NYT Calls on Terror Regime to Stop Accidentally Terrorizing People:
"The Times editorializes today on abuses in the Iranian prison system, and it is one of those pieces in which you can’t tell whether the writer is dense or stupid:
Iran’s Constitution and law prohibit torture; however, the 2008 State Department human rights report cites numerous credible reports over the years in which security forces and prison personnel tortured prisoners.
The government should be ferreting out and putting an end to these abuses.
One could attempt to take this seriously and ask, Why would the government “ferret out” and “put an end” to the very brutality by which it keeps itself in power? This is like saying to a mafia boss, “You should ferret out the people in your organization who are involved in stealing, bribery, and extortion, and put an end to these abuses.” Seriously?"
Would "dense" AND "stupid" be a redundancy?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Donations, card games may help fund Holton Township culvert
Donations, card games may help fund Holton Township culvert
"So this is what local government has come to: recycled wastewater pipe and a hat passed to collect donations.
That is what has finally resolved the stalemate over the collapsed Syers Road culvert in Holton Township that has left the road closed for two years."
This is what happens when government spends all your money on ..... government employees!
"So this is what local government has come to: recycled wastewater pipe and a hat passed to collect donations.
That is what has finally resolved the stalemate over the collapsed Syers Road culvert in Holton Township that has left the road closed for two years."
This is what happens when government spends all your money on ..... government employees!
Ship's log: The Indiana Harbor
Ship's log: The Indiana Harbor
Length: 1,000 feet.
Destination: Consumer Energy, Cobb slip.
Cargo: Coal.
Scheduled arrival: 7 p.m. Sunday.
Scheduled departure: 3 a.m. Monday.
Points of Interest: Built in 1979 as a twin-screw self-unloading bulk carrier for American Steamship Co. She is the ninth 1,000-footer built for Great Lakes service. Indiana Harbor is an awesome sight steaming up Muskegon Lake to deliver coal to Consumers Energy."
Length: 1,000 feet.
Destination: Consumer Energy, Cobb slip.
Cargo: Coal.
Scheduled arrival: 7 p.m. Sunday.
Scheduled departure: 3 a.m. Monday.
Points of Interest: Built in 1979 as a twin-screw self-unloading bulk carrier for American Steamship Co. She is the ninth 1,000-footer built for Great Lakes service. Indiana Harbor is an awesome sight steaming up Muskegon Lake to deliver coal to Consumers Energy."
Grand Haven voters to decide on ward system
Grand Haven voters to decide on ward system
"'I feel that myself and other council members have tried their best to represent the whole community and not just the neighborhood in which we live,' he said. 'It is better to think of how everyone would benefit rather than a small population.'"
Oh, get real!
Look how successful the ward system is for Muskegon and Detroit!
"'I feel that myself and other council members have tried their best to represent the whole community and not just the neighborhood in which we live,' he said. 'It is better to think of how everyone would benefit rather than a small population.'"
Oh, get real!
Look how successful the ward system is for Muskegon and Detroit!
"this 18-year nightmare did not have to be for Dugard"
http://ncane.com/uzbq
But it became increasingly clear Friday that this 18-year nightmare did not have to be for Dugard, with new details surfacing that authorities blew numerous chances to catch her alleged captor.
Neighbors complained to law enforcement that a psychotic sex addict was in their midst, alarmed that Phillip Garrido was housing young girls in backyard tents. A deputy showed up to investigate, but never went beyond the front porch.
Probation officers showed up at the home, too, but had no inkling that his back yard was actually a labyrinth of tents, sheds and buildings that were Dugard's prison.
They did not even know he had children on the premises.
Garrido also wore a GPS-linked ankle bracelet that tracked his every movement, the result of his sex-crime convictions that sent him away to Leavenworth for a 50-year stint, only to get paroled after 10 years.
"Why is he out and about?" said Dan DeMaranville, who investigated Garrido in the 1970s rape case in Nevada. "If he's on lifetime parole, where was his parole officer? The guy was a sick puppy, and should have been neutered before he was paroled."
The outrage came as a sheriff's department acknowledged that it missed an opportunity to arrest Garrido in 2006 after the neighbor complaint about children in the yard.
"We missed an opportunity to bring earlier closure to this situation," Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren E. Rupf said. "I cannot change the course of events but we are beating ourselves up over this and continue to do so."
"We should have been more inquisitive, more curious and turned over a rock or two."
Duh!
I sure hope there is a new sheriff in town soon!
But it became increasingly clear Friday that this 18-year nightmare did not have to be for Dugard, with new details surfacing that authorities blew numerous chances to catch her alleged captor.
Neighbors complained to law enforcement that a psychotic sex addict was in their midst, alarmed that Phillip Garrido was housing young girls in backyard tents. A deputy showed up to investigate, but never went beyond the front porch.
Probation officers showed up at the home, too, but had no inkling that his back yard was actually a labyrinth of tents, sheds and buildings that were Dugard's prison.
They did not even know he had children on the premises.
Garrido also wore a GPS-linked ankle bracelet that tracked his every movement, the result of his sex-crime convictions that sent him away to Leavenworth for a 50-year stint, only to get paroled after 10 years.
"Why is he out and about?" said Dan DeMaranville, who investigated Garrido in the 1970s rape case in Nevada. "If he's on lifetime parole, where was his parole officer? The guy was a sick puppy, and should have been neutered before he was paroled."
The outrage came as a sheriff's department acknowledged that it missed an opportunity to arrest Garrido in 2006 after the neighbor complaint about children in the yard.
"We missed an opportunity to bring earlier closure to this situation," Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren E. Rupf said. "I cannot change the course of events but we are beating ourselves up over this and continue to do so."
"We should have been more inquisitive, more curious and turned over a rock or two."
Duh!
I sure hope there is a new sheriff in town soon!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Kent County prepares to sue state over unfunded foster care programs
Kent County prepares to sue state over unfunded foster care programs
"Kent County has been authorized to sue the state over provisions of a 2008 settlement Michigan reached with a national children's rights advocacy group -- which local officials say illegally impose unfunded mandates, creating a strain on county coffers.
The national group, Children's Rights Inc., sued the state last year after a series of high-profile abuse cases, alleging some children placed with Michigan foster care providers were being harmed because of a lack of adequate monitoring. The case was settled late last year, with the state agreeing to a list of provisions including providing more case workers in abuse and neglect complaints, adding legal counsel for the parties involved and expanding eligibility requirements for foster care.
Kent County officials say the settlement, reached without their consent, violates the state constitution by mandating more than $4 million in added services, only half of which would be reimbursed by the state. They also say having to pay for services mandated by the settlement places in jeopardy less-expensive programs, which are more effective in preventing abuse and neglect"
It's about time!
"Kent County has been authorized to sue the state over provisions of a 2008 settlement Michigan reached with a national children's rights advocacy group -- which local officials say illegally impose unfunded mandates, creating a strain on county coffers.
The national group, Children's Rights Inc., sued the state last year after a series of high-profile abuse cases, alleging some children placed with Michigan foster care providers were being harmed because of a lack of adequate monitoring. The case was settled late last year, with the state agreeing to a list of provisions including providing more case workers in abuse and neglect complaints, adding legal counsel for the parties involved and expanding eligibility requirements for foster care.
Kent County officials say the settlement, reached without their consent, violates the state constitution by mandating more than $4 million in added services, only half of which would be reimbursed by the state. They also say having to pay for services mandated by the settlement places in jeopardy less-expensive programs, which are more effective in preventing abuse and neglect"
It's about time!
AIG CEO defends holiday, slams lynch mob attacks
AIG CEO defends holiday, slams lynch mob attacks
"He makes no apologies for his passion for Croatia, including his palatial villa with 12 bathrooms and his vineyards on the Peljesac Peninsula about a two hours drive north of Dubrovnik."
Who doesn't need 12 bathrooms?
"He makes no apologies for his passion for Croatia, including his palatial villa with 12 bathrooms and his vineyards on the Peljesac Peninsula about a two hours drive north of Dubrovnik."
Who doesn't need 12 bathrooms?
Ted Kennedy's Soviet Gambit
Ted Kennedy's Soviet Gambit
"Kennedy's message was simple.
He proposed an unabashed quid pro quo. Kennedy would lend Andropov a hand in dealing with President Reagan.
In return, the Soviet leader would lend the Democratic Party a hand in challenging Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.
'The only real potential threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations,' the memorandum stated.
'These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign.'"
"Kennedy's message was simple.
He proposed an unabashed quid pro quo. Kennedy would lend Andropov a hand in dealing with President Reagan.
In return, the Soviet leader would lend the Democratic Party a hand in challenging Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.
'The only real potential threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations,' the memorandum stated.
'These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign.'"
Final Cash for Clunkers data
Final Cash for Clunkers data
"TOP SELLERS
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus front-wheel drive
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit"
GM..Fiat...er Chrysler...where are you?
Chairman Obama will be looking into this soon, I'm sure!
"TOP SELLERS
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus front-wheel drive
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit"
GM..Fiat...er Chrysler...where are you?
Chairman Obama will be looking into this soon, I'm sure!
Big Beck: Goes over 3 million viewers, beats O’Reilly
Big Beck: Goes over 3 million viewers, beats O’Reilly in demo: Cable News Ratings for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
"Though a little scandal might alienate advertisers, it’s pure ratings gold.
Last night Glenn Beck had over 3 million viewers at 5pm, second only to O’Reilly for the night.
But, Beck had more 25-54 viewers than O’Reilly (888K to 876K).
I don’t watch or really even care about the cable news wars, but still…wow.
Even though Beck airs before primetime, when there are fewer people watching TV, he had the most 25-54 viewers in the cable news world for the night."
"Though a little scandal might alienate advertisers, it’s pure ratings gold.
Last night Glenn Beck had over 3 million viewers at 5pm, second only to O’Reilly for the night.
But, Beck had more 25-54 viewers than O’Reilly (888K to 876K).
I don’t watch or really even care about the cable news wars, but still…wow.
Even though Beck airs before primetime, when there are fewer people watching TV, he had the most 25-54 viewers in the cable news world for the night."
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed
"One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today."
Obama-care with a nicer accent!
"One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today."
Obama-care with a nicer accent!
Real US unemployment rate at 16 pct: Fed official
Real US unemployment rate at 16 pct: Fed official
"The real US unemployment rate is 16 percent if persons who have dropped out of the labor pool and those working less than they would like are counted, a Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.
'If one considers the people who would like a job but have stopped looking -- so-called discouraged workers -- and those who are working fewer hours than they want, the unemployment rate would move from the official 9.4 percent to 16 percent, said Atlanta Fed chief Dennis Lockhart."
16% !!!!!!!!!
"The real US unemployment rate is 16 percent if persons who have dropped out of the labor pool and those working less than they would like are counted, a Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.
'If one considers the people who would like a job but have stopped looking -- so-called discouraged workers -- and those who are working fewer hours than they want, the unemployment rate would move from the official 9.4 percent to 16 percent, said Atlanta Fed chief Dennis Lockhart."
16% !!!!!!!!!
Cash For Clunkers A 'Success' At Exposing Continued Decay at Bailed-Out GM and Chrysler
Cash For Clunkers A 'Success' At Exposing Continued Decay at Bailed-Out GM and Chrysler
"'In contrast, some automakers couldn't really make Cash for Clunkers work for them, and their August sales suffered as a result,' Krebs noted, 'Chrysler and GM — both hurt by extended factory shutdowns during their Chapter 11 proceedings — had limited inventory to feed Cash for Clunkers, while high-end automakers didn't have the right products for these buyers.'
Given the extraordinarily high levels of unsold vehicles GM and Chrysler had on hand earlier this year, I'm not sure that Ms. Krebs's claim about 'limited inventory' holds up, even with the extended shutdowns cited. But even if it does, why wouldn't the geniuses who fashion themselves as 'car czars' have done something about the impending shortage in advance?
The big story in vehicle sales ever since the bailouts of GM and Chrysler commenced in December of last year has been how those two companies have consistently lost market share ever since."
"'In contrast, some automakers couldn't really make Cash for Clunkers work for them, and their August sales suffered as a result,' Krebs noted, 'Chrysler and GM — both hurt by extended factory shutdowns during their Chapter 11 proceedings — had limited inventory to feed Cash for Clunkers, while high-end automakers didn't have the right products for these buyers.'
Given the extraordinarily high levels of unsold vehicles GM and Chrysler had on hand earlier this year, I'm not sure that Ms. Krebs's claim about 'limited inventory' holds up, even with the extended shutdowns cited. But even if it does, why wouldn't the geniuses who fashion themselves as 'car czars' have done something about the impending shortage in advance?
The big story in vehicle sales ever since the bailouts of GM and Chrysler commenced in December of last year has been how those two companies have consistently lost market share ever since."
ABC Buries Harsh Kennedy Obit, One That Labels Him a ‘Failure,’ in the Middle of the Night
ABC Buries Harsh Kennedy Obit, One That Labels Him a ‘Failure,’ in the Middle of the Night
"In the early hours of Wednesday, reporter John Donvan narrated a tough, comprehensive look at the life of Ted Kennedy, one that went so far as to assert that the Senator was sometimes 'a let down, an embarrassment to his family, to his party, to himself.' However, this eight and a half minute segment, which looked into Chappaquiddick, Kennedy’s cheating at Harvard and other scandals, aired at 2:30 in the morning, during a special, late night edition of Nightline.
A much shorter, sanitized version of the piece was replayed on the August 26 edition of World News With Charles Gibson. It left out the harsh words about being a 'failure,' the accounts of public intoxication and affairs, all of which were featured in the Nightline segment."
"In the early hours of Wednesday, reporter John Donvan narrated a tough, comprehensive look at the life of Ted Kennedy, one that went so far as to assert that the Senator was sometimes 'a let down, an embarrassment to his family, to his party, to himself.' However, this eight and a half minute segment, which looked into Chappaquiddick, Kennedy’s cheating at Harvard and other scandals, aired at 2:30 in the morning, during a special, late night edition of Nightline.
A much shorter, sanitized version of the piece was replayed on the August 26 edition of World News With Charles Gibson. It left out the harsh words about being a 'failure,' the accounts of public intoxication and affairs, all of which were featured in the Nightline segment."
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
"Posted by anthony11 on 08/27/09 at 1:58PM
You people act like you are shocked. Everyone new why the company was bought out. It was for a patent on the special coated paper number 5 machine made. This is no shock and the people should have been locking for a job a long time ago instead of letting there unemployment run out. The plant people new this.
a commentPosted by harleyrdr on 08/27/09 at 6:01PM
Anthony11, you're exactly right except there were several patents. The first thing SLAPPI did after buying the mill was transfer all manufacturing of the #1 paper grades like lustro gloss and strobe gloss to their other mills, then gave Muskegon the #3 papers like sommerset gloss etc. Then they claimed they could'nt make a profit in Muskegon. The truth is that they could'nt make a profit on the cheap grades of paper that no printers wanted anymore."
Interesting!
"Posted by anthony11 on 08/27/09 at 1:58PM
You people act like you are shocked. Everyone new why the company was bought out. It was for a patent on the special coated paper number 5 machine made. This is no shock and the people should have been locking for a job a long time ago instead of letting there unemployment run out. The plant people new this.
a commentPosted by harleyrdr on 08/27/09 at 6:01PM
Anthony11, you're exactly right except there were several patents. The first thing SLAPPI did after buying the mill was transfer all manufacturing of the #1 paper grades like lustro gloss and strobe gloss to their other mills, then gave Muskegon the #3 papers like sommerset gloss etc. Then they claimed they could'nt make a profit in Muskegon. The truth is that they could'nt make a profit on the cheap grades of paper that no printers wanted anymore."
Interesting!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Still 'Crazy' -- And Proud of It
Still 'Crazy' -- And Proud of It
"Us right-wing nuts sure is scary!
That's the message from the Washington Post.
To put this in language a conservative would understand, the fourth estate has been alarmed once again by the Burkean proclivities of our nation's citizens.
The Post is in a panic about (to use its own descriptive terms) 'birthers,' 'anti-tax tea-partiers,' and 'town hall hecklers.'
If, last Sunday, you spent a profitless hour reading the Washington Post (itself not too profitable), you noticed the loud yapping and desperate nipping at those who disagree with liberal orthodoxy.
It was as if top management were a toy schnauzer accidentally mistaken for a duster and traumatized by being run back and forth through the venetian blinds.
The wise and prestigious broadsheet institution was so barking mad that it sent three (Three! In these times of hardship for the print media!
When reporters are being laid off right and left--well, mostly right--and stories are going uncovered from rapidly warming pole to pole! Three!) journalists to do battle with 'The Return of Right-Wing Rage.'"
"Us right-wing nuts sure is scary!
That's the message from the Washington Post.
To put this in language a conservative would understand, the fourth estate has been alarmed once again by the Burkean proclivities of our nation's citizens.
The Post is in a panic about (to use its own descriptive terms) 'birthers,' 'anti-tax tea-partiers,' and 'town hall hecklers.'
If, last Sunday, you spent a profitless hour reading the Washington Post (itself not too profitable), you noticed the loud yapping and desperate nipping at those who disagree with liberal orthodoxy.
It was as if top management were a toy schnauzer accidentally mistaken for a duster and traumatized by being run back and forth through the venetian blinds.
The wise and prestigious broadsheet institution was so barking mad that it sent three (Three! In these times of hardship for the print media!
When reporters are being laid off right and left--well, mostly right--and stories are going uncovered from rapidly warming pole to pole! Three!) journalists to do battle with 'The Return of Right-Wing Rage.'"
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
Mill's demise 'devastating' to longtime employees
"Officials announced Wednesday the plant that was idled in April will not reopen."
"Officials announced Wednesday the plant that was idled in April will not reopen."
Hoekstra slates health care town hall meetings Monday in Holland; Saturday in Cadillac, Scottville
Hoekstra slates health care town hall meetings Monday in Holland; Saturday in Cadillac, Scottville
"U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is hosting a town hall meeting Monday night in Holland on health care, Hoekstra spokesman Dave Yonkman said.
The session is 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Evergreen Commons, 480 State St.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Hoekstra is also hosting town hall meetings on health care on Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Cadillac High School Auditorium, 400 Linden St.in Cadillac; and from noon to 1:30 p.m. at West Shore Community College's Center Stage Theater at the Arts and Sciences Center, 3000 N. Stiles Road in Scottville."
What? No Muskegon?
"U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is hosting a town hall meeting Monday night in Holland on health care, Hoekstra spokesman Dave Yonkman said.
The session is 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Evergreen Commons, 480 State St.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Hoekstra is also hosting town hall meetings on health care on Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Cadillac High School Auditorium, 400 Linden St.in Cadillac; and from noon to 1:30 p.m. at West Shore Community College's Center Stage Theater at the Arts and Sciences Center, 3000 N. Stiles Road in Scottville."
What? No Muskegon?
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