The ‘Footloose’ Fix - NYPOST.com
"Finally, young people suffer under the burden of student loans, often incurred in the process of getting degrees that turn out to be worthless.
Republicans should press hard for limits on this indebtedness and on universities’ ability to raise tuition without limit.
More, they should investigate and regulate higher education’s often-dishonest representations made to prospective students.
There are a lot of opportunities along these lines, and a smart, young, libertarian-leaning Republican in the Senate — like, say, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio — could get a lot of mileage out of seizing them, both personally and in terms of brightening the GOP image.
Will the Republicans be smart enough to seize this opportunity?
Sadly, history suggests not."
Monday, February 25, 2013
Keeping Britain's lights on will come at a price
Keeping Britain's lights on will come at a price - Telegraph
"On Wednesday January 16, due to unplanned outages and cold weather, National Grid had to find power to supply roughly a million homes to keep the lights on.
Fawley, an oil-fired plant in Hampshire, was one of the power stations that responded.
Next winter Fawley will not be there. Indeed, about 10pc of our current generation stock goes next month as coal and oil-fired power stations close earlier than expected to meet environmental targets."
"On Wednesday January 16, due to unplanned outages and cold weather, National Grid had to find power to supply roughly a million homes to keep the lights on.
Fawley, an oil-fired plant in Hampshire, was one of the power stations that responded.
Next winter Fawley will not be there. Indeed, about 10pc of our current generation stock goes next month as coal and oil-fired power stations close earlier than expected to meet environmental targets."
ObamaCare and the '29ers'
Review & Outlook: ObamaCare and the '29ers' - WSJ.com
"Here's a trend you'll be reading more about: part-time "job sharing," not only within firms but across different businesses.
It's already happening across the country at fast-food restaurants, as employers try to avoid being punished by the Affordable Care Act.
In some cases we've heard about, a local McDonalds has hired employees to operate the cash register or flip burgers for 20 hours a week and then the workers head to the nearby Burger King or Wendy's to log another 20 hours.
Other employees take the opposite shifts."
"Here's a trend you'll be reading more about: part-time "job sharing," not only within firms but across different businesses.
It's already happening across the country at fast-food restaurants, as employers try to avoid being punished by the Affordable Care Act.
In some cases we've heard about, a local McDonalds has hired employees to operate the cash register or flip burgers for 20 hours a week and then the workers head to the nearby Burger King or Wendy's to log another 20 hours.
Other employees take the opposite shifts."
I was Adolf Hitler's food taster
I was Adolf Hitler's food taster | World | News | Daily Express
"THE last survivor of 15 women forced to sample the German dictator’s meals for poisoning, Margot Woelk reveals in an exclusive interview the terror of risking her life every day for the Führer."
"THE last survivor of 15 women forced to sample the German dictator’s meals for poisoning, Margot Woelk reveals in an exclusive interview the terror of risking her life every day for the Führer."
Trade protectionism looms next as central banks exhaust QE
Trade protectionism looms next as central banks exhaust QE - Telegraph
"A mere whiff of inflation or more likely stagflation would cause a bond market rout, leaving the Fed nursing escalating losses on its $2.9 trillion holdings.
This portfolio is rising by $85bn each month under QE3.
The longer it goes on, the greater the risk.
Exit will become much harder by 2014."
"A mere whiff of inflation or more likely stagflation would cause a bond market rout, leaving the Fed nursing escalating losses on its $2.9 trillion holdings.
This portfolio is rising by $85bn each month under QE3.
The longer it goes on, the greater the risk.
Exit will become much harder by 2014."
LOOKING INTO JACK LEW’S TENURE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Instapundit » Blog Archive »
"FEBRUARY 25, 2013
LOOKING INTO JACK LEW’S TENURE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, “where he pulled down an enormous salary, including sweetheart loans, while the students were footing enormous tuition bills.
Worse, under his nose NYU negotiated a deal with Citicorp (miraculously, Lew’s next employer!) to provide loans to students, a deal that then-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo found to be illegal.”
Sounds like a perfect fit for the Obama cabinet. Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 7:37 am"
"FEBRUARY 25, 2013
LOOKING INTO JACK LEW’S TENURE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, “where he pulled down an enormous salary, including sweetheart loans, while the students were footing enormous tuition bills.
Worse, under his nose NYU negotiated a deal with Citicorp (miraculously, Lew’s next employer!) to provide loans to students, a deal that then-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo found to be illegal.”
Sounds like a perfect fit for the Obama cabinet. Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 7:37 am"
Many cancer deaths traced to alcohol
Many cancer deaths traced to alcohol | Fox News
"Researchers also found that alcohol is a leading contributor to premature death from any cause, and they estimated that each alcohol-related cancer death resulted in 18 years of potential life lost.
In other words, a woman who dies from alcohol-related breast cancer at age 60 likely would have lived until age 78 had cancer not cut her life short. "
"Researchers also found that alcohol is a leading contributor to premature death from any cause, and they estimated that each alcohol-related cancer death resulted in 18 years of potential life lost.
In other words, a woman who dies from alcohol-related breast cancer at age 60 likely would have lived until age 78 had cancer not cut her life short. "
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Marijuana munchies could have crabcakes selling like hotcakes under plan to legalize pot in Maryland
Marijuana munchies could have crabcakes selling like hotcakes under plan to legalize pot in Maryland - Washington Times
"The bill does not allow for marijuana smoking in public or while driving, according to the report.
Some of the marijuana tax money would be used to pay for those who receive alcohol, tobacco and drug treatment, the Gazette said."
"The bill does not allow for marijuana smoking in public or while driving, according to the report.
Some of the marijuana tax money would be used to pay for those who receive alcohol, tobacco and drug treatment, the Gazette said."
Robert Smith-Barry: The man who taught the world to fly
BBC News - Robert Smith-Barry: The man who taught the world to fly
"They've only seven hours flying, sir - and it's bloody murder."
It was the summer of 1916 - the early days of the Battle of the Somme - and squadron leader Major Robert Smith-Barry was venting his frustration at the commander of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), in France.
"They have barely learned to fly, let alone fight," he told Major General Hugh Trenchard.
At one point during the ensuing battle, he refused point-blank to send replacement pilots over the frontline until they had more experience.
For Smith-Barry, the dream of powered flight pioneered by the Wright Brothers in 1903 had turned into a nightmare of bloodshed.
During the four-and-a-half months of the infamous battle, the corps lost 499 airmen and 782 aeroplanes - a third of its total force.
Bloomberg’s large-soda ban also prohibits 2-liter bottles with pizza orders and some bottle-service mixers at nightclubs
Bloomberg’s large-soda ban also prohibits 2-liter bottles with pizza orders and some bottle-service mixers at nightclubs - NYPOST.com
"Say goodbye to that 2-liter bottle of Coke with your pizza delivery, pitchers of soft drinks at your kid’s birthday party and some bottle-service mixers at your favorite nightclub.
They’d violate Mayor Bloomberg’s new rules, which prohibit eateries from serving or selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.
Bloomberg’s soda smackdown follows his attacks on salt, sugar, trans fat, smoking and even baby formula."
"Say goodbye to that 2-liter bottle of Coke with your pizza delivery, pitchers of soft drinks at your kid’s birthday party and some bottle-service mixers at your favorite nightclub.
They’d violate Mayor Bloomberg’s new rules, which prohibit eateries from serving or selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.
Bloomberg’s soda smackdown follows his attacks on salt, sugar, trans fat, smoking and even baby formula."
Obama’s Electoral Engine Harnessed by Group Collecting Corporate Donations
Obama’s Electoral Engine Harnessed by Group Collecting Corporate Donations - The Washington Post:
"The first of an expected wave of ads on gun control, for example, has targeted only Republicans. "
"The first of an expected wave of ads on gun control, for example, has targeted only Republicans. "
The Hollywood Tax Story They Won't Tell at the Oscars
Glenn Reynolds: The Hollywood Tax Story They Won't Tell at the Oscars - WSJ.com
George Mason University's Adam Thierer has called this "a growing cronyism fiasco" and noted that the number of states involved skyrocketed to 45 in 2009 from five in 2002.
In its 2012 study "State Film Studies: Not Much Bang For Too Many Bucks," the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that film-related jobs tend to go to out-of-staters who jet in, then leave. "The revenue generated by economic activity induced by film subsidies," the study notes, "falls far short of the subsidies' direct costs to the state. To balance its budget, the state must therefore cut spending or raise revenues elsewhere, dampening the subsidies' positive economic impact."
Sometimes it is even worse, as demonstrated by Michigan's effort, begun under former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, to woo the motion picture industry with an expensive state-of-the-art studio facility built on the site of a former General Motors GM +2.26%factory in Pontiac. State leaders ballyhooed the plan as a way of moving from old-style industry to new.
Michigan has drastically scaled back its subsidies under Gov. Rick Snyder, who said that he would rather spend the money on schools, police or the successful "Pure Michigan" ad campaign aimed at drawing tourists to the state.Despite tens of millions of dollars in state investment, the promised 3,000-plus jobs didn't appear. As the Detroit Free Press reported last year, the studio employed only 15-20 people. That isn't boffo. That's a bust. The studio has defaulted on interest payments on state-issued bonds, and the guarantors—the state's already stressed pension funds—may wind up holding the bag. "In retrospect, it was a mistake," conceded Robert Kleine, the former state treasurer who signed off on the plans in 2010.
Why the Euro Crisis Isn't Over
The Weekend Interview with Bernard Connolly: Why the Euro Crisis Isn't Over - WSJ.com:
"Yet unemployment is close to 27% in Spain and Greece.
The euro-zone economy shrank ever-faster throughout 2012.
And—most important in Mr. Connolly's view—the economic fundamentals in France are getting worse.
This week France announced it would miss its deficit-reduction target for the year because of dimming growth prospects.
It's one thing to bail out Greece or Ireland, Mr. Connolly says, but "if the Germans at some point think, 'We're going to have to bail out France, and on an ongoing, perpetual basis,' will they do it?"
"Yet unemployment is close to 27% in Spain and Greece.
The euro-zone economy shrank ever-faster throughout 2012.
And—most important in Mr. Connolly's view—the economic fundamentals in France are getting worse.
This week France announced it would miss its deficit-reduction target for the year because of dimming growth prospects.
It's one thing to bail out Greece or Ireland, Mr. Connolly says, but "if the Germans at some point think, 'We're going to have to bail out France, and on an ongoing, perpetual basis,' will they do it?"
Billionaire U: Why Harvard Mints Mega-Rich Alums
Billionaire U: Why Harvard Mints Mega-Rich Alums
""It shows the power of networks," said David Friedman, president of Wealth-X.
"Harvard has this entrenched, powerful network that extends across so many sectors and is incredibly pro-active about connecting its alumni. You get a great education, but you also get access."
Harvard's success, said Friedman, "validates what we all whisper and now we know:
It's not just what you know, it's who you know.""
""It shows the power of networks," said David Friedman, president of Wealth-X.
"Harvard has this entrenched, powerful network that extends across so many sectors and is incredibly pro-active about connecting its alumni. You get a great education, but you also get access."
Harvard's success, said Friedman, "validates what we all whisper and now we know:
It's not just what you know, it's who you know.""
What would the Muskegon County jail addition look like? Probably not much like a jail, consultant says
What would the Muskegon County jail addition look like? Probably not much like a jail, consultant says | MLive.com
"The Muskegon County Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee on Thursday, Feb. 21, decided to send county commissioners a formal proposal on where the buildings would be built and how the county could pay for their construction."
"The Muskegon County Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee on Thursday, Feb. 21, decided to send county commissioners a formal proposal on where the buildings would be built and how the county could pay for their construction."
How France Got So Lazy
How France Got So Lazy - The Daily Beast:
"But back at home, it’s increasingly clear that stifling union rules, high unemployment (and higher taxes), and a baffling lack of entrepreneurial spirit signal a country in crisis.
And the deepening sense of dread can be traced directly to the educational system."
"But back at home, it’s increasingly clear that stifling union rules, high unemployment (and higher taxes), and a baffling lack of entrepreneurial spirit signal a country in crisis.
And the deepening sense of dread can be traced directly to the educational system."
Athletes cash in on California's workers' comp
Athletes cash in on California's workers' comp - Los Angeles Times:
"So it may surprise Californians to find out that in 2011, Davis got a $199,000 injury settlement from a California workers' compensation court for injuries related to football.
This came despite the fact Davis was employed by a Colorado team and played just nine times in California during an 88-game career, according to the NFL."
"So it may surprise Californians to find out that in 2011, Davis got a $199,000 injury settlement from a California workers' compensation court for injuries related to football.
This came despite the fact Davis was employed by a Colorado team and played just nine times in California during an 88-game career, according to the NFL."
Muskegon County Commissioners to work on policy favoring local bids for county work
Muskegon County Commissioners to work on policy favoring local bids for county work | MLive.com
""Basically, what we're trying to do is help our local economy and keep dollars in the community," he said....
......"But whether all of the commissioners can agree on the details is uncertain.
For example, while Nash's proposal had focused on businesses in Muskegon County, District 5 Marvin R. Engle, for instance, would rather include businesses in the greater regional area, including Kent County.
""Basically, what we're trying to do is help our local economy and keep dollars in the community," he said....
......"But whether all of the commissioners can agree on the details is uncertain.
For example, while Nash's proposal had focused on businesses in Muskegon County, District 5 Marvin R. Engle, for instance, would rather include businesses in the greater regional area, including Kent County.
America Has Become A Crazy Control Freak Nation – Illegal Everything
America Has Become A Crazy Control Freak Nation – Illegal Everything | Consciousness TV
"Our lives are governed by millions of laws, rules and regulations and more are being piled on all the time.
In fact, 40,000 new laws just went into effect in January.
Every single new law restricts your freedom just a little bit more.
The truth is that America has become a crazy control freak nation where virtually everything that we do is highly regulated.
You have probably broken multiple laws today that you don't even know exist.
We have all become criminals and lawbreakers because almost everything is illegal at this point.
Our politicians are convinced that they are "making life better" by piling gigantic mountains of laws on to our backs, and law enforcement authorities are convinced that they are helping society by "cracking down on crime", but the reality is that our liberties and our freedoms are being strangled by all of this government oppression.
This is not the way that America is supposed to work."
"Our lives are governed by millions of laws, rules and regulations and more are being piled on all the time.
In fact, 40,000 new laws just went into effect in January.
Every single new law restricts your freedom just a little bit more.
The truth is that America has become a crazy control freak nation where virtually everything that we do is highly regulated.
You have probably broken multiple laws today that you don't even know exist.
We have all become criminals and lawbreakers because almost everything is illegal at this point.
Our politicians are convinced that they are "making life better" by piling gigantic mountains of laws on to our backs, and law enforcement authorities are convinced that they are helping society by "cracking down on crime", but the reality is that our liberties and our freedoms are being strangled by all of this government oppression.
This is not the way that America is supposed to work."
One day, turning off the lights won't be up to you
One day, turning off the lights won't be up to you - Telegraph
"If our government were not lost in a bubble of complete make-believe, it would keep open those coal-fired power stations the EU is forcing us to close next month (although it may be too late), it would stop subsidising grotesquely expensive wind farms, and it would go flat out to exploit Britain’s vast reserves of the shale gas that has more than halved US gas prices in four years.
But we do not have such a government.
Our lights will go out, our economy will suffer a catastrophe, our bills will double, and tens of thousands more people will die of cold in those freezing winters that our politicians were somehow fooled into believing would never come again."
"If our government were not lost in a bubble of complete make-believe, it would keep open those coal-fired power stations the EU is forcing us to close next month (although it may be too late), it would stop subsidising grotesquely expensive wind farms, and it would go flat out to exploit Britain’s vast reserves of the shale gas that has more than halved US gas prices in four years.
But we do not have such a government.
Our lights will go out, our economy will suffer a catastrophe, our bills will double, and tens of thousands more people will die of cold in those freezing winters that our politicians were somehow fooled into believing would never come again."
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Michigan Board Corruption Shielded Alexander from 2009 Botched Abortion Complaint
Michigan Board Corruption Shielded Alexander from 2009 Botched Abortion Complaint
"Muskegon, MI — A local Muskegon television news station is reporting that a former chairman of the Michigan Board of Medicine with ties to troubled abortionist Robert Alexander, improperly protected him from further discipline by ordering that there be no investigation of a 2009 complaint filed by the obstetrician of two patients that suffered botched abortions by Alexander."
"Muskegon, MI — A local Muskegon television news station is reporting that a former chairman of the Michigan Board of Medicine with ties to troubled abortionist Robert Alexander, improperly protected him from further discipline by ordering that there be no investigation of a 2009 complaint filed by the obstetrician of two patients that suffered botched abortions by Alexander."
Talent Mercantilists Running Amok In Michigan
Talent Mercantilists Running Amok In Michigan [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The basic theory of talent mercantilism is that adding college graduates leads to faster growth.
While it’s true that college graduates have higher incomes than those who are not, you can track the states that are successful at growing their college graduates and those that are successful at growing their economies.
It turns out that one has very little to do with the other, as I show here."
"The basic theory of talent mercantilism is that adding college graduates leads to faster growth.
While it’s true that college graduates have higher incomes than those who are not, you can track the states that are successful at growing their college graduates and those that are successful at growing their economies.
It turns out that one has very little to do with the other, as I show here."
Senate Roll Call 444 - Michigan Votes
Senate Roll Call 444 - Michigan Votes: "The amendment
IN FAVOR
SENATE DEMOCRATS
Anderson (D) Bieda (D) Gleason (D) Gregory (D) Hood (D)
Hopgood (D) Hunter (D) Johnson (D) Smith (D) Warren (D)
Whitmer (D) Young (D)
SENATE REPUBLICANS
Hansen (R)
Huh?!!!!!
IN FAVOR
SENATE DEMOCRATS
Anderson (D) Bieda (D) Gleason (D) Gregory (D) Hood (D)
Hopgood (D) Hunter (D) Johnson (D) Smith (D) Warren (D)
Whitmer (D) Young (D)
SENATE REPUBLICANS
Hansen (R)
Huh?!!!!!
Detroit Gave Unions Keys To The City, And Now Nothing Is Left
Detroit Gave Unions Keys To The City, And Now Nothing Is Left | Schoolcraft Republican Party:
"All you really need to know about Detroit, which is facing a $327 million budget gap, is that last year it was discovered to still be paying for a “horseshoer” (or farrier) on the Detroit Water & Sewer Department (DWSD) payroll.
This individual costs some $56,000 in pay and benefits, despite the city not having any horses to shoe in his department."
"All you really need to know about Detroit, which is facing a $327 million budget gap, is that last year it was discovered to still be paying for a “horseshoer” (or farrier) on the Detroit Water & Sewer Department (DWSD) payroll.
This individual costs some $56,000 in pay and benefits, despite the city not having any horses to shoe in his department."
The Non-Existent Spending Cuts Wrought By The 'Devastating' Sequester
The Non-Existent Spending Cuts Wrought By The 'Devastating' Sequester - Forbes
Meanwhile the legacy press goes into overdrive exaggerating the impact of these “cuts” – demonizing any politician who dares to support them as the equivalent of a puppy murderer. At this point Republicans invariably cave under the pressure – and the burden of both parties’ bad decisions gets shifted even further onto future generations of taxpayers.
Sound familiar?
This basic storyline – played out time and time again – is directly responsible for our nation’s $16.5 trillion debt, its soaring deficits, its unfunded liabilities and its inability to sustain anything resembling a real economic recovery.
In fact the $630 billion tax hike associated with the recent “fiscal cliff” deal is the latest example of our economy paying the price for politicians’ refusal to rein in spending.
“Members of Congress who would otherwise like to cut spending know they’re going to take a beating from the media and special interests,” concludesThe Cato Institute’s Tad DeHaven.
“Few politicians are willing to take that heat.
Fewer still can even articulate why spending cuts and smaller government are good.”
Prosecutors charge ex-DNR official in data breach
Prosecutors charge ex-DNR official in data breach - TwinCities.com
"A Department of Natural Resources middle manager illegally accessed driver's license data belonging to thousands of Minnesota women and kept encrypted pictures of 172 of them on a work computer before he was fired"
"I'm from the government, I'm here to help you......."
"A Department of Natural Resources middle manager illegally accessed driver's license data belonging to thousands of Minnesota women and kept encrypted pictures of 172 of them on a work computer before he was fired"
"I'm from the government, I'm here to help you......."
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