Wednesday, April 02, 2014

History for April 2

History for April 2 - On-This-Day.com
100th birth anniversary of actor Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000).


Birth anniversaries of authors Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75) and Émile Zola (1840-1902).


Happy Birthday! Emmylou Harris, Linda Hunt, Camille Paglia

1889 - Charles Hall patented aluminum. 











1917 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson presented a declaration of war against Germany to the U.S. Congress. 


1932 - A $50,000 ransom was paid for the infant son of Charles and Anna Lindbergh. He child was not returned and was found dead the next month. 


1935 - Sir Watson-Watt was granted a patent for RADAR. 


1972 - Burt Reynolds appeared nude in "Cosmopolitan" magazine. 


1982 - Argentina invaded the British-owned Falkland Islands. The following June Britain took the islands back. 


1983 - The New Jersey Transit strike that began on March 1 came to an end.
 



1985 - The NCAA Rules Committee adopted the 45-second shot clock for men’s basketball to begin in the 1986 season. 


1989 - An editorial in the "New York Times" declared that the Cold War was over. 

1995 - The costliest strike in professional sports history ended when baseball owners agreed to let players play without a contract. 


1996 - Lech Walesa resumed his old job as an electrician at the Gdansk shipyard. He was the former Solidarity union leader who became Poland's first post-war democratic president. 


Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Guess Which Party Represents Most of the 10 Richest Congressional Districts | TheBlaze.com

Guess Which Party Represents Most of the 10 Richest Congressional Districts | TheBlaze.com:

"During his successful 2012 re-election campaign, Obama said several times that he was a “warrior for the middle class.”

But a new analysis from the Associated Press found that when it comes to the House of Representatives, the wealthiest vote for Democrats.

Of the 10 richest congressional districts, eight are represented by Democrats, including the top six."



Party of the rich: In Congress, it's the Democrats

Party of the rich: In Congress, it's the Democrats - Yahoo News:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are the party of the rich, right?
It's a label that has stuck for decades, and you're hearing it again as Democrats complain about GOP opposition to raising the minimum wage and extending unemployment benefits.
The richest: New York's 12th Congressional District, which includes Manhattan's Upper East Side, as well as parts of Queens and Brooklyn.
Democrat Carolyn Maloney is in her 11th term representing the district.
But in Congress, the wealthiest among us are more likely to be represented by a Democrat than a Republican.
Of the 10 richest House districts, only two have Republican congressmen. 
Democrats claim the top six, sprinkled along the East and West coasts.
Most are in overwhelmingly Democratic states like New York and California.

Reporter Explains to Kathleen Sebelius How Unpopular Obamacare Is in Oklahoma — Then Something Painfully Awkward Happened

Reporter Explains to Kathleen Sebelius How Unpopular Obamacare Is in Oklahoma — Then Something Painfully Awkward Happened | Video | TheBlaze.com:

“At last check, 64 percent of Oklahomans aren’t buying into the health care plan, they don’t like Obamacare, and they’ve been pretty vocal about it,” the reporter said. “Now that’s going to be — still continue to be — a tough sell, but we’ll see how that plays out over the coming months.”

There was then a painfully awkward moment of silence as Sebelius apparently decided to ignore the statement completely."

WeMOG Wed 4/2/14

Hello
The trails are too icy for hiking and the bike paths have snow and ice on them. Water too cold for kayaking.
Wed. April 2, will be a GVSU Arts at "Noon" Series-Coalescence Percussion Duo. GVSU Cook-DeWitt Center, 1 Campaus Dr., Allendale. 
This is Free 12:00-1:00 p.m.  After, we will come to my house and have lunch and play dominos. 
Go to www.gvsu.edu/tour/adaleweb.pdf  for a map of the campus. Cook-DeWitt Center #12 on map is just east of the clock tower. Park in visitor Parking.
Go to www.gvsu.edu/music to see more information on the Percussion Duo.

Car Pool: Muskegon folks meet at Hile Rd. & US-31 Flag Pole park and ride at 11:00. That will give you enough time to use restroom and find Cook-DeWitt Center.

Directions from Muskegon: I-96 to Coppersville (68th Ave) exit and go south to Lake Michigan Dr. and do the Michigan turn and go east to 48th Ave., turn right and then left at signal light. Clock tower will be in front of you. Turn left  on North Campus to visitor parking.
Please RSVP so we know who to look for at Cook-DeWitt Center. Bonnie 616-550-3670 or bsbonbon@gmail.com
Your WeMOG Member
Bonnie Spoelhof


UK: Plot to 'Islamize' British Schools

UK: Plot to 'Islamize' British Schools:
""[The tactics are] totally invisible to the naked eye and allow us to operate under the radar.
I have detailed the plan we have in Birmingham and how well it has worked and you will see how easy the whole process is to get the head teacher out and our own person in. ...
Whilst sometimes the practices we use may not seem the correct way to do things you must remember this is a 'Jihad' and as such using all means possible to win the war is acceptable." — Quote from document leaked to the Sunday Times.
The Guardian -- an otherwise inveterate enforcer of British multiculturalism -- quotes senior teachers and school officials in Birmingham who say they recognize the tactics outlined in the document as having been used by Islamic hardliners to try to gain influence in the city's schools for over a decade.
British authorities are investigating the source of a document that purportedly outlines a plot by Muslim fundamentalists to Islamize public schools in England and Wales."

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."
sleep naps Napping can Dramatically Increase Learning, Memory, Awareness, and More

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 (herehere) 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:
View image on Twitter
 "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%. 

Monday, March 31, 2014

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."