are grand times.

The business of going under is one of the few booming ones these days, and fees paid to those who guide sick or dead companies through bankruptcy are, too.

Rates broke through the US$1,000-an-hour barrier for the priciest bankruptcy legal advice, running up to US$1,110 at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, based in Chicago."

Cher: Republican Rule Almost ‘Killed Me’

Cher: Republican Rule Almost ‘Killed Me’
"Grammy award-winning singer and Academy award-winning actress Cher told CNSNews.com that living under Republican rule almost “killed' her, and she does not understand why anyone would want to be a Republican."