It sure seems like he's buying the necessary votes.
The latest appears to be in the list of "finalists" for the $4.35 billion in the Race to the Top education grants. I truly thought Arne Duncan was just a step above the average cabinet member, but he has fallen into step on this one along with the rest of the guys/gals in the Cabinet and Czar positions. (It takes only one rotten apple to spoil the basket and there are a lot more than that in Obama's basket.)
The reported number of applicants for the grants was forty-one and the ones who have the most to brag about and are considered reformists were Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Louisiana. Kentucky, which doesn't even have a charter school or law, also made the list--wonder why.
It can't be a coincidence that 10 of the 16 on the list plus Washington, D.C. are critical political states such as Ohio and all have Democrat governors.
It looks like he has ten free days -- he has bribes in the bank for that many. Depending on the makeup of the Congressional contingent, it may be more than that.
Oh, well. Look for the denial soon.
The weather for the coming week looks good--
God bless.......
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Post Office For Sale?
Well, why not? It seems the bureaucrats running the place for the last few years would screw up a two car funeral so could someone else do any worse?
Just thinking--
Perhaps UPS and FedEx could form a corporation/subsidiary or whatever and do a lot better job. It seems to me that as large as the postal service is that economies of scale must enter into the picture somewhere along the line.
As with any government entity, without any stockholders to answer to, there is no down side to not making a profit. Right now they don't even have to make a profit, they only need to break even and they can't even do that!
If no one thinks that is doable, I wonder what a joint venture or even a co-op would be able to make a success of it. As I recall one of the first major airlines to go into bankruptcy some years ago now survives with employee ownership.
And no, I have no idea about any "world view" of the postal union or how it operates. However, I'm sure it doesn't enhance the bottom line.
Why am I bringing this up? Been thinking about it since I drove away giggling the day I saw a FedEx delivery truck parked in close proximity to a USPS mailbox with the driver depositing mail. Just think about it.
Have a blessed Sunday--
God bless.........
Just thinking--
Perhaps UPS and FedEx could form a corporation/subsidiary or whatever and do a lot better job. It seems to me that as large as the postal service is that economies of scale must enter into the picture somewhere along the line.
As with any government entity, without any stockholders to answer to, there is no down side to not making a profit. Right now they don't even have to make a profit, they only need to break even and they can't even do that!
If no one thinks that is doable, I wonder what a joint venture or even a co-op would be able to make a success of it. As I recall one of the first major airlines to go into bankruptcy some years ago now survives with employee ownership.
And no, I have no idea about any "world view" of the postal union or how it operates. However, I'm sure it doesn't enhance the bottom line.
Why am I bringing this up? Been thinking about it since I drove away giggling the day I saw a FedEx delivery truck parked in close proximity to a USPS mailbox with the driver depositing mail. Just think about it.
Have a blessed Sunday--
God bless.........
Friday, March 5, 2010
Remember Your Catechism?
Not sure if this is common to all Christian churches but we learned about the term "unformed conscience." The definition was pretty basic--there are varying degrees to which all of us have to work to develop our consciences. This is not an easy task. We need to be surrounded with folks who have also worked to the point where they can be called good or people of conscience.
I'm thinking about how the President can hurt so many people without a worry about how his actions can affect us and future generations. He simply wants to leave a legacy. Can this really be unintentional? Hard to believe...
Granted, having not read either of his books I'm not sure of details, but it seems a little obvious that his mother didn't spend a lot of time teaching him right from wrong since she was busy changing living locations, husbands and ultimately sending her son to be brought up by others. I'm quite sure he was a well behaved child and the grandparents probably were light on discipline. No judgment here, just looking at what has gone into the makeup of a young man's growth. Things came to him easily and it was a lesson learned and still carried high expectations.
This whole health care thing can be boiled down to two broken promises:
1) the IRS deduction is changed from costs over 7 1/2% to costs over 10%. This is a tax increase on the middle class any way you want to look at it.
2) care will necessarily be rationed. This is a far cry from "if you like your insurance you can keep it." My level of care will change any way you want to look at it.
There are many other items in his so-called health care which can be added to the list, but this is certainly a "read my lips" moment and Joe Wilson was right.
Have a great weekend--
Temps in the 40s coming up--
God bless...........
I'm thinking about how the President can hurt so many people without a worry about how his actions can affect us and future generations. He simply wants to leave a legacy. Can this really be unintentional? Hard to believe...
Granted, having not read either of his books I'm not sure of details, but it seems a little obvious that his mother didn't spend a lot of time teaching him right from wrong since she was busy changing living locations, husbands and ultimately sending her son to be brought up by others. I'm quite sure he was a well behaved child and the grandparents probably were light on discipline. No judgment here, just looking at what has gone into the makeup of a young man's growth. Things came to him easily and it was a lesson learned and still carried high expectations.
This whole health care thing can be boiled down to two broken promises:
1) the IRS deduction is changed from costs over 7 1/2% to costs over 10%. This is a tax increase on the middle class any way you want to look at it.
2) care will necessarily be rationed. This is a far cry from "if you like your insurance you can keep it." My level of care will change any way you want to look at it.
There are many other items in his so-called health care which can be added to the list, but this is certainly a "read my lips" moment and Joe Wilson was right.
Have a great weekend--
Temps in the 40s coming up--
God bless...........
Thursday, March 4, 2010
It Takes a Little More Maturity to be President--
Does it sometimes seem that little Barry is just playing Air Force, or House, or school or doctor or whatever topic he decides to when he gets up in the morning?
Like when he calls up friends and has them dress up in white lab coats? And he had his physical this past weekend but was sure to have a "virtual" colonoscopy which is much less invasive than the kind allowed by Medicare? If seniors want the less dangerous procedure they have to pay for it from their own pocket. What a guy!
And he'll spend a whole year on health care but won't spend whatever it would take to twist Dick Durbin's arm to get vouchers in the schools in D.C. Like, don't worry guys, you can send your kids to private schools costing tuition in the thousands, but don't give the black kids in the District a break.
Maybe he'd rather plan an outing in his biggest toy, Air Force I. Where shall we go today? Who needs an apology? Sorry, Michelle, if I go to the Middle East you can't go because they won't welcome you anywhere they practice Shariah law.
When he gets back from the last trip maybe he'll be content to play White House Baron and be "at home" to some of the big wigs or major donors spreading around his favors.
Speaking of favors I'll bet the Medicaid favor to Nebraska, the big bucks to Louisiana and the "no tax on Cadillac plans" to unions are sticking in their throats when they see one little House Rep get a lifetime job for his brother in the 10th Circuit. They should have held out for something more personal.
To change the subject: Jim Bunning is my newest hero. Anyone who can show the hypocrisy of the rest of the Senate who just voted for PayGo by insisting that an extension of unemployment be paid for "PER THE LAW" and not one of them willing to obey the law is Aces in my book. What? Stand for a principle? Ha!
Can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. It's getting so that we're in the "if we expect the worst and it's not quite, we get a pleasant surprise" mode, but there just aren't enough surprise days. Hope springs eternal--
God bless...........
Like when he calls up friends and has them dress up in white lab coats? And he had his physical this past weekend but was sure to have a "virtual" colonoscopy which is much less invasive than the kind allowed by Medicare? If seniors want the less dangerous procedure they have to pay for it from their own pocket. What a guy!
And he'll spend a whole year on health care but won't spend whatever it would take to twist Dick Durbin's arm to get vouchers in the schools in D.C. Like, don't worry guys, you can send your kids to private schools costing tuition in the thousands, but don't give the black kids in the District a break.
Maybe he'd rather plan an outing in his biggest toy, Air Force I. Where shall we go today? Who needs an apology? Sorry, Michelle, if I go to the Middle East you can't go because they won't welcome you anywhere they practice Shariah law.
When he gets back from the last trip maybe he'll be content to play White House Baron and be "at home" to some of the big wigs or major donors spreading around his favors.
Speaking of favors I'll bet the Medicaid favor to Nebraska, the big bucks to Louisiana and the "no tax on Cadillac plans" to unions are sticking in their throats when they see one little House Rep get a lifetime job for his brother in the 10th Circuit. They should have held out for something more personal.
To change the subject: Jim Bunning is my newest hero. Anyone who can show the hypocrisy of the rest of the Senate who just voted for PayGo by insisting that an extension of unemployment be paid for "PER THE LAW" and not one of them willing to obey the law is Aces in my book. What? Stand for a principle? Ha!
Can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. It's getting so that we're in the "if we expect the worst and it's not quite, we get a pleasant surprise" mode, but there just aren't enough surprise days. Hope springs eternal--
God bless...........
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Now They're Calling It "Climategate"
"Michigan Science" is a publication of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy which is planning to go online soon as MichiganScienceOnline.org. I'll be sure to let you know when this is accomplished. They do a great job and according to one of my measurements, if I don't see anyone crying about their mistakes, I figure that the writers are trustworthy, such as the current issue including "Climategate:A Symposium."
A panel of three have researched the topic with particular emphasis on the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia which hid or destroyed data which came to light through some leaked CRU emails.
Just a couple of quotes which might pique your interest.
Stanford University's Stephen Schneider agrees with the Al Gore premise and has said "Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest." That just doesn't sound like an objective scientific opinion and is very disappointing to hear it from an institution such as Stanford.
Mark Shephard reported on CRU Director Phil Jones who talked about how he used Penn State University scientist Michael Mann's trick to cut short records of tree-ring data showing temperature declining after the year 1960 which led to a false comparison.
There are many more examples and this in a relatively short article.
The third panelist, Michael Van Beek, shares another quote which seems to point to the undercurrent of deception: Jacob Bronowski, a British mathematician and biologist has said "No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power."
I'm hoping this article will be printed in its entirety when they go online.
Warmer days ahead!
God bless.......
A panel of three have researched the topic with particular emphasis on the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia which hid or destroyed data which came to light through some leaked CRU emails.
Just a couple of quotes which might pique your interest.
Stanford University's Stephen Schneider agrees with the Al Gore premise and has said "Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest." That just doesn't sound like an objective scientific opinion and is very disappointing to hear it from an institution such as Stanford.
Mark Shephard reported on CRU Director Phil Jones who talked about how he used Penn State University scientist Michael Mann's trick to cut short records of tree-ring data showing temperature declining after the year 1960 which led to a false comparison.
There are many more examples and this in a relatively short article.
The third panelist, Michael Van Beek, shares another quote which seems to point to the undercurrent of deception: Jacob Bronowski, a British mathematician and biologist has said "No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power."
I'm hoping this article will be printed in its entirety when they go online.
Warmer days ahead!
God bless.......
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
EVEN A STOPPED CLOCK IS RIGHT TWICE A DAY!
History is being made, even though the motive is probably suspect. How, you say?
Carl Levin has finally signed on to something I agree with. It seems the Congress is getting all riled up because the EPA is taking over their responsibilities and the Congress is fighting a turf war.
EPA as you know is fixing to put on the stringent controls regarding carbon footprints, etc. and figure they can get away with it because Congress really hasn't done much--probably because they've been wasting all this time on health care and letting "little" things like jobs and employment plus the Cap and Tax issue sit on the back burner.
Now that they have paused in their efforts they see what has been going on and they want their toy back.
I don't care what the reason is, but it is certainly a move in the right direction to take it away from the power hungry EPA bureaucrats.
It's stuck in my throat, but "Well done, Carl."
God bless.........
Carl Levin has finally signed on to something I agree with. It seems the Congress is getting all riled up because the EPA is taking over their responsibilities and the Congress is fighting a turf war.
EPA as you know is fixing to put on the stringent controls regarding carbon footprints, etc. and figure they can get away with it because Congress really hasn't done much--probably because they've been wasting all this time on health care and letting "little" things like jobs and employment plus the Cap and Tax issue sit on the back burner.
Now that they have paused in their efforts they see what has been going on and they want their toy back.
I don't care what the reason is, but it is certainly a move in the right direction to take it away from the power hungry EPA bureaucrats.
It's stuck in my throat, but "Well done, Carl."
God bless.........
Monday, March 1, 2010
My Face is Red--
#1-I made a mistake on the post regarding the census costs of their tour--it's "only" $150 per attendee.
#2-I checked online to see where the legislation is regarding what is required "by law" as far as filling out the census forms is concerned. It turns out there is something on file, but it didn't give the date or any detailed information. I have submitted a question for more information, but I'm not sure how long it will take.
#4-If anyone has ever called me and gotten the generic voice mail which goes along with call waiting and I didn't call back, sorry. I have never taken a call since I consider it rude to the person to whom one is speaking. I didn't know there was a voice mail until I called home the other day to talk to my husband and it dropped into voice mail since he was using the phone.
Today I finally called the tech support people and asked how to retrieve a message from a call which came in today. When I dialed star 99 and followed the prompts it ended with the knowledge that there were 106 messages on that machine. They go from last July until today and that's where they start. And apparently there's no way to delete them all at once or retrieve the one from today. What a pain! And how stupid does this make me?
#5-Apology before the fact since I hadn't already written about the rampant cronyism by the President but planned to.
After we were bandying about the word "crony," as it applies to all or most of the people Obama has surrounded himself with, we decided to look up the derivation and were really surprised to see that the definition was a simple "long time friend" and other seemingly innocent words. We had thought that the current usage usually indicates a rather negative aspect such as the "gangs" in Detroit, old time Philly, New York, Chicago and other areas particularly in politics or the mafia. Now that the SEUI guy has been appointed to the Fiscal committee I'm thinking the four dictionaries in this house are sadly out of date.
Took the lining out of my coat today-
God bless..........
#2-I checked online to see where the legislation is regarding what is required "by law" as far as filling out the census forms is concerned. It turns out there is something on file, but it didn't give the date or any detailed information. I have submitted a question for more information, but I'm not sure how long it will take.
#4-If anyone has ever called me and gotten the generic voice mail which goes along with call waiting and I didn't call back, sorry. I have never taken a call since I consider it rude to the person to whom one is speaking. I didn't know there was a voice mail until I called home the other day to talk to my husband and it dropped into voice mail since he was using the phone.
Today I finally called the tech support people and asked how to retrieve a message from a call which came in today. When I dialed star 99 and followed the prompts it ended with the knowledge that there were 106 messages on that machine. They go from last July until today and that's where they start. And apparently there's no way to delete them all at once or retrieve the one from today. What a pain! And how stupid does this make me?
#5-Apology before the fact since I hadn't already written about the rampant cronyism by the President but planned to.
After we were bandying about the word "crony," as it applies to all or most of the people Obama has surrounded himself with, we decided to look up the derivation and were really surprised to see that the definition was a simple "long time friend" and other seemingly innocent words. We had thought that the current usage usually indicates a rather negative aspect such as the "gangs" in Detroit, old time Philly, New York, Chicago and other areas particularly in politics or the mafia. Now that the SEUI guy has been appointed to the Fiscal committee I'm thinking the four dictionaries in this house are sadly out of date.
Took the lining out of my coat today-
God bless..........
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