Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Frisky
Jacques Magazine Sports Issue The Frisky:
"Jacques Magazine “Sports” Issues More About Skivvies Than Squash"
I used to play squash.... and this is EXACTLY how I remember my most memorable matches!
"Jacques Magazine “Sports” Issues More About Skivvies Than Squash"
I used to play squash.... and this is EXACTLY how I remember my most memorable matches!
UC Tuition Hikes and Public Employee Pensions - WSJ.com
UC Tuition Hikes and Public Employee Pensions - WSJ.com: "The California legislature? Good luck with that. In 1999, the Democratic legislature ran a reckless gamble that makes Wall Street's bankers look cautious. At the top of a bull market, they assumed their investment returns would grow at a 8.25% rate in perpetuity—equivalent to assuming that the Dow would reach 25,000 by 2009—and enacted a huge pension boon for public-safety and industrial unions.
The bill refigured the compensation formula for pension benefits of all public-safety employees who retired on or after January 1, 2000. It let firefighters retire at age 50 and receive 3% of their final year's compensation times the number of years they worked. If a firefighter started working at the age of 20, he could retire at 50 and earn 90% of his final salary, in perpetuity. One San Ramon Valley fire chief's yearly pension amounted to $284,000—more than his $221,000 annual salary."
The bill refigured the compensation formula for pension benefits of all public-safety employees who retired on or after January 1, 2000. It let firefighters retire at age 50 and receive 3% of their final year's compensation times the number of years they worked. If a firefighter started working at the age of 20, he could retire at 50 and earn 90% of his final salary, in perpetuity. One San Ramon Valley fire chief's yearly pension amounted to $284,000—more than his $221,000 annual salary."
Daley: Day of reckoning for financial crisis
Daley: Day of reckoning for financial crisis
"Mayor Daley warned today that the day of reckoning has arrived for a financial crisis that’s choking local taxpayers: underfunded city pensions."
"Mayor Daley warned today that the day of reckoning has arrived for a financial crisis that’s choking local taxpayers: underfunded city pensions."
Gov't workers feel no economic pain - Washington Times
Gov't workers feel no economic pain - Washington Times: "The recession and the ongoing jobless recovery devastated much of the private-sector work force last year, sending unemployment soaring, but government workers emerged essentially unscathed, according to data released Wednesday by the Labor Department.
Meanwhile, the compensation for state and local government employees continued to easily outdistance the wages and benefits for workers in private business, a separate Labor Department report showed."
Meanwhile, the compensation for state and local government employees continued to easily outdistance the wages and benefits for workers in private business, a separate Labor Department report showed."
Motion to force Prichard to pay pensioners denied by judge
Motion to force Prichard to pay pensioners denied by judge al.com
"A bankruptcy court judge denied a motion Tuesday that would force Prichard to pay its pensioners, saying they do not qualify as administrative claims -- or day-to-day obligations -- of the city."
"A bankruptcy court judge denied a motion Tuesday that would force Prichard to pay its pensioners, saying they do not qualify as administrative claims -- or day-to-day obligations -- of the city."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
SO IS THIS THE HOPE, OR THE CHANGE? Monthly deficit hits $220 billion, highest in U.S. history.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » SO IS THIS THE HOPE, OR THE CHANGE? Monthly deficit hits $220 billion, highest in U.S. history.
“According to CBO, based on an analysis of the deeply deceitful numbers presented to it by Reid and Obama, the national panacea of health-care reform will save us $132 billion over the next 10 years.
"Which means the feds blew through our big decade-long ObamaCare refund in about … 17 days last month.”"
“According to CBO, based on an analysis of the deeply deceitful numbers presented to it by Reid and Obama, the national panacea of health-care reform will save us $132 billion over the next 10 years.
"Which means the feds blew through our big decade-long ObamaCare refund in about … 17 days last month.”"
Muhammad cartoon republished
Muhammad cartoon republished
"At least three Swedish newspapers on Wednesday published a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog after an alleged plot to murder the artist who created it was uncovered in Ireland."
"At least three Swedish newspapers on Wednesday published a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog after an alleged plot to murder the artist who created it was uncovered in Ireland."
‘The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing."
Greece warns of worse downturn as strikes loom
Greece warns of worse downturn as strikes loom - swissinfo
"The Greek economy is set to shrink by more than expected this year, the government said on Wednesday, as it braced for nationwide strikes protesting its plans for bringing the country's budget deficit under control.
Greece, grappling with a ballooning deficit and a 300 billion euro (272 billion pound) debt pile, told the European Union that 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) would 'most likely' shrink by more than the 0.3 percent currently forecast."
"The Greek economy is set to shrink by more than expected this year, the government said on Wednesday, as it braced for nationwide strikes protesting its plans for bringing the country's budget deficit under control.
Greece, grappling with a ballooning deficit and a 300 billion euro (272 billion pound) debt pile, told the European Union that 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) would 'most likely' shrink by more than the 0.3 percent currently forecast."
MEA's sabotage kept Michigan out of Race to Top finalists
MEA's sabotage kept Michigan out of Race to Top finalists
"It's hard to argue with the White House's decision not to include Michigan among the 16 finalists for the first round of federal Race to the Top education grants.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said repeatedly that heavy weight was given to applications from states where all parties were committed to reform.
Michigan can't even pretend to qualify under that standard.
It bickered for months about whether to adopt the required reforms.
Even after it did, the arguing and obstruction continued.
Place the blame for the loss of the much-needed grants squarely on the Michigan Education Association.
It sabotaged the state's application at every step."
"It's hard to argue with the White House's decision not to include Michigan among the 16 finalists for the first round of federal Race to the Top education grants.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said repeatedly that heavy weight was given to applications from states where all parties were committed to reform.
Michigan can't even pretend to qualify under that standard.
It bickered for months about whether to adopt the required reforms.
Even after it did, the arguing and obstruction continued.
Place the blame for the loss of the much-needed grants squarely on the Michigan Education Association.
It sabotaged the state's application at every step."
Ionia kindergartner suspended for making gun with hand
Ionia kindergartner suspended for making gun with hand
MLive.com:
"To the little boy's mother, it was just a 6-year-old boy playing around.
But when Mason Jammer, a kindergarten student at Jefferson Elementary in Ionia, curled his fist into the shape of a gun Wednesday and pointed it at another student, school officials said it was no laughing matter.
They suspended Mason until Friday, saying the behavior made other students uncomfortable, said Erin Jammer, Mason's mother. "
MLive.com:
"To the little boy's mother, it was just a 6-year-old boy playing around.
But when Mason Jammer, a kindergarten student at Jefferson Elementary in Ionia, curled his fist into the shape of a gun Wednesday and pointed it at another student, school officials said it was no laughing matter.
They suspended Mason until Friday, saying the behavior made other students uncomfortable, said Erin Jammer, Mason's mother. "
Drones and Terrorism
American Thinker: Drones and Terrorism
"One question that has not arisen is the possibility of drones being used against us."
This entire article is fascinating.
Read it all.
"One question that has not arisen is the possibility of drones being used against us."
This entire article is fascinating.
Read it all.
The Associated Press: Roberts: Scene at State of Union `very troubling'
The Associated Press: Roberts: Scene at State of Union `very troubling'
"U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Obama's State of the Union address was 'very troubling' and the annual speech has 'degenerated to a political pep rally.'
Obama chided the court, with the justices seated before him in their black robes, for its decision on a campaign finance case."
Seriously, the boy-president has NO class.
And not much more in the intellect area either.
Well.
At least it's "change"......right?
"U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Obama's State of the Union address was 'very troubling' and the annual speech has 'degenerated to a political pep rally.'
Obama chided the court, with the justices seated before him in their black robes, for its decision on a campaign finance case."
Seriously, the boy-president has NO class.
And not much more in the intellect area either.
Well.
At least it's "change"......right?
Video: Real life Bridezilla? Violent brawl breaks out inside Lathrup Village bridal shop
Video: Real life Bridezilla? Violent brawl breaks out inside Lathrup Village bridal shop
This "mentality" is what's enveloping the Detroit suburbs, folks.
Run while you still can get away!
This "mentality" is what's enveloping the Detroit suburbs, folks.
Run while you still can get away!
Poll: Nerd ads lift Rick Snyder to second place, Democratic voters undecided, what John Engler could win in 2012
Poll: Nerd ads lift Rick Snyder to second place, Democratic voters undecided, what John Engler could win in 2012
"If businessman Rick Snyder is a nerd, it probably won't help him -- or hurt him -- in the Republican primary for governor.
But the TV ads in which he lays claim to the moniker have snagged him attention.
And in an election year, attention can be an uplifting thing.
A new statewide public opinion survey released exclusively to Booth Newspapers on Wednesday showed Ann Arbor-based Snyder, with the support of 18 percent of Republican voters, is second to U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland, with 28 percent.
State Attorney General Mike Cox dropped to third with 12 percent."
The voters want "change" and nerds are certainly change.
Of course, so is a REAL conservative, ex-chairman of the house intelligence committee.
Congressman Hoekstra.
I'll go with Pete.
"If businessman Rick Snyder is a nerd, it probably won't help him -- or hurt him -- in the Republican primary for governor.
But the TV ads in which he lays claim to the moniker have snagged him attention.
And in an election year, attention can be an uplifting thing.
A new statewide public opinion survey released exclusively to Booth Newspapers on Wednesday showed Ann Arbor-based Snyder, with the support of 18 percent of Republican voters, is second to U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland, with 28 percent.
State Attorney General Mike Cox dropped to third with 12 percent."
The voters want "change" and nerds are certainly change.
Of course, so is a REAL conservative, ex-chairman of the house intelligence committee.
Congressman Hoekstra.
I'll go with Pete.
Muskegon Commissioner Clara Shepherd accused of misusing position
Muskegon Commissioner Clara Shepherd accused of misusing position
"“We couldn’t believe what had happened,” Jamie Paquin said. Jeremy Paquin added: “We were appalled and very uncomfortable.”
The couple who opened the upscale breakfast and lunch restaurant in early summer 2008 said they did not want to press the issue with authorities.
“We weren’t going to say much, but our customers must have reported what happened,” Jamie Paquin said."
Do we really deserve the leadership we elect?
The next election will tell more about the soul of Muskegon than most other elections.
If Muskegon citizens want to avoid morphing into a doppelganger of Muskegon Heights, they MUST elect competent and honest leaders.
Otherwise, our central city will continue its slide into bankruptcy and despair.
The citizens will make that decision.
No one else.
"“We couldn’t believe what had happened,” Jamie Paquin said. Jeremy Paquin added: “We were appalled and very uncomfortable.”
The couple who opened the upscale breakfast and lunch restaurant in early summer 2008 said they did not want to press the issue with authorities.
“We weren’t going to say much, but our customers must have reported what happened,” Jamie Paquin said."
Do we really deserve the leadership we elect?
The next election will tell more about the soul of Muskegon than most other elections.
If Muskegon citizens want to avoid morphing into a doppelganger of Muskegon Heights, they MUST elect competent and honest leaders.
Otherwise, our central city will continue its slide into bankruptcy and despair.
The citizens will make that decision.
No one else.
2,000 grades boosted at CPS' Hyde Park Academy
2,000 grades boosted at CPS' Hyde Park Academy :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education
"Last school year at struggling Hyde Park Academy High, more than 2,000 grades were boosted at least one notch — including more than 870 F’s that were changed to passing marks, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis shows.
And this school year, blanket A’s were ordered issued to all students of five new Hyde Park teachers after the students suffered through a string of substitute teachers for most of the first quarter, a letter obtained by the Sun-Times shows."
The stench that emanates from this "profession" has engulfed our children, country wide.
The little ones learn "ethics" from the ethic-less.
And no wonder there is no time left for reedin', riten or nummers.
"Last school year at struggling Hyde Park Academy High, more than 2,000 grades were boosted at least one notch — including more than 870 F’s that were changed to passing marks, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis shows.
And this school year, blanket A’s were ordered issued to all students of five new Hyde Park teachers after the students suffered through a string of substitute teachers for most of the first quarter, a letter obtained by the Sun-Times shows."
The stench that emanates from this "profession" has engulfed our children, country wide.
The little ones learn "ethics" from the ethic-less.
And no wonder there is no time left for reedin', riten or nummers.
Banking On Corruption In The Windy City
Banking On Corruption In The Windy City - Investors.com
"Another bank failure is nothing new these days — except if the bank is run by the family of a U.S. Senate candidate who profited handsomely and lent millions to a convicted felon. But then, that's the Chicago way.
'I did not run for office to be helping out a bunch of fat-cat bankers on Wall Street,' President Obama said in a recent interview with '60 Minutes.' Speaking to those bankers, he said: 'You guys are drawing down 10, 20 million dollar bonuses after America went through the worst economic year that it's gone through in — in decades, and you guys caused the problem.'
Not all those fat cats, apparently, are on Wall Street. Some are on Main Street in the president's hometown.
One of those 'guys' recently won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Obama.
He's an Obama protege and fundraiser.
His name is Alexi Giannoulias, and his family runs the Broadway Bank in Chicago, a financially troubled institution that the feds appear ready to seize and shut down.
He is running for U.S. Senate from Illinois."
"Another bank failure is nothing new these days — except if the bank is run by the family of a U.S. Senate candidate who profited handsomely and lent millions to a convicted felon. But then, that's the Chicago way.
'I did not run for office to be helping out a bunch of fat-cat bankers on Wall Street,' President Obama said in a recent interview with '60 Minutes.' Speaking to those bankers, he said: 'You guys are drawing down 10, 20 million dollar bonuses after America went through the worst economic year that it's gone through in — in decades, and you guys caused the problem.'
Not all those fat cats, apparently, are on Wall Street. Some are on Main Street in the president's hometown.
One of those 'guys' recently won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Obama.
He's an Obama protege and fundraiser.
His name is Alexi Giannoulias, and his family runs the Broadway Bank in Chicago, a financially troubled institution that the feds appear ready to seize and shut down.
He is running for U.S. Senate from Illinois."
Power Line - Obsession
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Power Line - Obsession
"Matt Drudge is trumpeting the fact that Senate staffers have been warned to stay away from the Drudge Report on the theory that it may be spreading computer viruses. (If the old rules apply, that is libel per se, isn't it?)
What I thought was even more entertaining was the Drudge Report's traffic totals:
The [Drudge Report] was seen 149,967 times since March 1st from users at senate.gov and 244,347 times at house.gov.
[There were] 10,825 visits from the White House, eop.gov,' the Drudge Report wrote.
These numbers appeared on March 8; do the math:
18,750 times a day, Senators and their staffers visit the Drudge Report--
187.5 times a day for each Senator;
30,543 times a day Congressmen and their staffers check in on Drudge--
70 times a day for each Congressional office;
and, most comical of all, 1,353 times a day President Obama's White House staffers log on to the Report.
The war is over.
Drudge won it."
"Matt Drudge is trumpeting the fact that Senate staffers have been warned to stay away from the Drudge Report on the theory that it may be spreading computer viruses. (If the old rules apply, that is libel per se, isn't it?)
What I thought was even more entertaining was the Drudge Report's traffic totals:
The [Drudge Report] was seen 149,967 times since March 1st from users at senate.gov and 244,347 times at house.gov.
[There were] 10,825 visits from the White House, eop.gov,' the Drudge Report wrote.
These numbers appeared on March 8; do the math:
18,750 times a day, Senators and their staffers visit the Drudge Report--
187.5 times a day for each Senator;
30,543 times a day Congressmen and their staffers check in on Drudge--
70 times a day for each Congressional office;
and, most comical of all, 1,353 times a day President Obama's White House staffers log on to the Report.
The war is over.
Drudge won it."
Future of F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II
Future of F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II - Popular Mechanics
"Now that the F-22 is canceled (freezing the fleet at 186 airplanes), the F-35 program faces even more scrutiny.
Aerospace analysts, press and the discussion-board community frequently ask why a superior airplane like the F-22 is being axed while the problematic F-35 limps along during development.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said this week that the F-35 would not be ready until 2015, rather than 2013."
"Now that the F-22 is canceled (freezing the fleet at 186 airplanes), the F-35 program faces even more scrutiny.
Aerospace analysts, press and the discussion-board community frequently ask why a superior airplane like the F-22 is being axed while the problematic F-35 limps along during development.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said this week that the F-35 would not be ready until 2015, rather than 2013."
LEE HARRIS: Weak Tea Or Strong Tea?
LEE HARRIS: Weak Tea Or Strong Tea?
"Too many of those currently ‘analyzing’ the Tea Party movement seem to have no genuine interest in grappling with its potential historical significance.
Plus, David Brooks’ appeal to snobbery.
UPDATE: They expected 600, but over 2000 showed up at this anti-Obamacare meeting."
"Too many of those currently ‘analyzing’ the Tea Party movement seem to have no genuine interest in grappling with its potential historical significance.
Plus, David Brooks’ appeal to snobbery.
UPDATE: They expected 600, but over 2000 showed up at this anti-Obamacare meeting."
Gov. Pat Quinn to propose borrowing or tax hike in budget
Gov. Pat Quinn to propose borrowing or tax hike in budget - chicagotribune.com
"Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday unveiled a caustic budget plan that would borrow billions of dollars to stay afloat and push even more debt down the road, hoping to persuade leery lawmakers to instead raise taxes in an election year."
Illinois is "California" here in the midwest.
They will implode.
The question is how will that affect the rest of us in Michigan....and it will affect us in some way.
"Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday unveiled a caustic budget plan that would borrow billions of dollars to stay afloat and push even more debt down the road, hoping to persuade leery lawmakers to instead raise taxes in an election year."
Illinois is "California" here in the midwest.
They will implode.
The question is how will that affect the rest of us in Michigan....and it will affect us in some way.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
I'm Just a Bill [Mackinac Center]
I'm Just a Bill [Mackinac Center]: "HOUSE BILL 5197
Authorize enhanced pension 'early out' for state employees
Introduced by state Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard
The bill authorizes early retirement benefits for certain state employees who retired between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2009.
These employees would be able to get full benefits if their age plus years on the job equal 70 (that is, a 50-year-old with 20 years on the state payroll could get a full pension), plus the cash benefits would be increased by 33 percent until age 62, and then by 16.7 percent thereafter."
This what you get when the public employee unions own our elected officials.
Authorize enhanced pension 'early out' for state employees
Introduced by state Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard
The bill authorizes early retirement benefits for certain state employees who retired between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2009.
These employees would be able to get full benefits if their age plus years on the job equal 70 (that is, a 50-year-old with 20 years on the state payroll could get a full pension), plus the cash benefits would be increased by 33 percent until age 62, and then by 16.7 percent thereafter."
This what you get when the public employee unions own our elected officials.
SOMETIMES A WATERMELON IS JUST A WATERMELON
Instapundit » Blog Archive » SOMETIMES A WATERMELON IS JUST A WATERMELON
“So I’ll give Dan Rather a pass.
But if we give Dan Rather a pass for the accidental appearance of racism, will anyone who isn’t liberal be given a pass?
I know they won’t.
That’s the way it is.”"
And it sure says volumes about the liberal bias of the leftist MSM.
“So I’ll give Dan Rather a pass.
But if we give Dan Rather a pass for the accidental appearance of racism, will anyone who isn’t liberal be given a pass?
I know they won’t.
That’s the way it is.”"
And it sure says volumes about the liberal bias of the leftist MSM.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Dan Rather: 'Articulate' Obama Couldn't Even 'Sell Watermelons' | NewsBusters.org
Dan Rather: 'Articulate' Obama Couldn't Even 'Sell Watermelons' NewsBusters.org: "DAN RATHER: Part of the undertow in the coming election is going to be President Obama's leadership. And the Republicans will make a case and a lot of independents will buy this argument. 'Listen he just hasn't been, look at the health care bill. It was his number one priority. It took him forever to get it through and he had to compromise it to death.' And a version of, 'Listen he's a nice person, he's very articulate' this is what's been used against him, 'but he couldn't sell watermelons if it, you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic.'"
Pension Pulse: Pension Black Holes Set to Explode?
Pension Pulse: Pension Black Holes Set to Explode?
"Luckily for civil servants, any shortfall in the amount needed to provide them with a guaranteed amount in their pension pots has to be made up with public money."
"Luckily for civil servants, any shortfall in the amount needed to provide them with a guaranteed amount in their pension pots has to be made up with public money."
CNN Exposes 'Lavish' Government Pensions despite Economic Crisis
CNN Exposes 'Lavish' Government Pensions despite Economic Crisis - WSJ.com
"'They can draw on their pension beginning at age 50; depending on the years of service they can get as much as 80 percent of their final salary, there are cost-of-living-adjustments added on, and they're still eligible to receive Social Security.'
Citing the analysis of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Sylvester used Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., as an example of broken government. NTU, a nonpartisan taxpayer group that has worked under the guiding principle 'This is your money and the government should return it to you' since its inception, found that Dodd will have a starting annual pension of $125,500 when he retires next year."
"'They can draw on their pension beginning at age 50; depending on the years of service they can get as much as 80 percent of their final salary, there are cost-of-living-adjustments added on, and they're still eligible to receive Social Security.'
Citing the analysis of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Sylvester used Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., as an example of broken government. NTU, a nonpartisan taxpayer group that has worked under the guiding principle 'This is your money and the government should return it to you' since its inception, found that Dodd will have a starting annual pension of $125,500 when he retires next year."
Get real: Taxpayer suffering, state deficit should forestall pay hikes and pension sweeteners
Get real: Taxpayer suffering, state deficit should forestall pay hikes and pension sweeteners
"It defies logic that lawmakers refuse to rescind a 3 percent raise for unionized state workers and continue to discuss a $2.9 billion union-proposed plan to fatten teachers' pensions this spring.
When there's a $1.6 billion hole in the 2011 budget, neither of those expenditures should be on the table.
But Senate Democrats have blocked a proposal to cancel the raises.
The 22-15 party-line vote on Wednesday was short of the two-thirds majority necessary to prevent the $48 million in pay increases from taking effect Oct. 1.
Twenty-six votes are necessary."
The two Americas.
We tighten our belts so they can buy new, bigger belts with our money.
Is this what America is supposed to be?
"It defies logic that lawmakers refuse to rescind a 3 percent raise for unionized state workers and continue to discuss a $2.9 billion union-proposed plan to fatten teachers' pensions this spring.
When there's a $1.6 billion hole in the 2011 budget, neither of those expenditures should be on the table.
But Senate Democrats have blocked a proposal to cancel the raises.
The 22-15 party-line vote on Wednesday was short of the two-thirds majority necessary to prevent the $48 million in pay increases from taking effect Oct. 1.
Twenty-six votes are necessary."
The two Americas.
We tighten our belts so they can buy new, bigger belts with our money.
Is this what America is supposed to be?
JOHN FUND ON RICK PERRY’S VICTORY AND THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT: The late House Speaker Tip O’Neill …
Instapundit » Blog Archive » JOHN FUND ON RICK PERRY’S VICTORY AND THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT
"Some Tea Partiers supported Debra Medina, but — as with Scott Brown — more seemed focused on supporting a candidate who could win."
"Some Tea Partiers supported Debra Medina, but — as with Scott Brown — more seemed focused on supporting a candidate who could win."
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