Back to the dark ages-----Atlanta archbishop apologizes over $2.2M mansion

Atlanta archbishop apologizes over $2.2M mansion - Yahoo News:

ATLANTA (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta apologized Monday for building a $2.2 million mansion for himself, a decision criticized by local Catholics who cited the example of austerity set by the new pope.
Archbishop Wilton Gregory recently moved into a nearly 6,400-square-foot (595-square-meter) residence. Its construction was made possible by a large donation from the estate of Joseph Mitchell, nephew of Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With The Wind," the Civil War epic that made his family wealthy. When Mitchell died in 2011, he left an estate worth more than $15 million to the archdiocese on the condition it be used for "general religious and charitable purposes."
Gregory said that he has received criticism over the spending in letters, emails and telephone messages.
"I am disappointed that, while my advisors (sic) and I were able to justify this project fiscally, logistically and practically, I personally failed to project the cost in terms of my own integrity and pastoral credibility with the people of God of north and central Georgia," Gregory said in a column posted on the website of the archdiocesan newspaper, The Georgia Bulletin.

Public Opinion Plunges Amid Ballyhooed Obamacare ‘Surge’

Public Opinion Plunges Amid Ballyhooed Obamacare ‘Surge’:

"As the White House continues its victory lap after claiming to enroll more than 6 million Americans in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges, a survey finds that only one in four Americans supports President Obama’s signature domestic achievement—a new low."

Napping can Dramatically Increase Learning, Memory, Awareness, and More

Napping can Dramatically Increase Learning, Memory, Awareness, and More | Minds:
"In some places, towns essentially shut down in the afternoon while everyone goes home for a siesta. Unfortunately, in the U.S.—more bound to our corporate lifestyles than our health—a mid-day nap is seen as a luxury and, in some cases, a sign of pure laziness.
But before you feel guilty about that weekend snooze or falling asleep during a movie, rest assured that napping is actually good for you and a completely natural phenomena in the circadian (sleep-wake cycle) rhythm."

We're doomed----Watters' World: The Citizenship Test Edition

The Biggest Healthcare Scandal You’ve Never Heard About

The Biggest Healthcare Scandal You’ve Never Heard About | The American Spectator:

....the Cover Oregon website wasn’t anywhere close to being ready for launch. In fact, half a year after the official launch date the website is still not functioning properly. As many as 500 people were hired or reassigned by the state after the website failure in order to process healthcare paper applications. King submittedhis resignation as executive director in early January.

The Cover Oregon debacle is the biggest healthcare scandal you’ve never heard about. It is also perhaps the biggest government IT failure in U.S. history. 

The federal healthcare website (www.healthcare.gov) cost at least three times more but at least it’s now operating. 
No such luck for Cover Oregon.

More than $200 million was spent on building the Cover Oregon website and healthcare exchange. No one appears to confidently know the exact figure since generally accepted business practices were not rigorously followed.

....Relatively little money spent on Cover Oregon actually came from the state. Most of the funds came from federal grants (here, here) totaling $305 million. This is why the Government Accountability Office announced in early March 2014 that it was launching an investigation to determine where and how federal money was spent.

CIA ignored station chief in Libya when creating talking points on Benghazi

CIA ignored station chief in Libya when creating talking points on Benghazi - Washington Times:
"Before the Obama administration gave an inaccurate narrative on national television that the Benghazi attacks grew from an anti-American protest, the CIA’s station chief in Libya pointedly told his superiors in Washington that no such demonstration occurred, documents and interviews with current and former intelligence officials show.

The attack was “not an escalation of protests,” the station chief wrote to then-Deputy CIA Director Michael J. Morell in an email dated Sept. 15, 2012 — a full day before the White House sent Susan E. Rice to several Sunday talk shows to disseminate talking points claiming that the Benghazi attack began as a protest over an anti-Islam video."

State Department to Spend $400K on Something So Outlandish It Even Left the Seller ‘Surprised’

State Department to Spend $400K on Something So Outlandish It Even Left the Seller ‘Surprised’ | TheBlaze.com:

 "The State Department is planning to spend $400,000 to purchase a fiberglass statue of a white camel for a new U.S. embassy being built in Pakistan, BuzzFeed first reported Monday, citing contracting records.
The sculpture, by artist John Baldessari, is of a life-size ablino camel staring upward at the eye of a huge needle.
“A life-size dromedary with its neck extended inquisitively eyes a super-sized needle in a way which makes the viewer think it could actually pass through the needle’s eye,” described Hall Wines, which has a copy of the piece on display.
“The colorless beast with striking blue eyes is simultaneously intriguing and peculiar especially when stripped of its pigment and fur.”"

A cup of Earl Grey 'as good as statins' at fighting heart disease, study finds

A cup of Earl Grey 'as good as statins' at fighting heart disease, study finds - Telegraph:
"Drinking Earl Grey tea could help guard against heart disease, it has emerged, after a study found that bergamot extract - a key ingredient in the hot drink - is just as effective as statins at controlling cholesterol.
Scientists believe bergamot, a fragrant Mediterranean citrus fruit which gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavour, can significantly lower cholesterol.
They say it contains enzymes known as HMGF (hydroxy methyl glutaryl flavonones) which can attack proteins in the body known to cause heart disease.
The study found bergamot could even be as effective as statins, used to control cholesterol but which can have side effects in patients"

Religious Freedom is Everyone’s Business

Religious Freedom is Everyone’s Business:
"Across social media last week, some in the Twittersphere claimed family businesses fighting for a fundamental freedom want to impose their religious and moral beliefs on their employees.
Nothing could be further from the truth.

The distortion is part of a fierce national argument into which the Supreme Court is about to wade. One side insists government must force all to agree with them. The other wishes simply to be left alone to pursue their own occupations in accord with their conscience.

In a reversal of commonly held stereotypes, many so-called progressives now seek government-enforced conformity. The left used to argue that we should be free to live without fear of government sanction. Today they insist everyone agree with them – or else.

President Barack Obama’s health care law includes a mandate that employers must provide coverage of drugs that can cause an early abortion – without cost to the employee. Some object on religious grounds and on March 25, two family-owned businesses – one is evangelical, the other Mennonite – will get their day before the Supreme Court."

Moron alert----Sheila Jackson Lee informs Americans airline destinations are 'destinated'

Sheila Jackson Lee informs Americans airline destinations are 'destinated' | BuzzPoBuzzPo:
"On just about any given day, Sheila Jackson Lee, the Texas Democrat once named the “Congressional boss from Hell,” proves herself to be one of — if not the — dumbest creature to occupy the floor of the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, Rush Limbaugh played an audio clip of Jackson Lee’s latest stupidity.
“I call upon the aviation industry to stop hiding behind costs and how much it costs and start ensuring that our pilots and our customers, our flying public, are safe. 
Why do we have the capacity, uh, to dismantle the transponders?  
Why wasn’t the emergency call already in place that it automatically signals when a[n] aircraft goes off its, uh, discerned or destinated — uh, destiny and destination,” she said.

Say what?
Would someone please explain how an aircraft’s destination gets “destinated?”
“Uh, as relates to, uh, its flight pattern,” she added."

This Is The Age Of Civil Unrest

Martin Armstrong Warns This Is The Age Of Civil Unrest | Zero Hedge:

"All governments had better open their eyes for we are on the brink of a major convergence between both the Cycle of Civil Unrest, Civil War & Revolution and International War. 

Both of these models converge and as I pointed out at the Cycles of War Conference, this is the first time we have seen this convergence since the 1700s.

This is no plain modern event with civil unrest erupting because of an interconnected world.

These are grassroots uprisings cross-fertilized perhaps from a world contagion yet they often have similarities – corrupt governments.

Turkey, Ukraine, Thailand, Venezuela and Bosnia-Herzegovina are all middle-income democracies with elected leaders besieged by people angry at misgovernment, corruption and economic sclerosis.

These days it is no longer just dictators who have something to fear from the crowd.

This is the promise of Marxism that centralized planning and false promises are coming home and governments are too corrupt and incompetent to deliver what they have claimed for decades."

History for April 1

History for April 1 - On-This-Day.com

Happy April Fools’ Day!

Otto Von Bismarck 1815










Lon Chaney 1883- Actor ("The Phantom of the Opera")
 

William Manchester 1922- Writer
 

Gordon Jump 1932- Actor ("WKRP in Cincinnati")
 

Samuel Alito 1950- U.S. Supreme Court justice 

1578 - William Harvey of England discovered blood circulation. 


1621 - The Plymouth, MA, colonists created the first treaty with Native Americans. 

1826 - Samuel Mory patented the internal combustion engine. 


1924 - Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for high treason in relation to the "Beer Hall Putsch." 

1927 - The first automatic record changer was introduced by His Master's Voice. 


1929 - Louie Marx introduced the Yo-Yo. 


1933 - Nazi Germany began the persecution of Jews by boycotting Jewish businesses. 

1934 - Bonnie & Clyde killed 2 police officers. 

1938 - The Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, NY. 


1945 - U.S. forces invaded Okinawa during World War II. It was the last campaign of World War II. 


1946 - Weight Watchers was formed.
 

1946 - A tidal wave (tsunami) struck the Hawaiian Islands killing more than 170 people. 


1948 - The Berlin Airlift began. 


1953 - The U.S. Congress created the Department of Health Education and Welfare. 

1954 - The U.S. Air Force Academy was formed in Colorado. 


1963 - Workers of the International Typographical Union ended their strike that had closed nine New York City newspapers. The strike ended 114 days after it began on December 8, 1962. 

1970 - U.S. President Nixon signed the bill, the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, that banned cigarette advertisements to be effective on January 1, 1971. 

1979 - Iran was proclaimed to be an Islamic Republic by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the fall of the Shah. 

1982 - The U.S. transferred the Canal Zone to Panama. 

1992 - Players began the first strike in the 75-year history of the National Hockey League (NHL). 

1998 - A federal judge dismissed the Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit against U.S. President Clinton saying that the claims fell "far short" of being worthy of a trial.

2010 - The U.S. Congress cut Medicare reimbursements to physicians by 21%. 

White House regulate cow flatulence climate agenda | The Daily Caller

White House regulate cow flatulence climate agenda | The Daily Caller:

"As part of its plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration is targeting the dairy industry to reduce methane emissions in their operations.

This comes despite falling methane emission levels across the economy since 1990.

The White House has proposed cutting methane emissions from the dairy industry by 25 percent by 2020. Although U.S. agriculture only accounts for about 9 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it makes up a sizeable portion of methane emissions — which is a very potent greenhouse gas."

GOT GAS?

Great moments in government gone wild: Bleacher edition

Great moments in government gone wild: Bleacher edition | AEIdeas:
"From Detroit’s WJBK Fox-TV:
A new set of seating is being torn down outside the Plymouth Wildcats varsity boys’ baseball field, not long before the season begins, because [federal regulations require that] the fields for boys’ and girls’ athletics must be equal.

A group of parents raised money for a raised seating deck by the field, because it was hard to see the games through a chain-link fence. 
The parents even did the installation themselves, and also paid for a new scoreboard.
But, after a complaint, the U.S Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights investigated the new addition and says it must be torn down.
It says the facility was no longer equal to the girls’ softball field next door, which has old bleachers and an old scoreboard.
The school agreed to take the seats down after receiving a citation.
The seating was also not handicapped accessible.
The superintendent says the seats and materials will be stored until they can form a plan that complies with the rules and is fair to everyone.
He adds the money is not available to build a similar seating deck at the girls’ field, but their field will be getting a new scoreboard."

Replica bullets, dud shell earn weapons conviction for former Washington man

Replica bullets, dud shell earn weapons conviction for former Washington man | Fox News

Replica bullets and a dud shotgun shell got a man convicted of weapons charges in the nation's capital, in a case gun rights activists say shows how overzealous authorities are trampling the Second Amendment.
....."This case is yet another example of D.C. run amok over citizens’ Constitutional rights," the National Association for Gun Rights said in a statement. "It’s no wonder anyone with the option and half a brain is fleeing D.C. for areas where self-defense is a virtue, and not criminalized."

Everything you need to know about the most under-mentioned issue of the decade: education

Everything you need to know about the most under-mentioned issue of the decade: education | Rare
The Common Core curriculum has been surreptitiously implemented in public schools over the last few years and the majority of states are working toward educational opportunity through a different avenue after finding failures in the federal program.
....“Standards were developed in 2009 by the National Governors Association (NGA) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CSSO), but immediately incentivized by the Obama administration with $4.35 billion in competitive Race to the Top grants and No Child Left Behind waivers,” said Brittany Corona, research assistant at the Heritage Foundation.

Schools increasingly check students for obesity | CNS News

Schools increasingly check students for obesity | CNS News:

"The Chula Vista school district not only measures the academic progress of Marina Beltran's second-grader, it also measures her son's body fat.

Every two years, Antonio Beltran, like his classmates, steps on a scale. Trained district personnel also measure his height and then use the two figures to calculate his body mass index, an indicator of body fat.

The calculation isn't reported to Beltran or her son, who cannot see the readout on the scale that has a remote display. Instead it's used by the district to collect local data on children's weight."

5 Dirt Cheap Unlimited Prepaid Mobile Plans Under $25

5 Dirt Cheap Unlimited Prepaid Mobile Plans Under $25:
"We talk a lot here about stuff that the big four – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint – get up to.
But the thing is, even with T-Mobile’s un-carrier, anti-contract slant and the new installment payment plans for buying new devices, they can all end up being way past what your budget will allow.
Fortunately, there are no shortage of unsung heroes in the telecommunications industry, stocked with budget phones and budget plans.
And, hey, in the end, you’re still getting talk, text, and data on your smartphone, just like anyone else running with one of the big four.
At less than $25 per month, these plans make cutting-edge look downright overrated."

An Engineer's Eureka Moment With a GM Flaw

An Engineer's Eureka Moment With a GM Flaw - Slashdot:
theodp (442580) writes"Hired by the family of Brooke Melton in their wrongful-death lawsuit against GM, engineer Mark Hood was at a loss to explain why the engine in Melton's 2005 Chevy Cobalt had suddenly shut off, causing her fatal accident in 2010. Hood had photographed, X-rayed and disassembled the two-inch ignition switch, focusing on the tiny plastic and metal switch that controlled the ignition, but it wasn't until he bought a replacement for $30 from a local GM dealership that the mystery quickly unraveled. Eyeing the old and new parts, Hood quickly figured out a problem now linked to 13 deaths that GM had known about for a decade. Even though the new switch had the same identification number — 10392423 — Hood found big differences — a tiny metal plunger in the switch was longer in the replacement part, the switch's spring was more compressed, and most importantly, the force needed to turn the ignition on and off was greater. 'It's satisfying to me because I'm working on behalf of the Meltons,' Hood said. 'It won't bring their daughter back, but if it goes toward a better understanding of the problem, it might save someone else.' Next week, GM CEO Mary Barra will testify before Congress about events leading up to the wide-ranging recall of 2.6 million vehicles."

Carmakers’ Close Ties to Regulator Scrutinized

Carmakers’ Close Ties to Regulator Scrutinized - NYTimes.com:
"There was nothing unusual about a letter with Jacqueline S. Glassman’s name on it discussing life-threatening safety defects and requiring more information from a manufacturer; Ms. Glassman was once chief counsel of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, then deputy administrator, and, briefly, acting administrator.
But the letter this month was not from her, it was to her.
Ms. Glassman left the agency in 2006 to join a top law firm, and her clients include Graco Children’s Products, which is refusing to recall almost 1.8 million child restraints that the safety agency says pose a hazard to infants. 
The letter to Ms. Glassman was demanding information about that refusal.
Ms. Glassman is now a partner at Hogan Lovells, where her expertise is described as including counseling on “responding to government investigations.”
She is among many former top N.H.T.S.A. officials who now represent companies they were once responsible for regulating, part of a well-established migration from regulator to the regulated in Washington."

Obamacare signup extension planned

Obamacare signup extension planned - News - Hope Star - Hope, AR - Hope, AR:

"Those who've started an application, but weren't able to finish before the March 31 open enrollment deadline, would get a limited amount of time to sign up for coverage that would take effect May 1.

Additionally, people with 10 general categories of "special" circumstances would also get extra time to apply — up to 60 days. 

Categories include natural disasters, system errors related to immigration status, computer error messages due to technical difficulties, family situations involving domestic abuse, and other sorts of problems."

Report: Obama administration released 68,000 convicted criminal aliens last year

Report: Obama administration released 68,000 convicted criminal aliens last year | The Daily Caller:

"The Obama administration is threatening public safety by deliberately hampering immigration law and releasing aliens with criminal records, according to a new review of internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement data.
A Center for Immigration study to be released Monday and obtained in advance by The Daily Caller, found that last year ICE reported nearly 722,000 encounters with illegal or criminal immigrants.
But ICE officers filed immigration charges against less than 195,000 aliens."

Last day to sign up for ObamaCare!

Rep. Marsha Blackburn: Obama Administration is ‘Lying’ About Obamacare Numbers; Want Single-Payer

Rep. Marsha Blackburn: Obama Administration is ‘Lying’ About Obamacare Numbers; Want Single-Payer:
"When asked by Hemmer why Congresswoman Blackburn and others are skeptical about the Obama administration’s claim that more than six million have signed up for Obamacare, Blackburn responded:
A few simple reasons. We don’t know how many of the six million previously had insurance and just were forced into the Obamacare program. We don’t know how many have paid, as you said. We don’t know how many are the young and healthy that you have to have to make it actuarially work. We don’t know how many were Medicaid or how many got subsidies and those are the five questions that you have to have answers to before you can say how many new people came into the system. "