Porker of the month
"Rep. Abercrombie’s latest outrage is to slip a provision (Sec. 2833) into the House version of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act that would double the construction costs of relocating 11,600 U.S. troops from Japan to Guam.
The original cost estimate was $15 billion, $10 billion of which is associated with construction of living quarters for military personnel and their families.
However, Sec. 2833 requires that the wages paid to construction workers match the “prevailing” wages in Hawaii, which are 250 percent higher than those on Guam. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this “would increase the need for discretionary appropriations by about $10 billion over the 2010-2014 period.”"
Monday, September 07, 2009
French healthcare is 'badly run'
French healthcare is 'badly run'
"France must make big changes to its health system in order to cut waste and increase efficiency, a government-commissioned report is warning."
"France must make big changes to its health system in order to cut waste and increase efficiency, a government-commissioned report is warning."
A day—and a death—to remember
A day—and a death—to remember
"On June 25, Michael Jackson’s death dominated the headlines.
It was a sad day for his family, friends and fans.
But another death went nearly unnoticed.
Lt. Brian Bradshaw was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan.
Bradshaw didn’t make headlines around the world.
But nearly everyone in his hometown came out to mourn.
Martha Gillis is Bradshaw’s aunt.
She’s worried that a soldier’s death is often invisible to the public.
She hopes his nation will remember him."
"On June 25, Michael Jackson’s death dominated the headlines.
It was a sad day for his family, friends and fans.
But another death went nearly unnoticed.
Lt. Brian Bradshaw was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan.
Bradshaw didn’t make headlines around the world.
But nearly everyone in his hometown came out to mourn.
Martha Gillis is Bradshaw’s aunt.
She’s worried that a soldier’s death is often invisible to the public.
She hopes his nation will remember him."
The Founding Fathers Could Never Have Foreseen Obama
The Founding Fathers Could Never Have Foreseen Obama
"Now that the majority of Americans are finally realizing what kind of a Dufus they’ve elected to the Presidency, and those who know it but will NEVER admit they know it, what happens in the next three and a half years?
How can the world deal with a LAME DUCK Presidency just six months into office?
Everything this President has touched has turned into crap.
In less than 6 months he’s spent more money than ALL PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS COMBINED from the time of George W Washington, indebting the USA to the tune of TRILLIONS of dollars and still counting."
"Now that the majority of Americans are finally realizing what kind of a Dufus they’ve elected to the Presidency, and those who know it but will NEVER admit they know it, what happens in the next three and a half years?
How can the world deal with a LAME DUCK Presidency just six months into office?
Everything this President has touched has turned into crap.
In less than 6 months he’s spent more money than ALL PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS COMBINED from the time of George W Washington, indebting the USA to the tune of TRILLIONS of dollars and still counting."
David Sirota: Glenn Beck Is A 'Right-Wing Political Terrorist'; Van Jones Is 'A National Hero' | NewsBusters.org
David Sirota: Glenn Beck Is A 'Right-Wing Political Terrorist'; Van Jones Is 'A National Hero'
"what I think what's going on here is that the White House is listening to the right-wing's political terrorists, people like Glenn Beck, people like conservative activists who have targeted Van Jones because Van Jones is an African-American"
"what I think what's going on here is that the White House is listening to the right-wing's political terrorists, people like Glenn Beck, people like conservative activists who have targeted Van Jones because Van Jones is an African-American"
Whitehall wants $22 million bond issue
White Lake Beacon
"Whitehall District Schools is once again investigating the possibility of going to voters with a bond vote for facility improvements.
Last May voters decidedly defeated a $22 million bond issue. "
Be afraid...very afraid!
"Whitehall District Schools is once again investigating the possibility of going to voters with a bond vote for facility improvements.
Last May voters decidedly defeated a $22 million bond issue. "
Be afraid...very afraid!
Largest U.S. brewers say beer prices will take a hop up
Largest U.S. brewers say beer prices will take a hop up
"Drink up! Beer prices are going up.
The two largest U.S. beer sellers say they plan to raise prices,"
"Drink up! Beer prices are going up.
The two largest U.S. beer sellers say they plan to raise prices,"
Jobless press benefit extension
Jobless press benefit extension
"Since June 2008, Congress has extended jobless benefits three times.
Unemployed workers initially qualify for up to 26 weeks.
But with the extensions, Michiganians are eligible for 79 weeks of benefits -- or 1 1/2 years.
The proposed extension would boost the number of weeks to 92 -- a year and nine months."
Because of high unemployment, Michigan's unemployment insurance trust fund -- which is paid for by a tax on employers laying off workers -- is depleted, forcing the state to borrow $2 billion from the federal government
"Since June 2008, Congress has extended jobless benefits three times.
Unemployed workers initially qualify for up to 26 weeks.
But with the extensions, Michiganians are eligible for 79 weeks of benefits -- or 1 1/2 years.
The proposed extension would boost the number of weeks to 92 -- a year and nine months."
Because of high unemployment, Michigan's unemployment insurance trust fund -- which is paid for by a tax on employers laying off workers -- is depleted, forcing the state to borrow $2 billion from the federal government
Detroit takeover viewed as last resort
Detroit takeover viewed as last resort
"With increasing frequency, Mayor Dave Bing has raised the threat of receivership and warned the appointment of an emergency financial manager and even bankruptcy are possible for Detroit as he struggles to control the city's finances"
"With increasing frequency, Mayor Dave Bing has raised the threat of receivership and warned the appointment of an emergency financial manager and even bankruptcy are possible for Detroit as he struggles to control the city's finances"
Union bigs get the best deals: A sour Labor Day lesson on pensions
Union bigs get the best deals: A sour Labor Day lesson on pensions
"unions are once again seeking to recruit new members with promises of higher wages and generous pension benefits.
These promises are made despite pension funds' reports to the U.S. Labor Department showing that collectively bargained pension funds are underfunded when compared with other pensions.
In contrast, pension funds for unions' own staff and officers have been doing just fine."
"unions are once again seeking to recruit new members with promises of higher wages and generous pension benefits.
These promises are made despite pension funds' reports to the U.S. Labor Department showing that collectively bargained pension funds are underfunded when compared with other pensions.
In contrast, pension funds for unions' own staff and officers have been doing just fine."
Sunday, September 06, 2009
The hunt is on for more ammunition in Nevada, U.S.
The hunt is on for more ammunition in Nevada, U.S.
"The scarcity of ammunition is part of a trend that began immediately after the presidential election, retailers say."
"The scarcity of ammunition is part of a trend that began immediately after the presidential election, retailers say."
No.10 turns on Obama and Clinton for criticising decision to release Lockerbie bomber
No.10 turns on Obama and Clinton for criticising decision to release Lockerbie bomber
"The US was kept fully in touch about everything that was going on with regard to Britain’s discussions with Libya in recent years and about Megrahi,’ said the Whitehall aide.
‘We would never do anything about Lockerbie without discussing it with the US. It is disingenuous of them to act as though Megrahi’s return was out of the blue."
"The US was kept fully in touch about everything that was going on with regard to Britain’s discussions with Libya in recent years and about Megrahi,’ said the Whitehall aide.
‘We would never do anything about Lockerbie without discussing it with the US. It is disingenuous of them to act as though Megrahi’s return was out of the blue."
DARN THAT YOUTUBE
DARN THAT YOUTUBE
"Rep. Baron Hill, D-Indiana, cannot possibly be this big a jerk all the time.
At a recent town hall, a young woman raised her hand and identified herself as a journalism student working on a school project who was told she could not videotape the event.
Student: Why can't I film this, isn't this my right?
Baron Hill: This is my town hall meeting, and I set the rules, and I've had these rules... (jeering) Let me repeat that one more time.
This is my town hall meeting for you.
And you're not going to tell me how to run my Congressional office.
Now, the reason why I don't allow filming is that usually the films that are done end up on YouTube in a compromising position.
Hey, guess what? He ended up on YouTube anyway:"
"Rep. Baron Hill, D-Indiana, cannot possibly be this big a jerk all the time.
At a recent town hall, a young woman raised her hand and identified herself as a journalism student working on a school project who was told she could not videotape the event.
Student: Why can't I film this, isn't this my right?
Baron Hill: This is my town hall meeting, and I set the rules, and I've had these rules... (jeering) Let me repeat that one more time.
This is my town hall meeting for you.
And you're not going to tell me how to run my Congressional office.
Now, the reason why I don't allow filming is that usually the films that are done end up on YouTube in a compromising position.
Hey, guess what? He ended up on YouTube anyway:"
How to Insure Every American
Congressmen John Shadegg and Pete Hoekstra: How to Insure Every American
"•Costs and Control. The health-care reform debate centers on how to lower the cost of care, and who should ultimately control health-care decisions.
Under the current system, nobody is focused on controlling costs."
"•Costs and Control. The health-care reform debate centers on how to lower the cost of care, and who should ultimately control health-care decisions.
Under the current system, nobody is focused on controlling costs."
Rep. Rangel pushes the envelope of arrogance.
Rep. Rangel pushes the envelope of arrogance.
"Beyond that, it turns out Rep. Rangel failed to report assets totaling more than $1 million on legally required financial-disclosure forms going back to at least 2001.
The news comes on top of revelations last year that Rep. Rangel didn’t report — and didn’t pay taxes on — income from a villa in the Caribbean. In that matter, the IRS gave him a sweetheart deal; the congressman paid about $10,000 in back taxes but was not assessed any penalty or interest.
Can we have the guy who audited him?"
"Beyond that, it turns out Rep. Rangel failed to report assets totaling more than $1 million on legally required financial-disclosure forms going back to at least 2001.
The news comes on top of revelations last year that Rep. Rangel didn’t report — and didn’t pay taxes on — income from a villa in the Caribbean. In that matter, the IRS gave him a sweetheart deal; the congressman paid about $10,000 in back taxes but was not assessed any penalty or interest.
Can we have the guy who audited him?"
Despite rip current safeguards, drownings have not diminished along Lake Michigan shore
Despite rip current safeguards, drownings have not diminished along Lake Michigan shore
"at least 46 others caught in rip currents have drowned in Lake Michigan since 2002,"
"at least 46 others caught in rip currents have drowned in Lake Michigan since 2002,"
Airlines rachet up prevention to target swine flu
Airlines rachet up prevention to target swine flu
"Airlines are stowing pillows and blankets, and rolling out the disinfectant wipes to discourage transmission of the swine flu virus, all the while stressing planes are as 'safe' as trains or schools."
"Airlines are stowing pillows and blankets, and rolling out the disinfectant wipes to discourage transmission of the swine flu virus, all the while stressing planes are as 'safe' as trains or schools."
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