Tuesday, October 06, 2009

The "Difference"

The Difference:

If a conservative doesn't like guns, they don't buy one. If a liberal doesn't like guns, then no one should have one.

a conservative is a vegetarian, they don't eat meat. If a liberal is vegetarian, they want to ban all meat products for everyone.

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy. A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

If a conservative is homosexual, they quietly enjoy their life. If a liberal is homosexual, they loudly demand legislated respect.

If a black man or Hispanic is conservative, they see themselves as independently successful. Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation. A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels. Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church. A liberal wants all churches to be silenced and God removed from public view..

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it. A liberal demands that his neighbors pay for his.

from an e-mail

How Toll Of 'Social Justice' Eludes Elites

How Toll Of 'Social Justice' Eludes Elites
The Nazis murdered 20 million of their own people and those in nations they captured.

From 1917 and 1987, Stalin and his successors murdered, or were otherwise responsible for the deaths of, 62 million of their own people.

From 1949 and 1987, Mao Zedong and his successors were responsible for the deaths of 76 million Chinese"

Monday, October 05, 2009

Orton was a who?

Ortonville man dies after MSU-UM game
"A 25-year-old Ortonville man died Saturday night after he fell and hit his head following the college football game between Michigan State and U-M, police said.
The incident happened at a residence on Gunson in East Lansing, said Sgt. Mark VandeWouwer. The man, who had been drinking, was not a student at MSU, he said...... The man's name had not been released. "

ACORN embezzlement was $5 million, La. attorney general says

ACORN embezzlement was $5 million, La. attorney general says
"Louisiana's attorney general has broadened the scope of an investigation of ACORN to include a possible embezzlement of $5 million a decade ago within the community organization, five times more than previously reported."

Taliban Afghan momentum due to lack of troops

Taliban Afghan momentum due to lack of U.S. troops
The Taliban has the momentum in Afghanistan now because of the inability of the United States and its allies to put enough troops into the country, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday"

What great leaders Obama has!

Letterman apologizes to wife on Monday's show

Letterman apologizes to wife on Monday's show
"David Letterman apologized to his wife on Monday's 'Late Show,' saying she had been 'horribly hurt by my behavior.'
The late-night host vowed to repair his relationship with his wife, Regina Lasko.
'Let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me,' said Letterman, according to an early transcript of the program released by CBS."

Hey gals!
Is this guy funny or what?

Corporate Welfare for Mickey Mouse

Corporate Welfare for Mickey Mouse
"Earlier this month, the Senate passed the Travel Promotion Act by a lopsided margin of 79–19. The name is innocuous enough. Read the fine print, however, and the bill becomes rather less appealing. It’s corporate welfare for Mickey Mouse.

Here’s a little background on the bill. The TPA directs the Department of Homeland Security to impose a $10 fee on foreign citizens who visit America under the visa-waiver program. That program lets people from 35 countries, mostly in Europe, travel to the U.S. without first obtaining a visa. Instead, travelers register with DHS’s online security system before coming to this country.

The DHS fee could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade. (In 2006 alone, the United States welcomed some 18 million visitors from visa-waiver countries.) The fees will be used to fund a new nonprofit known as the Corporation for Travel Promotion. Its mission is to “promot[e] the United States of America to world travelers,” and it will do so via multimillion-dollar ad campaigns.

What could be wrong with that?"

PLENTY! READ IT ALL!!

Big Government Health Care PSA

This is Obama's best argument for his big government take-over of 16% of our American economy....and your health care decisions for you and your family.

I love that guy!

And he loves me too!!!!!!

Um, isn't that ship getting a little close?

Um, isn't that ship getting a little close?
"From the Enchantment of the seas.
OK, so we're sitting in port.
A few of us are on the pool deck watching the Carnival Legend pull out of port.
As we're watching it, it's getting closer and closer.
It looked like the wind was pushing the other ship toward us. I looked down and saw a tug boat try to get between the two boats, but it was too late.
Then the collision became inevitable.
There was some crunching and breaking glass noises and the ship rocked to one side a little.
It was such a slow crash that it was barely noticeable.
We could see scraped paint on the other ship, Really, nobody was hurt and we're waiting for the all-clear from the Harbor master to leave port."

Barney Frank (D-Fannie Mae) Comes To Talk To Michigan Democrats (with video)

theblogprof: TEA PARTY Protest Breaks Out As Barney Frank (D-Fannie Mae) Comes To Talk To Michigan Democrats (with video)
"TEA PARTY Protest Breaks Out As Barney Frank (D-Fannie Mae) Comes To Talk To Michigan Democrats (with video)
With Michigan being in the state that it is in - highest unemployment in the nation for 40 straight months, in a perpetual budget hole due to Democrat tax and spend policies that necessitated a short state shutdown (again), it was only appropriate that Democrats brought in Barney Frank to speak at their dinner yesterday in Troy, MI.
Especially since Democrats in the state have proposed this 5-point program to lift Michigan back into prosperity:

Hiking the minimum wage to $10 an hour for all workers.
Imposing a blanket moratorium on home foreclosures for 12 months.
Cutting utility rates 20% across the board.
Requiring all employers to provide health care to their employees.
Hiking, by $100 a week, and extending, for six months, unemployment benefits.

And no, that's not a joke. About 600 Democrats came to the dinner."

GVSU reverses course, sends bills to Michigan Promise students because scholarship's future in doubt

GVSU reverses course, sends bills to Michigan Promise students because scholarship's future in doubt
"Grand Valley State University is now telling students to expect bills to make up for potentially lost Michigan Promise scholarships.
President Thomas J. Haas sent an e-mail to students Monday saying the university is reversing course and now is assuming that the scholarships of up to $4,000 will be lopped out of the still-undecided state budget.
'I am disappointed beyond words that the state of Michigan cannot keep its promise to you,' he said in the letter.
Students had been credited for up to $500 for the scholarship on their fall semester tuition bills. Now they'll be billed for the amount and can pay in two monthly installments"

Bing: AFSCME won't budge; more layoffs may come

Bing: AFSCME won't budge; more layoffs may come
"Bing said the city has presented its final offer to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25, which represents about 3,500 of the 13,000 workers.
But he said the union has rejected any concessions, including his call for a 10 percent pay cut"

Teacher perks bleed budget dry

Teacher perks bleed budget dry
"The study conducted by analyst Kenneth Braun finds salaries for Michigan public school teachers are $12,000 above the national average.
If paychecks for the state's nearly 110,000 teachers were lowered to the average of other states, taxpayers would save $1.3 billion a year -- or exactly the amount of the deficit in the 2010 budget.
The salary discrepancy is a surcharge of $789 per pupil. And it keeps Michigan teachers the fourth-highest paid in the nation......
... Benefits for public school teachers cost taxpayers $2.6 billion a year or about $1,600 per pupil. That's 41 percent above the national average and consumes roughly 35 percent of school district budgets."

At least our bankrupt state is close to #1 in a couple of things!

What's new in Windows 7?

Komando Toolbox
"Q. I’ve heard a lot about Windows 7.
But I don’t know much about it.
What’s new in Windows 7?
Can I upgrade my machine without losing my data and programs?
A. Yes, Microsoft’s marketing machine has been working overtime.
But many are still confused about Windows 7.
Let’s get that cleared right up!"

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Capitalism: The Real Story

CARPE DIEM: Capitalism: The Real Story
"Michael Moore: Capitalism did nothing for me."

The data show that capitalism has actually done a lot for Michael Moore, and the millions of others living in countries with higher levels of economic freedom and capitalism."

Mug a Hoodie: Tories promise they will put 100,000 in jail to clear Britain's streets of thugs

Mug a Hoodie: Tories promise they will put 100,000 in jail to clear Britain's streets of thugs
"Thousands of thugs will be locked up in a fresh crackdown on the horrific lawlessness that blights so many towns and cities in Britain if the Conservatives win power.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling is to introduce new laws to tackle violent crime - and he will ditch Labour’s policy of releasing prisoners because there are not enough cells.....
They will also outline a huge welfare shake-up, aimed at stripping the work-shy and forcing them back into work and proposals to reform care for the elderly."

County taxi regulations proposal reaches dead end

County taxi regulations proposal reaches dead end
"After researching ordinances in cities like Kalamazoo, Waters had redrafted the proposal.
Her proposal had called for the state to regulate taxicabs similar to limousine operators.

Trip fares would have been agreed upon prior to a taxi picking someone up, instead of the traditional ticking meter.

“That would have been completely unworkable,” McEnvoy said. “When you drop someone off at Meijer, how long would you wait for them to shop?”

Is Waters as stupid as her proposal?

Bronze statue of patron lumber baron will oversee his park

Bronze statue of patron lumber baron will oversee his park
"The sculpture is another project of Downtown Muskegon Development Corp.’s Public Art Committee, which also made possible the Richard Hunt “Muskegon, Together Rising” sculpture in the traffic circle."

Oh boy!
More "art" spending!

Death is Milliseconds Away…


Death is Milliseconds Away…
"Unless there’s some Photoshop trickery afoot here, this photo makes you want to shout, “He’s behind you!”, because you know that the cute little robin is as good as a gone."

15 Most Stupid Forehead Tattoos - Oddee.com


15 Most Stupid Forehead Tattoos - Oddee.com: "Does the cursive make this f* word tattoo more elegant? (Link)"

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Guns allowed in Arizona bars starting Wednesday

Guns allowed in Arizona bars starting Wednesday
"Bartender Randy Shields was serving British brews and Arizona ambers as usual at Shady's bar in east Phoenix when he saw a customer walk in with a hunting knife strapped to his hip.
A disturbing image flashed through his mind — 'that knife sliding between my ribs.'
The customer willingly turned over the knife while he was in the bar, but Shields still worries about a new Arizona law that goes into effect Wednesday that will allow guns into Arizona bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Under the law, backed by the National Rifle Association, the 138,350 people with concealed-weapons permits in Arizona will be allowed to bring their guns into bars and restaurants that haven't posted signs banning them."

The silence from the MSM when dead, drunk Arizonians ....don't appear....will be deafening.

A VICTORY FOR FREE SPEECH: Pittsburgh-Area College Allows Student to Advocate for Concealed Carry

A VICTORY FOR FREE SPEECH:
"A VICTORY FOR FREE SPEECH: Pittsburgh-Area College Allows Student to Advocate for Concealed Carry on Campus, Abandons Repressive Policy.
Chalk another one up to F.I.R.E. — an institution worthy of your support."

U.S. Review of Battle Disaster Sways Strategy on Afghanistan

U.S. Review of Battle Disaster Sways Strategy on Afghanistan
"The history is replete with wrong turns at every point of the unit’s mission, starting with the day it was reassigned to Afghanistan from training for Iraq."

Editorial: West Michigan perfect home for March Madness

Editorial: West Michigan perfect home for March Madness
"There’s so much happening here that would appeal to an NCAA crowd. Grand Rapids, which would be the center of the action, has lots to offer in terms of nightlife and restaurants. But Muskegon, Grand Haven and Holland would put the icing on the cake for a West Michigan weekend fans would remember for a lifetime.

Depending on the weather, indoor and outdoor events showing off Lake Michigan could be planned.

When the Local Organizing Committee puts in its bid for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 games, we suggest they broaden their appeal to include the lakeshore communities. If the bid is awarded, certainly the lakeshore communities could offer coordinating events."

West Michigan in March!
What a concept!
Hoop fans would just love a 45 mile drive through the drizzle to wallow in our March Misery on the lake.

This has got to be the brain pupa of the delusional Paul Keep.

LeanLogistics preps for move, add 580 jobs in Holland | West Michigan Business - - MLive.com

LeanLogistics preps for move, add 580 jobs in Holland
"The company’s efforts have been aided by tax incentives approved by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.
The City Council has an Oct. 14 public hearing on the company’s request for a renaissance zone, the first step for local tax breaks on the project.
The economic development agency Lakeshore Advantage aided LeanLogistics’ efforts to expand."

A triple play of government tax incentives!
From our bankrupt government.
And so it goes.....

Muskegon County to save $200,000 through early retirements

Muskegon County to save $200,000 through early retirements
"Two incentives were on the table, but employees could only choose one. For employees with fewer than 25 years with the county, a credit of three years is applied toward the retirement medical plan. In other words, someone with 22 years could retire with medical insurance that is offered to those with 25 years’ tenure.

Also, employees who qualified to retire early were offered the option of collecting an increase of 200 hours in the employee’s “vacation bank.” That would be a $4,000 incentive, before taxes, for someone who makes $20 an hour.

The $200,000 annual savings takes into account salaries and benefits. While 10 of the positions are expected to be filled, the new hires will have lower salaries and less benefits than their predecessors."

This giant gift to Muskegon county employees may...and I mean "may" save the county $200,000 but if was really true wouldn't there be a simple way to track the savings..... and report it back to us taxpayers?

Yeah right. Just like all the other "savings" generated by the county "leadership".

And there is the idiocy of having to pay for the same position while the retiree gets a bonus AND a significant pension and health benefits paid by the state retirement fund.

So we're sorta paying 2 folks for one job? Yep!

And EVERY other county in the state is doing the same thing...so our broke state will get broker.

Now that's leadership!

Hoekstra workshop to focus on federal government contracts | Muskegon News - - MLive.com

Workshop to focus on federal government contracts
"U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is hosting a federal procurement/contracting workshop Thursday at Grand Valley State University’s Lake Michigan Center in Muskegon, 740 W. Shoreline.
The event is 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m."

State Budget Crisis Not Fixed » Mike Bouchard For Governor-some good ideas

Budget Crisis Not Fixed » Mike Bouchard For Governor

In September, Bouchard announced his proposals for avoiding a budget crisis in the future. His proposals include:
* First; every day after May 15 without a budget will cost every legislator and statewide officeholder a day’s pay.

* Second; no non-essential legislation should be considered until a budget is adopted.

* Third; the state should adopt a two-year rolling budget and use externally verified numbers with a three-year projection."

Muskegon, MI Employment Trends

Muskegon, MI Employment Trends

versus Muskegon Unemployment Levels 1 year ago http://www.localetrends.com/metro/muskegon_michigan_home.php?MAP_TYPE=m12_ue

Sad but true unemployment links.
Hat tip to "pete"-the-commenter below.

Cuti's Sports Bar and Grill reverses smoke-free policy after business slumps

Cuti's Sports Bar and Grill reverses smoke-free policy after business slumps
"A Muskegon bar owner who wanted to protect the health of his employees says he lost so much business in a 10-day period after going smoke-free that he feared a closure if he didn’t reverse the decision."