TRR: Michelle Obama: “All This Just For a Flag” - Washington Times
As police and firefighters fold the flag to the sound of marching bagpipers, a skeptical looking Mrs. Obama leans to her husband and appears to say, “all this just for a flag.”
She then purses her lips and shakes her head slightly as Mr. Obama nods
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wayne County | Owners escape tax debt by rebuying foreclosed homes
Wayne County Owners escape tax debt by rebuying foreclosed homes The Detroit News
Landlord Jeffrey Cusimano didn't pay property taxes on seven of his east-side rentals for three years, owing the city of Detroit more than $131,800.
Typically, that would mean losing the properties.
But Cusimano not only got to keep them — his debt, including interest, fees and unpaid water bills, was virtually wiped free.
Landlord Jeffrey Cusimano didn't pay property taxes on seven of his east-side rentals for three years, owing the city of Detroit more than $131,800.
Typically, that would mean losing the properties.
But Cusimano not only got to keep them — his debt, including interest, fees and unpaid water bills, was virtually wiped free.
Republican Last Won N.Y.'s Ninth District in 1920
Republican Last Won N.Y.'s Ninth District in 1920 - NYTimes.com
But in Tuesday’s election, the Republican candidate, Bob Turner, may very well pull off an upset, if recent polls are any guide.
He would become the first Republican to carry the district since 1920, when Andrew N. Petersen, a Danish-born manufacturer of ornamental iron products, toppled freshman Representative David J. O’Connell.
But in Tuesday’s election, the Republican candidate, Bob Turner, may very well pull off an upset, if recent polls are any guide.
He would become the first Republican to carry the district since 1920, when Andrew N. Petersen, a Danish-born manufacturer of ornamental iron products, toppled freshman Representative David J. O’Connell.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Muskegon County offers Saturday hours for marriage licenses, passports, other items
Muskegon County offers Saturday hours for marriage licenses, passports, other items MLive.com: MUSKEGON COUNTY — Some services provided by the Muskegon County Clerk's Office and the Muskegon County Equalization Department will be available to residents during a special event Saturday.
Called Full Service Saturday, the event allows residents to complete applications for marriage licenses, passports and becoming a registered notary, along with registering a business name.
Residents can access specific information about the services offered by the clerk's office at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk and for passports at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/equalization.
Full Service Saturday is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the county clerk's office, 141 E. Apple. Equalization department staff are set to process passport applications across the hall.
This is a great idea from county clerk Nancy Waters.
Pass the word on to everyone who can't make it to the county building during the week!
Called Full Service Saturday, the event allows residents to complete applications for marriage licenses, passports and becoming a registered notary, along with registering a business name.
Residents can access specific information about the services offered by the clerk's office at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk and for passports at www.co.muskegon.mi.us/equalization.
Full Service Saturday is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the county clerk's office, 141 E. Apple. Equalization department staff are set to process passport applications across the hall.
This is a great idea from county clerk Nancy Waters.
Pass the word on to everyone who can't make it to the county building during the week!
Mich. GOP Lawmakers More Intimidated by Government Unions?
Mich. GOP Lawmakers More Intimidated by Government Unions? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
The relatively small number of non-government workers in unions may explain an interesting legislative voting pattern that may be at work here:
Republican lawmakers appear less united in challenging the powers and privileges of government employee unions than those which organize workers in the private sector.
Here's why:
Michigan’s most powerful government employee union, the MEA teachers union, is currently bankrolling recall campaigns against Republicans who voted for these and some other reforms.
The outcome of those recalls may well determine whether there will be any further votes on legislation trimming the perks and power of government employees and their unions.
Do we really want the MEA running our state?
The relatively small number of non-government workers in unions may explain an interesting legislative voting pattern that may be at work here:
Republican lawmakers appear less united in challenging the powers and privileges of government employee unions than those which organize workers in the private sector.
Here's why:
Michigan’s most powerful government employee union, the MEA teachers union, is currently bankrolling recall campaigns against Republicans who voted for these and some other reforms.
The outcome of those recalls may well determine whether there will be any further votes on legislation trimming the perks and power of government employees and their unions.
Do we really want the MEA running our state?
Teacher Right-to-Work Looking Like a Done Deal
Teacher Right-to-Work Looking Like a Done Deal [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Chances look good for passage and enactment of legislation to provide right-to-work status for Michigan public school teachers.
Under the measure, called the “Freedom to Teach Act,” teachers would no longer be required to join or support a union as a condition of employment...
Lawmakers and political observers are often reluctant to predict the chances of passage for any specific piece of legislation, but in this case the stars seem to be aligning in a very favorable fashion.
By all indications, the measure is likely to be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Wow!
Choice for teachers!
Who could possibly be against choice?
Chances look good for passage and enactment of legislation to provide right-to-work status for Michigan public school teachers.
Under the measure, called the “Freedom to Teach Act,” teachers would no longer be required to join or support a union as a condition of employment...
Lawmakers and political observers are often reluctant to predict the chances of passage for any specific piece of legislation, but in this case the stars seem to be aligning in a very favorable fashion.
By all indications, the measure is likely to be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Wow!
Choice for teachers!
Who could possibly be against choice?
U.S. rallies opposition to Palestinian statehood bid
U.S. rallies opposition to Palestinian statehood bid - Washington Times
And it does add another murderous rogue state to the voting rolls of the UN.
And it does add another murderous rogue state to the voting rolls of the UN.
Public workers paid better than private workers
Feds: Public workers paid better than private workers - OC Watchdog - The Orange County Register
Here’s the latest on who makes what from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (whose workers, we’ll point out here, happen to be public employees):
Workers in the private sector made an average of $28.13 per hour in total compensation in June (wages contributed $19.81 to that, and benefits added $8.32)
While state and local government workers made an average of $40.40 per hour (wages were $26.41, and benefits, $13.99).
Here’s the latest on who makes what from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (whose workers, we’ll point out here, happen to be public employees):
Workers in the private sector made an average of $28.13 per hour in total compensation in June (wages contributed $19.81 to that, and benefits added $8.32)
While state and local government workers made an average of $40.40 per hour (wages were $26.41, and benefits, $13.99).
What Job 'Training' Teaches? Bad Work Habits
James Bovard: What Job 'Training' Teaches? Bad Work Habits - WSJ.com
Last Thursday, President Obama proposed new federal jobs and job-training programs for youth and the long-term unemployed.
The federal government has experimented with these programs for almost a half century.
The record is one of failure and scandal......
After CETA became a laughingstock, Congress replaced it in 1982 with the Job Training Partnership Act. JTPA spent lavishly—to expand an Indiana circus museum, teach Washington taxi drivers to smile, provide foreign junkets for state and local politicians, and bankroll business relocations.
According to the Labor Department's inspector general, young trainees were twice as likely to rely on food stamps after JTPA involvement than before since the "training" often included instructions on applying for an array of government benefits.
For years the Labor Department scorned the mandate in the 1982 legislation to speedily and thoroughly evaluate whether the programs actually benefitted trainees.
Finally, in 1993, it released a study that showed participation in JTPA "actually reduced the earnings of male out-of-school youths."
Young males enrolled in JTPA programs had 10% lower earnings than a control group that never participated......
Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office reported that there were 47 different federal employment and training programs, costing taxpayers $18 billion a year.
There is massive overlap and duplication, and few programs seriously evaluate their impact on trainees.
If federal job training efforts worked, Congress would not have thrown out the programs it has created every decade or so and enacted new ones.
In reality, government training has always been driven by bureaucratic convenience, or politicians' re-election considerations.
There is no reason to believe the latest round of proposals will be any different.
This is, or should be, a national scandal!
Last Thursday, President Obama proposed new federal jobs and job-training programs for youth and the long-term unemployed.
The federal government has experimented with these programs for almost a half century.
The record is one of failure and scandal......
After CETA became a laughingstock, Congress replaced it in 1982 with the Job Training Partnership Act. JTPA spent lavishly—to expand an Indiana circus museum, teach Washington taxi drivers to smile, provide foreign junkets for state and local politicians, and bankroll business relocations.
According to the Labor Department's inspector general, young trainees were twice as likely to rely on food stamps after JTPA involvement than before since the "training" often included instructions on applying for an array of government benefits.
For years the Labor Department scorned the mandate in the 1982 legislation to speedily and thoroughly evaluate whether the programs actually benefitted trainees.
Finally, in 1993, it released a study that showed participation in JTPA "actually reduced the earnings of male out-of-school youths."
Young males enrolled in JTPA programs had 10% lower earnings than a control group that never participated......
Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office reported that there were 47 different federal employment and training programs, costing taxpayers $18 billion a year.
There is massive overlap and duplication, and few programs seriously evaluate their impact on trainees.
If federal job training efforts worked, Congress would not have thrown out the programs it has created every decade or so and enacted new ones.
In reality, government training has always been driven by bureaucratic convenience, or politicians' re-election considerations.
There is no reason to believe the latest round of proposals will be any different.
This is, or should be, a national scandal!
Techniques for Untruth
Techniques for Untruth
Two recent NPR stories display some techniques available to journalist-activists, allowing them to misrepresent truth while at the same time maintaining an appearance of objectivity.
One of these stories, ironically enough, presented itself as a fact check of the recent Republican presidential candidate debate;
Two recent NPR stories display some techniques available to journalist-activists, allowing them to misrepresent truth while at the same time maintaining an appearance of objectivity.
One of these stories, ironically enough, presented itself as a fact check of the recent Republican presidential candidate debate;
Tea Party Bringing The Sunset to Public Sector Labor Unions?
Tea Party Bringing The Sunset to Public Sector Labor Unions? - West Palm Beach Republican Examiner.com
There is however a more far reaching change that will be likely occurring in Wisonsin, and across the nation.
As unions can no longer automatically deduct union dues from teachers paychecks, according to a recent article in The Economist, when this has happened in the past, the percentage of union members paying their dues collapses quickly.
The first such case was in 1992, when such a law was passed in Washington State, and as a result, the percentage of members paying dues dropped from 82% to just 11%.
When Utah enacted such a ban on collections in 2001, a year later there were 90% fewer dues paying members.
By 2011, Indiana has observed a 90% decline in union membership since automatic deductions were ceased in 2005.
And, finally, in 2001, when Colorado passed a law requiring an annual vote to "re-authorize" automatic deductions of union dues, union membership fell by 70% [in that first year].
There is however a more far reaching change that will be likely occurring in Wisonsin, and across the nation.
As unions can no longer automatically deduct union dues from teachers paychecks, according to a recent article in The Economist, when this has happened in the past, the percentage of union members paying their dues collapses quickly.
The first such case was in 1992, when such a law was passed in Washington State, and as a result, the percentage of members paying dues dropped from 82% to just 11%.
When Utah enacted such a ban on collections in 2001, a year later there were 90% fewer dues paying members.
By 2011, Indiana has observed a 90% decline in union membership since automatic deductions were ceased in 2005.
And, finally, in 2001, when Colorado passed a law requiring an annual vote to "re-authorize" automatic deductions of union dues, union membership fell by 70% [in that first year].
Greece imposes new property tax to meet deficit targets
Greece imposes new property tax to meet deficit targets - Monsters and Critics
According to reports, foreign auditors have pressed Greece to speed up privatizations and focus on structural reforms and spending cuts, namely cutting down on the large number of civil servants.
According to reports, foreign auditors have pressed Greece to speed up privatizations and focus on structural reforms and spending cuts, namely cutting down on the large number of civil servants.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Red Cross blood workers' agreement includes 'union security,' pay for strike days, union says
Red Cross blood workers' agreement includes 'union security,' pay for strike days, union says MLive.com: The Red Cross also restored the “union security” clause of the blood workers' contract, which had expired in 2009 with the rest of the contract, Marutiak said.
The clause requires new hires to join a union.
Security for the employees or security for the union leaders?
The clause requires new hires to join a union.
Security for the employees or security for the union leaders?
'Timebomb' fear as 'rationing by stealth' of operations hits NHS
'Timebomb' fear as 'rationing by stealth' of operations hits NHS - Telegraph
"Rationing by stealth" is hitting the NHS, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has claimed, after official figures were released showing a steep fall in the number of people referred to hospital by GPs.
"Rationing by stealth" is hitting the NHS, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has claimed, after official figures were released showing a steep fall in the number of people referred to hospital by GPs.
Unions on the warpath
PATTERSON: Unions on the warpath - Washington Times
In the wild, a wounded animal is the most dangerous kind.
Right now, the labor movement in the United States is such an animal, reeling from a string of devastating injuries that have eroded its ability to raise money, organize and influence elections.
Consider, just this past year:
In the wild, a wounded animal is the most dangerous kind.
Right now, the labor movement in the United States is such an animal, reeling from a string of devastating injuries that have eroded its ability to raise money, organize and influence elections.
Consider, just this past year:
Sharia Lobby Shifts into 5th Gear
Sharia Lobby Shifts into 5th Gear
He insisted, though, that western Muslims don’t “favor” these aspects of Islam and none seek to impose them.
Evidence that they do abounds (here, here, here, here, here) but Reza said his broad web search found none.
He insisted, though, that western Muslims don’t “favor” these aspects of Islam and none seek to impose them.
Evidence that they do abounds (here, here, here, here, here) but Reza said his broad web search found none.
What to Say to the Totalitarian Left on 9/11/11
Pajamas Media » What to Say to the Totalitarian Left on 9/11/11
Ethnic Arab Muslims are genocidally slaughtering black African Muslims, Christians, and animists in Darfur; Muslims are blowing each other up when they pray in mosques in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia; Muslim men are shooting down and beheading their own intellectuals and dissidents in unimaginable numbers. According to one compelling source, such numbers far outpace anything the combined American and Israeli forces have done in the last 50 years.
The estimated number of Third World Muslim violent deaths at the hands of other Third World Muslims, country by country, vastly exceeds that of Third World Muslim deaths in so-called “white imperial” wars.
Ethnic Arab Muslims are genocidally slaughtering black African Muslims, Christians, and animists in Darfur; Muslims are blowing each other up when they pray in mosques in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia; Muslim men are shooting down and beheading their own intellectuals and dissidents in unimaginable numbers. According to one compelling source, such numbers far outpace anything the combined American and Israeli forces have done in the last 50 years.
The estimated number of Third World Muslim violent deaths at the hands of other Third World Muslims, country by country, vastly exceeds that of Third World Muslim deaths in so-called “white imperial” wars.
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