Sunday, July 15, 2012

Football and Hockey - By Mark Steyn

Football and Hockey - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
In the wake of Louis Freeh’s report on Penn State’s complicity in serial rape, Rand Simberg writes of Unhappy Valley’s other scandal:
I’m referring to another cover up and whitewash that occurred there two years ago, before we learned how rotten and corrupt the culture at the university was. But now that we know how bad it was, perhaps it’s time that we revisit the Michael Mann affair, particularly given how much we’ve also learned about his and others’ hockey-stick deceptions since. Mann could be said to be the Jerry Sandusky of climate science, except that instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data in the service of politicized science that could have dire economic consequences for the nation and planet.
Not sure I’d have extended that metaphor all the way into the locker-room showers with quite the zeal Mr Simberg does, but he has a point.
Michael Mann was the man behind the fraudulent climate-change “hockey-stick” graph, the very ringmaster of the tree-ring circus.
And, when the East Anglia emails came out, Penn State felt obliged to “investigate” Professor Mann. Graham Spanier, the Penn State president forced to resign over Sandusky, was the same cove who investigated Mann. And, as with Sandusky and Paterno, the college declined to find one of its star names guilty of any wrongdoing.
If an institution is prepared to cover up systemic statutory rape of minors, what won’t it cover up? Whether or not he’s “the Jerry Sandusky of climate change”, he remains the Michael Mann of climate change, in part because his “investigation” by a deeply corrupt administration was a joke.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Micro-apartments next for S.F.?

Micro-apartments next for S.F.? - SFGate
The new minimum would be 150 square feet plus kitchen, bathroom and closet - 220 square feet in total, about the size of a one-car garage.
The current minimum with all rooms included is 290 square feet.

Quotas Limiting Male Science Enrollment: The New Liberal War on Science

Quotas Limiting Male Science Enrollment: The New Liberal War on Science
Quotas limiting the number of male students in science may be imposed by the Education Department in 2013.
The White House has promised that “new guidelines will also be issued to grant-receiving universities and colleges” spelling out “Title IX rules in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.”
These guidelines will likely echo existing Title IX guidelines that restrict men’s percentage of intercollegiate athletes to their percentage in overall student bodies, thus reducing the overall number of intercollegiate athletes.
(Under the three-part Title IX test created by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, where I used to work, colleges are allowed to temporarily comply by increasing the number of female athletes rather than cutting the number of male athletes, but the only viable permanent way to comply with its rule is to restrict men’s participation relative to women’s participation, reducing overall participation.)
Thus, as Charlotte Allen notes, the Obama administration’s guidelines are likely to lead to “science quotas” based on gender.

Transparency and Open Government | The White House

Transparency and Open Government | The White House: Government should be participatory. Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for public participation in Government.

Ballot Proposal to Exploit Disabled Medicaid Recipients

Ballot Proposal to Exploit Disabled Medicaid Recipients [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
With boxes of signatures submitted to the Secretary of State over the last few days, it appears there could be as many as seven different proposals on the ballot this fall.
Many of them would benefit narrow constituencies at the expense of taxpayers; perhaps the most egregious is a self-serving measure that would embed a one-sided government union scheme into the state constitution.
The arrangement came about when the Service Employees International Union and the Granholm administration created a shell "employer" for tens of thousands of home-based caregivers.
Most are family members caring for developmentally disabled loved ones who receive a Medicaid stipend.
By labeling caregivers as "government employees" and skimming off a portion of these payments as "dues," the SEIU has quietly taken more than $30 million from Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.

7 ballot issues would be most in 30 years - but not a record

7 ballot issues would be most in 30 years - but not a record | MLive.com
Michigan voters could decide as many as seven initiatives on the November statewide ballot.
That is a lot - but nowhere close to the record.

Bomb threat shuts major U.S.-Canada tunnel

Bomb threat shuts major U.S.-Canada tunnel - CNN.com
A bomb threat shut a major tunnel between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit on Thursday, triggering traffic backups as drivers on both sides of the border were rerouted.
Employees at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel received an anonymous phone call around 12:30 p.m. from someone saying there was a bomb in the tunnel

City of Syracuse keeping a close eye on Scranton's budget problems ral.com

City of Syracuse keeping a close eye on Scranton's budget problems : News : CNYcentral.com

SYRACUSE -- Many cities have been able to kick the budget deficit can down the road - but they are quickly running out of road. Y
ears of budget problems are catching up with cities, counties and states around the country.
Stockton, California declared bankruptcy two weeks ago and now the mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania has defied a court order by cutting every employee’s pay to minimum wage.
In Syracuse today, people were shocked by the drastic move

Rick Reilly: Joe Paterno's True Legacy - ESPN

Rick Reilly: Joe Paterno's True Legacy - ESPN
I hope Penn State loses civil suits until the walls of the accounting office cave in.
I hope that Spanier, Schultz and Curley go to prison for perjury.
I hope the NCAA gives Penn State the death penalty it most richly deserves.
The worst scandal in college football history deserves the worst penalty the NCAA can give.
They gave it to SMU for winning without regard for morals.
They should give it to Penn State for the same thing.
The only difference is, at Penn State they didn't pay for it with Corvettes.
They paid for it with lives.

Muskegon County Board of Commissioners

Muskegon County Board of Commissioners
The Muskegon County Board of Public Works special meeting scheduled for July 17, 2012, has been cancelled.
Marvin Engle, Chairman
Board of Public Works
Posted: 7-13-12, 11:00 A.M.

Mackinac Center: Emergency managers lesser evil than municipal bankruptcy

Mackinac Center: Emergency managers lesser evil than municipal bankruptcy | MLive.com
The conservative, Midland-based think tank recently recently posted a blog entry saying that while emergency managers are bad, bankruptcy is "far worse."
Writer Jarrett Skorup notes that bankruptcy judges have more power to cut local expenses to pay off creditors than an emergency manager.

ACLU sues Michigan for depriving Highland Park students of their 'right to read'

ACLU sues Michigan for depriving Highland Park students of their 'right to read' | MLive.com
The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the state's obligation to students.
The organization in a "first-of-its-kind lawsuit" is suing the state of Michigan on behalf of Highland Park School District students and their “right to read.”
“I go to Barber foucs school,” a writing sample from a seventh-grade Highland Park student with a third-grade reading level obtained by the ACLU says.
“I wish it was batter in the clean bathroom. Batter teachers and batter lunch.”

Michigan Department of Human Services doesn't live up to Gov. Snyder's transparency pledge

Michigan Department of Human Services doesn't live up to Gov. Snyder's transparency pledge | MLive.com
“As Governor, I will ensure that government is open, fair, and accountable to the citizens by making Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics.”
That's what Rick Snyder pledged on the campaign trail two years ago.
Yet last month, the Michigan Department of Human Services gave two completely contradictory answers to a fairly straightforward policy question:
 How many former welfare recipients reapplied for cash assistance after being removed by Michigan's new welfare reforms?
When Bridge Magazine asked that question, DHS required a formal, written Freedom of Information Request.
Then DHS extended its response deadline by two weeks.
Then DHS completely denied Bridge Magazine's request, claiming it "does not possess records falling within the scope of the description provided in your request, or by another name."
In other words, DHS implied that the records Bridge wanted didn't exist.
Yet, while the DHS pleaded ignorance to us, a DHS attorney unintentionally provided all kinds of detailed answers to our questions in a legal proceeding.
DHS formally denied our information request on June 21.

Flint officials warn against scam that Obama will pay utility bills

Flint officials warn against scam that Obama will pay utility bills | MLive.com
The city of Flint issued a warning to residents today about a new scam that claims the Obama administration will pay utility bills as part of a federal government relief plan.
The scam's perpetrators call, text or email potential victims, telling them they will be given a special account number to use to pay their utility bills after an "application process" that includes divulging personal information, such as their social security number.

GVSU leaders explain why they decided to increase average tuition bill $362 next school year

GVSU leaders explain why they decided to increase average tuition bill $362 next school year | MLive.com
Hiking the amount students pay in tuition by $362 a year – or 3.7 percent – is necessary because the university is contending with expenses related to inflation, new academic programs and increased student enrollment, said Matt McLogan, GVSU’s vice president for university relations.

Klohs: Muskegon's deep-water port critical to future ecomomic growth in West Michigan

Klohs: Muskegon's deep-water port critical to future ecomomic growth in West Michigan | MLive.com
Special state economic development incentives for specific industrial developments will be made available for five regional collaboratives around the state, Klohs said. Gov. Rick Snyder has given his support to the West Michigan partnership, she said.
The Muskegon City Commission and Muskegon County Board of Commissioners have approved the regional partnership through the NextMichigan program with special attention given to waterfront properties along the Muskegon Lake shoreline.
The Muskegon harbor capabilities play to the regional effort to promote the alternative energy sector as a potential area of economic growth for the future, Klohs said.
“The Great Lakes offer a very large potential for alternative energy particularly on wind and bio fuels and to a lesser degree solar,” Klohs said.

Candidate debates for Muskegon County prosecutor, sheriff set July 17-18

Candidate debates for Muskegon County prosecutor, sheriff set July 17-18 | MLive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle and MLive are partnering with Muskegon Community College to present candidate debates at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at the college.
The debates also will be broadcast several times on MCC TV later in the week.

Muskegon planning commissioners table site plan review of scrap metal operation for Sappi site

Muskegon planning commissioners table site plan review of scrap metal operation for Sappi site | MLive.com
After some heated questioning by commissioners, the planning commission allowed citizens to address the site plan issue before unanimously voting to table the site plan review until next month.
Planning commissioners cited a lack of details, a point disputed by the company’s representatives.

Presentation on fracking in Muskegon County produces controversy, opposition

Presentation on fracking in Muskegon County produces controversy, opposition | MLive.com
More than 50 people, many apparently opposed to the idea of fracking on the county’s 11,000-acre wastewater site to extract natural gas and oil, created a standing-room-only audience for the initial meeting on the issue.
Some became vocally upset, including one yelling out, "shameful" when they learned that no public comment would be accepted during the special Board of Public Works meeting.
Public Works Board Chairman Marvin Engle, who called for a sheriff’s deputy to be in the board room, said the special meeting was held so the public could also hear the planned presentation on the topic rather than conduct it during a work session, because it “seems to be a sensitive” issue.
Several commissioners said the meeting was strictly held for informational purposes.

Smokestacks and power plant being targeted for demolition on the Muskegon Lake Sappi site

Smokestacks and power plant being targeted for demolition on the Muskegon Lake Sappi site | MLive.com

Pete Hoekstra: No Child Left Behind has 'ruined education,' compares reform law to 'Obamacare'

Pete Hoekstra: No Child Left Behind has 'ruined education,' compares reform law to 'Obamacare'
MLive.com: Hoekstra was one of 20 Republicans in the U.S. House to vote against the bipartisan education reform in 2001 and said he fears have been confirmed over the years.

Muskegon County free food truck sites for July 2012

Muskegon County free food truck sites for July 2012 | MLive.com
Local mobile pantry truck sites have been scheduled for July 2012.
The sites are part of Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Inc., a regional food bank in Comstock Park, according to information provided by Muskegon County Cooperating Churches.
.....The program is supported by various community groups and companies.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow: Bipartisan farm bill is a win for Michigan

Sen. Debbie Stabenow: Bipartisan farm bill is a win for Michigan | MLive.com
By Debbie Stabenow
I love seeing “Made in Michigan” fruits and vegetables in the supermarket produce aisle.

Isn't "fruit" both singular ANS plural?
What's with the "fruits"?
Is Big Deb homophobic?

Huge Numbers of Same Day Registrations for Recall

Huge Numbers of Same Day Registrations for Recall | MacIver Institute
A look at the numbers of same day registrants in Milwaukee, Madison and Racine for the recent recall elections.
We will update this chart with additional cities as the information becomes available.

Click on graphic to enlarge.

Michigan Supreme Court to decide if repeal of emergency manager law goes on ballot

Michigan Supreme Court to decide if repeal of emergency manager law goes on ballot | MLive.com
The Michigan Supreme Court will decide if a referendum of the state's emergency financial manager law goes on the November statewide ballot, settling a dispute on whether organizers' petitions had the wrong type size.
The court on Wednesday scheduled oral arguments for July 25.
Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, a group started by current and former business leaders, in late June appealed a ruling from the Court of Appeals that said the issue should proceed to voters.

Visa, MasterCard in $6B settlement over card fees

My Way News - Visa, MasterCard in $6B settlement over card fees
....the settlement is a victory for small businesses across the country because it could ultimately lead to banks lowering the fees they charge stores for customers' credit card purchases.
Landis, who owns Pittsburgh-based financial services firm Basic Business Concepts, said that would be a big relief.
She's now paying 3.75 percent each time a customer pays with a credit card.
If bank card companies reduce the fees they charge her to 2.75 percent, she would save a dollar on every $100 in sales.

Norton Shores drive-in theatre still attracting crowds

Norton Shores drive-in theatre still attracting crowds | wzzm13.com
Michigan was once home to more than 130 drive-in theatres.
Now only ten of them are still open, including The Getty 4 Drive-In Theatre in Norton Shores.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Letters: David Wells best choice in Circuit judge race

Letters: David Wells best choice in Circuit judge race | MLive.com
Muskegon County citizens will vote in next month's Primary Election to select two candidates to replace the exceptional Judge James M. Graves as circuit court judge.
The winners will face off on the General Election ballot in November.
I believe the most important traits necessary in a thoughtful and fair judge are experience and temperament.
Of the six candidates running to replace Graves, David Wells has the most impressive and varied experience.
His experience as a private judge, mediator and circuit court case evaluator combined with his decades of community service also includes his appointment as one of only three non-physicians in the country to the board that monitors and accredits all U.S. osteopathic medical schools.
It is clear that Wells has respect that is acknowledged on a national scale.
But I believe those who know him would say that it is his temperament that sets Wells apart from the other candidates.
Maybe it's because he's the father of an autistic son or the fact that David and Nancy have been foster parents.
Whatever the reason, Wells has an understanding and an empathy for those in need of justice.
Judicial temperament, experience and nationally recognized respect.
If we want an able replacement to one of the most respected judges in Muskegon history, David M. Wells deserves your vote on Aug. 7
FRANCINE M. LESSARD
Muskegon

Market Savior? Stocks Might Be 50% Lower Without Fed

Market Savior? Stocks Might Be 50% Lower Without Fed - CNBC
Theoretically, the S&P 500 [.SPX 1334.76 --- UNCH ] would be more than 50 percent lower—at the 600 level—if the bullish price action preceding Fed announcements was excluded, the study showed.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

NBC And Microsoft Reportedly To Announce Split, MSNBC.com Rebranding

On Wednesday afternoon, Howard Kurtz reported that NBC and Microsoft will announce a deal to part ways, with the NBC purchasing back the remainder of MSNBC.com from the software corporation.
Reportedly, the plan entails a rebranding of MSNBC.com as NBCNews.com. The site currently ranks among the top three in online news sites.