Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Cell phone ban in school speed zones in effect, under radar

Cell phone ban in school speed zones in effect, under radar
"School districts and police officials are using e-mails, letters and warnings to publicize a new state law that has taken many parents by surprise because it prohibits the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving in a school zone.

Since the law took effect Jan. 1, officials have scrambled to inform parents who dial away while performing the daily rite of dropping off or picking up their children amid a thicket of cars, buses and darting pedestrians.
Many find the law confusing, and even some police officials complain that it will be difficult to enforce.

'Personally, I think the police have better things to do than sit in the parking lot of schools and watch for people talking on the phone,'"

Hazelwood man dies after 10 calls to 911 over two days

Hazelwood man dies after 10 calls to 911 over two days
"In his first call to 911, Curtis Mitchell sounded calm, explaining to dispatchers that his 'entire stomach [was] in pain.'

By the time his longtime girlfriend made a 10th call nearly 30 hours later, she was frantic.
He wasn't breathing.
He was cold to the touch.

'Oh God, oh God,' Sharon Edge sobbed to dispatchers.
'I've been trying to get an ambulance over here for three days.'

Paramedics arrived at their Hazelwood home as Ms. Edge tried to resuscitate the 50-year-old, but it was too late.

'I sat up here with him, watching him die,' Ms. Edge said Tuesday, after city officials apologized to her and pledged immediate changes in emergency response after Mr. Mitchell's death on Feb. 7.

'They didn't do their jobs like they were supposed to.'"

But government run health care is way less complicated and would be run much better than this.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Foreigners cut Treasury stakes; rates could rise - Yahoo! Finance

Foreigners cut Treasury stakes; rates could rise - Yahoo! Finance: "A record drop in foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury bills in December sent a reminder that the government might have to pay higher interest rates on its debt to continue to attract investors.
China reduced its stake and lost the position it's held for more than a year as the largest foreign holder of Treasury debt. Japan retook the top spot as it boosted its Treasury holdings.
The Treasury Department said foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury bills fell by a record $53 billion in December. That topped the previous record drop of $44.5 billion in April 2009.
Private analysts, though, were split over the significance of the decline. Some doubted that the drop in foreign holdings of short-term Treasuries signified growing unease about holding U.S. debt. They noted that net purchases of longer-term Treasury debt rose in December by $70 billion.
But other economists saw the decline as a warning signal. They fear that foreigners, especially the Chinese, have begun to worry about record-high U.S. budget deficits and are looking to diversify their holdings."

American Thinker Blog: Tea Party truths

American Thinker Blog: Tea Party truths: "Tea Party truths
Russ Vaughn

Glenn Reynolds, better known to bloggers of our persuasion as Instapundit, absolutely nailed it in his WSJ article this past weekend entitled, What I Saw at the Tea Party Convention. What is so effective is the way Reynolds sets the stage with his lead paragraph and the two following:


There were promises of transparency and of a new kind of collaborative politics where establishment figures listened to ordinary Americans. We were going to see net spending cuts, tax cuts for nearly all Americans, an end to earmarks, legislation posted online for the public to review before it is signed into law, and a line-by-line review of the federal budget to remove wasteful programs.

These weren't the tea-party platforms I heard discussed in Nashville last weekend. They were the campaign promises of Barack Obama in 2008.

Mr. Obama made those promises because the ideas they represented were popular with average Americans. So popular, it turns out, that average Americans are organizing themselves in pursuit of the kind of good government Mr. Obama promised, but has not delivered. And that, in a nutshell, was the feel of the National Tea Party Convention. The political elites have failed, and citizens are stepping in to pick up the slack.


Well that's a nutshell that foaming-mouthed liberals like Olbermann, Matthews, Maddow and the Puffington Host will be gagging on."

52% say Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012


CNN poll: 52% say Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012
"52 percent of Americans said President Barack Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012, according to a new poll."
Well, record setting unemployment isn't a great reelection strategery.

Lone voice warns of debt threat to Fed


Lone voice warns of debt threat to Fed
"The US must fix its growing debt problems or risk a new financial crisis, Thomas Hoenig, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, warned on Tuesday, adding a mounting deficit could spur inflation.

Mr Hoenig said that rising debt was infringing on the central bank’s ability to fulfil its goals of maintaining price stability and long-term economic growth.
“Stunning” deficit projections were putting political pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates low, infringing on its independence at the risk of inflation, he said.
“Without pre-emptive action, the US risks its next crisis,” Mr Hoenig said in a speech at the Pew-Peterson Commission on Budget Reform."

Seriously.
This is a major "DUH".
Spending like drunken Kennedys will lead to bankruptcy?
What a concept!

Bad Behavior Leaves Cox Open to Extortion

Bad Behavior Leaves Cox Open to Extortion
"That’s not the case here in Michigan, where one of our state’s most famous philanderers is still taken seriously.
In January, The Oakland Press named Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox one of their “Top 10 Cheaters” of the decade.
In 2005, Cox held a press conference to announce that he had taken part in an extramarital affair in 2003, while serving as the state’s Attorney General.
Cox only went public with the affair after trial lawyer Geoffrey Fieger allegedly threatened to expose it if Cox did not drop an investigation into Fieger’s alleged campaign finance violations.
One can only wonder what other secrets leave Mike Cox vulnerable to extortion"

This seems to be a hit-site set up by Cox opponents but it does ask legitimate, unanswered questions.

Last year, I asked the Cox campaign how he would handle the uncomfortable questions that surely would be asked by the media and his political opponents.

They dodged and tried to "shout" me down, even calling me at home and calling my political friends to shut me up.

Now it appears to be coming out again.

And Cox has yet to address the political problem.

How will he do in a statewide debate?

Will Michigan Business Taxpayers Be Subsidizing Batteries for 'Free' Golf Carts?

Will Michigan Business Taxpayers Be Subsidizing Batteries for 'Free' Golf Carts?
"While many Michigan taxpayers may be laughing or angry at the revelation by Fox News' John Stossel that he obtained a 'free' golf cart using special tax breaks and giveaways for electric cars [video], very few may realize that Michigan's lawmakers have been altering this state's business tax code to provide special credits and giveaways for the industry that creates these cars.

Most recently, on Dec. 31, 2009, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law House Bill 5469, which expands a taxpayer subsidy for makers of electric car batteries.
Two weeks earlier, overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate voted to approve the bill — only nine lawmakers out of 148 voted 'no.'"

More "business as usual" for our Michigan legislators.
We will have a chance to see real change in the August primaries.
Do we have the cojones to stand up to the forces of fiscal evil?

‘Oddball’ portrait of Amy Bishop emerges


‘Oddball’ portrait of Amy Bishop emerges
"A family source said Bishop, a mother of four children - the youngest a third-grade boy - was a far-left political extremist who was “obsessed” with President Obama to the point of being off-putting."

Too much of a good thing?

Monday, February 15, 2010

Optimal Waist-to-Hip Ratios in Women Activate Neural Reward Centers in Men

PLoS ONE: Optimal Waist-to-Hip Ratios in Women Activate Neural Reward Centers in Men
"Secondary sexual characteristics convey information about reproductive potential.
In the same way that facial symmetry and masculinity, and shoulder-to-hip ratio convey information about reproductive/genetic quality in males, waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR) is a phenotypic cue to fertility, fecundity, neurodevelopmental resources in offspring, and overall health, and is indicative of “good genes” in women."

"Fecundity"?
I always thought it was tits and ass...... hooters and hips.

Am I still single cuz I never understood fecundity?

Vancouver’s quick descent from high ground

James Lawton: Vancouver’s quick descent from high ground
"Kumaritashvili had just 26 practice runs, as opposed to the 200 for the Canadians"

Great Olympic comebacks by Wescott, Miller & Vonn


Great Olympic comebacks by Wescott, Miller & Vonn
"The speedskating event was delayed because both Zambonis were busted, leaving the machines in need of repair and the ice in need of cleaning."

The Zambonis were "busted"?

Is this a drug thing?

Heh....

Gary Berdinski, Muskegon County sheriff's marine officer, retires after 37 years


Gary Berdinski, Muskegon County sheriff's marine officer, retires after 37 years
“I’m the guy with the cool job,” he likes to say.
“The coolest job ever.”"
A great guy!
A skinny guy!
Enjoy your retirement Sheriff Gary!

Snow days deprive many kids of food


Snow days deprive many kids of food
"As back-to-back snowstorms shuttered schools for the week across the mid-Atlantic states, parents fretted about lost learning time, administrators scheduled makeup days and teachers posted assignments online.
But Marla Caplon worried about a more fundamental problem:
How would students eat?

The two snowstorms that pummeled the region, leaving more than 3 feet of snow in some areas, deprived tens of thousands of children from Virginia to Pennsylvania of the free or reduced-price school lunch that may be their only nutritious meal of the day.
The nonprofits that try to meet the need when school is not in session also closed their doors for much of the week, leaving many families looking at bare cupboards.
And many parents working hourly jobs were unable to earn any money during the week, as the snow forced businesses to close.

Caplon is a food services supervisor for Montgomery County Public Schools, where about 43,000 children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
Some also get breakfast, dinner and bags of staple foods to take home for the weekend.
The snow days meant children would get none of that until Tuesday, because schools are closed Monday for Presidents Day."

Democratic Sen. Bayh Will Not Seek Re-Election This Year


Democratic Sen. Bayh Will Not Seek Re-Election This Year
"Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this November, an unexpected decision that hands Republicans an opportunity for a pick-up in a year when Democrats are already defending several open Senate seats."

This is BIG!

"Hitler on Climate Change"




Last Man In « Neptunus Lex:

"It’s probably a sign that the whole “Hitler parody” thing has run its course when I jump in."

You must see this video!
Way too funny...and close to the truth!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Unemployment in the Great Recession


Power Line - Unemployment in the Great Recession
"In his most recent column, Cooley asks where job growth will come from.
Nor surprisingly, Cooley urges that 'policies designed to create new jobs in the economy should be directed at encouraging new firms.'
I see no evidence that such policies will be forthcoming from the federal government in the next year.
On the contrary, among other things, the tax increases built into Obama's budget will discourage new firms."

Spartan green to take on darker shade


Spartan green to take on darker shade

"Spartan fans, get ready to bleed a different shade of green.
This morning, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees officially replaced the Spartan green that’s been used since 1997 with a new, darker Spartan green.
The new shade, Pantone Matching System Color 567, is supposed to be more consistent with the pre-1997 green used by the university."

http://www.spartantailgate.com/forums/msu-red-cedar-message-board/429856-tofficial-new-msu-green-pms-567-a.html#post6585233

Gun owners in cross hairs


Gun owners in cross hairs
"The gun grabbers are at it again in Maryland. Next month, the state's House Judiciary Committee will initiate hearings on legislation forcing firearms enthusiasts to register with the state government before they can exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The bill would make it a crime on par with murder, kidnapping, rape and extortion for a private party to sell his own gun to someone who has no license. "

Climategate: What Did Phil Jones Actually Admit? Was He Correct?


Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995

Professor Phil Jones admitted his record keeping is 'not as good as it should be

"Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995"

Data for vital 'hockey stick graph' has gone missing

There has been no global warming since 1995

Warming periods have happened before - but NOT due to man-made changes

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html#ixzz0fX24s4Eh

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Police: Wife of slain Olympian arrested in Calif.

Police: Wife of slain Olympian arrested in Calif
"The wife of an Olympic shot put medalist gunned down in his Southern California back yard last summer was arrested Saturday in the homicide case, authorities said.
Oxnard police said in a written statement that Jane Laut, 52, was arrested during a traffic stop Saturday morning.
Police said an arrest warrant had been issued earlier in the week.
Her husband David Laut, who won a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, was shot several times in the head on the night of Aug. 28 in their yard in Oxnard, a coastal city 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
He was declared dead at the scene"

Nice timing!

Changes on Luge Track Could Offset Canadian Team’s Advantage - NYTimes.com

Changes on Luge Track Could Offset Canadian Team’s Advantage
"Canada was criticized for granting foreign athletes only limited training access to the Olympic sliding center before the Winter Games. Now its luge team will have to quickly adjust to the course along with everyone else."

Moe Lane » Rep. Bill Delahunt (D, MA): why did you put Amy Bishop back on the street?

Moe Lane » Rep. Bill Delahunt (D, MA): why did you put Amy Bishop back on the street?
"Amy Bishop, of course, is the woman who murdered those people down at the University of Alabama… and, apparently, she was ‘taken into custody’ for the murder of her brother in 1986. And that’s where it gets interesting."

Greece turns on EU critics

Greece turns on EU critics
"Greece on Friday unleashed a fierce attack on its European Union partners, accusing them of creating a “psychology of looming collapse” a day after they pledged support for the country’s crisis-hit government.
George Papandreou, Greek prime minister, said that, in the eurozone’s first big test, Greece had become “a laboratory animal in the battle between Europe and the markets”."

Woes include bankruptcy at Whistler, no snow at Cypress

Woes include bankruptcy at Whistler, no snow at Cypress
"The Whistler ski resort, home to next month's Olympic downhill, could be auctioned off Feb. 19, right in the middle of the games amid a bankruptcy."

How Global Warming is causing blizzards in Washington--the Explanation

How Global Warming is causing blizzards in Washington--the Explanation

With the blizzards in the East Coast we are hearing from global warming fanatics that this simply is another manifestation of global warming. As counterintuitive as this may seem, I wrote this up to explain it.

This is the way science works for the supporters of AGW

Increased warming means higher temperatures and therefore less snow.
But increased warming means more water vapor in the atmosphere leading to more precipitation.
Therefore AGW can cause big blizzards. So too little snow or too much snow is an indication of global warming.

More warming can mean glaciers will shrink.
But more precipitation means glaciers can grow.
Therefore if glaciers are growing or shrinking it means global warming is happening.

More warming means more energy for hurricanes and therefore more and stronger hurricanes are in the future.
But more warming also means more wind sheer which cuts off hurricanes and can mean fewer hurricanes.
So more or fewer hurricanes is caused by global warming.

More water vapor means more clouds and more precipitation.
More clouds and precipitation causes cooling which could lead to global cooling. S
o if it is warming or cooling, it is proof of global warming.

No wonder Al Gore says the science is settled.
It predicts everything that has and can happen.

Although this looks like a parody, it isn't. I've seen these arguments by warmists on various sites to explain things that don't seem to compute with global warming."

The Child Molester Scandal That Isn’t: What the MSM Doesn’t Report

The Child Molester Scandal That Isn’t: What the MSM Doesn’t Report
“…the physical sexual abuse of students in schools is likely more than 100 times the abuse by priests.”"

Acorn-ucopia

Acorn-ucopia
"Didn't Acorn, the corrupt community organizer, get its federal funding yanked after its last scandal?
Actually, no.
Through municipal middlemen, it's poised to rake in another $4 billion.
Where is the outrage?"

Using Lasers to Zap Mosquitoes

Using Lasers to Zap Mosquitoes
"Mr. Myhrvold said that normally the lasers could shoot down anywhere between 50 to 100 mosquitoes per second.

Mr. Myhrvold played a slow-motion recorded video that showed what happened to a representative mosquito.

As the insect flew, a sudden light beam struck it, disintegrating parts of its body into a plume of smoke.
It fell, even as its wings continued to beat.

In regions afflicted by malaria, the lasers could be used to create protective fences around clinics, homes, or even agricultural fields as a substitute for pesticides."