The American Spectator : Electric Lemon Aid
"One of the biggest functional/engineering obstacles to electric car viability is that batteries lose power in the cold — while gasoline doesn’t.
If you leave your car parked in the garage with half a tank, it’ll still have a half-tank tomorrow morning.
And range isn’t affected greatly by weather.
An electric car’s range is.
The colder it is, the shorter your range will be.
Not just because batteries are less efficient in the cold, but also because in the cold, you’ll be using electricity for other things besides moving the car.
Things like the heater — which in an electric car is powered by electricity — and if it’s dark out, you’ll be burning headlights longer — which also means burning juice.
Which you have a finite amount of."
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Press finally gets question to Obama after golf weekend: ‘Did you beat Tiger?’
Press finally gets question to Obama after golf weekend: ‘Did you beat Tiger?’ | The Daily Caller
"The probing question followed a weekend in which reporters “expressed extreme frustration,” in the words of White House Correspondents Association president and Fox News correspondent Ed Henry, over their lack of access to Obama during his golfing sojourn. (RELATED: Why didn’t Obama allow press to cover golf weekend?)
“Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend,”
Henry said in a statement Sunday.
“There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency.”"
"The probing question followed a weekend in which reporters “expressed extreme frustration,” in the words of White House Correspondents Association president and Fox News correspondent Ed Henry, over their lack of access to Obama during his golfing sojourn. (RELATED: Why didn’t Obama allow press to cover golf weekend?)
“Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend,”
Henry said in a statement Sunday.
“There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency.”"
Michelle Obama and daughters take on Aspen ski slopes with top instructors
Michelle Obama and daughters take on Aspen ski slopes with top instructors - NYPOST.com
"We’re told some wealthy Aspen visitors were annoyed when “air space was blocked because of [the Obamas’] plane, so others couldn’t get their private jets in.
Many people nearly didn’t land or had to be diverted.” "
"We’re told some wealthy Aspen visitors were annoyed when “air space was blocked because of [the Obamas’] plane, so others couldn’t get their private jets in.
Many people nearly didn’t land or had to be diverted.” "
Brave New World
Works and Days » Brave New World
"We shrug at all this.
A president who thunders to the nation that we must be on guard against the “well-off and well-connected” heads south to Palm Beach to meet his $1,000-an-hour golf pro, while Michelle and the family go west to hit the slopes at “downright mean” Aspen, where no one accepts that they’ve reached a point where they’ve made enough money, or that there was any time when it was not good to profit.
Something strange has insidiously happened to the old notion of hypocrisy.
Does it even exist any longer?
Or do we shrug and just accept it as rebranded medieval penance?
Obama gets to golf with zillionaires because in soaring cadences he attacks them — and all for us?"
"We shrug at all this.
A president who thunders to the nation that we must be on guard against the “well-off and well-connected” heads south to Palm Beach to meet his $1,000-an-hour golf pro, while Michelle and the family go west to hit the slopes at “downright mean” Aspen, where no one accepts that they’ve reached a point where they’ve made enough money, or that there was any time when it was not good to profit.
Something strange has insidiously happened to the old notion of hypocrisy.
Does it even exist any longer?
Or do we shrug and just accept it as rebranded medieval penance?
Obama gets to golf with zillionaires because in soaring cadences he attacks them — and all for us?"
Local Preferences in Public Contracting, Part 6
Local Preferences in Public Contracting, Part 6 | Coates' Canons: NC Local Government Law Blog
"“I’ll start by reminding you of the four goals of the proposed policy: reducing local unemployment, supporting local businesses, increasing the tax base, and reducing the city’s carbon footprint,” begins Scarecrow.
“As I said earlier, to reduce local unemployment, our policy would have to have the effect of creating more jobs for local workers in addition to retaining current jobs held by local workers.
Similarly, to support local businesses financially, our policy would have to have the effect of directing more money to local businesses.”
The Council members nod in agreement.
“But,” says Scarecrow, “as we’ve just heard from Mr. Apple, a local preference policy won’t necessarily achieve this goal because we don’t generate enough projects or purchases to keep our local workers employed. They have to be able to work with other towns and counties as well, and if other towns and counties follow our lead, this could result in a disadvantage to our local workers and businesses.”"
"“I’ll start by reminding you of the four goals of the proposed policy: reducing local unemployment, supporting local businesses, increasing the tax base, and reducing the city’s carbon footprint,” begins Scarecrow.
“As I said earlier, to reduce local unemployment, our policy would have to have the effect of creating more jobs for local workers in addition to retaining current jobs held by local workers.
Similarly, to support local businesses financially, our policy would have to have the effect of directing more money to local businesses.”
The Council members nod in agreement.
“But,” says Scarecrow, “as we’ve just heard from Mr. Apple, a local preference policy won’t necessarily achieve this goal because we don’t generate enough projects or purchases to keep our local workers employed. They have to be able to work with other towns and counties as well, and if other towns and counties follow our lead, this could result in a disadvantage to our local workers and businesses.”"
Two of Illinois’ five pension systems lost money in 2012
Illinois Policy Institute - Blog - Two of Illinois’ five pension systems lost money in 2012
"Not a single one of the state’s five public pension systems earned more than 1 percent returns on their investments last year.
In fact, two of the five funds actually lost money.
Although pension trustees predicted Illinois’ five pension funds would earn more than $5.1 billion in fiscal year 2012, the funds actually earned less than $239 million.
The systems posted a combined investment return of just 0.38 percent, far below the combined 8.18 percent expected."
"Not a single one of the state’s five public pension systems earned more than 1 percent returns on their investments last year.
In fact, two of the five funds actually lost money.
Although pension trustees predicted Illinois’ five pension funds would earn more than $5.1 billion in fiscal year 2012, the funds actually earned less than $239 million.
The systems posted a combined investment return of just 0.38 percent, far below the combined 8.18 percent expected."
Jobless mother of 11 Heather Frost to get 6-bed eco-house after moaning her TWO council homes are cramped
Jobless mother of 11 Heather Frost to get 6-bed eco-house after moaning her TWO council homes are cramped | Mail Online
"Heather Frost, 36, lives in two houses which have been knocked together
Has seven children in one house, while the rest live with her in the other
Now Tewkesbury council has agreed to build her five-bed eco-home
TaxPayers' Alliance brands move a 'scandalous' use of public money
First fell pregnant at 14 to a 23-year-old boyfriend who ended up in prison
Furious neighbour: 'It's a disgrace. She treats her womb like a clown car'"
"Heather Frost, 36, lives in two houses which have been knocked together
Has seven children in one house, while the rest live with her in the other
Now Tewkesbury council has agreed to build her five-bed eco-home
TaxPayers' Alliance brands move a 'scandalous' use of public money
First fell pregnant at 14 to a 23-year-old boyfriend who ended up in prison
Furious neighbour: 'It's a disgrace. She treats her womb like a clown car'"
Comcast pulls gun shop ads from cable network
Comcast pulls gun shop ads from cable network - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI
"Consistent with long standing NBC policies, Comcast Spotlight has decided it will not accept new advertising for firearms or weapons moving forward. "
"Consistent with long standing NBC policies, Comcast Spotlight has decided it will not accept new advertising for firearms or weapons moving forward. "
Quotation of the day: Minimum wage law is compulsory unemployment; it provides no jobs, it only outlaws them
Quotation of the day: Minimum wage law is compulsory unemployment; it provides no jobs, it only outlaws them | AEIdeas
"“In truth, there is only one way to regard a minimum wage law: it is compulsory unemployment, period.
The law says: it is illegal, and therefore criminal, for anyone to hire anyone else below the level of X dollars an hour.
This means, plainly and simply, that a large number of free and voluntary wage contracts are now outlawed and hence that there will be a large amount of unemployment.
Remember that the minimum wage law provides no jobs; it only outlaws them; and outlawed jobs are the inevitable result."
"“In truth, there is only one way to regard a minimum wage law: it is compulsory unemployment, period.
The law says: it is illegal, and therefore criminal, for anyone to hire anyone else below the level of X dollars an hour.
This means, plainly and simply, that a large number of free and voluntary wage contracts are now outlawed and hence that there will be a large amount of unemployment.
Remember that the minimum wage law provides no jobs; it only outlaws them; and outlawed jobs are the inevitable result."
Monday, February 18, 2013
Where is the Money Going? - Economy Recovers for Richest 1%; Income Flat for the other 99%
Where is the Money Going? - Economy Recovers for Richest 1%; Income Flat for the other 99% - AllGov - News
"Despite the old saying, it seems a rising tide does not necessarily lift all boats.
According to newly released data, since the end of the Great Recession in 2009 the richest 1% have increased their income by 11.2% while incomes for the bottom 99% actually shrank by 0.4%. "
"Despite the old saying, it seems a rising tide does not necessarily lift all boats.
According to newly released data, since the end of the Great Recession in 2009 the richest 1% have increased their income by 11.2% while incomes for the bottom 99% actually shrank by 0.4%. "
A challenge to proponents of a minimum wage of $9 per hour – what theory or analysis justifies that specific wage?
A challenge to proponents of a minimum wage of $9 per hour – what theory or analysis justifies that specific wage? | AEIdeas
"Bottom Line: If there is no economic theory or logic or cost-benefit analysis that justifies $9.00 per hour as an optimal wage for unskilled, entry-level workers, which seems to be the case, then a $9.00 minimum wage is exposed as being totally arbitrary and random.
Unless and until Obama and other proponents of a $9 per hour minimum wage can provide some analysis to show that $9 is optimal and maximizes the net benefits to unskilled workers, then it’s a policy that really can’t be taken seriously.
Further, the minimum wage requires a costly regulatory mechanism that administers and enforces the government-mandated wage, which is a cost that needs to be considered."
"Bottom Line: If there is no economic theory or logic or cost-benefit analysis that justifies $9.00 per hour as an optimal wage for unskilled, entry-level workers, which seems to be the case, then a $9.00 minimum wage is exposed as being totally arbitrary and random.
Unless and until Obama and other proponents of a $9 per hour minimum wage can provide some analysis to show that $9 is optimal and maximizes the net benefits to unskilled workers, then it’s a policy that really can’t be taken seriously.
Further, the minimum wage requires a costly regulatory mechanism that administers and enforces the government-mandated wage, which is a cost that needs to be considered."
OBAMOPOLY - THE LATEST BOARD GAME!
OBAMOPOLY - THE LATEST BOARD GAME!
"The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything!
Want to play?
No?
Too bad, you're already playing and just don't know it!
By the way ... You're not winning!"
"The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything!
Want to play?
No?
Too bad, you're already playing and just don't know it!
By the way ... You're not winning!"
DHS buying billions of rounds? Not so fast . . .
Sense of Events: DHS buying billions of rounds? Not so fast . .
"So there you have it.
I retract the Feb. 7 post and affirm today that DHS is not buying billions of rounds of pistol ammo with one proviso: DHS is not buying billions of rounds as quickly as some of us bloggers say they are.
But they are still buying a heck of a lot of ammo that, if continued at the published pace, definitely will come to billions over a longer time.
Consider major ammo manufacturer ATK's announcement of 11 months ago:
ANOKA, Minn., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced that it is being awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) for .40 caliber ammunition. This contract features a base of 12 months, includes four option years, and will have a maximum volume of 450 million rounds.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rCHc)
If DHS exercises all the options of this single contract, it will buy 90 million rounds per year of .40-caliber pistol ammo alone.
What are the contracts for 9mm and rifle ammo?
That would likely make some interesting totals."
"So there you have it.
I retract the Feb. 7 post and affirm today that DHS is not buying billions of rounds of pistol ammo with one proviso: DHS is not buying billions of rounds as quickly as some of us bloggers say they are.
But they are still buying a heck of a lot of ammo that, if continued at the published pace, definitely will come to billions over a longer time.
Consider major ammo manufacturer ATK's announcement of 11 months ago:
ANOKA, Minn., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced that it is being awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) for .40 caliber ammunition. This contract features a base of 12 months, includes four option years, and will have a maximum volume of 450 million rounds.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rCHc)
If DHS exercises all the options of this single contract, it will buy 90 million rounds per year of .40-caliber pistol ammo alone.
What are the contracts for 9mm and rifle ammo?
That would likely make some interesting totals."
A Mayor unplugged from reality
A Mayor unplugged from reality - NYPOST.com
"Bottom line: Bloomberg wants to force the private sector to build charging stations for a fleet of cars that don’t exist and probably won’t exist for years to come, if ever.
New York City has plenty of infrastructure needs.
More charging stations for electric cars isn’t one of them."
"Bottom line: Bloomberg wants to force the private sector to build charging stations for a fleet of cars that don’t exist and probably won’t exist for years to come, if ever.
New York City has plenty of infrastructure needs.
More charging stations for electric cars isn’t one of them."
Muslim preacher urges followers to claim 'Jihad Seeker's Allowance'
Muslim preacher urges followers to claim 'Jihad Seeker's Allowance' - Telegraph
"“The rest of the year they were busy with jihad [holy war] and things like that,” he said.
“People will say, ‘Ah, but you are not working’.
“But the normal situation is for you to take money from the kuffar [non-believers].
“So we take Jihad Seeker’s Allowance.
You need to get support.”
He went on to tell a 30-strong crowd: “We are going to take England — the Muslims are coming.”"
"“The rest of the year they were busy with jihad [holy war] and things like that,” he said.
“People will say, ‘Ah, but you are not working’.
“But the normal situation is for you to take money from the kuffar [non-believers].
“So we take Jihad Seeker’s Allowance.
You need to get support.”
He went on to tell a 30-strong crowd: “We are going to take England — the Muslims are coming.”"
Nanny state group compares sugary soda to “slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bioweapon”
Nanny state group compares sugary soda to “slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bioweapon” | WashingtonExaminer.com
"The alarmists at the the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest — a group with a long history of hysterical rhetoric regarding food ingredients — are at it again.
Their latest crusade is to push for stronger regulations on sugary sodas, like original Coke and Pepsi."
"The alarmists at the the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest — a group with a long history of hysterical rhetoric regarding food ingredients — are at it again.
Their latest crusade is to push for stronger regulations on sugary sodas, like original Coke and Pepsi."
"Vaguely Rude Place Names Of The World"
Maps | Vaguely Rude:
"Vaguely Rude Place Names Of The World"
Give the C of C in "Shit, Iran" a call for a fun weekend!
"Vaguely Rude Place Names Of The World"
Give the C of C in "Shit, Iran" a call for a fun weekend!
Should Michigan keep its drunken driving threshold at .08 percent BAC?
Should Michigan keep its drunken driving threshold at .08 percent BAC? (with poll) | MLive.com
"Another factor: Michigan could lose an estimated $50 million a year in federal highway funding if the state allows the threshold to bounce back up to .10.
All states have drunken driving thresholds set at .08 to be in compliance with federal standards and keep their federal highway money."
"Another factor: Michigan could lose an estimated $50 million a year in federal highway funding if the state allows the threshold to bounce back up to .10.
All states have drunken driving thresholds set at .08 to be in compliance with federal standards and keep their federal highway money."
Michigan's average gas price inches closer to $4 per gallon
Michigan's average gas price inches closer to $4 per gallon | MLive.com
"Michigan has the 7th highest average gas price in the nation "
"Michigan has the 7th highest average gas price in the nation "
Presidents Day: A look at the presidents who have visited the Muskegon area
Presidents Day: A look at the presidents who have visited the Muskegon area | MLive.com:
"Richard Nixon helped dedicate Walker Arena as part of a campaign stop when he was vice president in 1960. Nixon also visited the new Holiday Inn at Hoyt and Seaway in Muskegon Heights on June 8, 1964. "
"Richard Nixon helped dedicate Walker Arena as part of a campaign stop when he was vice president in 1960. Nixon also visited the new Holiday Inn at Hoyt and Seaway in Muskegon Heights on June 8, 1964. "
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Presidents Day:GM flounders
Presidents Day: Government vacations, Islamists flourish, GM flounders | Washington Times Communities:
Rescue Madness: GM Seems Headed Backwards to Bankruptcy
When I look through recent disclosures made by General Motors, I think of Monty Python’s John Cleese in the famous “dead parrot” sketch:
Looking at available “facts”, General Motors today is not technically “dead”—however, alarm bells are ringing off the hook.
In 2012, consolidated Automotive revenues grew by slightly less than 1 % from $ 148.9 billion to $ 150.3 billion. Automotive gross margin fell from a puny 12.4% in 2011 to 6.7%,
in 2012. Operating income before goodwill impairment charges fell from $ 6.9 billion to an operating loss of $ 3.2 billion.
Pretax income after all charges plummeted from $ 6.0 billion to a staggering loss of $ 30.3 billion.
Moreover, these consolidated results were produced while the largest unit, GM North America, increased its capacity utilization rate from 95.6% to 97.5%.
No manufacturing business is viable at such levels for long and few American businesses have already been as coddled by various governments.
In 2012, consolidated Automotive revenues grew by slightly less than 1 % from $ 148.9 billion to $ 150.3 billion. Automotive gross margin fell from a puny 12.4% in 2011 to 6.7%,
in 2012. Operating income before goodwill impairment charges fell from $ 6.9 billion to an operating loss of $ 3.2 billion.
Pretax income after all charges plummeted from $ 6.0 billion to a staggering loss of $ 30.3 billion.
Moreover, these consolidated results were produced while the largest unit, GM North America, increased its capacity utilization rate from 95.6% to 97.5%.
No manufacturing business is viable at such levels for long and few American businesses have already been as coddled by various governments.
If you cannot sell/lease vehicles when money is essentially free, how can you hope to do so as rates correct back up as they have started to do since July 2012?
Analysis that is more complete will have to wait until the first week of March when GM releases its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Analysis that is more complete will have to wait until the first week of March when GM releases its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Rest assured that informed investors will not be celebrating even if entrenched unions, managers and politicians dare to gloat.
Bailing out a structurally challenged vehicle producer using borrowed taxpayer funds, without fully addressing competitive weaknesses has not restored the fortunes of General Motors.
» DHS Purchases 21.6 Million More Rounds of Ammunition
» DHS Purchases 21.6 Million More Rounds of Ammunition Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!:
"To put that in perspective, during the height of active battle operations in Iraq, US soldiers used 5.5 million rounds of ammunition a month.
Extrapolating the figures, the DHS has purchased enough bullets over the last 10 months to wage a full scale war for almost 30 years."
"To put that in perspective, during the height of active battle operations in Iraq, US soldiers used 5.5 million rounds of ammunition a month.
Extrapolating the figures, the DHS has purchased enough bullets over the last 10 months to wage a full scale war for almost 30 years."
Sale of personal gene data condemned as ‘unethical and dangerous’
Sale of personal gene data condemned as ‘unethical and dangerous’ | The Raw Story
"Private firms will soon be able to buy people’s medical and genetic data without their consent and, in certain cases, acquire personal information that might enable them to identify individuals.
The revelation, which contradicts government claims that such material would be completely anonymous, has raised fears that pharmaceutical firms and insurance companies will be able to determine the identities of people susceptible to particular diseases.
It has prompted claims that fundamental changes to the use of NHS patient data are being introduced without adequate public debate or regulatory oversight."
"Private firms will soon be able to buy people’s medical and genetic data without their consent and, in certain cases, acquire personal information that might enable them to identify individuals.
The revelation, which contradicts government claims that such material would be completely anonymous, has raised fears that pharmaceutical firms and insurance companies will be able to determine the identities of people susceptible to particular diseases.
It has prompted claims that fundamental changes to the use of NHS patient data are being introduced without adequate public debate or regulatory oversight."
Strange Facts about America’s ‘Poor’
Strange Facts about America’s ‘Poor’ - By Robert Rector - The Corner - National Review Online
"In a recent Rasmussen poll, adults agreed (by a ratio of six to one) that “a family that is adequately fed and living in a house or apartment that is in good repair” is not poor.
By that simple test, about 80 percent of the Census Bureau’s “poor” people would not be considered poor by their fellow Americans.
In the same Rasmussen poll, however, 73 percent said poverty was a severe problem.
Why the disconnect?
The answer: Public perception of poverty in the U.S. is governed by the mainstream media, which invariably depicts the Census Bureau’s tens of millions of poor people as chronically hungry and malnourished, homeless or barely hanging on in overcrowded, dilapidated housing. "
"In a recent Rasmussen poll, adults agreed (by a ratio of six to one) that “a family that is adequately fed and living in a house or apartment that is in good repair” is not poor.
By that simple test, about 80 percent of the Census Bureau’s “poor” people would not be considered poor by their fellow Americans.
In the same Rasmussen poll, however, 73 percent said poverty was a severe problem.
Why the disconnect?
The answer: Public perception of poverty in the U.S. is governed by the mainstream media, which invariably depicts the Census Bureau’s tens of millions of poor people as chronically hungry and malnourished, homeless or barely hanging on in overcrowded, dilapidated housing. "
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