Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Presidential Succession Begins.

DON SURBER: The Presidential Succession Begins.

DON SURBER: The Presidential Succession Begins. “The truth is Clinton took over the presidency on Friday when Obama just walked away. Leadership is about symbols. Mommy — Michelle Obama — called and Obama had to go home. He let Clinton take over and clean up the mess. . . . Being president sucks right now. It will get worse. His programs are a failure. His party does not like him. So he sent Biden to talk to the party and Clinton to talk to the press. At this point, it is merely symbolic of a resignation. A bad weekend. But it certainly is not something I have seen before in presidential politics.”

They’re taking bets on Obama’s departure. But he’s got an ace in the hole — he only has to run against the Republicans. . . .

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Irony alert: The unusually chilly global-warming summit

Irony alert: The unusually chilly global-warming summit - The Week
"As negotiators from nearly 200 countries met in Cancun to strategize ways to keep the planet from getting hotter, the temperature in the seaside Mexican city plunged to a 100-year record low of 54° F."

North Korea 'ready for war'

North Korea 'ready for war': News24: World: News
"Seoul - North Korea warned on Saturday that it is ready for an all-out war even as it dispatched its top diplomat to Russia amid a flurry of regional diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions over the North's deadly artillery attack on South Korea."

Hopey changey don't seem to work for president Barry O'Carter.
Bummer....

What's going on at Hartford Terrace?

Letters: What's going on at Hartford Terrace? MLive.com
"We have two elevators and one of them breaks down, usually on a weekend, about three times a month.
No one comes to fix it until regular offices hours on Monday.
They are the same elevators installed in 1973 when the building was built.
We are told the reason they break down is because they are “used more than any other elevators in town.”
There are 11 floors in the building with 16 apartments on each floor."

What's going on?
GOVERNMENT!

Imagine how efficient our entire health care system will be when these morons take control!

Democrats hurl f-bombs at Obama. Are they racist now?

theblogprof: Video: Democrats hurl f-bombs at Obama. Are they racist now?
Remember when the tea party was labeled as racist for opposing the Obama agenda?
What about Democrats not only opposing Obama's so-called compromise on keeping tax rates at present levels but hurling f-bombs at him?

Racist?

Resisting his compromise because of the color of his skin?

FDNY Set To Implement Emergency Services 'Crash Tax' CBS New York

FDNY Set To Implement Emergency Services 'Crash Tax' CBS New York – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of NY
"But under the plan, you’ll get charged even if the accident isn’t your fault."

UN climate meeting OKs Green Fund in new accord

My Way News - UN climate meeting OKs Green Fund in new accord
"The Cancun Agreements created institutions for delivering technology and funding to poorer countries, though they did not say where the funding would come from."

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Wasting tax dollars on ethanol

Wasting tax dollars on ethanol
"IF YOU'RE wondering which of America's leaders are serious about cutting wasteful government spending, you might start by examining who's behind the effort to extend tax breaks to America's corn ethanol industry, which expire at the end of the year."

Obama uses labor board to revive Card Check | Washington Examiner

Examiner Editorial: Obama uses labor board to revive Card Check Washington Examiner
"Big Labor's No. 1 public policy goal is to abolish secret ballots in workplace representation elections."

Stella Paul's Top Ten Government Follies of 2010

American Thinker- Stella Paul's Top Ten Government Follies of 2010
"Folly One: The Federal government sued Arizona for the ultimate crime: enforcing federal law!"

Grab a drink and read 'em all!

West Virginia May Soon Set Nation-wide Pattern to Get Around the EPA

West Virginia May Soon Set Nation-wide Pattern to Get Around the EPA NetRight Daily
"Coal mining has long been under attack from environmentalists and especially the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The result of these attacks have caused coal mines to be closed until they receive certification and permits that meet the approval of bureaucrats that are decidedly anti-coal mining.
Hundreds if not thousands of coal mining jobs have been lost due to this bureaucratic nightmare.

In West Virginia though, a newly elected State Delegate has drafted legislation that would undo these unnecessary mine closures and put the miners back to work.
Gary Howell, elected to his first term in the State House of West Virginia in November, is wasting no time getting his “put West Virginia to work” legislation signed in to law.

Delegate-elect Howell told NetRightDaily.com, “[t]hese mines have met all the requirements for their EPA permits to be issued, but the Obama administration is simply not issuing the permits.
The Obama administration’s actions are illegal and are being challenged in the courts, however the court cases will take time.
The Intrastate Coal and Use Act will take effect immediately allowing the mines to open, which will not only increase employment but increase the tax bases without the need for increased taxes on the individuals and provide energy security for the nation.”"

Small-Biz Killers: Who Pays for Jobless Benefits?

Michelle Malkin » Small-Biz Killers: Who Pays for Jobless Benefits?
"....small businesses are getting whacked by skyrocketing unemployment insurance tax hikes across the country.

Friends of mine here in Colorado Springs first alerted me to their massive bills, which have arrived over the past two weeks.
Business owners from several other states have written me with similar horror stories — and I’ve included some of their experiences below. It’s yet another example of how the hidden Obama jobs death toll is wreaking havoc on America’s wealth producers."

The Top 10 Economic Myths of 2010

The Top 10 Economic Myths of 2010

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Immigrants' lawyers using culture as crime defense

Immigrants' lawyers using culture as crime defense - Yahoo! News
"The case highlighted a legal strategy that experts say immigrants' defense lawyers are using increasingly in the U.S.: the argument that a defendant's actions reflect his cultural upbringing, rather than criminal intent."

Watch out folks!
Their vile "culture" is being used as a defense against our country!

SHOCKER: GAO Report Slamming For-Profit Education Turns Out To Be “Flawed.”

Instapundit » Blog Archive » SHOCKER: GAO Report Slamming For-Profit Education Turns Out To Be “Flawed.”
“The revisions have come as the Obama administration and senior Democratic lawmakers are pushing for tougher regulation of the industry. A Republican senator said the revisions called into question some of the conclusions in the report.”

I’d like to see closer attention paid to what traditional colleges are promising, versus what they actually deliver.

Related: War On For-Profit Colleges Reeks Even Worse.
“I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to learn that people at the GAO have actually been in on the crusade to demonize proprietary colleges.
I also, unfortunately, won’t be surprised if no one pays attention to any of this, and the shameless, responsibility-dodging war on for-profits continues unabated.”

UPDATE: Bogus GAO report led to layoffs? Sure looks that way.
You’d think the federal government would want to encourage job-creation instead of job-destruction, but everything they do seems to have the opposite effect . . . ."

Our government's war on profit.
How sad.

US Treasuries hit by biggest sell-off in two years

FT.com / Capital Markets - US Treasuries hit by biggest sell-off in two years
"“Yields at this level are clearly unsustainable,” said Paul Marson, chief investment officer at Lombard Odier, the Swiss private bank."

Unions Look for Payback In the 'Lame Duck' Congress

FoxNews.com - Unions Look for Payback In the 'Lame Duck' Congress
"The unions are now making their first big push for lame duck payback, and it’s S. 3194, the so-called 'Public Employee-Employer Cooperation Act.'
Per usual, it has a wonderful name that is more or less the opposite of what the bill actually is—an unnecessary, expensive, and harmful bill that would force state and local governments to recognize union bosses as the exclusive bargaining agents for public-safety workers.

A vote on may come later this week.
This bill violates the basic tenets of our federalist system of government.
Local governments should not be forced by Washington, D.C. to impose forced unionization on their police, paramedics, and firefighters."

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Department of Transportation new rules will make cars more expensive

Department of Transportation new rules will make cars more expensive The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
"Thought that new car was expensive now?
Wait till the Department of Transportation implements its latest plan to protect Americans from themselves.

Last week, the department announced regulations that would require all new vehicles to install video cameras on their back bumpers.
The idea is to make backing up safer, and it’s not optional."

Hillary Clinton’s humiliation by Iran’s Foreign Minister illustrates the futility of appeasement

Hillary Clinton’s humiliation by Iran’s Foreign Minister illustrates the futility of appeasement – Telegraph Blogs
"It is hard to see what the United States gains from its most senior diplomat reaching out to the Iranian Foreign Minister.

It has echoes of British officials shaking hands with the representatives of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, as though it were a civilised regime that played by the rules of international diplomacy."

Muskegon's Damon Knox makes football commitment to Michigan State University

Update: Muskegon's Damon Knox makes football commitment to Michigan State University - MLive.com
"Knox (6-5, 270) recorded more than 100 tackles this season and batted down many passes.
He also played tight end and used his good size, strength and quickness.
MSU recruited Knox as a defensive lineman."

Pajamas Media » MSM Inertia: What We Can Learn from 120 Years of Climate Catastrophe Reporting

Pajamas Media » MSM Inertia: What We Can Learn from 120 Years of Climate Catastrophe Reporting

But when one looks back at the history of climate reporting, you find a remarkably consistent and recurring theme.
The global temperature has cycled from cold to warm to cold to warm again over the last 120 years.

The media cycles of impending climatic doom mirror the climate cycles themselves, but with a roughly ten- to fifteen-year lag.

It seems whenever the world warms, the volume of global warming stories increases to match the trend.

Conversely, when the climate cools the major media outlets pull on their long johns and warn us of the next ice age.

However, it takes many years for the media to catch up to what the climate is actually doing.

Wall Street propers under President Obama

Wall Street propers under President Obama--Charles Gasparino - NYPOST.com
"After all, his latest push to 'remedy' 9.8 percent unemployment for the masses is an extension of unemployment benefits.
Meanwhile, his policies aren't just making Wall Streeters rich, as bonuses are expected to hit record highs this year.
They're also likely (according to some insiders) to spark a hiring spree among bankers in the new year"

Monday, December 06, 2010

That is so rank: Gallup, on the presidents

That is so rank: Gallup, on the presidents Washington Examiner

"What do presidential rankings say about America?
Apparently, we are nostalgic -- for better economic times (see: Bill Clinton, ranked third) and happier, sun-drenched days aboard the presidential yacht (JFK).

Gallup likes to take America's pulse every year on how we perceive as we look back.
Here are the current Gallup rankings:

Kennedy, 85 percent
Reagan, 74 percent
Clinton, 69 percent
G. H.W. Bush, 64 percent
Ford, 61 percent
Carter, 52 percent
LBJ, 49 percent
GW Bush, 47 percent
Nixon, 29 percent

Huh.
Carter more than Bush?
And...Ford's 61 percent?
Gallup noted that Kennedy has ranked first since 1990.
Also:
The most notable changes in this year's update are a nine-point drop in Carter's approval rating and eight-point increases in those for Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Johnson."

Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Britain is freezing to death

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express UK News :: Britain is freezing to death
"Many have been using their free travel ­passes to spend the day riding on buses while others are seeking refuge from the cold in libraries and shopping centres."

Proof of global warming....

Euro collapse 'possible' amid deepening divisions over bail-out - Telegraph

Euro collapse 'possible' amid deepening divisions over bail-out - Telegraph
"Under questioning from MPs on the Treasury Select Committee, Stephen Nickell, a member of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and a former Bank of England rate-setter, said a collapse of the single currency was 'a possibility'.
Asked more broadly about the sustainability of currency unions, he added: 'The general consensus is that sooner or later they fail for one reason or another – but that doesn't mean to say it always happens.'"

Final Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Now Delayed Until Feb. 3 At The Earliest

Final Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Now Delayed Until Feb. 3 At The Earliest Popular Science
"NASA engineers repaired the cracks and reapplied foam to cushion the tank, but managers want to test the repairs and make sure they will hold up during launch.
The foam initially cracked during loading operations for the shuttle’s planned Nov. 5 liftoff to the International Space Station."

This is looking a bit scary.

Multiculturalism Hits The Wall

American Thinker: Multiculturalism Hits The Wall
"According to multicultural theory, the 'white' race (never further defined) forms a privileged oppressor class, forever and completely at odds with members of other races.
The relationship between races is presented only in terms of power, in which the oppressed races became in effect a proletariat awaiting liberation through revolutionary activity.
Under these terms, every action taken by the white oppressors is illegitimate, while those taken by the 'subaltern' races are justified, no matter what their evident nature and intent.
As a global theory, multiculturalism possesses universal applicability under all circumstances.
Every aspect of racial and ethnic relations must be seen through the multicultural lens."

Sparks fly at Gov. Christie's Parsippany town hall meeting regarding superintendent salaries

Sparks fly at Gov. Christie's Parsippany town hall meeting regarding superintendent salaries NJ.com
"Christie has been publicly feuding with Parsippany-Troy Hills Superintendent Leroy Seitz since he renegotiated his contract to push his salary to $216,040 in advance of the impending $175,000 cap set to go into affect Feb. 7."

Chase orders Southlake bank to remove Christmas tree

Chase orders Southlake bank to remove Christmas tree Northeast Tarrant
"Chase Bank told a businessman to remove the Christmas tree he donated to a local branch because it could offend people."

Federal workers will still receive raises despite pay freeze

Federal workers will still receive raises despite pay freeze The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
"President Obama’s proposal of a pay freeze for federal employees is a small step towards curbing government spending.

However, a closer look shows there is less to it than meets the eye.

In fact, many federal employees will still see their salaries increased."

It's even worse in the states and municipalities where automatic "step" increases combine with COI jumps to boost the already bloated pension calculation.
And don't forget that health care costs are going up far faster than public employees own contribution.

So that works out to FOUR AUTOMATIC compensation increases EVERY YEAR!

Ten Republicans duck out on tax vote

Ten Republicans duck out on tax vote Washington Examiner
"But in one case, ten Republicans didn't bother to vote, and in the other 11 Republicans didn't vote.
Here are the 11: Bunning, Burr, Chambliss, Cornyn, Gregg, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Sessions, Vitter, and Voinovich."

Remember these names for the primaries in 2012!

Michigan rock fests 1967-1972

rock fests

May 24/Sunday: College Field, East Lansing
~ The Jefferson Airplane, Mountain, Chicago, John Sebastian, The Rotary Connection ~

I also remember Rod Stewart & The Small Faces, Ten Years After at the same concert.
Ah, the good old days!

WikiLeaks cables reveal how US manipulated climate accord

WikiLeaks cables reveal how US manipulated climate accord Environment The Guardian
"The US diplomatic cables reveal how the US seeks dirt on nations opposed to its approach to tackling global warming;
how financial and other aid is used by countries to gain political backing;
how distrust, broken promises and creative accounting dog negotiations;
and how the US mounted a secret global diplomatic offensive to overwhelm opposition to the controversial 'Copenhagen accord', the unofficial document that emerged from the ruins of the Copenhagen climate change summit in 2009."

Saturday, December 04, 2010

The sight of women's breasts won't deter Islamists – they're obsessed with sex

The sight of women's breasts won't deter Islamists – they're obsessed with sex – Telegraph Blogs
"Denmark’s government is being called upon to employ a lethal new weapon in the fight against Islamist extremism: bare breasts.

No, I’m not making this up – and also deny outrageous suggestions that I’m looking for an excuse to tear myself away from the world-changing Wikileaks exposé.

Peter Skaarup, the foreign policy spokesman of the Danish People’s Party, wants footage of topless women at beaches to be included in a video shown to prospective immigrants, in order to deter religious fundamentalists."

Cancún climate talks in danger of collapse over Kyoto continuation

Cancún climate talks in danger of collapse over Kyoto continuation Environment The Guardian
"The Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (Alba) group of nine Latin American countries – who claim they are backed by African, Arab countries and other developing nations – said they were not prepared to see an end to the treaty that legally requires all of its signatories to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Friday, December 03, 2010

Muskegon Campaign Contributions -- Huffington Post

Muskegon Campaign Contributions -- Huffington Post

Interesting to see who really stands tall.

Military takes over air traffic control in Spain

My Way News - Military takes over air traffic control in Spain
"Spain's military took control of the nation's airspace Friday night after air traffic controllers staged a massive sickout that stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers on the eve of a long holiday weekend, forcing the government to shut down Madrid's big international hub and seven other airports."

This is what will happen when we unionize the TSA idiots.

Top Transit Chief Salaries Criticized by State Lawmaker

Top Transit Chief Salaries Criticized by State Lawmaker [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Last month, MichCapCon.com revealed that a bus driver in Lansing was paid $140,000 last year."

Spartans won't be one-season wonder in football

Spartans won't be one-season wonder in football MLive.com
"“I think it’s been a fundamental reason why we’ve been successful -- we are developing depth.
We have good young players and they’re coming.”"

Michael shoots his .45 with his feet

YouTube - Michael shoots his .45 with his feet

Pretty nifty!

Wave goodbye to Internet freedom

EDITORIAL: Wave goodbye to Internet freedom - Washington Times
"With a straight face, Mr. Genachowski suggested that government red tape will increase the 'freedom' of online services that have flourished because bureaucratic busybodies have been blocked from tinkering with the Web.

Ordinarily, it would be appropriate at this point to supply an example from the proposed regulations illustrating the problem.

Mr. Genachowski's draft document has over 550 footnotes and is stamped 'non-public, for internal use only' to ensure nobody outside the agency sees it until the rules are approved in a scheduled Dec. 21 vote.

So much for 'openness.'"

'You won't be able to sell your house,' Daley warns

'You won't be able to sell your house,' Daley warns :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics
"The Illinois Senate on Thursday approved police and firefighter pension legislation that Mayor Daley warned would blow a $550 million hole in the city budget, but the top Senate Democrat pledged to try softening that financial hit next month.

Municipalities won pension cutbacks for incoming cops and firefighters, including bumping up the retirement age with full benefits from 50 to 55, limiting retirement cost-of-living increases and capping the final salary upon which pensions are based, among other things. Existing public-safety workers aren't affected"

They can retire at 50?!!!!!

Splendid Abandoned Airplanes

Dark Roasted Blend: Splendid Abandoned Airplanes
"When Flying Is No Longer An Option (Jet Planes in Backyards)"

Boehner to create ladies' room off House floor

Boehner to create ladies' room off House floor - Yahoo! News
"House Speaker-to-be John Boehner is planning to install the first-ever women's restroom next to the floor of the House of Representatives.
Boehner's office says he'll direct the Architect of the Capitol to convert an office into a ladies' room just steps away from where lawmakers cast votes and debate legislation.

Female members of the House have long complained that while their male colleagues can duck in and out of a men's room right next to the chamber, their closest available restroom is much further away in the Congressional Women's Reading Room, across the ornate Statuary Hall filled with sculptures of prominent Americans."

Sexist GOPers!

Thursday, December 02, 2010

The 25 Funniest Analogies (Collected by High School English Teachers)

The 25 Funniest Analogies (Collected by High School English Teachers) « Writing English

"5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up."

Yes, there are many more!

The Danger of a Global Double Dip Recession Is Real

The Danger of a Global Double Dip Recession Is Real - US News and World Report
"Among Spengler's convictions was that money, instead of serving mankind, would betray the Western civilization as it had others—and money in politics and media especially.
If he could have seen this election season, he would have been even more downcast!
Money is surely the great corrupter of American democracy.

Congressmen have to spend more of their time raising money for misleading and defamatory television commercials—and resisting briberies of one kind or another—than they spend studying our predicaments."

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Into the fray - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe

Into the fray - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"After a practice here today, MSU did what few, if any, opponents have done.
The Spartans marched right through Krzyzewskiville.

For those who don't know, K-ville is the name of the area where the Duke students camp out, grill, eat, drink, play frisbee and generally act rowdy as they camp out before big games (I just walked through it -- wild scene).

Tom Izzo and his team walked right through it this afternoon, a scene athletic director Mark Hollis called 'surreal.'

The Cameron Crazies apparently were stunned at first, but eventually Izzo threw the football around with a few of them, and came away with a brat."

Underclothes That Display The 4th Amendment When X-Rayed by TSA

Underclothes That Display The 4th Amendment When X-Rayed by TSA

IMF: US Ready to Back Bigger EU Stability Fund

IMF: US Ready to Back Bigger EU Stability Fund: Official - CNBC
"The United States would be ready to support the extension of the European Financial Stability Facility via an extra commitment of money from the International Monetary Fund, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday."

Well, Barry did promise that he'd make Europeans love us, right?

Mystery Surrounds Cyber Missile That Crippled Iran's Nuclear Weapons Ambitions

FoxNews.com - Mystery Surrounds Cyber Missile That Crippled Iran's Nuclear Weapons Ambitions
"The construction of the worm was so advanced, it was “like the arrival of an F-35 into a World War I battlefield,” says Ralph Langner, the computer expert who was the first to sound the alarm about Stuxnet.
Others have called it the first “weaponized” computer virus.

Simply put, Stuxnet is an incredibly advanced, undetectable computer worm that took years to construct and was designed to jump from computer to computer until it found the specific, protected control system that it aimed to destroy: Iran’s nuclear enrichment program."

An amazing story!