Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Muskegon County clerk offers Saturday hours this week

Muskegon County clerk offers Saturday hours this week MLive.com
"MUSKEGON COUNTY —

The Muskegon County Clerk’s office is hosting a Saturday event to give local residents who have a difficult time visiting during regular weekday hours an opportunity to access the office’s many services.
The event, called Full Service Saturday, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the clerk’s temporary office on the second floor in the Central Services Building, 141 E. Apple Ave.

Residents should come prepared with the necessary information by visiting the clerk’s website at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk or calling the office at 724-6221 prior to the event.
Among the services being provided Saturday will be marriage license applications, concealed weapons applications, birth certificates, passports and business registrations."

A great idea!
Kudos to county clerk Nancy Waters!

AFTER TWO TENSE MINUTES OF TWISTS AND -

AFTER TWO TENSE MINUTES OF TWISTS AND - 03.21.11 - SI Vault
"'He takes that shot, and you know if it goes in, you're recording history,' Fishman says.
'If it goes in, it's monumental.'
He remembers a sudden scream in the trailer, an echo of the roar from more than 70,000 fans inside the stadium."

A wonderful recounting of last year's Butler/Duke final moments.
I was there with Bug, Howard, JudgeO and Cheater.
An amazing night...and a heartbreaking missed "shot for the ages" for our Butler Bulldogs.
What a weekend!
And what a great SI story.
(thanks JO'h)

Justice Department sues on behalf of Muslim teacher, triggering debate

Justice Department sues on behalf of Muslim teacher, triggering debate - The Washington Post
"Justice Department lawyers examined the same set of facts and reached a different conclusion: that the school district’s decision amounted to outright discrimination against Khan.
They filed an unusual lawsuit, accusing the district of violating her civil rights by forcing her to choose between her job and her faith."

U.S. Has Most Progressive Tax System for OECD-24

CARPE DIEM: U.S. Has Most Progressive Tax System for OECD-24
"By contrast, we prefer to have the wealthiest households in this country pay a share of the tax burden that is one-third greater than their share of the nation's income.'"

Emerson - Mommy's Nose is Scary! (Original)

Union boss goes off at meeting, prison guards say

Union boss goes off at meeting, prison guards say - Washington Times
"Prison guards at a Western Maryland correctional facility say a union boss berated and tried to intimidate them after they raised questions at a pre-shift meeting about how their fees are spent and the benefits of belonging to a union."

Hello Kitty and pink paintwork: How gun manufacturers are targeting female market with girly 'purse pistols'

Hello Kitty and pink paintwork: How gun manufacturers are targeting female market with girly 'purse pistols' Mail Online
"Despite the concerns of anti-gun campaigners, there has been an 83 per cent rise in the number of women buying firearms for personal defence, and handbag-sized models are fast becoming a sought-after accessory across the U.S."

I, PIGGYBANK

I, PIGGYBANK Newsradio 620 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Talk, Sports, Weather Charlie Sykes
"My 401K is down 40%, my employer just cut the match;
and it looks like I may have work until I'm 70 years old.
I also pay for pensions to public employees who retired in their 50s.

I don't have enough money to go on vacation this year, but I paid my share of the federal government's $2.6 million grant to teach Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly.
I pay for bridges to nowhere.

I drive a 1997 Honda Accord, but I had to pay for my neighbor’s $41,000 electric car.
I also bailed out the United Auto Workers."

Flashback: Great Presidential War Announcements in US History

Flashback: Great Presidential War Announcements in US History

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

David Wells wins award!

My good friend David Wells was just named recipient of the 2011 Muskegon Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.
Well deserved David! (the resulting UM and lawyer stuff doesn't diminish your achievement).

Michigan State's Tom Izzo Post Season Video

Michigan State's Tom Izzo Post Season Video

Senator Can’t Stop Tide … or Poor Bond Ratings

Senator Can’t Stop Tide … or Poor Bond Ratings [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Michigan Sen. John Gleason tried to save the credit ratings of cities that are taken over by an emergency financial manager.
Earlier this month, he introduced an amendment that states they “will not have its bond rating downrated.”

The problem?
That’s not the government’s call, said Jack McHugh, legislative analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

“Municipal bonds’ credit worthiness ratings are provided by independent private agencies over which a state legislature has absolutely no control,” McHugh wrote in an e-mail.

Gleason, D-Flushing, didn’t return a call seeking comment.
His amendment of March 9 to House Bill 4214 failed by a vote of 26-12.

'This appears to be an example of legislative 'magic thinking,' comparable to the king ordering the tides not to rise,” McHugh wrote in an e-mail.
“In this case, the miracle would be for potential lenders looking to put their precious capital at risk — and their agents at independent credit rating agencies — to ignore the messes created by fiscally reckless local government officials now wanting to borrow even more.
There's no magic required if local officials want to protect their credit rating; all they have to do hold current spending and future liabilities — including retirement benefits — below expected current and future revenue.'"

Chavez says capitalism may have ended life on Mars

Chavez says capitalism may have ended life on Mars - Yahoo! Finance
"'I have always said, heard, that it would not be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but maybe capitalism arrived there, imperialism arrived and finished off the planet,' Chavez said in speech to mark World Water Day."

Black and White People Furniture - Red House Commercial

Never Mind

Never Mind - Opinion - PatriotPost.US
"state Sen. Obama was unpersuaded:
'I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein.
He is a brutal man.
A ruthless man.
A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power.
He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted U.N. inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. ...
But ... Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors ...'

As American forces join the war against Moammar Gadhafi, the nation is entitled to an explanation.

How is the case for war against Gadhafi smarter (remember, Obama is only against 'dumb' wars) or less 'ideological' or more prudent than that for war against Saddam Hussein?"

Ross Bennett explains why comics can't do Obama jokes

theblogprof: Video: Ross Bennett explains why comics can't do Obama jokes
"Saw Jay Leno last night and his attempts at poking fun at Obama were utterly lame as usual.
Almost as if the jokes were designed to fail (just like ObamaCare!).
Ross Bennett explains why successful Obama jokes are a no no:"

Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance

Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance

New stuff at MTA

US Approaching Insolvency, Fix To Be 'Painful'

US Approaching Insolvency, Fix To Be 'Painful': Fisher - CNBC
"The United States is on a fiscal path towards insolvency and policymakers are at a 'tipping point,' a Federal Reserve official said on Tuesday."

Bill Maher Calls Sarah Palin a Female Vulgarism, NOW Stays Mum

Bill Maher Calls Sarah Palin a Female Vulgarism, NOW Stays Mum - FoxNews.com
"Bill Maher and Sarah Palin. (Reuters)Bill Maher uttered a female vulgarism when referring to former Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin on his HBO show Friday night.
“Did you hear this – Sarah Palin finally heard what happened in Japan and she’s demanding that we invade ‘Tsunami,’” Maher said.

“I mean she said, ‘These ‘Tsunamians’ will not get away with this.’

Oh speaking of dumb tw**s, did you...”"

Gotta love those "sensitive" libs......
Why does one woman make lib men go insane?

Muskegon County officials weigh jail options, including using state prison

Muskegon County officials weigh jail options, including using state prison MLive.com
"Although the issuance of capital-improvement bonds seemed the likely financing model, the option of a voter-approved millage was identified during the presentation. County commissioners have been reluctant to seek a millage, fearing voters would reject it."