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Syria Fires Scud Missiles at Insurgents, U.S. Says
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 6: Politix
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18 22:00 KBK [336093] 
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7 21:37 Frank G [336095] 
16 13:00 Thing From Snowy Mountain [336074] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 4: Opinion
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3 19:09 Unererong Spawn of the Pixies4293 [336070]
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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
California's Population Is Moving Out, Census Report Shows
[NBC Los Angeles] About 100,000 more people moved away from Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, in 2011 than relocated to the Golden State, according to the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The trend can be explained, in part, in monetary terms. Even in an economic boom, the cost of living in Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, has increased, prompting people to move out, and, in recent years, unemployment in the state has skyrocketed.

So, where are these former Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party,ns going?

The Census Bureau calculates that the most popular destination is Texas (58,992), a state that is luring Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, companies. That's followed by Arizona (49,635), Nevada (40,114), Washington (38,421) and Oregon (34,214).

Although in smaller numbers, people are still relocating to the Golden State.

Texans make up the largest number of translates to Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, with 37,387 people, according to the report. That is followed by people from Washington (36,481), Nevada (36,159), Arizona (35,650), and New York (25,269).

Economic experts are optimistic that Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party,'s economy has started picking up steam, and may reverse the movement out of the state.

"We expect over the next couple of years that we will add jobs," said Robert Kleinhenz, chief economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. "This year, we've added jobs in Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, at a faster pace than in the nation as a whole. So, we are moving in right direction. As that happens, we'll see the migration numbers turn around some."
Posted by: Fred || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336093 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No mention of the fact that not a few Mexicans are going home?
Posted by: Menhadden Sproing2146 || 12/12/2012 0:36 Comments || Top||

#2  No mention of the fact that not a few Mexicans are going home? Obama is doing something about illegal immigration. He's making the country so much worse they don't want to sneak in or stick around!
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 1:06 Comments || Top||

#3  I came to California following my job. Actually turned out pretty well. Can't blame those that are leaving though. Just don't blue up and fuck up the state you transplant too. You did that with Colorado and look at the shit it is in. Your policies failed for a reason. Leave them with the failed state and embrace new ones.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/12/2012 2:25 Comments || Top||

#4  Congrats to you Darth.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:33 Comments || Top||

#5  raw population numbers are only part of the situation

the more important numbers are business relocations, business incorporations, professional license renewals


Posted by: lord garth || 12/12/2012 7:15 Comments || Top||

#6  Just don't blue up and fuck up the state you transplant too.

Saw a pic (likely photoshopped) of a West Texas billboard:

WELCOME TO TEXAS
Remember why you left home?
We don't do that here
Posted by: SteveS || 12/12/2012 7:46 Comments || Top||

#7  Yep, They immigrated, and home developed an inferior entitlement culture, I suspect they'll leave with it to parasite from other productive people.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/12/2012 7:54 Comments || Top||

#8  The only true democracy is the ability to vote with your feet.
Posted by: Iblis || 12/12/2012 11:01 Comments || Top||

#9  RE: The only true democracy is the ability to vote with your feet.

And move where? The UN is working hard to make sure "rich Americans" have no where to go, proposing new global taxes and regulations, even confiscating wealth to pay for their boondoggles. O is trashing the Constitution so America will no longer be an exceptional sovereign nation and we will no longer be a desirable destination for anyone and democratic mob rule will be controlled with hollow points.
Posted by: Kojo Wholuse5660 || 12/12/2012 13:11 Comments || Top||

#10  The auto-snark in all these articles has long since lost its humor value. It just makes them more cumbersome to read. I'd like to offer the suggestion that it be turned off in the new year.
Posted by: remoteman || 12/12/2012 13:14 Comments || Top||

#11  Not the first time and won't be the last.
Posted by: crazyhorse || 12/12/2012 13:50 Comments || Top||

#12  The auto-snark in all these articles has long since lost its humor value.

The 'snark' was placed there to deflect the copyright trolls (think (R1ghthaven), and not for its "humor value".

If you're willing to foot the bill the next time Fred gets hit with a lawsuit, then it can be ditched. Otherwise, live with it (and knock off the spam repeated commentary).
Posted by: Pappy || 12/12/2012 15:40 Comments || Top||

#13  Hiring managers in other states need to pay to attention to the resume's of california refugees. If they worked at city, county, or state jobs for 10+ years, they're likely a lefty. Same for school teachers - you're better off hiring local teachers than importing them from California. Same idea with property managers - don't rent to anyone without a local job first - that should go a long way towards keeping the lefty vermin in their pen. It would also allow me to escape when my parents don't need me anymore. I pray there's still a place for me when I do get the opportunity.
Posted by: Rob06 || 12/12/2012 15:54 Comments || Top||

#14  I like where I'm at in California (way out in the Mojave). That said, I'm still outa here.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/12/2012 15:58 Comments || Top||

#15  C'mon, people. Where do you go after they've ruined California? Snow? Brrrr. And whatever tax increases we get won't be as bad as paying for home heating oil. Heat and humidity? The missus would be miserable and then she'd make me miserable. And whatever tax increases we get won't be as bad as paying for AC. You can't find decent restaurants in flyover country. Well, maybe you can but I never could.

So I'm screwed.

Why do you think I was so pissed at Bush for letting all those illegals in here? I saw this coming. We got the D bomb, big time. But there was nothing I could do about.

Good luck, Texas. I don't know how many years behind California you are but I wouldn't be so smug if I were you.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 12/12/2012 17:44 Comments || Top||

#16  And now, this just in....

Proposed CA Law Would Grant Homeless the Right to Urinate on Sidwalks
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 12/12/2012 19:18 Comments || Top||

#17  Too damn many peoples here anyway.

Keep movin', movin', movin',
Though they're disapprovin',
Keep them peoples movin' Outside!
Don't try to understand 'em,
Just rope and throw and grab 'em,
Soon we'll be living high and wide.


Posted by: Dopey Sinatra9196 || 12/12/2012 19:20 Comments || Top||

#18  I was reading yesterday that the Feds have a fix for this. They are going to stop publishing the data on inter-state moves. You know, the census they made such a fuss about.
Posted by: KBK || 12/12/2012 22:00 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Sean Penn Attends Vigil for Hugo Chavez in Bolivia
The vulture is doing double duty, for Hugo and for Sean's career...
BUENOS AIRES -- Actor Sean Penn made a surprise appearance yesterday in Bolivia as he attended a candlelight vigil for the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is currently in Cuba undergoing his fourth cancer surgery.
Bolivia? Isn't Hugo in Havana right now?
The event attracted Chavez supporters as well as Bolivian officials, and took place in a diplomatic location in La Paz. Penn joined Venezuelan ambassador Crisbeylee Gonzalez and took the stage wearing a Venezuelan flag jacket, according to a report by EFE.

"Thank you, Sean," said Gonzalez, "for joining us and for wanting to be here. We know President Chavez is a good friend of yours, and you didn't hesitate one second about coming here with us to this vigil."

"He's one of the most important forces we've had on this planet," said Penn. "And I'll wish him nothing but that great strength he has shown over and over again. I do it in love, and I do it in gratitude.

"I just want to say, from my very American point of view, of my friend President Chavez: It is only possible to be so inspiring as he is, as a two-way street. And he would say that his inspiration is the people."

Penn has openly expressed his admiration and support for the left-wing government of Venezuela in the past, and declared U.S. audiences have been "hypnotized" by big media corporations regarding Chavez's democratic credentials. "Who do you know here who's gone through 14 of the most transparent elections on the globe and has been elected democratically, as Hugo Chavez?" he stated in 2010. Since then, Chavez has won yet another presidential election this year against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

Penn was in Bolivia this week to attend a hearing for the release of businessman Jacob Ostreicher, who has spent 18 months in a maximum security local prison with no trial or sentence, under charges of money laundering.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336095 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Spicoli's old teacher Mr. Hand weighs in...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/12/2012 1:11 Comments || Top||

#2  Fun fact:

Sean Penn is the guy who wished his critics would "die screaming of rectal cancer."

That was in 2010, a year before Chavez was diagnosed.

Karma!
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660 || 12/12/2012 7:55 Comments || Top||

#3  watch out Danny Glover! Somebody else really wants that useful idiot of the year award...
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 12/12/2012 11:21 Comments || Top||

#4  ???????????????????????????
That's all I've got to say :-)
Posted by: Raider || 12/12/2012 12:47 Comments || Top||

#5  Awwww

Prog and Toad are friends.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/12/2012 20:35 Comments || Top||

#6  Sean who?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 12/12/2012 21:07 Comments || Top||

#7  #4,672 in the line to bang Madonna
Posted by: Frank G || 12/12/2012 21:37 Comments || Top||


Economy
Obama advisor and pal J. Immelt: Communist China 'Works'
"China is changing," said CBS host Charlie Rose. "It may be being stabilized as we speak. What does that mean for China and what does it mean for the United States? Should it change expectations?"

"It is good for China," said Immelt. "To a certain extent, Charlie, 11 percent is unsustainable. You end up getting too much stimulus or a misallocation of resources. They are much better off working on a more consumer-based economy, less dependent on exports. The one thing that actually works, state run communism a bit-- may not be your cup of tea, but their government works."
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336074 views] Top|| File under:

#1  That's true.

China "works." It's a growing economy and it will do well. For one thing, they don't appear to have an EPA.

During the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and pretty much through the entire Mousie Tongue regime it didn't work. That was back when they were hard-core commies.

Then came Deng Hsiao Ping and economic reform. Along with it came a good deal of reform in the mechanics of the regime. I can remember one girlie saying something to the effect: "They won't repress us! This is China!"

That was about a week before Tien An Mien (I'm not too sure about the spelling anymore and I'm too lazy to look it up.)

China is a demonstration that central planning doesn't work, that collectives don't work, and that Marxism-Leninism-Maoism doesn't work. That way to make an economy work is to put capital in the hands of people who want to make things. Government's function is to make the process easier: cutting red tape for the honest and restraining the dishonest.

On the other hand, China remains a dictatorship. I think that's what B.O.'s buddies are looking forward to: they say "do this" and the rest of us do it. Democracies always degenerate into oligarchies and the oligarchies into dictatorship.
Posted by: Fred || 12/11/2012 16:45 Comments || Top||

#2  To paraph SOKOR Lady Expert Balbina Hwang - CHINA HAS TO ALTER OR CHANGE ITS FORM OF GOVERNMENT IFF IT HOPES TO BECOME A US-STYLE GLOBAL SUPERPOWER, OR EVEN TO REPLACE THE US.

Nuff said.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/12/2012 1:12 Comments || Top||

#3  Which China is unwilling to do ALAP.

That leaves the PLA andor its massive Trade-Currency surplus to use agz the US-West, + of course lessor traditional methods.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/12/2012 1:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Immelt will sell them the rope...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/12/2012 1:26 Comments || Top||

#5  Major US publication agrees:
The Onion would like to offer the following message to Chinese premier Wen Jiabao:

Peace be with you, glorious comrade of the Far East! It is now but a matter of time until you take ownership of our slovenly American homeland, and we would like to remind you that esteemed journalistic institutions—especially those like ours, which are more than willing to compromise their claim to objectivity—could prove highly useful to your great nation’s sophisticated propaganda wing. Let us help you reeducate the American pig people and spread word of your magnificence.

Sincerely yours,

The Onion Editorial Board
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 2:26 Comments || Top||

#6  It works in the sense that government officials can do their jobs without thinking about the little people. It must be a wonderful thought to Washington, D.C.
Posted by: gromky || 12/12/2012 3:30 Comments || Top||

#7  It works the way pharaonic Egypt worked.

No sane decent regular person in the Roman republic or Victorian England or even 2012 America would trade places with an average person in ancient Egypt or China now.

Ah, but ask a power obsessed plutocrat like Immelt the same question, and you would get a different answer.
Posted by: no mo uro || 12/12/2012 8:47 Comments || Top||

#8  Fred, I think you're wrong in a couple particulars.

I think part of the reason China works now has nothing to do with "Capitalism" or "Communism," but does have a lot to do with Mao.

He sent a lot of the Mandarin Class and their families out to the rice paddies to get worked to death alongside the peasants; this at least serves as an incentive to that class, to not screw up so badly that there is a collapse, lest another Mao come along and send their kids out to the rice paddies to be worked to death.

That at least gives one reason why they're better at this communist/capitalist combination than the United States is.

I think there are others.

I think their whole system is crazy. BUT... we're busy adopting the worst bits along with the best, and the basic structure. Just without the bits that allow it to work.
Posted by: Jumbo Hatfield2048 || 12/12/2012 9:05 Comments || Top||

#9  Oops. That last poster was me.

Anyway, I'll be back later...
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/12/2012 9:06 Comments || Top||

#10  Private unions are illegal in China but the workers to have their own union, because they felt that the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) was not representing them adequately. China has labor laws but they are not strong. However, Credit Suisse estimates these emerging labor laws add 15 percent to 20 percent to the cost of running labor-intensive factories. Still labor costs are way lower than in the U.S. The quality of products in China is starting to improve in China but for the most part Chinese products have difficulty competing in the area of quality in the U.S. Chinese labor unions link.

An article appeared this a.m. in our local paper. A local company, Arctel, makes molded polyurethane medallions, picture and mirror frames. Their only competitor is China. China can make a mirror for about $3 wholesale whereas Arctel can make one and sell it for about $37. Arctel is doing O.K. because the quality is so much better. The Chinese product skimps on urethane and it develops cracks.
Another example is Chinese wallboard that was used in the U.S. Houses that used the wallboard started showing many problems. People who lived in these houses began having allergic reactions to the wallboard. Some people just walked away from these houses because there was little legal recourse. Initiating a products liability lawsuit against a Chinese company is a huge hassle. Usually, attorneys go after the distributor in the U.S.
In addition to ignoring the environment, China also is also lax on workplace safety. Product liability litigation is not what it is in the U.S. All these things add much to product costs. China gets a leg up because they don’t pay as much attention to environment, safety, and product safety.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/12/2012 10:51 Comments || Top||

#11  but the workers but are pushing to have private unions
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/12/2012 10:53 Comments || Top||

#12  The Chinese Labor Law of 2008 gave workers all sorts of rights. Don't think that it didn't.

The drywall thing came about because foreign companies came to China to buy drywall and had this conversation:
Factory: So now you've seen our entire inventory.
Buyer: But what's that over there?
Factory: That? Oh, that's not suitable for export. Only domestic Chinese.
Buyer: How much?
Factory: No, no, you cannot buy this, not suitable for foreign markets.
Buyer: How much?
Factory: No, seriously, this stuff is complete garbage, you should see the crap we make it from, your countries would not accept.
Buyer: No, seriously, how much?
Factory: [tells him]
Buyer: Holy shit, hell yeah! FEMA is going to love this! I want a dozen containers to Long Beach ASAP!
Factory: Paid in advance?
Buyer: Sure thing! I'm going to make a killing off this!

Three years later: newspaper articles about killer drywall and it's all the Chineses' fault
Posted by: gromky || 12/12/2012 11:07 Comments || Top||

#13  You're more than correct about that scenario than most people will admit, Gromky.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 12/12/2012 12:50 Comments || Top||

#14  China is a MASSIVE bubble. Google Hugh Hendry.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/12/2012 12:57 Comments || Top||

#15  but the workers but are pushing to have private unions

I wonder if they'll hire Jimmy Hoffa Jr. to go bust their heads.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/12/2012 13:00 Comments || Top||

#16  The government, that is. Not the workers.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/12/2012 13:00 Comments || Top||


Europe
France's Jean-Marc Ayrault slams flight of the 'greedy rich'
[Telegraph.Co.UK] Jean-Marc Ayrault's outburst came after La Belle France's best-known actor, Gerard Dépardieu, took up legal residence in a small village just over the border in Belgium, alongside hundreds of other wealthy Frenchies seeking lower taxes.

"Those who are seeking exile abroad are not those who are scared of becoming poor," the prime minister declared after unveiling sweeping anti-poverty measures to help those hit by the economic crisis.

These individuals are leaving "because they want to get even richer," he said. "We cannot fight poverty if those with the most, and sometimes with a lot, do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity," he added.

"Thankfully, few are seeking exile to exempt themselves from being in solidarity with fellow Frenchies."

Announcing plans to spend up to 2.5 billion euros by 2017 to help the poor, Mr Ayrault said that poverty affected 12.9 percent of the population in 2002 and rose to 14.1 percent in 2010.
Posted by: Fred || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336081 views] Top|| File under:

#1  HPW Dare you leave with any money, this, this is PROPITEERING and we won't stand for it, It doesn't count that you earned it, WE WANT IT, and it's OUR RIGHT.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/12/2012 0:49 Comments || Top||

#2  These individuals are leaving "because they want to get even richer," he said. "We cannot fight poverty if those with the most, and sometimes with a lot, do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity," he added.

At a 75% tax rate? Fuck off and die, Froggy...I'm outta here. Why? Because I can.
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/12/2012 1:06 Comments || Top||

#3  It ain't generosity when wealth is confiscated by the government. Wasn't 50% pretty generous already?
Posted by: Perfesser || 12/12/2012 2:03 Comments || Top||

#4  I suspect a wealthy Frenchman could get along in Vlaams quite well. In fact I know he could, and so could most of us. Too easy, and a hat tip to Gerard Depardieu.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:15 Comments || Top||

#5  They know their theories are right. So, if things don't work out as the theory predicts, it must be sabotage.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/12/2012 2:16 Comments || Top||

#6  So... being productive is wrong. All your goods belong to the state and failure to produce them on demand is treason.

Yeah... good luck with that chuckles. The black market and off shore banks thank you. The Soviets tried something like this. Didn't work then either.

Any bets on how fast the French economy completely collapses? I bet 4 years, tops.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/12/2012 2:23 Comments || Top||

#7  Rural France and Germany have been suspect of the Euro since it was first introduced, and rightly so. The European underground economy is flourishing and will continue to do so. These people are survivors I can assure you. We might learn a thing or two from them if we watch closely.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:30 Comments || Top||

#8  He wants to take their money, but somehow they are the greedy ones. What am I missing here?
Posted by: AuburnTom || 12/12/2012 4:05 Comments || Top||

#9  "Announcing plans to spend up to 2.5 billion euros by 2017 to help the poor"

Oh really? That would come to 500 million euros per year. France has about 65 million people, and that would come to 9 million who are poor.

So you're spending... lemme see, a bit more than 50 euros per year for each poor, which will come to 4 euros a month.

So where does the rest of the 75% taxes go you plan to collect from the "rich"?
Posted by: European Conservative || 12/12/2012 5:01 Comments || Top||

#10  Robber slams greedy rich for securing houses.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/12/2012 7:51 Comments || Top||

#11  In other news, lions bash 'greedy' wildebeests. "Stand still and be eaten, you greedy sumbitches."
Posted by: SteveS || 12/12/2012 8:04 Comments || Top||

#12  Well, the next logical step will be to CONFISCATE, not just tax. Taxing is so hit and miss.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/12/2012 9:22 Comments || Top||

#13  Election season?
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 12/12/2012 11:01 Comments || Top||

#14  Election season?

No, they had elections a few months ago, Broadhead6. The Socialist, Hollande won, on promises to raise taxes on the rich and restore all the workers' benefits that his predecessor had ended. Now comes delivery on those promises, and it turns out the rich aren't sitting still for the shearing.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/12/2012 11:53 Comments || Top||

#15  There is a reason the guilllotine had a head lock on it, even if called something as pretty as lunette.

I was once told that Gerard Depardieu was considered the epitomy of what is Frenchness in the cinema; any insight as to this? If so it would be like, say, Harrison Ford quitting to Canada and stating that none of the characters he has ever portrayed would be in-line with this government. "Jack Ryan wouldn't put up with this sh!t, and neither am I" kind of deal.

*not that I know or care to know Mr. Ford's politics, just reaching for an example/complete understanding.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/12/2012 12:26 Comments || Top||

#16  I have read that Harrison Ford's politics are to the left. I also read he is a fair carpenter. Maybe if America became unrecognizable as America, H. Ford might consider leaving for Canada--hard to say.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/12/2012 18:37 Comments || Top||

#17  And a mighty 4.0 Euros per month it is - how can we argue wid someone named "Jean-Marc"?

Personally, I practicing my deep-voice "JEAN-MARC, JEAN-MARC" instead of "DEGAULLE, DEGAULLE".
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/12/2012 23:45 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Democrats threaten violence on Michigan House floor
[Washington Examiner] "There will be blood," State Representative Douglas Geiss threatened from the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives today as the body debated legislation that would make Michigan the nation's 24th right to work state.

"I really wish we had not gone here," Geiss continued. "It is the leadership in this house that has led us here. The same leadership that tried to throw a bomb right on election day, leading to a member switching parties, and came in at the 11th hour with a gotcha bill. For that, I do not see solace, I do not see peace."

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder had previously said he had no interest in signing right to work legislation this term, but that has changed as unions have made it increasingly more difficult to govern the state. The bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit Free Press' Tom Walsh explains:

Public employee unions opposed Snyder's moves to put more teeth into emergency manager laws that would enable swifter action to rescue cities and school districts that bungled themselves into insolvency.

In bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit, Mayor Dave Bing and a spineless City Council were stonewalled by employee unions at every turn, slow-walking needed reforms and cost-cutting while the city burned through cash at a frightening rate.

As a result, Snyder's patient attempt to help fix bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit via consent agreement instead of imposing an emergency manager has failed.

To top it off, Snyder found himself having to fight off Proposal 2, the ill-advised November ballot attempt to stuff a bag of goodies for organized labor into the Michigan Constitution.

Michigan has both the highest unionization and unemployment rates in the Midwest. Video above via YouTube's dentonexable. You can watch the House debate live here.
Posted by: Fred || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336094 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Michigan becomes 24th right-to-work state
Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation making Michigan the nation's 24th right-to-work state.

In dramatic fashion, the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon sent Snyder two controversial right-to-work bills as thousands of rowdy protesters demonstrated outside the Capitol. The House first approved House Bill 4003, 58-51, establishing a right-to-work law for public sector unions. A second bill, Senate Bill 116, which applies to private sector unions, was approved more than an hour later, 58-52.

The Michigan governor cited the daylong Capitol protests as a reason why he signed the landmark legislation in private.

"I don't see the need to have a public signing ceremony to overemphasize that, because this isn't us verses them," Snyder said while Michigan State Police troopers in riot gear continued to guard his Romney building office. Spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said protesters were an impediment to safely holding a bill-signing ceremony at the governor's office in the Romney building, where union members held a sit-in earlier Tuesday afternoon until Michigan State Police formed a human wall around the front of the building.

Rep. Brandon Dillon, D-Grand Rapids, called the bills "petty retribution" to labor unions that tried to amend the state constitution to enshrine collective bargaining in Proposal 2, a measure voters defeated on Nov. 6.

"Petty retribution" -- no, this is a MAJOR (and well deserved) SMACKDOWN!
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 0:14 Comments || Top||

#2  Excluded from the new right-to-work legislation are police & firefighters unions. Also excluded are all state of Michigan employees, who are covered by the state civil service commission which alone has the constitutional power to set state employment practices.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 1:15 Comments || Top||

#3  James P. Hoffa declares 'civil war'.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 1:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Michigan has both the highest unionization and unemployment rates in the Midwest.

Gee I wonder if those two things re related? /sarc
Posted by: OldSpook || 12/12/2012 2:23 Comments || Top||

#5  Already have violence caught on camera. It is long past time to carry guns and when the union thugs try to beat you and chase you away, shoot them. Dead.

Do not give these brownshirts a goddamn inch.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/12/2012 2:27 Comments || Top||

#6  I don't call it the extortion funded sector for nothing.

America Needs a "Robin Hood" to take from the over-large state and give back to the taxpayers.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/12/2012 7:57 Comments || Top||

#7  Next comes the multiple and continuous court challenges instigated by the unions and selected lefty judges.

Same MO as the leftards used in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 12/12/2012 8:54 Comments || Top||

#8  The Maha-Rushian Questionne' is to decide iff, under conditions of OWG-NWO + US-speciifc, extra/post-Nationalist, Sovereign OWG NAU starting in 2015 or ASAP afterward, DOES "RIGHT-TO-WORK" STILL HAVE A PLACE VEE "MANDATORY/
UNIVERSAL UNIONIZATION" IN THE GLOBALIST-SOCIALIST ECONOMY PREFERRED BY THE POWERS THAT BE.

Its been long obvious that Washington DC = USA is intended to [voluntarily?] give up sovereign power-n-suthority to the proposed OWG NAU - WHAT IS NOT CLEAR IS HOW MUCH POWER-N-AUTHORITY IS TO BE GIVEN UP WIDOUT DAMAGE TO THIS US CONSTITUTION, THE REPUBLIC, + LIBERAL OR PLURALIST DEMOCRACY, ETC.

ESPEC SINCE "VOLUNTARILY" IN MANY GLOBALISTS' VIEW DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SYNONYMOUS WID "NATIONAL VOTE/REFERENDUM" ON SAME BEFORE THE ELECTORATE OR MAINSTREAM - YOU KNOW, SOCIALIST-BELOVED "WILL OF THE PEOPLE".

Again, the US has NOT been in direct military confrontation wid a major nuclear power since the then-USSR back in the 1962 Cuban MIssle Crisis [under POTUS JFK], + the 1973 Yom Kippur War [under POTUS Nixon].

> CHINA in East Asia - East China Sea + South China Sea [+ Himalayas? DPRK/ Taiwan?].
> RUSSIA, + CHINA, oer Syria + Iran.
> IN FUTURE > OWG PRO-SHIA CALIPHATE/MUSLIM GLOBAL NUCLEAR SUPERPOWER WANNABE "NEO-PERSIANIST"? IRAN???

The assault of "Right-to-Work" vee Mandatory "National/Global Unionization"
is because the US Govt, Perts are uncertain how-n-iff a USA suborned under OWG NAU will be able to maintain the normal quality-of-life + econ productivity + prosperity as ordinary or mainstream Americans have known it under contemporary Nationalism + "Sole Sovereignty".

[2013 > "HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER" = "THIS WILL GET OUT OF CONTROL ... THIS WILL GET OUT OF CONTROL AND WE'LL [all] BE LUCKY JUST TO LIVE THROUGH IT"!].

Depending on what happens econ + overseas in "Perfect Storm" in 2013, 2014 = MAY SEE A NUMBER OF US STATE GOVTS, NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL US CITIZENS, DE FACTO PETITION THE BAMMER WHITE HOUSE + CONGRESS FOR FORMAL SECESSION = BREAKUP OF THE FEDERAL UNION OF THE STATES???

I've said it many times before - THE US AS A NATION OR GLOBAL SUPERPOWER, ETC. IS NOT IMMUNE OR INVINCIBLE FROM THE DYNAMIC FORCES OF HISTORY OR HUMANITY.

"Smart" Politics is NOT always good or proper Leadership, + under the right conditions or circumstances can be existentially dangerous.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/12/2012 20:20 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
And here it is: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee: Entitlements Are 'Earned'
Medicare? Sure. Social Security? If you have contributed, absolutely. WIC, AFDC, Social Security "Disability" in lieu of UC, etc? Gimme a break.....
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 12/12/2012 15:50 || Comments || Link || [336088 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Social Security earnt? The letter I get annually from them informs me that unless I work eighteen more months, I will get nothing from Social Security when I reach retirement age. So everything taken from my paychecks has gone to support others without recompense. That I am promised some amount should I be widowed is a separate issue, and is expressly explained as not earnt.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/12/2012 19:25 Comments || Top||

#2  As many of you know I have a daughter with Down syndrome. When she turns 18, she will be automatically eligable for Social Security Disability so long as her income falls below a certain level. I'm frankly hoping that she *won't* qualify due to her own efforts (Cassidy is high functioning), but one never knows.

But has my daughter earned it? Is she morally entitled to it? No. As a society we have decided that certain individuals should recieve collective help. Hopefully we select such individuals for this on moral grounds - they were born with no arms, or have an incurable genetic disorder, or for some other reason cannot provide for themselves - but more often then not we select them on political grounds instead. It's sad, but typical, and will eventually be our undoing.
Posted by: Secret Master || 12/12/2012 20:26 Comments || Top||

#3  Well said, Secret Master.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/12/2012 20:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Here, here. Great points, both of you.
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 12/12/2012 20:58 Comments || Top||

#5  this frog was pithed at birth
Posted by: Frank G || 12/12/2012 21:32 Comments || Top||


Only 7% of Detroit Public-School 8th Graders Proficient in Reading
[CNS News] In the public schools in bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit, Mich., according to the U.S. Department of Education, only 7 percent of the eighth graders are grade-level proficient or better in reading.

Some public school teachers in the City of bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit and around the state of Michigan are reportedly taking a vacation or a sick day today to protest right-to-work legislation likely to be approved by the state legislature. Under current law, Michigan public school teachers must pay dues to the teachers' union. If the right-to-work law is enacted, Michigan public-school teachers will be free to join the union and pay dues to it if they wish, but they will also be free not to join the union and not to pay it dues.

Bankrupt, but reliably Democrat Detroit public-school eighth graders do even worse in math than they do in reading, according to the Department of Education. While only 7 percent scored highly enough on the department's National Assessment of Educational Progress test in 2011 to be rated "proficient" or better in reading, only 4 percent scored highly enough to be rated "proficient" or better in math.

Statewide in Michigan, only 32 percent of public-school eighth graders scored grade-level proficient or better in reading, and only 31 percent scored grade-level proficient or better in math.
Posted by: Fred || 12/12/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336102 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Oddly enough, I astounded my teachers when I could read and write starting school (Thanks Mom) .
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/12/2012 0:52 Comments || Top||

#2  Higher taxes will solve everything.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 1:58 Comments || Top||

#3  Under 'No Groceries Left Behind' recognition of only three letters of alphabet are actually necessary, E - B and T. Communication skills and knowledge of simple math are an anti-cultural stigma, and are discouraged.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:06 Comments || Top||

#4  All Detroit public school workers will receive a bonus this year.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 2:07 Comments || Top||

#5  At least three school districts in Metro Detroit closed Tuesday after hundreds of teachers called in sick to join union rallies in Lansing against right-to-work legislation passed by lawmakers.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/12/2012 2:11 Comments || Top||

#6  Narcissism is a "sickness". But not one easily cured by a couple of days off.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:20 Comments || Top||

#7  Narcissism hell---they're fighting for their livelihood, Besoeker. Without teachers' union most of them will be on the street---without any skills whatsoever (I know whereon I speak: I taught high school, and I teach private now).
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/12/2012 2:33 Comments || Top||

#8  You recognized change and as a survivor, made a change and moved to greener pastures. They need to recognize change as well, and move accordingly. Few in American society (the working class anyway) get a gold watch and a free luncheon at age 65. Those days be over. Nothing says bully like a profane, fist swinging, fat 60 year old filmed on the nightly nuus. He might very well have been shot dead in Georgia.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/12/2012 2:45 Comments || Top||

#9  I didn't "move out", Besoeker---I was fired after subbing as a chem teacher for 2 months. Apparently, one is not supposed to 'injure students' self-esteem (forcing them to do homework, etc...: these kids operated on the principle that, as long as they show up, they deserve good grades)". Nowadays I tutor students (mostly post obligatory IDF service---wonderful that going through basic can do to definitions of "self-esteem") who were like the above and now want to get into college.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/12/2012 3:15 Comments || Top||

#10  Great commentary, guys.

AH, your link gives perhaps the best reason to have a glimmer of hope in all of what is happening to our beloved republic. At some point, even with the MSM and NPR and PBS running air cover, it will become readily apparent to everyone that the public unions and indeed nearly all nonmilitary recipients of the magic checks (whether through welfare or public employment, it matters not) are far greedier than the "1%" and far less likely to share in any sacrifice necessary to restore balance and vigor to our country. Indeed, when you get right down to it, they would rather sacrifice the country to get a little more pay. I believe the working term is "twenty-dollar Democrats".

Gromguru, you have identified the truth about the vast bulk of public school teachers. While it is certainly possible for a very smart person to pursue and get an education degree, the reality is that most ed majors aren't very bright and that an ed degree (even an MA) is a degree that a chimp could get at most of the schools which offer the major. In the absence of their teaching or administrative job they have few or no skills and lack the work ethic and attitude required to make anything near what they do as teachers. More importantly, however, they would not have the thing they crave even more than the money itself, which is the complete lack of anxiety about whether or not the income stream will be there in a year or ten or twenty. It is the security of the income as much or more than the income itself that they fight for. Never forget that.

The public work force violated the social contract that was established between public and private sectors slowly but surely over the past eighty years. A good contract is when the things that each party gives up and the things that they receive are of equal value, so that the contract is a fair and equal exchange. The original agreement was that in exchange for perfect income stream security, the public worker would accept an income that was VASTLY less than that of the average private sector worker and would be given a MODEST pension. Like the proverbial frog in the slowly heated pot, over the past few decades the public work force has forced the private sector to pay them MORE than what a private worker gets and has not given up any of the good things they always received in the social contract like the bulletproof job security. They violated the contract, so they are the ones who must remedy the situation.

And teachers really, really need to stop using the line "we have more education than the average private worker so it's not fair to compare us to them, only to people with and MA in education". Spare me, honey. You weren't hired to serve only the kids of people with masters degrees, you were hired to serve the children of all the people in your district. Therefore that is the population to which your pay must be compared.

I would add that with few exceptions the public work force is in the jobs they have for this reason (bulletproof job security and an unalterably increasing pay level) primarily or solely, so you can expect very bad behavior on their part should that be challenged.

Besoeker, hats off to you for recognizing the need to change. I've done a lot of things in my life, mnaul labor jobs, retail, science, small business. No tears shed for any of it. The concepts of work followed by universal retirement and a life of unproductive leisure at an age fairly young in relation to the average lifespan - with everything paid for whether or not enough money was generated during your working years to cover it all - is a social construct of the 1930's. It has failed miserably in EUroland and is teetering on the edge (dare I say cliff?) here in the U.S. now as well. Mead's essays about the failure of the Blue Model are an excellent primer on both the what and why of this change. Good luck, though, getting the union thugs wo are beating up reporters and knocking down tents onto women and old people to read and understand it.
Posted by: no mo uro || 12/12/2012 6:33 Comments || Top||

#11  Or, as Mickey Kaus once said, 'The deal used to be lower wages relative to others in exchange for job security.'
Posted by: Raj || 12/12/2012 7:46 Comments || Top||

#12  Bet you they can fill in the forms for their obama phones.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/12/2012 7:55 Comments || Top||

#13  I once picked up a Hitch-hiking couple going to Biemingham, a coup;e of Questioning revealed they didn't have Jobs, No skills, and were going to live at a friend's house.I gave them $20 each and let them off at a Major truck stop. not a chance.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/12/2012 9:16 Comments || Top||

#14  BP, it might be what the democrat election-voter escorts do in the off season.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/12/2012 12:43 Comments || Top||

#15  unfortunately if the escaping crabs (the 7%) are not pulled free, the other crabs will pull them back into the boiling water
Posted by: Frank G || 12/12/2012 21:36 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2012-12-12
  Syria Fires Scud Missiles at Insurgents, U.S. Says
Tue 2012-12-11
  North Korea 'launches long-range rocket'
Mon 2012-12-10
  Rebels Seize Chunk of Aleppo Base as Fighting Rages across Syria
Sun 2012-12-09
  Mohammad Ahmed Almansoor Drone-zapped in North Wazoo
Sat 2012-12-08
  Abu-Zaid al Kuwaiti Drone-zapped During Breakfast
Fri 2012-12-07
  6 dead, 450 injured in clashes at Egypt's presidential palace
Thu 2012-12-06
  Two Dead as Egypt Islamists Overrun Opposition Tents
Wed 2012-12-05
  Hundreds of thousands besiege Egypt's presidential palace to protest draft constitution
Tue 2012-12-04
  Syria FM Spokesman 'Defects' from Regime, Leaves Syria
Mon 2012-12-03
  Car bomb in Syria's Homs kills 15: State media
Sun 2012-12-02
  Mullah Nazir orders out Mehsud Taliban fighters
Sat 2012-12-01
  Egypt assembly approves new draft constitution
Fri 2012-11-30
  Damascus fighting cuts off airport, Emirates suspends flights
Thu 2012-11-29
  Bomb injures top Talibunny Mullah Nazir
Wed 2012-11-28
  Packed Tahrir Square defiant as deadlock prevails

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