Saturday, June 30, 2018
Trump's Leaner White House Payroll Projected To Save Taxpayers $22 Million
Trump's Leaner White House Payroll Projected To Save Taxpayers $22 Million:
If the White House payroll is a leading indicator of the president’s commitment to shrink government then voters have a reason to cheer. Projected four-year savings on the White House payroll could top $22 million. Savings come from President Trump’s refusal to take a salary as well as big reductions in other areas including the absence of czars, expensive “fellowships,” and spending on FLOTUS staff.
Laws That Are 'Impossible' to Follow Can Still Be Constitutional, Says California Court - Hit & Run : Reason.com
Laws That Are 'Impossible' to Follow Can Still Be Constitutional, Says California Court - Hit & Run : Reason.com
"Just because you cannot comply doesn’t mean the law cannot exist.
Just because a law is impossible to follow is not enough of a reason for a court to throw it out.
So California's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
On the face the ruling sounds utterly absurd, but there's a deeper explanation that makes it a little less silly and much more deeply concerning about the deference granted to lawmakers.
Some context: California passed a law a decade ago that demanded gun manufacturers implement microstamping technology that would imprint identifying information on bullets as they were shot from semi-automatic weapons.
Gun manufacturers say the technology hasn't advanced enough to comply with the law.
Smith & Wesson announced in 2014 that they would be pulling some guns from the market in California rather than complying with the law (a cynic might theorize that this is the law's actual intent).
The National Shooting Sports Foundation sued to block the law.
California's Civil Code contains a section that simply reads, "The law never requires impossibilities."
So the question the state's Supreme Court was addressing was whether the courts can invalidate this law because it is impossible for people to comply with it.
Not only did the California Supreme Court rule that it cannot invalidate the law, but it ruled so unanimously..."
Read all!
"Just because you cannot comply doesn’t mean the law cannot exist.
Just because a law is impossible to follow is not enough of a reason for a court to throw it out.
So California's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
On the face the ruling sounds utterly absurd, but there's a deeper explanation that makes it a little less silly and much more deeply concerning about the deference granted to lawmakers.Some context: California passed a law a decade ago that demanded gun manufacturers implement microstamping technology that would imprint identifying information on bullets as they were shot from semi-automatic weapons.
Gun manufacturers say the technology hasn't advanced enough to comply with the law.
Smith & Wesson announced in 2014 that they would be pulling some guns from the market in California rather than complying with the law (a cynic might theorize that this is the law's actual intent).
The National Shooting Sports Foundation sued to block the law.
California's Civil Code contains a section that simply reads, "The law never requires impossibilities."
So the question the state's Supreme Court was addressing was whether the courts can invalidate this law because it is impossible for people to comply with it.
Not only did the California Supreme Court rule that it cannot invalidate the law, but it ruled so unanimously..."
Read all!
Rapid transit projects hit the skids in three Michigan cities | Bridge Magazine
Rapid transit projects hit the skids in three Michigan cities | Bridge Magazine
"GRAND RAPIDS – A gleaming bus pulls to a stop along a mostly barren street south of Grand Rapids.
As the bus pulls away, the scene morphs and the bus is now surrounded by millions of dollars in development ‒ sprouting as if by magic.
Backers said it would transform a nearly 10-mile stretch of South Division Avenue from downtown Grand Rapids to the suburbs with dedicated lanes for hybrid electric buses. Commuters would trade in their cars.
It would return $160 million in new development.
Read all.
"GRAND RAPIDS – A gleaming bus pulls to a stop along a mostly barren street south of Grand Rapids.
As the bus pulls away, the scene morphs and the bus is now surrounded by millions of dollars in development ‒ sprouting as if by magic.
Such was the promise in this animated promotional video for a $35 million transit route called the Silver Line, launched with great fanfare in 2014.
Backers said it would transform a nearly 10-mile stretch of South Division Avenue from downtown Grand Rapids to the suburbs with dedicated lanes for hybrid electric buses. Commuters would trade in their cars. It would return $160 million in new development.
Four years later, most of South Division is virtually the same ‒ and daily rides are about half what was predicted.
Across the state in Detroit, the QLine, a $140-million electric streetcar line that connects downtown to Midtown along Woodward Avenue, attracted less than half of its projected riders for several months its first year.
It’s been beset by delays, crashes and falling popularity.
And in Lansing, transit officials pulled the plug last year on a controversial $133 million bus rapid transit (BRT) line when expected federal funds dried up.
Nearly $6 million in state and federal funds had already been invested ‒ in a project whose backers also forecast dramatic development benefits..."Read all.
Watch lawmaker blister DOJ for withholding documents
Watch lawmaker blister DOJ for withholding documents:
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein went on defense Thursday during a hearing of the House Judicial Committee over the Justice Department’s and FBI’s handling of the Russia probe and Hillary Clinton email investigations.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, pressed Rosenstein on why Congress still has not received information it requested nearly a year ago.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein went on defense Thursday during a hearing of the House Judicial Committee over the Justice Department’s and FBI’s handling of the Russia probe and Hillary Clinton email investigations.Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, pressed Rosenstein on why Congress still has not received information it requested nearly a year ago.
The West Can’t AFjord to Let Norway Die—And Norway Doesn’t | VDARE.com
The West Can’t AFjord to Let Norway Die—And Norway Doesn’t | VDARE.com
"Norwegians have a sense of self-confidence that their Scandinavian neighbours can hardly dream of. Their gerrymandered close relationship with the European Union, and their elite’s fervent advocacy of Multiculturalism, has clearly rocked the nation of 5.5 million, but the damage is nowhere near as severe as it could be.
...this time, it was hollow victory for the Norwegian spirit of defiance.
As a member of the EEA, Norway had to take “refugees” and other immigrants.
The slow death of Norway had begun.
The parents of the speakers of so-called ‘Kebab Norwegian’ arrived from the Middle East in droves.
...Historically, rape was incredibly rare in Norway.
But the Islamic rape-wave began slowly but surely.
100% (!) of rapes committed in Oslo between 2005 and 2010 were by what the police called “men with a non-Western origin” (code for Muslim)..."
Read on.
"Norwegians have a sense of self-confidence that their Scandinavian neighbours can hardly dream of. Their gerrymandered close relationship with the European Union, and their elite’s fervent advocacy of Multiculturalism, has clearly rocked the nation of 5.5 million, but the damage is nowhere near as severe as it could be....this time, it was hollow victory for the Norwegian spirit of defiance.
As a member of the EEA, Norway had to take “refugees” and other immigrants.
The slow death of Norway had begun.
The parents of the speakers of so-called ‘Kebab Norwegian’ arrived from the Middle East in droves.
...Historically, rape was incredibly rare in Norway.
But the Islamic rape-wave began slowly but surely.
100% (!) of rapes committed in Oslo between 2005 and 2010 were by what the police called “men with a non-Western origin” (code for Muslim)..."
Read on.
Rosenstein’s Telling House Testimony
Rosenstein’s Telling House Testimony: "Rosenstein’s Telling House Testimony-June 28, 2018 by Jeff Carlson, CFA
Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein & FBI Director Chris Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee today.
It proved interesting.
Very interesting.
And informative.
At the start, Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Jerrold Nadler repeatedly questioned the validity of the hearing.
Following the break, Points of Order were loudly raised (particularly by Ted Lieu) as Strzok testimony was raised in questioning by Rep. Ratcliffe.
Democrats appeared unusually nervous and remained contentious throughout the hearing.
Almost as if they were worried over what Rosenstein might have to say…
Rosenstein delivered an intriguing opening statement which can be found here.
...I remind myself of one very important point.
Rosenstein was appointed by President Trump.
Rosenstein can be fired by President Trump.
...One other item of note. Rosenstein has been charged with leading the team investigating leaks. He appears to have been effective. See here.
Read all.
Limbaugh: Crowley collapse shows ‘blue wave’ will fail
Limbaugh: Crowley collapse shows ‘blue wave’ will fail:
“There are two things today that have blown the Democrat Party to the Soyuz space capsule on the way to the international station,” Limbaugh said. “Joe Crowley losing his election. This guy was next in line to be speaker behind Nancy Pelosi. This guy never thought he would ever lose. He hasn’t been primaried in 14 years. And a veritable Bernie Sanders communist, a 28-year-old woman comes out of nowhere promising veritable socialism and communism and wins going away.”
NBC, Amazon Writer Openly Promotes White Genocide - She Hopes It "Happens Faster"
NBC, Amazon Writer Openly Promotes White Genocide - She Hopes It "Happens Faster"Taylor Cox is a writer for NBC, Amazon and Cartoon Network.
The only she thing she likes more than writing is white genocide.
It just can’t come fast enough.
This loon is writing for major US networks..."
Read all.
This loon is writing for major US networks..."
Read all.
School Bans Parents From Viewing LGBT Videos Shown to Kids | Todd Starnes
School Bans Parents From Viewing LGBT Videos Shown to Kids | Todd Starnes
"Editor’s Note: Facebook is cracking down on Conservative content. To ensure you receive conservative and faith-based news items – click here for a free subscription to Todd’s newsletter.
"Editor’s Note: Facebook is cracking down on Conservative content. To ensure you receive conservative and faith-based news items – click here for a free subscription to Todd’s newsletter.
"For four days last April students at a Emmaus High School in Pennsylvania were forced to watch videos selected by the “student-led” Gay-Straight Alliance.
The videos ranged from “9 Questions Gay People Have About Straight People” to a compilation of clips celebrating “marriage equality.”
There was also a video educating students about gender fluidity – the idea there is no such thing as male or female.
“My son expressed to me that he felt bullied by the administration for being a heterosexual man and being forced to listen to LGBT advocacy on a daily basis,” one parent wrote in a letter to the school district.
The East Penn School District claimed the videos, shown during daily announcements, were about anti-bullying and the LGBT movement.
But parents argue it was more about indoctrination.
And when they asked to see the videos – the school district refused..."
Read on.
Trump Is This Close to Saving the Blue States - WSJ
Trump Is This Close to Saving the Blue States - WSJ
"Call it the Jerry Maguire moment in blue-state politics.
Struggling under the weight of financial promises they’ve made to public-sector unions, governments in places like New Jersey and California need to help Donald Trump help them.
The President is doing just about all he can to enable reform in profligate jurisdictions...
Lower fee income will mean less powerful government-employee unions.
Combined with rising state revenues and new incentives to reform state tax systems resulting from the federal tax law Mr. Trump enacted in December, the country’s most expensive governments suddenly enjoy the flexibility to pursue economic vitality.
"Call it the Jerry Maguire moment in blue-state politics.
The President is doing just about all he can to enable reform in profligate jurisdictions...
Lower fee income will mean less powerful government-employee unions.
The Empire Center observes:
This is a groundbreaking win for public employees... in New York and other states where they have long been compelled to support inherently political activities as a condition of employment. Roughly 200,000 New York government workers who chose not to join unions immediately stand to save over $110 million a year. Another one million who signed union membership cards, believing they’d have no choice but to pay the union, will have the option to reconsider.Across the Hudson River, the New Jersey School Boards Association notes that along with liberating non-union members from the obligation to support organizations they oppose, the decision also prevents unions from automatically enrolling people who have never expressed an interest in membership...
Combined with rising state revenues and new incentives to reform state tax systems resulting from the federal tax law Mr. Trump enacted in December, the country’s most expensive governments suddenly enjoy the flexibility to pursue economic vitality.
There is finally an optimistic case for the long-term prosperity of places like New Jersey, where workers currently suffer the country’s worst business tax climate, economic growth that has been almost nonexistent, and massive unfunded liabilities for public sector pensions and benefits.
But it may take a while to liberate blue-state politicians from the union bosses who have played a dominant role in funding political campaigns.
Theoretically, elected officials represent all of their citizens.
But it may take a while to liberate blue-state politicians from the union bosses who have played a dominant role in funding political campaigns.
Theoretically, elected officials represent all of their citizens.
When it comes to negotiating pay and benefits for public workers, the pols should be on one side of the table representing the general interest, while the union bosses on the other side represent the special interest..."
Huge, read all!
Supremes free workers from mandatory union fees
The Supreme Court Wednesday dealt a major blow to organized labor that also will weaken support for Democratic political candidates, freeing government workers from mandatory “fees” when they opt out of union membership.
Separated from her child!-----Woman bites off part of man's ear at Macomb County Chinese restaurant - WXYZ.com
MT. CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) - A woman was arrested for allegedly biting off part of a man's ear during a fight with the man at a Macomb County Chinese restaurant on Thursday night.
...Due to a language barrier, the victim's son translated what Anderson was saying to his parents.
That's when Anderson allegedly pushed the son and threw her food onto the floor.She then started assaulting the female victim, and the male victim stepped in to protect his wife.
That's when Anderson started assaulting the man.
As she was pushed out of the store, she bit the man on the ear, partially detaching it.
A sign on the restaurant Friday afternoon said it was closed "for some reasons."
Police took her into custody and the man was taken to the hospital.
Deputies also say Anderson left a small child at her home unsupervised..."
Read all.
History for June 30
History for June 30 - On-This-Day.com
Lena Horne 1917 - Jazz singer, Susan Hayward 1919, Tony Musante 1936
Florence Ballard (The Supremes) 1943, Vincent D'Onofrio 1959 - Actor ("Law and Order: Criminal Intent"), Mike Tyson 1966 - Boxer
1908 - A meteor explosion in Siberia knocked down trees in a 40-mile radius and struck people unconscious some 40 miles away.
1915 - During World War I, the Second Battle Artois ended when the French failed to take Vimy Ridge.
1934 - Adolf Hitler purged the Nazi Party by destroying the SA and bringing to power the SS in the "Night of the Long Knives."
1936 - Margaret Mitchell’s book, "Gone with the Wind," was published.
1953 - The first Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, MI. It sold for $3,250.
1971 - The Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 11 returned to Earth. The three cosmonauts were found dead inside.
1971 - The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified when Ohio became the 38th state to approve it. The amendment lowered the minimum voting age to 18.
1998 - Officials confirmed that the remains of a Vietnam War serviceman buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were identified as those of Air Force pilot Michael J. Blassie.
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