States' Buck-Passing, NASA Waste, Your Ignorance, Google's Gaga: The Live Wire, March 24, 2011 FlaglerLive
"From the Orlando Sentinel: “Congress has again failed to rid a temporary spending bill of language forcing NASA to waste $1.4 million a day on its defunct Constellation moon program."
Monday, March 28, 2011
Written by a Delta pilot on approach to Tokyo during earthquake
Written by a Delta pilot on approach to Tokyo during earthquake : reddit.com
"'I'm currently still in one piece, writing from my room in the Narita crew hotel.
It's 8am.
This is my inaugural trans-pacific trip as a brand new, recently checked out, international 767 Captain and it has been interesting, to say the least, so far.
I've crossed the Atlantic three times so far so the ocean crossing procedures were familiar."
"'I'm currently still in one piece, writing from my room in the Narita crew hotel.
It's 8am.
This is my inaugural trans-pacific trip as a brand new, recently checked out, international 767 Captain and it has been interesting, to say the least, so far.
I've crossed the Atlantic three times so far so the ocean crossing procedures were familiar."
Few employees denied step increases for poor performance
Few employees denied step increases for poor performance - FederalTimes.com
"Does job performance play a factor in employee raises and step increases?
Unions defending the General Schedule say yes. But the latest numbers say clearly no.
Only 737 out of more than 1.2 million GS employees — or one in every 1,698 — were denied a regularly scheduled step increase and accompanying raise in 2009 because of poor performance, according to data provided by the Office of Personnel Management at Federal Times' request."
"Does job performance play a factor in employee raises and step increases?
Unions defending the General Schedule say yes. But the latest numbers say clearly no.
Only 737 out of more than 1.2 million GS employees — or one in every 1,698 — were denied a regularly scheduled step increase and accompanying raise in 2009 because of poor performance, according to data provided by the Office of Personnel Management at Federal Times' request."
Delhi to investigate 4500 pilot licences
Delhi to investigate 4500 pilot licences News.com.au
"EVEN the most cavalier passengers knew something was amiss onboard IndiGo airlines' January 11 flight from Goa when it landed with a terrifying, lurching thud - nose wheel first - on the New Delhi tarmac.
The flight's captain, Parminder Kaur Gulati, may have been the only one that day to see nothing awry in the unconventional and perilous landing.
A subsequent investigation determined she had done it 15 times before. More distressing still was the discovery that Ms Gulati, 38, had failed one of her pilot exams and then forged her results to obtain her licence.
'Only a woman could do it,'' read an ensuing headline - one of several predictable joke lines that followed, besmirching women drivers."
"EVEN the most cavalier passengers knew something was amiss onboard IndiGo airlines' January 11 flight from Goa when it landed with a terrifying, lurching thud - nose wheel first - on the New Delhi tarmac.
The flight's captain, Parminder Kaur Gulati, may have been the only one that day to see nothing awry in the unconventional and perilous landing.
A subsequent investigation determined she had done it 15 times before. More distressing still was the discovery that Ms Gulati, 38, had failed one of her pilot exams and then forged her results to obtain her licence.
'Only a woman could do it,'' read an ensuing headline - one of several predictable joke lines that followed, besmirching women drivers."
Obama gas tax
Obama gas tax The Daily Caller
"In addition to pushing up unemployment rates in the Gulf, these policies are keeping 97 percent of America’s offshore oil and gas off limits."
"In addition to pushing up unemployment rates in the Gulf, these policies are keeping 97 percent of America’s offshore oil and gas off limits."
Egypt Air wipes Israel off the map – a sign of where Egypt could be headed
Egypt Air wipes Israel off the map – a sign of where Egypt could be headed – Telegraph Blogs
"Israel has quietly dropped off Egypt Air’s route map this week."
"Israel has quietly dropped off Egypt Air’s route map this week."
Still Rosy After All These Years
Still Rosy After All These Years - Investors.com
'Live in the past, borrow from the future' could be the motto for public retirement funds.
Their forecasts are tinted by '90s nostalgia, and they favor short-term politics over the advice of actuaries.
If only we all could make money the Calpers way.
The California Public Employees Retirement System, at $227 billion the nation's biggest public-worker pension fund, gave state and local governments a gift worth several hundred million dollars earlier this month. It did so without writing a check or otherwise spending a penny.
All it did was decide against changing a single, but crucial, number — its expected annual investment return.
By a 10-to-3 vote, the Calpers board on March 16 voted to stick with a forecast of 7.75%. Its chief actuary had recommended taking the number down a notch to 7.5%."
'Live in the past, borrow from the future' could be the motto for public retirement funds.
Their forecasts are tinted by '90s nostalgia, and they favor short-term politics over the advice of actuaries.
If only we all could make money the Calpers way.
The California Public Employees Retirement System, at $227 billion the nation's biggest public-worker pension fund, gave state and local governments a gift worth several hundred million dollars earlier this month. It did so without writing a check or otherwise spending a penny.
All it did was decide against changing a single, but crucial, number — its expected annual investment return.
By a 10-to-3 vote, the Calpers board on March 16 voted to stick with a forecast of 7.75%. Its chief actuary had recommended taking the number down a notch to 7.5%."
Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor
Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The Oakland Press reported last week that Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposals regarding school funding would cut $11 million from Rochester Community Schools in 2011-12, citing district figures presented to the board of education.
However, the $11 million in “cuts” included – among other things – a loss of $4.6 million in federal dollars, the loss of $250,000 in rent from a church, and a reduction of $394,000 from a forecasted loss of 63 students.
None of these will be caused by the governor’s plan."
"The Oakland Press reported last week that Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposals regarding school funding would cut $11 million from Rochester Community Schools in 2011-12, citing district figures presented to the board of education.
However, the $11 million in “cuts” included – among other things – a loss of $4.6 million in federal dollars, the loss of $250,000 in rent from a church, and a reduction of $394,000 from a forecasted loss of 63 students.
None of these will be caused by the governor’s plan."
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Warbird carrying Texas First Lady experiences landing gear failure
"'[The aircraft] experienced a landing gear malfunction while taxiing for takeoff at the Jardin Ranch, north of Laredo,' the statement said.
'The aircraft reached the end of the runway where the front landing gear collapsed, causing the right engine to catch fire.'"
Thankfully, all were safe as was the B-25 Mitchell bomber.
Our "Yankee Warrior" has had no such events...lately!
Obama's NCAA picks falter during tourney's second weekend
Snyder's sagging agenda
Snyder's sagging agenda themichiganview.com The Michigan View "By proposing a flat tax that did not significantly lower the income tax rate or pare public employee union excess - while targeting the pension tax break of a politically-powerful seniors lobby - the Guv made a crucial political mistake. As a result, Snyder finds himself fighting his own party. Contrast that with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who successfully rallied his Republican base for his reforms."
High-Tech Flirting Turns Explicit, Altering Young Lives
High-Tech Flirting Turns Explicit, Altering Young Lives - NYTimes.com “Having a naked picture of your significant other on your cellphone is an advertisement that you’re sexually active to a degree that gives you status,” said Rick Peters, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for Thurston County, which includes Lacey. “It’s an electronic hickey.”"
Chinese students enrolling in U.S. colleges in record numbers
Chinese students enrolling in U.S. colleges in record numbers - Chicago Sun-Times "That team is now ranked 16th in the country, ahead of much larger schools like Penn State and Michigan State." With the enormous amount of government money funnelled into our colleges/universities why are we allowing foreigners to sop up our scarce tax dollars with subsidized education?
UAW protest in Detroit shuts down bank branch for 30 minutes
http://tinyurl.com/4ktyf7g
At the end of the UAW's three-day bargaining convention in Detroit, union President Bob King led more than 100 members into the Bank of America branch in downtown Detroit and shut down its operations for about 30 minutes.
That's gonna bring new businesses to Detroit...right....
It's like Detroit is a giant magnet attracting morons, crooks and communists to the once great city.
At the end of the UAW's three-day bargaining convention in Detroit, union President Bob King led more than 100 members into the Bank of America branch in downtown Detroit and shut down its operations for about 30 minutes.
That's gonna bring new businesses to Detroit...right....
It's like Detroit is a giant magnet attracting morons, crooks and communists to the once great city.
Air raids force Gadhafi retreat, rebels seize east
My Way News - Air raids force Gadhafi retreat, rebels seize east
"'We're succeeding in our mission,' Obama said in a radio and Internet address.
'So make no mistake, because we acted quickly, a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided and the lives of countless civilians - innocent men, women and children - have been saved.'"
Is our incursion simply extending the horror of war in Libya?
"'We're succeeding in our mission,' Obama said in a radio and Internet address.
'So make no mistake, because we acted quickly, a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided and the lives of countless civilians - innocent men, women and children - have been saved.'"
Is our incursion simply extending the horror of war in Libya?
Hughes invites local residents to office hours
White Lake Beacon - Whitehall and Montague, Michigan
"State Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague) is hosting 91st District office hours in April at locations in Whitehall and Muskegon to give constituents convenient opportunities to meet with her locally.
Hughes is available to meet with residents on Monday, April 18, in Whitehall and Friday, April 22, in Muskegon at the following times and locations:
• April 18- 10-11 a.m.- Gary’s Restaurant- 906 E. Colby Street, Whitehall.
• April 18- 1:30- 2:30 p.m. - Pekadill’s Lunch- 503 S. Mears Street, Whitehall.
• April 22- 8-9:00 a.m. - Toast n Jam - 3462 Henry Street, Muskegon.
• April 22- 1-2 p.m.- Russ’ Restaurant- 3225 Henry Street, Muskegon"
Better late than never.......
"State Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague) is hosting 91st District office hours in April at locations in Whitehall and Muskegon to give constituents convenient opportunities to meet with her locally.
Hughes is available to meet with residents on Monday, April 18, in Whitehall and Friday, April 22, in Muskegon at the following times and locations:
• April 18- 10-11 a.m.- Gary’s Restaurant- 906 E. Colby Street, Whitehall.
• April 18- 1:30- 2:30 p.m. - Pekadill’s Lunch- 503 S. Mears Street, Whitehall.
• April 22- 8-9:00 a.m. - Toast n Jam - 3462 Henry Street, Muskegon.
• April 22- 1-2 p.m.- Russ’ Restaurant- 3225 Henry Street, Muskegon"
Better late than never.......
There May Not Always Be An England
Power Line - There May Not Always Be An England
"Their rationale was as dumb as you would expect:
Sally Mason, one of the protesters who occupied the store, said: 'Fortnum & Mason is a symbol of wealth and greed.
It is where the Royal Family and the super-rich do their weekly shop and a picnic hamper costs £25,000.
'This sits in stark contrast to everyone else who is struggling to make ends meet, fill in their tax returns and benefit forms and facing huge student debts, unemployment and the closure or dismantling of local services such as the NHS, libraries and leisure centres.'"
"Their rationale was as dumb as you would expect:
Sally Mason, one of the protesters who occupied the store, said: 'Fortnum & Mason is a symbol of wealth and greed.
It is where the Royal Family and the super-rich do their weekly shop and a picnic hamper costs £25,000.
'This sits in stark contrast to everyone else who is struggling to make ends meet, fill in their tax returns and benefit forms and facing huge student debts, unemployment and the closure or dismantling of local services such as the NHS, libraries and leisure centres.'"
Oddly, It’s the Bricks That Make Butler Basketball Special
Oddly, It’s the Bricks That Make Butler Basketball Special - NYTimes.com
"Down the concourse, Coach Brad Stevens sat inside a windowless office, about the size of a bedroom.
He played basketball at DePauw and slid immediately into a marketing job with Eli Lilly and Company.
About a year into a promising career, Stevens decided to follow his heart toward coaching.
He started as a volunteer in Butler’s basketball offices and was the coordinator of basketball operations under Thad Matta, now the Ohio State coach.
In 2001, he became an assistant the next season under Todd Lickliter, who left in 2007 to take the coaching job at Iowa. (He was fired Monday.)"
"Down the concourse, Coach Brad Stevens sat inside a windowless office, about the size of a bedroom.
He played basketball at DePauw and slid immediately into a marketing job with Eli Lilly and Company.
About a year into a promising career, Stevens decided to follow his heart toward coaching.
He started as a volunteer in Butler’s basketball offices and was the coordinator of basketball operations under Thad Matta, now the Ohio State coach.
In 2001, he became an assistant the next season under Todd Lickliter, who left in 2007 to take the coaching job at Iowa. (He was fired Monday.)"
The Real Shirley Sherrod Scandal
The Real Shirley Sherrod Scandal (TONIGHT On Fox News at 10PM ET) « John Stossel
"Want to get a check from the government for $50,000?
If you’re black and willing to say you once “attempted to farm,” the money could be yours."
"Want to get a check from the government for $50,000?
If you’re black and willing to say you once “attempted to farm,” the money could be yours."
Earth Hour in London
Earth Hour in London - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
If Earth Hour is indeed a celebration of “ignorance, poverty and backwardness“, then all three made great strides in London today.
The collapse of the Entitlement State is not going to be pretty.
If Earth Hour is indeed a celebration of “ignorance, poverty and backwardness“, then all three made great strides in London today.
The collapse of the Entitlement State is not going to be pretty.
GE’s Scandalous Tax Breaks Are Rooted in Politics
GE’s Scandalous Tax Breaks Are Rooted in Politics BNET
"It’s tax bill for the year? $0.00.
Over the last three years, GE’s effective tax rate — how much it actually pays the feds — is a minuscule 3.6 percent.
By the way, since 2002 the “imagination at work” company has put its thinking cap on and cut 20 percent of its domestic work force, while shipping thousands of jobs overseas"
"It’s tax bill for the year? $0.00.
Over the last three years, GE’s effective tax rate — how much it actually pays the feds — is a minuscule 3.6 percent.
By the way, since 2002 the “imagination at work” company has put its thinking cap on and cut 20 percent of its domestic work force, while shipping thousands of jobs overseas"
Media Matters plots “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” against Fox?
Media Matters plots “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” against Fox? « Hot Air
"The liberal group Media Matters has quietly transformed itself in preparation for what its founder, David Brock, described in an interview as an all-out campaign of “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” aimed at the Fox News Channel."
"The liberal group Media Matters has quietly transformed itself in preparation for what its founder, David Brock, described in an interview as an all-out campaign of “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” aimed at the Fox News Channel."
Pic of the day: Detroit's Population 1910 To Present Day
theblogprof: Pic of the day: Detroit's Population 1910 To Present Day
"So what happened?
Right after that peak in the 1950s liberalism took hold of the city and like a cancer has been metastasizing ever since.
Will the ruling class in Detroit notice?
In short, no.
They are, after all, part of the problem.
Case in point: Detroit Mayor Dave Bing: I'm going to confront reality, and start by challenging census numbers and then counting criminals in jail outside Detroit as Detroit residents to artificially inflate population numbers so we can keep taxes high"
"So what happened?
Right after that peak in the 1950s liberalism took hold of the city and like a cancer has been metastasizing ever since.
Will the ruling class in Detroit notice?
In short, no.
They are, after all, part of the problem.
Case in point: Detroit Mayor Dave Bing: I'm going to confront reality, and start by challenging census numbers and then counting criminals in jail outside Detroit as Detroit residents to artificially inflate population numbers so we can keep taxes high"
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Muskegon Heights past Dowagiac-very strange
Deontae Hudson scores 31 to lead Muskegon Heights past Dowagiac and into Class B state championship game - MLive.com
MLive has disabled the "comments" button for this story.
Hmmmmm
MLive has disabled the "comments" button for this story.
Hmmmmm
Butler mascot remains banned from NCAA tournament but could appear at Final Four
"Butler's bulldog will be impounded again next weekend.
School officials say Blue II will not travel to New Orleans, where the men's basketball team faces fourth-seeded Wisconsin in Thursday's regional semifinals.
NCAA officials banned live mascots from this weekend's games, saying there was not enough space and because of the quick turnarounds for other events in those arenas.
The NCAA says it may give Blue II an exemption if Butler makes it back to the Final Four in Houston."
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