Obama administration scraps child labor restrictions for farms - TheHill.com
The new regulations would have forbidden children younger than 16 years of age from completing “agricultural work with animals and in pesticide handling, timber operations, manure pits and storage bins.”
It would also have barred farm workers under 16 from handling most “power-driven equipment” and from contributing to the “cultivation, harvesting and curing of tobacco.”
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Frankenmuth man clutching sub sandwich chases down hit-and-run culprit on foot in Saginaw
Frankenmuth man clutching sub sandwich chases down hit-and-run culprit on foot in Saginaw | MLive.com
Scott K. Hall, 44, of Frankenmuth, while clutching a Jimmy John's submarine sandwich bag in one hand — a No. 9 Italian Night Club inside —
Scott K. Hall, 44, of Frankenmuth, while clutching a Jimmy John's submarine sandwich bag in one hand — a No. 9 Italian Night Club inside —
Wisconsin's New Aristocracy Is On The Ballot
Wisconsin's New Aristocracy Is On The Ballot - Forbes
Indeed, the Manhattan Institute’s E.J. McMahon reports that for public school teachers in Milwaukee, the annual cost of family health coverage is $26,844, for which the teachers were paying nothing.
Indeed, the Manhattan Institute’s E.J. McMahon reports that for public school teachers in Milwaukee, the annual cost of family health coverage is $26,844, for which the teachers were paying nothing.
Muskegon County Jail committee moves forward with research, tours
Muskegon County Jail committee moves forward with research, tours | MLive.com
He said the conditions of the current jail need to be addressed, whether that means a retrofit into an existing building, a renovation/expansion of the current facility or a newly constructed jail.
He pointed out that the current jail does not meet the philosophical change in jail operations and does not have room for most rehabilitation programs.
He said the conditions of the current jail need to be addressed, whether that means a retrofit into an existing building, a renovation/expansion of the current facility or a newly constructed jail.
He pointed out that the current jail does not meet the philosophical change in jail operations and does not have room for most rehabilitation programs.
Michigan House members: Making state universities post spending 'not an assault on their autonomy'
Michigan House members: Making state universities post spending 'not an assault on their autonomy' | MLive.com
McMillin, who chairs the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee, said Tuesday the amendment would require the universities to submit an annual accounting of their expenditures to the Legislature.
McMillin, who chairs the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee, said Tuesday the amendment would require the universities to submit an annual accounting of their expenditures to the Legislature.
Public has a right to know how government officials make their decisions
In the margins: Public has a right to know how government officials make their decisions | MLive.com
Muskegon Chronicle Editorial Board: Government meetings need to be conducted as transparently as possible. Citizens deserve -- and are allowed under law -- access to government actions either through attending meetings or reviewing public documents.
Voters need this information in order to make informed decisions during elections and any other time of the year.
With the current economic conditions and declining government revenues, it is even more important that citizens know how tax dollars are being spent and why they are being spent the way they are.
Excellent comments!
The Chronicle gets it.
Our Muskegon county leaders still don't.
And we all pay for their hubris.
Muskegon Chronicle Editorial Board: Government meetings need to be conducted as transparently as possible. Citizens deserve -- and are allowed under law -- access to government actions either through attending meetings or reviewing public documents.
Voters need this information in order to make informed decisions during elections and any other time of the year.
With the current economic conditions and declining government revenues, it is even more important that citizens know how tax dollars are being spent and why they are being spent the way they are.
Excellent comments!
The Chronicle gets it.
Our Muskegon county leaders still don't.
And we all pay for their hubris.
Lie, Cheat, Steal: Save the Planet!
Lie, Cheat, Steal: Save the Planet! - John Ransom - Townhall Finance Conservative Columnists and Financial Commentary
Gleick, who was chairman of the ethics committee at the American Geophysical Union, admitted that he recently stole some documents- and he may have forged others- from the conservative think-tank.
But that’s all in a day’s work for a work-a-day climate warrior.
Gleick, who was chairman of the ethics committee at the American Geophysical Union, admitted that he recently stole some documents- and he may have forged others- from the conservative think-tank.
But that’s all in a day’s work for a work-a-day climate warrior.
Muskegon state representative wants referendum on emergency financial manager law
Muskegon state representative wants referendum on emergency financial manager law | MLive.com
State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright, D-Muskegon, introduced a state House resolution Tuesday with a hoped-for result of allowing Michigan voters to decide the fate of the controversial emergency financial manager law.
State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright, D-Muskegon, introduced a state House resolution Tuesday with a hoped-for result of allowing Michigan voters to decide the fate of the controversial emergency financial manager law.
A sit-down with Muskegon's sheriff: Why is the county looking for a larger facility to replace the current jail?
A sit-down with Muskegon's sheriff: Why is the county looking for a larger facility to replace the current jail? | MLive.com
Commenter realoldlady asked the sheriff this:
“How is a jail with more people in it NOT going to cost more? Really 200 to 300 EXTRA prisoners is adding to the heat, cooling, water, food, health care, guards, gyms, cable, and laundry bills. I don't care how 'green' they build it you still have INCREASED the amount of services and goods needed to run it.”
Absolutly NO mention of ANY increase in costs.
It helps if the interviewer is on the PR team.
Commenter realoldlady asked the sheriff this:
“How is a jail with more people in it NOT going to cost more? Really 200 to 300 EXTRA prisoners is adding to the heat, cooling, water, food, health care, guards, gyms, cable, and laundry bills. I don't care how 'green' they build it you still have INCREASED the amount of services and goods needed to run it.”
Absolutly NO mention of ANY increase in costs.
It helps if the interviewer is on the PR team.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Senate Dem: Save the US Postal Service with Wind Farms
Senate Dem: Save the US Postal Service with Wind Farms - United States Postal Service - Fox Nation: As the potential collapse of the United States Postal Service looms on the horizon, one Senate Democrat has proposed an unusual plan to solve the crisis.
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) looks to harvest the electricity that windmill farms produce in order to power a new fleet of battery-operated postal delivery vehicles, replacing the previous '25 to 30 years old' 'dilapidated' vehicles.
The Senator admits the idea is “out there” but concludes that "we need to be thinking boldly, and the postal service needs to do that"
Moronic thinking is not bold thinking.
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) looks to harvest the electricity that windmill farms produce in order to power a new fleet of battery-operated postal delivery vehicles, replacing the previous '25 to 30 years old' 'dilapidated' vehicles.
The Senator admits the idea is “out there” but concludes that "we need to be thinking boldly, and the postal service needs to do that"
Moronic thinking is not bold thinking.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Muskegon County plans to re-enact closed session after lawsuit filed
Muskegon County plans to re-enact closed session after lawsuit filed | MLive.com
County Board Chairman Ken Mahoney said the re-enactment option is a way “to avoid confusion,” while County Commissioner Scott Plummer added the re-enactment is being held “so the public can be present.”
When Jager suggested that the Brookhaven discussion or re-enactment be delayed until after the audit is presented, County Board Vice-Chairman John Snider countered that the re-enactment is only about what was said at that closed session, not additional debate about the topic.
“It’s not to justify what we did,” Snider said. “It was not done in secret.”
Jager disagreed, contending the issue was conducted in secret.
Williams said he takes any blame regarding the closed session issue, pointing out it is his job to protect the board. He said the case law on the Open Meetings Act’s allowance for closed sessions can be interpreted in different ways.
“If any mistakes were made, they were mine,” Williams said.
County Board Chairman Ken Mahoney said the re-enactment option is a way “to avoid confusion,” while County Commissioner Scott Plummer added the re-enactment is being held “so the public can be present.”
When Jager suggested that the Brookhaven discussion or re-enactment be delayed until after the audit is presented, County Board Vice-Chairman John Snider countered that the re-enactment is only about what was said at that closed session, not additional debate about the topic.
“It’s not to justify what we did,” Snider said. “It was not done in secret.”
Jager disagreed, contending the issue was conducted in secret.
Williams said he takes any blame regarding the closed session issue, pointing out it is his job to protect the board. He said the case law on the Open Meetings Act’s allowance for closed sessions can be interpreted in different ways.
“If any mistakes were made, they were mine,” Williams said.
Indoctrination 101: Teaching Chicago Students to Protest
Exclusive - Indoctrination 101: Teaching Chicago Students to Protest
Jones College Prep, a Chicago Public Schools “selective enrollment” school, held “Social Justice Week” in March, a collection of events geared towards turning students into activists. See the schedule of events here.
According to a flyer on the school’s website:
Social Justice Week was created to promote community advancement through dialogue and community service based activism. Moreover, we hope to unify the voice of various JCP and community organizations in which to facilitate collaboration for the betterment of the community at large and promote a unified human rights advancement initiative.”
The school is, according to U.S. News & World Report, a Top 100 high school in the country.
It’s one of the best of the best--the cream of the crop.
Jones College Prep, a Chicago Public Schools “selective enrollment” school, held “Social Justice Week” in March, a collection of events geared towards turning students into activists. See the schedule of events here.
According to a flyer on the school’s website:
Social Justice Week was created to promote community advancement through dialogue and community service based activism. Moreover, we hope to unify the voice of various JCP and community organizations in which to facilitate collaboration for the betterment of the community at large and promote a unified human rights advancement initiative.”
The school is, according to U.S. News & World Report, a Top 100 high school in the country.
It’s one of the best of the best--the cream of the crop.
Weeping four-year-old girl accused of carrying a GUN by TSA officers after she hugged her grandmother while passing through security
Weeping four-year-old girl accused of carrying a GUN by TSA officers after she hugged her grandmother while passing through security | Mail Online
But their nightmare was not yet over, as on a connecting flight in Denver, an airport employee demanded to know which of the family was Isabella - and 'looked really confused' when the girl was pointed out to her.
But their nightmare was not yet over, as on a connecting flight in Denver, an airport employee demanded to know which of the family was Isabella - and 'looked really confused' when the girl was pointed out to her.
Where Are the Rolling Heads from NOAA?
Articles: Where Are the Rolling Heads from NOAA?
NOAA law enforcement was running essentially unsupervised for years, inflicting huge fines on fishermen for small infractions and putting the collected monies in a slush fund used for lavish trips and booze-cruise luxury boats.
The GSA conference cost $822,751 according to the GSA IG Report.
To give this some context, Leon Panetta's trips home have totaled about $860,000.
..NOAA law enforcement collected close to $100,000,000 in fines and seized goods from fishermen over the past several years.
The Department of Commerce IG investigated and found that only about $60M could be accounted for, while some $40M is just plain gone.
This is not taxpayer money, but money taken in huge chunks from fishermen for infractions, some very minor.
Claims by the fishermen of coercion and extortion were validated by the IG. See the IG reports here, here, and here.
One single fisherman, Larry Yacobian, ended up paying $450,000 in fines and owing $250,000 in legal fees.
He was forced to sell his boats, his gear, and the farm that had been in his wife's family since the days of the Pilgrims.
A special master appointed by the IG found that Mr. Yacobian had been treated unfairly.
The government returned $400,000 to Mr. Yacobian, and the Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, apologized personally.
But nobody has ever been punished.
NOAA law enforcement was running essentially unsupervised for years, inflicting huge fines on fishermen for small infractions and putting the collected monies in a slush fund used for lavish trips and booze-cruise luxury boats.
The GSA conference cost $822,751 according to the GSA IG Report.
To give this some context, Leon Panetta's trips home have totaled about $860,000.
..NOAA law enforcement collected close to $100,000,000 in fines and seized goods from fishermen over the past several years.
The Department of Commerce IG investigated and found that only about $60M could be accounted for, while some $40M is just plain gone.
This is not taxpayer money, but money taken in huge chunks from fishermen for infractions, some very minor.
Claims by the fishermen of coercion and extortion were validated by the IG. See the IG reports here, here, and here.
One single fisherman, Larry Yacobian, ended up paying $450,000 in fines and owing $250,000 in legal fees.
He was forced to sell his boats, his gear, and the farm that had been in his wife's family since the days of the Pilgrims.
A special master appointed by the IG found that Mr. Yacobian had been treated unfairly.
The government returned $400,000 to Mr. Yacobian, and the Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, apologized personally.
But nobody has ever been punished.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Generic Ballot Bomb
Articles: The Generic Ballot Bomb
Since March, however, the Republican advantage has been growing -- the practical end of the Republican fighting for the nomination is a logical explanation for the change -- and since the beginning of March, the Republican advantage per week has progressed thus: +3%, +6%, +4%, +5%, +6%, +5%, +10%.
Since March, however, the Republican advantage has been growing -- the practical end of the Republican fighting for the nomination is a logical explanation for the change -- and since the beginning of March, the Republican advantage per week has progressed thus: +3%, +6%, +4%, +5%, +6%, +5%, +10%.
Columnist says that global warming skeptics 'should have their houses burnt down'
Columnist says that global warming skeptics 'should have their houses burnt down' | Mail Online
'We know who the active denialists are... Let’s start keeping track of them now, and when the famines come, let’s make them pay.
Let’s let their houses burn until the innocent are rescued,' Mr Zwick wrote in Forbes on Friday.
'Let’s swap their safe land for submerged islands.
Let’s force them to bear the cost of rising food prices.'
'We know who the active denialists are... Let’s start keeping track of them now, and when the famines come, let’s make them pay.
Let’s let their houses burn until the innocent are rescued,' Mr Zwick wrote in Forbes on Friday.
'Let’s swap their safe land for submerged islands.
Let’s force them to bear the cost of rising food prices.'
Within A Month, Which Refinery Will Be The Largest In The US?
Within A Month, Which Refinery Will Be The Largest In The US? | Energy | Minyanville.com
The operation is owned by Motiva Enterprises, a joint venture of Saudi Refining, Inc. and Shell (RDS.A).
Each entity owns a 50% share of the JV. Saudi Refining is a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian national oil company, Saudi Aramco.
The operation is owned by Motiva Enterprises, a joint venture of Saudi Refining, Inc. and Shell (RDS.A).
Each entity owns a 50% share of the JV. Saudi Refining is a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian national oil company, Saudi Aramco.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Dirt On Earth Day
The Dirt On Earth Day - Forbes
Consider this quote from Edwards’ essay: “This implication that DDT is horribly deadly is completely false.
Human volunteers have ingested as much as 35 milligrams of it a day for nearly two years and suffered no adverse effects.
Millions of people have lived with DDT intimately during the mosquito spray programs and nobody even got sick as a result.
The National Academy of Sciences concluded in 1965 that ‘in a little more than two decades, DDT has prevented 500 million [human] deaths that would otherwise have been inevitable.’
The World Health Organization stated that DDT had ‘killed more insects and saved more people than any other substance.’”
Consider this quote from Edwards’ essay: “This implication that DDT is horribly deadly is completely false.
Human volunteers have ingested as much as 35 milligrams of it a day for nearly two years and suffered no adverse effects.
Millions of people have lived with DDT intimately during the mosquito spray programs and nobody even got sick as a result.
The National Academy of Sciences concluded in 1965 that ‘in a little more than two decades, DDT has prevented 500 million [human] deaths that would otherwise have been inevitable.’
The World Health Organization stated that DDT had ‘killed more insects and saved more people than any other substance.’”
The Food-Stamp Crime Wave
James Bovard: The Food-Stamp Crime Wave - WSJ.com
The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service now has only 40 inspectors to oversee almost 200,000 merchants that accept food stamps nationwide.
The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service now has only 40 inspectors to oversee almost 200,000 merchants that accept food stamps nationwide.
Food Stamp Spending Has More Than Doubled Since 2008
Food Stamp Spending Has More Than Doubled Since 2008
In 2008, taxpayers spent $38 billion on food stamps.
In 2013, that figure will be $82 billion.
In 2008, taxpayers spent $38 billion on food stamps.
In 2013, that figure will be $82 billion.
Yes, let’s all throw Bo Obama a bone, shall we?
Yes, let’s all throw Bo Obama a bone, shall we? | The Daily Caller
I certainly wouldn’t recommend going here and signing up as Etta Doberman or Doug Eater or anything of that nature.
That would be childish and unnecessary.
Let’s play fair, now.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend going here and signing up as Etta Doberman or Doug Eater or anything of that nature.
That would be childish and unnecessary.
Let’s play fair, now.
Mia Love pulled a major upset on Saturday, winning the Republican Party nomination in Utah’s 4th District
If elected to Congress, Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, would be the only black Republican woman in Congress.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Should school employees wait until they're at least 60 before drawing state retirement benefits?
Should school employees wait until they're at least 60 before drawing state retirement benefits? (poll) | MLive.com
Should school employees be allowed to start taking their government pensions while still in their 50s?
Should school employees be allowed to start taking their government pensions while still in their 50s?
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