Like many people in the Las Vegas Valley and beyond, I caught the flu bug last night, so there won't be any blogging tonight.
I will make it up tomorrow.
My nurse tonight.
The Las Vegas Badger is about politics, humor, sports, reality shows in Las Vegas, especially Pawn Stars and anything else interesting. While I live in Las Vegas, my heart is still in Wisconsin. Thanks for visiting the blog and feel free to browse the web site.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
For Those Who Have The Flu, I Feel Your Pain Tonight
Like many people in the Las Vegas Valley and beyond, I caught the flu bug last night, so there won't be any blogging tonight.
I will make it up tomorrow.
My nurse tonight.
Another Reason For Scott Walker For President
From jsonline: Gov. Scott Walker said this week that he jumped into
the controversy over a porn-viewing middle school teacher after hearing
from "concerned parents."
One particularly outraged parent, it turns out, was sitting in Walker's office.
Julie Lund, the governor's deputy press secretary, went on Facebook this week to voice concerns that her daughter may end up getting Andrew Harris as a teacher next year at Kromrey Middle School in the Middleton-Cross Plains school district. Harris was reinstated to his teaching post earlier this month after being fired in 2010 for viewing pornography and sexually explicit jokes on his government computer.
Walker told reporters on Wednesday that Lund's concerns and those of other parents prompted his decision this week to send a letter to state School Superintendent Tony Evers urging him to revoke Harris' license.
“I think it had an impact just in that I empathized with her," Walker said regarding Lund. "I got a bunch of calls from other people."
Walker pointed to a story in the Wisconsin State Journal in which a parent appealed to the governor for help. Today, Walker said, local school boards would be able to take steps on their own to deal with such a situation because of Act 10, his signature legislation curbing the power of unions.
But the first-term Republican governor noted that Act 10 would not have an impact here because the incident occurred before he even introduced that bill. Walker's staff attorney suggested that the governor send the letter.
"Julie didn’t ask me to do that;" Walker said. "She just mentioned her frustration as a parent. As you can imagine, I’ve actually heard -- including a number of former staffers of mine who have kids in that school district -- I’ve heard from plenty of others in the last few days who said, ‘Damn right, that’s exactly what you should do.’”
Over the past week, Lund had not been bashful about expressing her outrage over Harris -- and related topics -- on her Facebook page.
"I blame a system that puts what's best for teachers waaaay in front of what's best for students," Lund wrote last week. "Tell me again why public sector unions are so great. I dare you."
She also suggested in one post that she was "doing more than just venting."
But Lund said Tuesday that she did not lobby her boss to send the letter Tuesday afternoon to Evers. She said she did tell Walker that her daughter might get Harris as a teacher. She abruptly ended the interview when asked for details of that conversation.
Reached later, Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor was responding to constituents, not a staffer, when he sent his note to Evers. Evenson supplied two emails from individuals -- one from September and one from earlier this month -- urging Walker to get involved in the matter.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/242494251.html
Had this been a Democrat, they would have sided with the teacher, or least they would have sided with the process.
With Scott Walker, he is putting pressure on the DPI to revoke the license of the porn viewing teacher.
Walker uses common sense.
Democrats try to rationalize things.
Walker for president in 2016.
One particularly outraged parent, it turns out, was sitting in Walker's office.
Julie Lund, the governor's deputy press secretary, went on Facebook this week to voice concerns that her daughter may end up getting Andrew Harris as a teacher next year at Kromrey Middle School in the Middleton-Cross Plains school district. Harris was reinstated to his teaching post earlier this month after being fired in 2010 for viewing pornography and sexually explicit jokes on his government computer.
Walker told reporters on Wednesday that Lund's concerns and those of other parents prompted his decision this week to send a letter to state School Superintendent Tony Evers urging him to revoke Harris' license.
“I think it had an impact just in that I empathized with her," Walker said regarding Lund. "I got a bunch of calls from other people."
Walker pointed to a story in the Wisconsin State Journal in which a parent appealed to the governor for help. Today, Walker said, local school boards would be able to take steps on their own to deal with such a situation because of Act 10, his signature legislation curbing the power of unions.
But the first-term Republican governor noted that Act 10 would not have an impact here because the incident occurred before he even introduced that bill. Walker's staff attorney suggested that the governor send the letter.
"Julie didn’t ask me to do that;" Walker said. "She just mentioned her frustration as a parent. As you can imagine, I’ve actually heard -- including a number of former staffers of mine who have kids in that school district -- I’ve heard from plenty of others in the last few days who said, ‘Damn right, that’s exactly what you should do.’”
Over the past week, Lund had not been bashful about expressing her outrage over Harris -- and related topics -- on her Facebook page.
"I blame a system that puts what's best for teachers waaaay in front of what's best for students," Lund wrote last week. "Tell me again why public sector unions are so great. I dare you."
She also suggested in one post that she was "doing more than just venting."
But Lund said Tuesday that she did not lobby her boss to send the letter Tuesday afternoon to Evers. She said she did tell Walker that her daughter might get Harris as a teacher. She abruptly ended the interview when asked for details of that conversation.
Reached later, Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor was responding to constituents, not a staffer, when he sent his note to Evers. Evenson supplied two emails from individuals -- one from September and one from earlier this month -- urging Walker to get involved in the matter.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/242494251.html
Had this been a Democrat, they would have sided with the teacher, or least they would have sided with the process.
With Scott Walker, he is putting pressure on the DPI to revoke the license of the porn viewing teacher.
Walker uses common sense.
Democrats try to rationalize things.
Walker for president in 2016.
5 Years Probation For Murder?
From the LVRJ: A woman was sentenced on Wednesday to five years of probation for her role in the 2011 shooting death of a cabdriver.
As part of a deal with Clark County prosecutors, Felicia Mosley had pleaded guilty to robbery and agreed to testify against the shooter, Autumn Dawn Murry.
But Mosley, who was pregnant when she appeared in court Wednesday, never had to. Last year, Murry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with use of a deadly weapon for the slaying of Las Vegan Tesfaye Arze, 30. Murry is serving 16 to 67 years in prison for the killing.
Arze was found with a gunshot wound to his head early March 4, 2011, in the 6300 block of High Sierra Avenue, near Mount Hood Street and Carey Avenue, just a block from the address on Murry’s driver’s license.
Evidence in the case indicated that Arze may have believed Murry and Mosley were attempting to exit the cab without paying. Arze confronted them and tried to keep them from leaving.
Prior to the slaying, Murry and Mosley also robbed a Mini-Mart in the 4500 block of East Russell Road, near Mountain Vista Street.
District Judge Stefany Miley handed down Mosley’s sentence Wednesday, which included $500 restitution for the grocery store. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/woman-linked-killing-las-vegas-cabbie-receives-five-years-probation
The DA, Steve Wolfson, a liberal and "Judge" Stefany Miley is a stupid and incompetent blonde:
As part of a deal with Clark County prosecutors, Felicia Mosley had pleaded guilty to robbery and agreed to testify against the shooter, Autumn Dawn Murry.
But Mosley, who was pregnant when she appeared in court Wednesday, never had to. Last year, Murry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with use of a deadly weapon for the slaying of Las Vegan Tesfaye Arze, 30. Murry is serving 16 to 67 years in prison for the killing.
Arze was found with a gunshot wound to his head early March 4, 2011, in the 6300 block of High Sierra Avenue, near Mount Hood Street and Carey Avenue, just a block from the address on Murry’s driver’s license.
Evidence in the case indicated that Arze may have believed Murry and Mosley were attempting to exit the cab without paying. Arze confronted them and tried to keep them from leaving.
Prior to the slaying, Murry and Mosley also robbed a Mini-Mart in the 4500 block of East Russell Road, near Mountain Vista Street.
District Judge Stefany Miley handed down Mosley’s sentence Wednesday, which included $500 restitution for the grocery store. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/woman-linked-killing-las-vegas-cabbie-receives-five-years-probation
The DA, Steve Wolfson, a liberal and "Judge" Stefany Miley is a stupid and incompetent blonde:
ObamaCare Disaster: Nevada Edition
From the LVRJ: Gov. Brian Sandoval said Wednesday he has run out of patience with the failures of Xerox, the company contracted to run Nevada’s health insurance exchange, to fix the many problems with the system that began operating Oct. 1.
Sandoval said he has been in personal contact with Ursula Burns, chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Xerox Corp., for the past two weeks trying to get the problems with wait times and website errors fixed.
“My biggest concern is the person who can’t get his or her prescription,” he said. “The person who may need access to medical care and not have the medical card and have a delay in that care....
“The No. 1 person who should have known and been in on the ground floor of the issues when they first started is Brian Sandoval. I don’t think he was being given the straight skinny at all. It doesn’t appear that way,” said Las Vegas insurance broker Dwight Mazzone in a Tuesday interview with the Review-Journal.
Mazzone also said Xerox is just as responsible for unresolved issues.
“Strictly from my perspective, no one is held accountable across the board,” he said.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/sandoval-pressures-xerox-fix-nevada-s-ailing-insurance-exchange-now
RINO Sandoval can complain all he wants but he is person most responsible for the problems with ObamaCare- Nevada edition. He is the one who wanted Nevada to have our own web site and increase the numbers in Medicare. The increase in Medicare will bite us in the butt when the Feds stop paying for Medicare and put the responsibility on the states.
And here are some problems, from the LVRJ:
There’s no other way to put it.
The website errors, hours-long customer-service waits, confusion about doctor networks, dismal enrollment numbers and missing insurance cards boil down to one simple fact: The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange is broken.
That’s not to say the problems are irreparable, or that the state-run exchange created by the Affordable Care Act fails all who use its Nevada Health Link website. But right now the system hurts more than helps many users. Widespread dissatisfaction could mean trouble if the exchange doesn’t improve.
Just two groups of people will talk openly about the problems: Patients, who can’t sort out whether they’re covered, and insurance brokers, who hear nonstop from panicky customers unable to get answers from either insurance carriers or the exchange. Insurers and doctors are mostly mum, possibly feeling “a little fear of retribution” from some of the exchange’s powerful players, said one industry source.
But those willing to talk say the system contractor, Xerox, has had trouble meeting deadlines, and exchange officials failed to force the company to prove it could produce on schedule. http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/frustration-mounts-heartbreaking-state-insurance-exchange
And the train wrecks continues.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
And They Are Responsible For ObamaCare?
From Fox News: Have a question on your tax returns? Don't ask the IRS.
The National Taxpayer Advocate found only 61 percent of people seeking to speak with a customer service representative last year got through to anybody -- leaving nearly 20 million calls unanswered.
The report largely blamed budget cuts, and lamented the impact the poor customer service is having on taxpayers.
"At the risk of vast understatement, it is a sad state of affairs when the government writes tax laws as complex as ours -- and then is unable to answer any questions beyond 'basic' ones from baffled citizens who are doing their best to comply," the report from National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said.
The study detailed how customer service has steadily declined over the past several years, including at its 400 "walk-in sites." In fiscal 2014, the office said, the IRS will only answer "basic" questions at those sites during filing season. And it will not answer any questions, "even basic ones," after April, even for filers who got extensions.
"In addition, the IRS will discontinue its longstanding practice of preparing tax returns for low income, elderly and disabled taxpayers who seek help," the report said.
With the erosion in services, wait times have gone up. In fiscal 2004, callers were left on hold for just 2.6 minutes. Today, the average wait time is nearly 18 minutes.
Some taxpayers resort to writing letters to the IRS with their questions. The agency received 8.4 million such letters last year, but more than half were not answered by the end of fiscal 2013, the report said.
The problems stems in large part from budget cuts. The training budget has, according to the report, gone from $172 million a few years ago to $22 million. The workforce itself has fallen from 95,000 full-time workers to 87,000.
"Thus, the IRS not only has fewer employees than four years ago, but those who remain are less equipped to perform their jobs," the report said.
As the IRS is reluctant, like other agencies, to simply lay off employees in the face of budget cuts, it has targeted areas like training for cuts. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/30/irs-customer-service-leaves-millions-calls-unanswered/
If the IRS cannot handle it's main job of dealing with taxes, how in the world can they take on the responsibility of ObamaCare?
Will someone please elect an adult as president in 2016 instead of this 1st grade drop out we have in there now?
The National Taxpayer Advocate found only 61 percent of people seeking to speak with a customer service representative last year got through to anybody -- leaving nearly 20 million calls unanswered.
The report largely blamed budget cuts, and lamented the impact the poor customer service is having on taxpayers.
"At the risk of vast understatement, it is a sad state of affairs when the government writes tax laws as complex as ours -- and then is unable to answer any questions beyond 'basic' ones from baffled citizens who are doing their best to comply," the report from National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said.
The study detailed how customer service has steadily declined over the past several years, including at its 400 "walk-in sites." In fiscal 2014, the office said, the IRS will only answer "basic" questions at those sites during filing season. And it will not answer any questions, "even basic ones," after April, even for filers who got extensions.
"In addition, the IRS will discontinue its longstanding practice of preparing tax returns for low income, elderly and disabled taxpayers who seek help," the report said.
With the erosion in services, wait times have gone up. In fiscal 2004, callers were left on hold for just 2.6 minutes. Today, the average wait time is nearly 18 minutes.
Some taxpayers resort to writing letters to the IRS with their questions. The agency received 8.4 million such letters last year, but more than half were not answered by the end of fiscal 2013, the report said.
The problems stems in large part from budget cuts. The training budget has, according to the report, gone from $172 million a few years ago to $22 million. The workforce itself has fallen from 95,000 full-time workers to 87,000.
"Thus, the IRS not only has fewer employees than four years ago, but those who remain are less equipped to perform their jobs," the report said.
As the IRS is reluctant, like other agencies, to simply lay off employees in the face of budget cuts, it has targeted areas like training for cuts. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/30/irs-customer-service-leaves-millions-calls-unanswered/
If the IRS cannot handle it's main job of dealing with taxes, how in the world can they take on the responsibility of ObamaCare?
Will someone please elect an adult as president in 2016 instead of this 1st grade drop out we have in there now?
NASCAR Hall Of fame Inductees
From ESPN: Dale Jarrett had no idea what crazy things Blake Shelton might say as the country music star inducted him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
"It could have gone in a lot of different directions," Jarrett said of Shelton's induction speech.
Shelton read a handwritten and heartfelt speech about his love of racing, inherited through his late father, who as his health declined was so thrilled that his son got to hang with some of NASCAR's biggest stars.
Jarrett on occasion spoke to Shelton's father on the phone.
"I believe it was little things like that that kept my dad happy those last few years," Shelton said. "And even though I know he was beyond proud of my accomplishments in music, he just couldn't get over the fact that I got to spend time with guys like Clint Bowyer and Elliott Sadler, and most of all, Dale Jarrett."
It set the tone for Jarrett's emotional induction. He joined his father, Ned, as just the second father-son combination with NASCAR championships inducted into the Hall.
The Jarretts join Lee and Richard Petty....
Maurice Petty is the first engine builder inducted into the Hall. His engines won seven titles and more than 200 races, including seven Daytona 500s.
Also in the Hall from the Petty Enterprise dynasty is patriarch Lee Petty, and the Petty boys' cousin and crew chief, Dale Inman.
"Who would have thought growing up that there would be four of us, out of a small, rural country community that would be in a North Carolina Hall of Fame?" said Maurice Petty of the family's roots in Level Cross.
Fireball Roberts, considered the first superstar of NASCAR, was the second member inducted. He won Daytona seven times, including the 1962 Daytona 500, and had two Southern 500 victories.
He ran just 10 races in 1958, winning six. He died from critical burns suffered in a crash at Charlotte in 1964 when his car overturned and caught fire.
Roberts, who suffered from asthma, had always refused to soak his firesuit in flame retardant chemicals because of the fumes. http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/10372967/maurice-petty-completes-petty-clan-nascar-hall-fame
There are only 20 members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so to be even thought of being in the Hall is a great honor.
And just think of all the drivers driving today who will eventually make it in: Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip and maybe some others.
"It could have gone in a lot of different directions," Jarrett said of Shelton's induction speech.
Shelton read a handwritten and heartfelt speech about his love of racing, inherited through his late father, who as his health declined was so thrilled that his son got to hang with some of NASCAR's biggest stars.
Jarrett on occasion spoke to Shelton's father on the phone.
"I believe it was little things like that that kept my dad happy those last few years," Shelton said. "And even though I know he was beyond proud of my accomplishments in music, he just couldn't get over the fact that I got to spend time with guys like Clint Bowyer and Elliott Sadler, and most of all, Dale Jarrett."
It set the tone for Jarrett's emotional induction. He joined his father, Ned, as just the second father-son combination with NASCAR championships inducted into the Hall.
The Jarretts join Lee and Richard Petty....
Maurice Petty is the first engine builder inducted into the Hall. His engines won seven titles and more than 200 races, including seven Daytona 500s.
Also in the Hall from the Petty Enterprise dynasty is patriarch Lee Petty, and the Petty boys' cousin and crew chief, Dale Inman.
"Who would have thought growing up that there would be four of us, out of a small, rural country community that would be in a North Carolina Hall of Fame?" said Maurice Petty of the family's roots in Level Cross.
Fireball Roberts, considered the first superstar of NASCAR, was the second member inducted. He won Daytona seven times, including the 1962 Daytona 500, and had two Southern 500 victories.
He ran just 10 races in 1958, winning six. He died from critical burns suffered in a crash at Charlotte in 1964 when his car overturned and caught fire.
Roberts, who suffered from asthma, had always refused to soak his firesuit in flame retardant chemicals because of the fumes. http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/10372967/maurice-petty-completes-petty-clan-nascar-hall-fame
There are only 20 members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so to be even thought of being in the Hall is a great honor.
And just think of all the drivers driving today who will eventually make it in: Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip and maybe some others.
And He Is The Most Powerful Attorney In The Country?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3042862/posts
More evidence that we have the worst president and the worst attorney general in the history of the United States.
From The Washington Examiner:
Attorney General Eric Holder couldn't explain the constitutional basis for executive orders such as President Obama's delay of the employer mandate because he hasn't read the legal analysis -- or at least, hasn't seen it in a long time.
"I'll be honest with you, I have not seen -- I don't remember looking at or having seen the analysis in some time, so I'm not sure where along the spectrum that would come," Holder replied when Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, asked him to explain the nature of Obama's constitutional power to delay the mandate.
Lee had based his question on a standard legal test, first described by Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, who said the president's authority to issue executive orders is strongest when he does so with the backing of Congress (category one), more dubious when he issues an order pertaining to a topic on which Congress has not passed a law (category two), and weakest when the executive order is "incompatible with a congressional command" (category three), to use Lee's paraphrase. http://washingtonexaminer.com/attorney-general-eric-holder-cant-explain-constitutional-basis-for-obamas-executive-orders/article/2543100
Great Moments In Firefighting and Bureaucracy
From Firehouse.com:
When a man collapsed across from a D.C. firehouse on Saturday afternoon, people immediately yelled for the firefighter standing at the door for help.
Some even went over. Yet, despite repeated pleas neither he nor others on duty walked across the street to assist.
The 77-year-old man, who still worked for the city parks and recreation department, died.
"I mean everybody was screaming and hollering at him across the street. Why [couldn’t] he come? It's not making sense and I think it was three separate people who went across to the fire station,” the man's daughter, Marie Mills, told a WTTG reporter.
"He (the firefighter at Engine 26) said something about his lieutenant and some type of authorization, and that he could not come and to recall dispatch and advise them that they needed to send somebody, and that the condition of the patient could be getting worse,” she said, “When I saw my dad was having shallow breaths, I ran to the curb and started screaming for h
Several people also called 911. But, sources told the reporter that when an ambulance and engine were dispatched, it not only wasn't from across the street from where the man lay struggling to breathe, the crew got lost as it was sent to another section of the city.
"That's why my daddy lay on that ground...That's how much he loved Department of Parks and Recreation and his city, and he died in the city that didn't do anything to help him.”
Mills said Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe has promised to have someone look into the incident.
The D.C. Fire and EMS Department has come under continued scrutiny in the past several years.im to come and help my father.”... http://www.firehouse.com/news/11301348/dc-firefighters-dont-cross-the-street-to-help-collapsed-man
Someone is going to look into the situation? Seriously, that's the best the fire chief could come up with?
This is a disgrace to firefighters and EMT's/Paramedics everywhere even if only some of it is true.
But when Washington DC. is run by Democrats and the Federal government, do you expect anything less?
When a man collapsed across from a D.C. firehouse on Saturday afternoon, people immediately yelled for the firefighter standing at the door for help.
Some even went over. Yet, despite repeated pleas neither he nor others on duty walked across the street to assist.
The 77-year-old man, who still worked for the city parks and recreation department, died.
"I mean everybody was screaming and hollering at him across the street. Why [couldn’t] he come? It's not making sense and I think it was three separate people who went across to the fire station,” the man's daughter, Marie Mills, told a WTTG reporter.
"He (the firefighter at Engine 26) said something about his lieutenant and some type of authorization, and that he could not come and to recall dispatch and advise them that they needed to send somebody, and that the condition of the patient could be getting worse,” she said, “When I saw my dad was having shallow breaths, I ran to the curb and started screaming for h
Several people also called 911. But, sources told the reporter that when an ambulance and engine were dispatched, it not only wasn't from across the street from where the man lay struggling to breathe, the crew got lost as it was sent to another section of the city.
"That's why my daddy lay on that ground...That's how much he loved Department of Parks and Recreation and his city, and he died in the city that didn't do anything to help him.”
Mills said Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe has promised to have someone look into the incident.
The D.C. Fire and EMS Department has come under continued scrutiny in the past several years.im to come and help my father.”... http://www.firehouse.com/news/11301348/dc-firefighters-dont-cross-the-street-to-help-collapsed-man
Someone is going to look into the situation? Seriously, that's the best the fire chief could come up with?
This is a disgrace to firefighters and EMT's/Paramedics everywhere even if only some of it is true.
But when Washington DC. is run by Democrats and the Federal government, do you expect anything less?
Great Moments In Education
From the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch:
Columbus schools officials say they are moving to fire four principals today after a state audit called out a culture of fraud and intimidation in the district's data reporting.
State Auditor Dave Yost released the findings of his 18-month-long investigation this morning. Student-data tampering within Columbus City Schools was systemic, he found. The worst of it happened in high schools. And he's recommending that some people face criminal charges.
"This is a story of tears and sadness," the auditor said in a news release. "A culture existed in Columbus schools in which staff at all levels believed data needed to be manipulated or they would face negative consequences to their careers."
The data changes were led, the auditor said, by the district's data czar, Steve Tankovich and by Michael Dodds, an administrator who oversaw a group of schools.
Tankovich specifically instructed principals to change their data to improve report cards, Yost said....
Among the auditor's findings:
* Unusually high numbers of grade changes were made by a few individuals, including one person at Marion Franklin who made 662. A total of 1,796 grades were changed from an F -- failing, to a D -- passing. "This is not what you'd expect to see in the real world absent somebody deliberately making changes," Yost said.
One administrator, Stanley K. Pyle, had a motto, Yost said: "D them up."
* 'Zombie' seniors. Dozens of students were listed as seniors but weren't taking classes.
* There was no documentation that students who were enrolled in online credit recovery were completing classes.
* Auditors found no documentation for several students the district said were being home schooled.
* District administrators said they were pressured to turn count week absences into excused ones. More than 5,000 students had been absent and later had unexcused absences reduced. Many without documentation.
Asked why district officials did it, Yost said: "Because they wanted to look good. They wanted to avoid the consequences of not doing a good job.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/01/28/1-columbus-school-audit-yost.html
Why these guys were pretty blatant, these things happen all over the United states, including in Las Vegas.
Columbus schools officials say they are moving to fire four principals today after a state audit called out a culture of fraud and intimidation in the district's data reporting.
State Auditor Dave Yost released the findings of his 18-month-long investigation this morning. Student-data tampering within Columbus City Schools was systemic, he found. The worst of it happened in high schools. And he's recommending that some people face criminal charges.
"This is a story of tears and sadness," the auditor said in a news release. "A culture existed in Columbus schools in which staff at all levels believed data needed to be manipulated or they would face negative consequences to their careers."
The data changes were led, the auditor said, by the district's data czar, Steve Tankovich and by Michael Dodds, an administrator who oversaw a group of schools.
Tankovich specifically instructed principals to change their data to improve report cards, Yost said....
Among the auditor's findings:
* Unusually high numbers of grade changes were made by a few individuals, including one person at Marion Franklin who made 662. A total of 1,796 grades were changed from an F -- failing, to a D -- passing. "This is not what you'd expect to see in the real world absent somebody deliberately making changes," Yost said.
One administrator, Stanley K. Pyle, had a motto, Yost said: "D them up."
* 'Zombie' seniors. Dozens of students were listed as seniors but weren't taking classes.
* There was no documentation that students who were enrolled in online credit recovery were completing classes.
* Auditors found no documentation for several students the district said were being home schooled.
* District administrators said they were pressured to turn count week absences into excused ones. More than 5,000 students had been absent and later had unexcused absences reduced. Many without documentation.
Asked why district officials did it, Yost said: "Because they wanted to look good. They wanted to avoid the consequences of not doing a good job.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/01/28/1-columbus-school-audit-yost.html
Why these guys were pretty blatant, these things happen all over the United states, including in Las Vegas.
Holder/Obama Administration Coddle Baby Killer
From the Havre Daily News:
A group has created a Facebook page - with 1,470 likes as of this morning - calling for justice in the death of 11-month-old Kaidynce Small and listing plans to picket future court proceedings in the murder investigation of the infant's death.
Small died Oct. 21, 11 days before his first birthday, after sustaining brutal injuries on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.
Garrett "Kirby" Lafromboise, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 21 in federal District Court in Great Falls to assaulting the baby, in a plea agreement under which the federal government will drop a charge of second-degree murder or aiding and abetting in second-degree murder.
Cecilia Rose Gardipee, 22, still faces charges of second-degree murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury stemming from the death.
"Our baby deserves better justice than this," says a post, edited for spelling, on http://www.facebook.com/Justice4kaidynce. The page links to a Havre Daily News story on the plea.
"His little life was ripped away by his father and as he said 'I didn't smother him.' And when he stood there and said 'And I'm sorry,' it was with no remorse or feeling!" the post continues.
"Our baby was murdered by this monster and he should have never had a plea bargain!! They both obviously had something to do with it, but yet he gets off on a lesser charge?! Where is the justice in our system? How could he just get off and our baby is gone!?...
Lafromboise pleaded guilty to becoming frustrated when the 11-month-old would not stop crying. He stuck his finger down the child's throat to make the infant gag, and became more frustrated when the child continued to cry and struck him in the abdomen, U.S. Assistant Attorney Danna Jackson told U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong during the Great Falls hearing.
She said the infant died from injuries sustained that day including skull fractures, hemorrhages and bruising to the brain, hemorrhages to the child's spinal cord, a broken nose, rib fractures, bruises and lacerations on the extremities and face and internal injuries. The medical expert who performed the report would have testified that the child died as the result of homicidal violence including possible suffocation, Jackson said.
After Lafromboise entered his plea, Strong recommended U.S. District Judge Brian Morris accept the guilty plea at the sentencing hearing April 25 in Great Falls.
The charge has a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence with up to life imprisonment, supervised release following the prison sentence as well as a possible $250,000 fine.
Jackson told Strong that the federal government is prepared to recommend the offense level for Lafromboise - which is used by the judge in determining the appropriate length of sentence - be reduced by two levels and will recommend reducing it another level unless Lafromboise is found to have obstructed justice or does not fully accept responsibility. http://www.havredailynews.com/story/2014/01/28/local/facebook-page-seeks-justice-in-death-of-kaidynce-small/201958.html
Why would the U.S. Department of Justice agree to this kind of plea agreement where a baby was brutally murdered? Except maybe the DOJ and Obama don't value the life of the babies very much, after all, we know how Obama feels about aborting babies after they have been born- he supported it when he was a Senator in the Illinois Senate.
A group has created a Facebook page - with 1,470 likes as of this morning - calling for justice in the death of 11-month-old Kaidynce Small and listing plans to picket future court proceedings in the murder investigation of the infant's death.
Small died Oct. 21, 11 days before his first birthday, after sustaining brutal injuries on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.
Garrett "Kirby" Lafromboise, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 21 in federal District Court in Great Falls to assaulting the baby, in a plea agreement under which the federal government will drop a charge of second-degree murder or aiding and abetting in second-degree murder.
Cecilia Rose Gardipee, 22, still faces charges of second-degree murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury stemming from the death.
"Our baby deserves better justice than this," says a post, edited for spelling, on http://www.facebook.com/Justice4kaidynce. The page links to a Havre Daily News story on the plea.
"His little life was ripped away by his father and as he said 'I didn't smother him.' And when he stood there and said 'And I'm sorry,' it was with no remorse or feeling!" the post continues.
"Our baby was murdered by this monster and he should have never had a plea bargain!! They both obviously had something to do with it, but yet he gets off on a lesser charge?! Where is the justice in our system? How could he just get off and our baby is gone!?...
Lafromboise pleaded guilty to becoming frustrated when the 11-month-old would not stop crying. He stuck his finger down the child's throat to make the infant gag, and became more frustrated when the child continued to cry and struck him in the abdomen, U.S. Assistant Attorney Danna Jackson told U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong during the Great Falls hearing.
She said the infant died from injuries sustained that day including skull fractures, hemorrhages and bruising to the brain, hemorrhages to the child's spinal cord, a broken nose, rib fractures, bruises and lacerations on the extremities and face and internal injuries. The medical expert who performed the report would have testified that the child died as the result of homicidal violence including possible suffocation, Jackson said.
After Lafromboise entered his plea, Strong recommended U.S. District Judge Brian Morris accept the guilty plea at the sentencing hearing April 25 in Great Falls.
The charge has a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence with up to life imprisonment, supervised release following the prison sentence as well as a possible $250,000 fine.
Jackson told Strong that the federal government is prepared to recommend the offense level for Lafromboise - which is used by the judge in determining the appropriate length of sentence - be reduced by two levels and will recommend reducing it another level unless Lafromboise is found to have obstructed justice or does not fully accept responsibility. http://www.havredailynews.com/story/2014/01/28/local/facebook-page-seeks-justice-in-death-of-kaidynce-small/201958.html
Why would the U.S. Department of Justice agree to this kind of plea agreement where a baby was brutally murdered? Except maybe the DOJ and Obama don't value the life of the babies very much, after all, we know how Obama feels about aborting babies after they have been born- he supported it when he was a Senator in the Illinois Senate.
Good For Stockman
From the Houston Chronicle:
Steve Stockman walked out of the State of the Union address like it was a bad movie.
“Tonight I left early after hearing how the President is further abusing his Constitutional powers,” Stockman said. “I could not bear to watch as he continued to cross the clearly-defined boundaries of the Constitutional separation of powers. Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed in the tone and content of tonight’s address.”The 36th district Republican, who is running against incumbent Sen. John Boehner in the GOP Senate primary, added, “After five years in office Obama refuses to admit his policies have failed. He instead demands we double down on the bitter class warfare that has left Americans jobless and hopeless.Obama’s plan for higher taxes and more spending is a blueprint for perpetual poverty. The last thing America needs is more of the Democrats’ class warfare that has left our economy a barren landscape.” http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2014/01/stockman-votes-with-his-feet-at-the-state-of-the-union/?cmpid=hpbn#20083101=0
The only thing Stockman could have done better is yell to Obama " You lying piece of crap" as he walked out the door.
Of course, Stockman was just looking for attention, so, his action was probably pre-planned, not the spur of the moment.
Damn
From the San Fran Chronicle: A herd of dairy cows nearly lifted the roof off their barn in central Germany when methane released by the animals caused an explosion.
Police in Hesse state said in a statement that a static electric charge apparently triggered the detonation, and a spurt of flame, on Monday at a farm in Rasdorf. The roof was slightly damaged and one cow suffered light burns. No people were hurt.
Police say 90 cows are kept in the shed and it wasn't clear why quantities of methane had built up. Bovine belching and flatulence releases large quantities of the gas. http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Gassy-German-cows-blamed-for-barn-explosion-5181695.php
Can you imagine the smell that the cows put out?
There's This Tiny Little Problem
From the Chicago Tribune:
Calling the NCAA "a dictatorship," former Northwestern football player Kain Colter joined national labor leaders in Chicago to announce that the newly formed College Athletes Players Association had petitioned the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board.
Some experts envision a long, fruitless battle to successfully unionize, but CAPA founder and president Ramogi Huma said, “we have full confidence that the board will rule in our favor.”
The group has a sizable list of demands that includes financial coverage for sports-related medical expenses, placing independent concussion experts on the sidelines during games, establishing an educational trust fund to help former players graduate and “due process” before a coach could strip a player of his scholarship for a rules violation. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-northwestern-football-players-labor-union-20140128,0,182603.story
One little problem. College football players are not employees, they are students.
That's not say that college football players don't have gripes, they do. But they are not employees and so this union seeking attention won't go any where.
Calling the NCAA "a dictatorship," former Northwestern football player Kain Colter joined national labor leaders in Chicago to announce that the newly formed College Athletes Players Association had petitioned the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board.
Some experts envision a long, fruitless battle to successfully unionize, but CAPA founder and president Ramogi Huma said, “we have full confidence that the board will rule in our favor.”
The group has a sizable list of demands that includes financial coverage for sports-related medical expenses, placing independent concussion experts on the sidelines during games, establishing an educational trust fund to help former players graduate and “due process” before a coach could strip a player of his scholarship for a rules violation. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-northwestern-football-players-labor-union-20140128,0,182603.story
One little problem. College football players are not employees, they are students.
That's not say that college football players don't have gripes, they do. But they are not employees and so this union seeking attention won't go any where.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Another Reason Why NBA Fans Are Morons
From ESPN: Kobe Bryant is still dealing with pain and swelling in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least three more weeks before he is re-examined, the Los Angeles Lakers said Tuesday.
Bryant was re-evaluated by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo on Tuesday before the Lakers' 104-92 loss to the NBA-leading Indiana Pacers.
"I'm sure they're going to take every measure to be cautionary," said Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni. "At this point there's no use forcing him back, so when he's ready he'll play and time will heal his wound and he'll come on when he's ready."
The updated timeline will effectively end the debate as to whether Bryant should play in the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans on Feb. 16. Bryant said last week that he felt undeserving of his starting bid and preferred that his spot on the team go to one of the "young guys" who had appeared and excelled in more games this season.
Bryant had previously said he hoped fans wouldn't vote for him, but the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history was elected to the game for the 16th straight time anyway. Assuming Bryant is unable to play in the All-Star Game, the NBA will pick his replacement on the West team. The West coach would pick a new starter. http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10368366/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-examined-again-three-weeks
Anybody who voted for Kobe to be a started on the All Star team is a complete idiot and should be committed to a insane asylum.
The guy has only played in 6 games this season. That is not All Star material, no matter what he has done in the past.
Hell, why not vote Wilt Chamberlin in as an All Star. Who cares that he's dead, he plays as good as Kobe does now.
Yeah, NBA fans are idiots.
Bryant was re-evaluated by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo on Tuesday before the Lakers' 104-92 loss to the NBA-leading Indiana Pacers.
"I'm sure they're going to take every measure to be cautionary," said Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni. "At this point there's no use forcing him back, so when he's ready he'll play and time will heal his wound and he'll come on when he's ready."
The updated timeline will effectively end the debate as to whether Bryant should play in the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans on Feb. 16. Bryant said last week that he felt undeserving of his starting bid and preferred that his spot on the team go to one of the "young guys" who had appeared and excelled in more games this season.
Bryant had previously said he hoped fans wouldn't vote for him, but the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history was elected to the game for the 16th straight time anyway. Assuming Bryant is unable to play in the All-Star Game, the NBA will pick his replacement on the West team. The West coach would pick a new starter. http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10368366/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-examined-again-three-weeks
Anybody who voted for Kobe to be a started on the All Star team is a complete idiot and should be committed to a insane asylum.
The guy has only played in 6 games this season. That is not All Star material, no matter what he has done in the past.
Hell, why not vote Wilt Chamberlin in as an All Star. Who cares that he's dead, he plays as good as Kobe does now.
Yeah, NBA fans are idiots.
There Was Some Kind Of Speech Tonight By Obama
So, it was the State of the Union speech tonight.
When Obama opened up his mouth, he lied.
The Republicans pretended they were relevant.
The Democrats thought Obama as the 2nd coming of Christ.
The Republicans pretended that Obama was the spawn of Hitler.
Just another boring speech.
Now, if the State of the Union speeches looked like this, then maybe they would be interesting:
When Obama opened up his mouth, he lied.
The Republicans pretended they were relevant.
The Democrats thought Obama as the 2nd coming of Christ.
The Republicans pretended that Obama was the spawn of Hitler.
Just another boring speech.
Now, if the State of the Union speeches looked like this, then maybe they would be interesting:
Monday, January 27, 2014
Another Reason Why Lawyers Shoud Not be Allowed To Live
From the LVRJ: An attorney for a condemned Ohio inmate whose slow, gasping execution with a new drug combination renewed criticism of the death penalty was temporarily suspended last week while officials investigated whether he had coached the condemned man to fake symptoms of suffocation.
The Office of the Public Defender said Robert Lowe, one of the attorneys representing inmate Dennis McGuire, was back at work Monday after an internal review failed to substantiate the allegation.
State prison records released Monday say McGuire told guards that Lowe counseled him to make a show of his death that would, perhaps, lead to abolition of the death penalty. But three accounts from prison officials indicate McGuire refused to put on a display.
“He wants me to put on this big show in front of my kids, all right when I’m dying!” McGuire is reported as having told one guard. “I ain’t gonna do this. It’s about me and my kids, not him and his cause!”
Amy Borror, a spokeswoman for the public defender’s office, said all accounts from execution eyewitnesses — which did not include Lowe — indicate McGuire was unconscious at the time he struggled to breathe. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/prison-guards-inmate-told-fake-suffocation
Why is it not surprising that an inmate about to die has more class and ethics than a scummy lawyer.
If there is an honest lawyer out there, I would be surprised to see it, especially when President Obama and Eric Holder, two of the most ethically challenged lawyers in the history of the United States, are leading the country.
The Office of the Public Defender said Robert Lowe, one of the attorneys representing inmate Dennis McGuire, was back at work Monday after an internal review failed to substantiate the allegation.
State prison records released Monday say McGuire told guards that Lowe counseled him to make a show of his death that would, perhaps, lead to abolition of the death penalty. But three accounts from prison officials indicate McGuire refused to put on a display.
“He wants me to put on this big show in front of my kids, all right when I’m dying!” McGuire is reported as having told one guard. “I ain’t gonna do this. It’s about me and my kids, not him and his cause!”
Amy Borror, a spokeswoman for the public defender’s office, said all accounts from execution eyewitnesses — which did not include Lowe — indicate McGuire was unconscious at the time he struggled to breathe. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/prison-guards-inmate-told-fake-suffocation
Why is it not surprising that an inmate about to die has more class and ethics than a scummy lawyer.
If there is an honest lawyer out there, I would be surprised to see it, especially when President Obama and Eric Holder, two of the most ethically challenged lawyers in the history of the United States, are leading the country.
Going Grocery Shopping This Weekend???
This weekend will be the perfect storm for grocery shopping and you may want to avoid being close to a grocery store.
This weekend will be the first of the month so all the food stamp people will be getting their food stamps.
People getting Social Security will get paid.
And then it is Super Bowl weekend, so people will be stocking up on their party supplies. Beer, BBQ supplies and other goodies will be in hot demand.
So, if you are going grocery shopping this weekend, be prepared to stand in line and wait and wait.
Damn Global Warming
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, we are actually enjoying our global warming with highs close to 70 degrees.
I Support Gun Rights But...
I will only go so far.
From the Chicago Sun Times:
From the Chicago Sun Times:
Cook County Sheriff’s officials say they’ve filed an objection to a gang leader’s state application to carry a concealed firearm — and they’re opposing hundreds of other applications, too.
The high-ranking Latin Kings leader possesses a state firearm owner’s identification card, which allows him to own a gun. He got the card because he doesn’t have any felonies on his record, said authorities, who declined to name him.
Under the state’s concealed carry law that took effect this year, an individual must first have a firearm owner’s identification card to apply for a permit. Once an application is filed, local law enforcement agencies have 30 days to file objections with a state licensing board.
So far, sheriff’s officials have filed objections to about 180 applications and plan to object to about 180 more, said Cara Smith, executive director of the Cook County Correctional Center. http://www.suntimes.com/25162259-761/latin-king-leader-wants-to-conceal-and-carry.html
Yeah, giving a concealed weapon license to a Latin King member is probably not a good idea.
Will the NRA support the cops or Latin King in this case? Time will tell.
Cool
From the New York Daily News: This protester will be occupied with paying back the City of Portland.
Occupy Portland protester Elizabeth Evon Nichols, who gained widespread attention after a photo of her being pepper-sprayed by police went viral, has reportedly been ordered to cough up $7,116.
Nichols, now 23, sued the city last August for excessive force for the fall 2011 incident, saying she suffered unbearable pain in her eyes and throat, nightmares, depression and intensifying eczema, reported The Oregonian.
She was seeking $30,000 damages.
But, as the Portland paper points out, the federal jury sided with the city after a four-day trail. Portland was then legally entitled to recover the $7,116 it incurred defending itself from Nichols.
Deputy city attorney David Landrum said that he did not want to drag money out of the Portland State University student, who works as a janitor. So he offered to drop the city's attempt for payback if Nichols would waive an appeal.
She declined. So Portland pursued the money.
The Oregonian said the $7,116 will pay for the clerk, witnesses, transcripts, summons and subpoena, as well as copying costs, docket fees and other costs....
Back on Nov. 17, 2011, Nichols linked arms with other Occupy protesters and refused to back down when police ordered them to leave a sidewalk outside a bank. An officer said she pushed Nichols in the throat with her baton. Then Nichols raised her arms in the air, so the officer hit her in the torso with the baton.
At this point, just as Nichols opened her mouth to scream, another officer blasted her in the face with pepper-spray.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/occupy-portland-protester-pepper-sprayed-ordered-pay-city-7-116-article-1.1592070
Clearly this shows this thug protestor isn't very bright and that could be said for most other Occupy movement people.
Occupy Portland protester Elizabeth Evon Nichols, who gained widespread attention after a photo of her being pepper-sprayed by police went viral, has reportedly been ordered to cough up $7,116.
Nichols, now 23, sued the city last August for excessive force for the fall 2011 incident, saying she suffered unbearable pain in her eyes and throat, nightmares, depression and intensifying eczema, reported The Oregonian.
She was seeking $30,000 damages.
But, as the Portland paper points out, the federal jury sided with the city after a four-day trail. Portland was then legally entitled to recover the $7,116 it incurred defending itself from Nichols.
Deputy city attorney David Landrum said that he did not want to drag money out of the Portland State University student, who works as a janitor. So he offered to drop the city's attempt for payback if Nichols would waive an appeal.
She declined. So Portland pursued the money.
The Oregonian said the $7,116 will pay for the clerk, witnesses, transcripts, summons and subpoena, as well as copying costs, docket fees and other costs....
Back on Nov. 17, 2011, Nichols linked arms with other Occupy protesters and refused to back down when police ordered them to leave a sidewalk outside a bank. An officer said she pushed Nichols in the throat with her baton. Then Nichols raised her arms in the air, so the officer hit her in the torso with the baton.
At this point, just as Nichols opened her mouth to scream, another officer blasted her in the face with pepper-spray.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/occupy-portland-protester-pepper-sprayed-ordered-pay-city-7-116-article-1.1592070
Clearly this shows this thug protestor isn't very bright and that could be said for most other Occupy movement people.
I'd Like To Watch Rugby, But...
Today, NBC and NBC Sports stations showed the rugby games that were held in Las Vegas and Sam Boyd Stadium.
I watched the games, but most games were only 2- 7 minutes halves for a total of 14 minutes per game.
The championship game only had 2- 10 minutes halves for only a total of 20 minutes for the game.
That really is a short game for a high level game of any sport out there. And those of us trying to learn the game of rugby, that's not a lot of time to learn.
It was nice to watch, but one could only learn the very basics of the sport, like which teams were which and how many points are scored in a game.
Sad Day In Toledo
From the Toledo Blade:
Two Toledo firefighters were killed on Sunday while battling an apartment complex fire in North Toledo -- the city’s first firefighter fatalities from an active blaze since 1981.
Stephen A. Machcinski, 42, and James Dickman, 31, died of injuries sustained while fighting a fire at 528 Magnolia St.
Private Machcinski had more than 15 years of service. Private Dickman was appointed to the department in September. His fire class of 51 recruits, sworn in on Sept. 3, has not yet had its graduation ceremony.
Privates Machcinski and Dickman were among the firefighters who went into a six-unit apartment building after a blaze was reported at 2:47 p.m.
A despondent Fire Chief Luis Santiago, at a news conference Sunday night at the downtown headquarters, said that inside the burning building the two — who were both assigned to Engine 3 — suffered fatal injuries.
Firefighters went into the building to look for Privates Machcinski and Dickman, who were lost in the fire for several minutes, according to radio traffic.
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2014/01/26/Fire-at-Huron-and-Magnolia-downtown-Toledo.html#VUBUKc67brfDsGkp.99
It is sad but I do have a question as to where the officer of their engine was at the time the firefighters were lost.
But it is a sad day nevertheless.
Two Toledo firefighters were killed on Sunday while battling an apartment complex fire in North Toledo -- the city’s first firefighter fatalities from an active blaze since 1981.
Stephen A. Machcinski, 42, and James Dickman, 31, died of injuries sustained while fighting a fire at 528 Magnolia St.
Private Machcinski had more than 15 years of service. Private Dickman was appointed to the department in September. His fire class of 51 recruits, sworn in on Sept. 3, has not yet had its graduation ceremony.
Privates Machcinski and Dickman were among the firefighters who went into a six-unit apartment building after a blaze was reported at 2:47 p.m.
A despondent Fire Chief Luis Santiago, at a news conference Sunday night at the downtown headquarters, said that inside the burning building the two — who were both assigned to Engine 3 — suffered fatal injuries.
Firefighters went into the building to look for Privates Machcinski and Dickman, who were lost in the fire for several minutes, according to radio traffic.
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2014/01/26/Fire-at-Huron-and-Magnolia-downtown-Toledo.html#VUBUKc67brfDsGkp.99
It is sad but I do have a question as to where the officer of their engine was at the time the firefighters were lost.
But it is a sad day nevertheless.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Umm, No They Don't
Just another reason why Obama needs to be impeached before he damages this country beyond repair.
From CNS News: Speaking at the United States Conference of Mayors on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the approximately 11 million people who are in the country illegally have “earned the right to be citizens.” “An earned path to citizenship for those currently present in this country is a matter of, in my view, homeland security to encourage people to come out from the shadows,” said Johnson, in what he remarked was one of his first public speeches since being confirmed as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief in December. “It is also, frankly, in my judgment, a matter of who we are as Americans,” he said, “to offer the opportunity to those who want to be citizens, who’ve earned the right to be citizens, who are present in this country--many of whom came here as children--to have the opportunity that we all have to try to become American citizens.”
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/homeland-security-secretary-illegals-have-earned-right-be-citizens
Well, if these illegals didn't break the law by being here beyond their allotted stay, if they were born here but the parents made no effort to go back, or if they just showed up here one day by crossing the border.
People say that is immoral to separate parents who are deported and yet keep anchor babies in the United States. Well, we do that every time we send a mother or father to prison for crimes and the same analogy is true as well for illegals and their illegal kids. When adults break the law, they made a choice and they and their families have to pay the price.
So, no illegals have not earned the right to become citizens if they continue to break the law.
From CNS News: Speaking at the United States Conference of Mayors on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the approximately 11 million people who are in the country illegally have “earned the right to be citizens.” “An earned path to citizenship for those currently present in this country is a matter of, in my view, homeland security to encourage people to come out from the shadows,” said Johnson, in what he remarked was one of his first public speeches since being confirmed as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief in December. “It is also, frankly, in my judgment, a matter of who we are as Americans,” he said, “to offer the opportunity to those who want to be citizens, who’ve earned the right to be citizens, who are present in this country--many of whom came here as children--to have the opportunity that we all have to try to become American citizens.”
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/homeland-security-secretary-illegals-have-earned-right-be-citizens
Well, if these illegals didn't break the law by being here beyond their allotted stay, if they were born here but the parents made no effort to go back, or if they just showed up here one day by crossing the border.
People say that is immoral to separate parents who are deported and yet keep anchor babies in the United States. Well, we do that every time we send a mother or father to prison for crimes and the same analogy is true as well for illegals and their illegal kids. When adults break the law, they made a choice and they and their families have to pay the price.
So, no illegals have not earned the right to become citizens if they continue to break the law.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Yeah, The UFC Is Rigged
Just like Nevada boxing is rigged, so is the UFC.
From ESPN: Josh Thomson would have fought for the UFC lightweight title in 2013, were it not for a knee injury suffered by current champ Anthony Pettis. A controversial decision in Chicago might prevent him from fighting for it in 2014.
Thomson (20-6) surrendered his place in the lightweight division on Saturday in a split decision, five-round loss to former champion Benson Henderson at United Center.
Judges Sal D'Amato and Brian Puccillo scored it 49-46 and 48-47 respectively for Henderson, while Gabriel Sabaitis saw it 48-47 for Thomson. ESPN scored the bout 48-47 Thomson.
"Another close win, but I'll take them any way I can get them," Henderson said. "I thought it was a pretty controlling fight for myself. I made a few mistakes, but I don't think he did any damage and I didn't lose control.
"I made some mistakes and ended on my back a few times, but I thought the 'W' was clear."
Adding injury to insult, Thomson was heard on the broadcast telling his corner he thought his right hand was broken after the second round. As the final scores were read, Thomson shook his head in disbelief before exiting quickly. http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/10327244/ufc-fox-10-roundup-benson-henderson-edges-josh-thomson-thriller
I watched the fight and the fight wasn't even close, with Thomson winning easily. He controlled the action for most of the fight and had Henderson in trouble countless of times.
After the fight, Dana White said the scoring was horrible. Well, Dana, you own the UFC- it's your problem and fault.
So, while boxing has it own problems, especially in Nevada, so does the UFC and it's rigging of fight outcomes.
From ESPN: Josh Thomson would have fought for the UFC lightweight title in 2013, were it not for a knee injury suffered by current champ Anthony Pettis. A controversial decision in Chicago might prevent him from fighting for it in 2014.
Thomson (20-6) surrendered his place in the lightweight division on Saturday in a split decision, five-round loss to former champion Benson Henderson at United Center.
Judges Sal D'Amato and Brian Puccillo scored it 49-46 and 48-47 respectively for Henderson, while Gabriel Sabaitis saw it 48-47 for Thomson. ESPN scored the bout 48-47 Thomson.
"Another close win, but I'll take them any way I can get them," Henderson said. "I thought it was a pretty controlling fight for myself. I made a few mistakes, but I don't think he did any damage and I didn't lose control.
"I made some mistakes and ended on my back a few times, but I thought the 'W' was clear."
Adding injury to insult, Thomson was heard on the broadcast telling his corner he thought his right hand was broken after the second round. As the final scores were read, Thomson shook his head in disbelief before exiting quickly. http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/10327244/ufc-fox-10-roundup-benson-henderson-edges-josh-thomson-thriller
I watched the fight and the fight wasn't even close, with Thomson winning easily. He controlled the action for most of the fight and had Henderson in trouble countless of times.
After the fight, Dana White said the scoring was horrible. Well, Dana, you own the UFC- it's your problem and fault.
So, while boxing has it own problems, especially in Nevada, so does the UFC and it's rigging of fight outcomes.
Rmember This If You Your Natural Gas Bills Rise...
President Obama and his ilk are forcing electric companies to change from coal fired electric plants to natural gas plants to prevent global warming.
Meanwhile, while much of the nation is suffering from global warming with the coldest winter in 100 years, there is now a shortage of propane and natural gas.
You don't think that's a coincidence, do you?
Only a fool would think otherwise.
Meanwhile, while much of the nation is suffering from global warming with the coldest winter in 100 years, there is now a shortage of propane and natural gas.
You don't think that's a coincidence, do you?
Only a fool would think otherwise.
Huge Upset In High School Basketball
From the Las Vegas Sun:
They were supposed to be the Bishop Gorman High basketball team’s new “Big Three.”
After the Gaels graduated a trio of top-100 recruits two seasons ago, 2015 classmates Nick Blair, Chase Jeter and Stephen Zimmerman were expected to emerge as the Nevada power’s new threesome of elite players.
Jeter and Zimmerman have lived up the billing, becoming five-star recruiting prospects and two of the best players on the court each game. Blair clearly is a step behind.
But that’s starting to change this season with the 6-foot-6 wing cracking the starting lineup and showing off his off-the-charts athleticism.
It’s because of Blair’s athleticism that Gorman won arguably its most significant game of the season, topping Findlay Prep 76-72 in overtime at the South Point Arena after Blair forced overtime with a buzzer-beating shot. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jan/25/gorman-finally-takes-down-findlay-prep-hot-start-b/
While Bishop Gorman recruits athletes in Las Vegas, Findlay prep isn't really a school. They recruit players from across the United States, are a 2 time defending national champion. The only students at the "school" are basketball players and they don't even have their own campus.
So, to have a Nevada team to defeat Findley is quite an accomplishment.
They were supposed to be the Bishop Gorman High basketball team’s new “Big Three.”
After the Gaels graduated a trio of top-100 recruits two seasons ago, 2015 classmates Nick Blair, Chase Jeter and Stephen Zimmerman were expected to emerge as the Nevada power’s new threesome of elite players.
Jeter and Zimmerman have lived up the billing, becoming five-star recruiting prospects and two of the best players on the court each game. Blair clearly is a step behind.
But that’s starting to change this season with the 6-foot-6 wing cracking the starting lineup and showing off his off-the-charts athleticism.
It’s because of Blair’s athleticism that Gorman won arguably its most significant game of the season, topping Findlay Prep 76-72 in overtime at the South Point Arena after Blair forced overtime with a buzzer-beating shot. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jan/25/gorman-finally-takes-down-findlay-prep-hot-start-b/
While Bishop Gorman recruits athletes in Las Vegas, Findlay prep isn't really a school. They recruit players from across the United States, are a 2 time defending national champion. The only students at the "school" are basketball players and they don't even have their own campus.
So, to have a Nevada team to defeat Findley is quite an accomplishment.
We're From The Government, And we Are Here To Help...Not
From the LVRJ: The outpatient clinic inside Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital, which opened in July with high hopes that it would eventually turn into a 24-hour-a-day operation, shut down Friday after falling short of federal standards.
The clinic had opened with the goal of helping patients avoid trips to the valley’s often-crowded emergency rooms.
However, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that it didn’t meet standards as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Federal officials found problems with properly maintaining the emergency room log, appropriate transfers and medical screening exams.
State officials have disagreed with the federal agency’s findings, saying that the clinic wasn’t intended to be a medical emergency room that fell under those regulations.
The clinic was available Friday, and staff could make referrals for clients to three state-run outpatient clinics in Las Vegas and Henderson, said Dr. Tracey Green, the state’s chief medical officer, on Friday.
“It was really very disappointing for us,” Green said. “Because in order to really have impact, we had opened to expand this to a 24/7 facility. We’ve got to look for alternatives.” http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas-psychiatric-clinic-closes-under-federal-pressure
So, an effort to help out emergency rooms by sending psychiatric patients to a specialized clinic is closed down by the Fed's. Sounds like the bureaucrats had their nose so far up the rule books they didn't realize how good the program was helping.
And this.
From the LVRJ:
The zoo days are over in Moapa, at least for now.
Clark County code inspectors have shut down the popular Roos-N-More animal attraction in the town 55 miles north of Las Vegas.
The 3-acre zoo run by husband-and-wife veterinarians was slapped with a cease and desist order after a Jan. 10 inspection that revealed several violations, mostly concerning the operation of a business on residential property.
None of the problems involve the health or treatment of Jay and Valerie Holt’s menagerie of almost 400 animals, according to county spokesman Dan Kulin.
Valerie Holt said she was told they need to install a commercial septic system and flush toilets before they will be allowed to reopen. They also were told they can no longer let visitors inside what used to be their family home on the property unless they bring it up to commercial building standards, she said.
The septic system alone could cost $100,000 or more — money Holt said they simply don’t have and can’t possibly raise with no revenue coming in.
“We are closed,” she said, “but I still need to feed and take care of these animals.”...
Holt is frustrated because she feels like the county already signed off on the operation when it issued the zoo a special-use permit in 2009 and renewed it in 2011. She said code enforcement officials knew all along that the zoo was using portable toilets for visitors but they never cited it as a problem until now.
“They keep changing the rules on us. That’s how this feels,” she said. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/clark-county-shuts-down-popular-zoo-Moapa
So, the zoo that has been opened for several years, with the Clark County's permission is shut down by another bureaucrat with their noses up a up and without a bit of common sense, shut down the zoo based on only 1 complaint.
So, in these two cases, some bureaucrat, with no common sense whatever shut down an emergency room that helps out psychiatric patients and shut down a zoo that benefits many visitors.
Maybe just maybe, these bureaucrats and their supervisors need to get out and live in the real world instead of fantasy world where everything is perfect.
The clinic had opened with the goal of helping patients avoid trips to the valley’s often-crowded emergency rooms.
However, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that it didn’t meet standards as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Federal officials found problems with properly maintaining the emergency room log, appropriate transfers and medical screening exams.
State officials have disagreed with the federal agency’s findings, saying that the clinic wasn’t intended to be a medical emergency room that fell under those regulations.
The clinic was available Friday, and staff could make referrals for clients to three state-run outpatient clinics in Las Vegas and Henderson, said Dr. Tracey Green, the state’s chief medical officer, on Friday.
“It was really very disappointing for us,” Green said. “Because in order to really have impact, we had opened to expand this to a 24/7 facility. We’ve got to look for alternatives.” http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas-psychiatric-clinic-closes-under-federal-pressure
So, an effort to help out emergency rooms by sending psychiatric patients to a specialized clinic is closed down by the Fed's. Sounds like the bureaucrats had their nose so far up the rule books they didn't realize how good the program was helping.
And this.
From the LVRJ:
The zoo days are over in Moapa, at least for now.
Clark County code inspectors have shut down the popular Roos-N-More animal attraction in the town 55 miles north of Las Vegas.
The 3-acre zoo run by husband-and-wife veterinarians was slapped with a cease and desist order after a Jan. 10 inspection that revealed several violations, mostly concerning the operation of a business on residential property.
None of the problems involve the health or treatment of Jay and Valerie Holt’s menagerie of almost 400 animals, according to county spokesman Dan Kulin.
Valerie Holt said she was told they need to install a commercial septic system and flush toilets before they will be allowed to reopen. They also were told they can no longer let visitors inside what used to be their family home on the property unless they bring it up to commercial building standards, she said.
The septic system alone could cost $100,000 or more — money Holt said they simply don’t have and can’t possibly raise with no revenue coming in.
“We are closed,” she said, “but I still need to feed and take care of these animals.”...
Holt is frustrated because she feels like the county already signed off on the operation when it issued the zoo a special-use permit in 2009 and renewed it in 2011. She said code enforcement officials knew all along that the zoo was using portable toilets for visitors but they never cited it as a problem until now.
“They keep changing the rules on us. That’s how this feels,” she said. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/clark-county-shuts-down-popular-zoo-Moapa
So, the zoo that has been opened for several years, with the Clark County's permission is shut down by another bureaucrat with their noses up a up and without a bit of common sense, shut down the zoo based on only 1 complaint.
So, in these two cases, some bureaucrat, with no common sense whatever shut down an emergency room that helps out psychiatric patients and shut down a zoo that benefits many visitors.
Maybe just maybe, these bureaucrats and their supervisors need to get out and live in the real world instead of fantasy world where everything is perfect.
At Least In Romania, People Are Held Accountable
Unlike the Obama administration, in Romania, they hold people accountable.
From the LVRJ: A small plane crash on a remote mountain wouldn’t normally be enough to anger an entire country or threaten the government. Romania, however, is dealing with just this scenario.
So far, four senior officials including the interior minister have resigned or been fired after all those onboard a medical flight initially survived Monday’s crash in thick fog. One of the pilots and a medical student later died of hypothermia among other causes after waiting for hours in deep snow to be saved.
Romanians reacted with fury, taking to social media and talk shows to accuse the government of incompetence and complacency after it emerged the least injured of the survivors called emergency services six times.
It took 4 ½ hours for local villagers and a woodcutter to locate the plane in Transylvania after it lost altitude and crashed at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level. But medical teams arrived hours later and were reportedly ill-equipped. The plane, carrying two pilots and five medical workers, was on its way to pick up a liver for a transplant.
“The government generally does nothing, and in this case they did nothing to locate the plane. A woodcutter had to find them,” aviation professor Nicolae Serban Tomescu said. “The rescue operation was like Swiss cheese. There were holes everywhere.”...
The blowback has taken its toll on the government, which is vying to win a presidential election in November. Interior Minister Radu Stroe handed in his resignation to the prime minister Thursday to become the highest-ranking government official to leave his post in the scandal. The country’s air traffic control chief, the head of the emergency services and another senior Interior Ministry official have also lost their jobs.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta fired two of those officials and called for the resignations of others not under his authority. Addressing the national mood Thursday, he used his strongest language to date pointing to “serious errors in the rescue operation … particularly the techniques used for identifying the wreckage.” He promised that in the future authorities would be “much more efficient.” http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/small-plane-crash-romania-causes-uproar
If Romanian officials were in charge of the fraud and disaster of ObamaCare, many officials would have been fired and maybe they would have fired the head of DHSS, Katherine Sebilus and the rest of the incompetent fools who run ObamaCare.
And who knows, maybe Obama would have had some dignity and resigned. But the pompous asshole that he is, he would never do that.
From the LVRJ: A small plane crash on a remote mountain wouldn’t normally be enough to anger an entire country or threaten the government. Romania, however, is dealing with just this scenario.
So far, four senior officials including the interior minister have resigned or been fired after all those onboard a medical flight initially survived Monday’s crash in thick fog. One of the pilots and a medical student later died of hypothermia among other causes after waiting for hours in deep snow to be saved.
Romanians reacted with fury, taking to social media and talk shows to accuse the government of incompetence and complacency after it emerged the least injured of the survivors called emergency services six times.
It took 4 ½ hours for local villagers and a woodcutter to locate the plane in Transylvania after it lost altitude and crashed at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level. But medical teams arrived hours later and were reportedly ill-equipped. The plane, carrying two pilots and five medical workers, was on its way to pick up a liver for a transplant.
“The government generally does nothing, and in this case they did nothing to locate the plane. A woodcutter had to find them,” aviation professor Nicolae Serban Tomescu said. “The rescue operation was like Swiss cheese. There were holes everywhere.”...
The blowback has taken its toll on the government, which is vying to win a presidential election in November. Interior Minister Radu Stroe handed in his resignation to the prime minister Thursday to become the highest-ranking government official to leave his post in the scandal. The country’s air traffic control chief, the head of the emergency services and another senior Interior Ministry official have also lost their jobs.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta fired two of those officials and called for the resignations of others not under his authority. Addressing the national mood Thursday, he used his strongest language to date pointing to “serious errors in the rescue operation … particularly the techniques used for identifying the wreckage.” He promised that in the future authorities would be “much more efficient.” http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/small-plane-crash-romania-causes-uproar
If Romanian officials were in charge of the fraud and disaster of ObamaCare, many officials would have been fired and maybe they would have fired the head of DHSS, Katherine Sebilus and the rest of the incompetent fools who run ObamaCare.
And who knows, maybe Obama would have had some dignity and resigned. But the pompous asshole that he is, he would never do that.
ObamaCare Fraud Finds 3,000,000 Fools But...
The ObamaCare people are celebrating that 3,000,000 people have enrolled but...
How many have actually paid for their insurance?
We don't know.
How many young people who are needed to pay for the insurance of the old folks have signed up and aid for their insurance?
We don't know.
From Fox News: ObamaCare hit 3-million enrollees on Friday — still short of the number the administration had hoped for by the end of December — but reached only by including enrollees who have not yet made their first payment.
The insurance industry traditionally considers someone enrolled when they pay their first month’s premium.
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services reported 24% of the 2.2 million enrollees through Dec. 28 were between ages 18 and 34. The Affordable Care Act’s survival depends on younger, and presumably more healthy, enrollees to sign up for care to keep insurance pools balanced.
Under the ACA, every individual in the country has to have insurance by April 1 -- the end of open enrollment period -- or they will face a $95 fine, or 1% of their annual income for failing to comply. http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2014/01/24/3-million-people-have-now-enrolled-in-obamacare/
And the ObamaCare fraud train wreck continues.
Shameful
Looks like our Nevada AG seems to have forgot she represents Nevada and it's laws.
From the Reno Gazette Journal: Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Friday she will reconsider a brief she filed earlier this week defending Nevada’s gay marriage ban, saying her constitutional arguments are “likely no longer tenable” in light of a 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals opinion finding it unconstitutional to exclude jurors based on sexual orientation.
On Tuesday, Masto, a Democrat, filed the brief on behalf of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval defending Nevada’s gay marriage ban, which is being challenged in a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund on behalf of several same-sex Nevada couples.
Lamba Legal lost that lawsuit at the district court level and has appealed to the 9th Circuit.
Both Masto and Sandoval have come under political fire from civil rights groups this week for defending the state’s case in the lawsuit against the same-sex marriage ban.
“The case made here is that the State of Nevada’s marriage law is constitutional because it serves the legitimate purpose of preserving traditional marriage,” Masto’s solicitor general wrote in the brief.
On Friday evening, Masto released a statement saying she is reviewing the brief in light of the 9th Circuit’s opinion in SmithKline Beechum Corp. v. Abbott Laboratories. http://www.rgj.com/article/20140124/NEWS/301240052/Nevada-Attorney-General-backs-off-defense-state-s-gay-marriage-ban
I used to like Cortez-Masto but now she is just another liberal Democrat hack.
Her job is to represent Nevada and it's laws, whether she agrees with the law or not.
Now, Nevada will have to hire an outside attorney to represent it and that will cost thousands of dollars and probably hundreds of thousands of dollars.
When Cortez-Matso was first elected, she had promise that she would be a good AG. Instead, she has been a Democrat hack, who brings false charges against GOP politicians even before Eric Holder thought about it. She now refuses to defend the State of Nevada, even though she is legally supposed to.
The good thing is that she has opponents in the next election and she will soon be a former Attorney General looking for a job.
From the Reno Gazette Journal: Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Friday she will reconsider a brief she filed earlier this week defending Nevada’s gay marriage ban, saying her constitutional arguments are “likely no longer tenable” in light of a 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals opinion finding it unconstitutional to exclude jurors based on sexual orientation.
On Tuesday, Masto, a Democrat, filed the brief on behalf of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval defending Nevada’s gay marriage ban, which is being challenged in a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund on behalf of several same-sex Nevada couples.
Lamba Legal lost that lawsuit at the district court level and has appealed to the 9th Circuit.
Both Masto and Sandoval have come under political fire from civil rights groups this week for defending the state’s case in the lawsuit against the same-sex marriage ban.
“The case made here is that the State of Nevada’s marriage law is constitutional because it serves the legitimate purpose of preserving traditional marriage,” Masto’s solicitor general wrote in the brief.
On Friday evening, Masto released a statement saying she is reviewing the brief in light of the 9th Circuit’s opinion in SmithKline Beechum Corp. v. Abbott Laboratories. http://www.rgj.com/article/20140124/NEWS/301240052/Nevada-Attorney-General-backs-off-defense-state-s-gay-marriage-ban
I used to like Cortez-Masto but now she is just another liberal Democrat hack.
Her job is to represent Nevada and it's laws, whether she agrees with the law or not.
Now, Nevada will have to hire an outside attorney to represent it and that will cost thousands of dollars and probably hundreds of thousands of dollars.
When Cortez-Matso was first elected, she had promise that she would be a good AG. Instead, she has been a Democrat hack, who brings false charges against GOP politicians even before Eric Holder thought about it. She now refuses to defend the State of Nevada, even though she is legally supposed to.
The good thing is that she has opponents in the next election and she will soon be a former Attorney General looking for a job.
More from Ann Coulter
From Ann Coulter.com: Wendy Davis, the Texas state senator running for governor, became a liberal superhero last June when she filibustered a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks. (This was the good filibuster, not that awful filibuster three months later by Ted Cruz -- that was just grandstanding.)
Apart from her enthusiasm for abortion (and you have to admit, abortion is really cool), the centerpiece of Davis' campaign is her life story. Also the fact that she's a progressive woman who doesn't look like Betty Friedan.
In a typical formulation, Time magazine said Davis was someone who could give the Democrats "'real people' credibility," based on "her own personal story -- an absent father, a sixth-grade-educated mother, a teen pregnancy, followed by life as a single mom in a mobile home, then community college and, at last, Harvard Law School."
The headlines capture the essence of Wendy-mania:
CNN: Wendy Davis: From Teen Mom to Harvard Law to Famous Filibuster
Bloomberg: Texas Filibuster Star Rose From Teen Mom to Harvard Law
The Independent (UK): Wendy Davis: Single Mother From Trailer Park Who Has Become Heroine of Pro-Choice Movement
Cosmopolitan: Find a Sugar Daddy to Put You Through Law School!
Actually, that last one I made up, but as we now know, it's more accurate than Davis' rags-to-riches life story.
The truth was gently revealed in the Dallas Morning News this week. Far from an attack, this was a puff-piece written by Wayne Slater, rabid partisan Democratic hack and co-author of the book, "Bush's Brain." (He is not an admirer of Bush's brain.) It would be like Sean Hannity breaking a scandal about Ted Cruz.
The first hint that Slater was trying to help Davis get ahead of the story and tilt it her way is his comment that Davis' life story is "more complicated" than her version -- i.e., completely the opposite -- adding, "as often happens when public figures aim to define themselves."
Apart from her enthusiasm for abortion (and you have to admit, abortion is really cool), the centerpiece of Davis' campaign is her life story. Also the fact that she's a progressive woman who doesn't look like Betty Friedan.
In a typical formulation, Time magazine said Davis was someone who could give the Democrats "'real people' credibility," based on "her own personal story -- an absent father, a sixth-grade-educated mother, a teen pregnancy, followed by life as a single mom in a mobile home, then community college and, at last, Harvard Law School."
The headlines capture the essence of Wendy-mania:
CNN: Wendy Davis: From Teen Mom to Harvard Law to Famous Filibuster
Bloomberg: Texas Filibuster Star Rose From Teen Mom to Harvard Law
The Independent (UK): Wendy Davis: Single Mother From Trailer Park Who Has Become Heroine of Pro-Choice Movement
Cosmopolitan: Find a Sugar Daddy to Put You Through Law School!
Actually, that last one I made up, but as we now know, it's more accurate than Davis' rags-to-riches life story.
The truth was gently revealed in the Dallas Morning News this week. Far from an attack, this was a puff-piece written by Wayne Slater, rabid partisan Democratic hack and co-author of the book, "Bush's Brain." (He is not an admirer of Bush's brain.) It would be like Sean Hannity breaking a scandal about Ted Cruz.
The first hint that Slater was trying to help Davis get ahead of the story and tilt it her way is his comment that Davis' life story is "more complicated" than her version -- i.e., completely the opposite -- adding, "as often happens when public figures aim to define themselves."
Actually, the truth is much simpler than her story. Also, be sure to look for that "as often happens" excuse the next time a Republican gets caught lying about his resume.
Slater's peculiar obsession with whether Davis was 19 or 21 when she got her first divorce, and exactly how long she lived in a trailer home, is meant to deflect attention from something much more problematic: the huge whoppers Davis told.
Her big lies were about the obstacles she had to overcome and how she overcame them, not about how old she was at the time of her first divorce.
She claims she was raised by a single mother, went to work at age 14 to support her family, became a single mother herself in her teens, and then -- by sheer pluck and determination -- pulled herself out of the trailer park to graduate from Harvard Law School!
The truth is less coal-miner's daughter than gold-digger who found a sugar daddy to raise her kids and pay for her education.
Point No. 1: Davis' family wasn't working-class. Her father owned a sandwich shop and a dinner theater, which puts Davis solidly into middle-class land.
Point No. 2: No one who works at MSNBC would know this, but everyone whose parents run a family business starts work at age 14, if not sooner.
Point No. 3: Her parents were separated, but that is not the commonly accepted meaning of "single mother."
Point No. 4: As for being a single mother at age 19 -- she wasn't a "single mother" in the traditional sense, either. She was married at age 18, had a child at 19 and divorced her first husband, a construction worker, at 21. (He couldn't afford tuition at Harvard.)
So she got married young? That isn't a hard-luck story. Well into the 1950s, nearly half of all first-born children were born to married women under the age of 20. http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2014-01-22.html#read_more
Her big lies were about the obstacles she had to overcome and how she overcame them, not about how old she was at the time of her first divorce.
She claims she was raised by a single mother, went to work at age 14 to support her family, became a single mother herself in her teens, and then -- by sheer pluck and determination -- pulled herself out of the trailer park to graduate from Harvard Law School!
The truth is less coal-miner's daughter than gold-digger who found a sugar daddy to raise her kids and pay for her education.
Point No. 1: Davis' family wasn't working-class. Her father owned a sandwich shop and a dinner theater, which puts Davis solidly into middle-class land.
Point No. 2: No one who works at MSNBC would know this, but everyone whose parents run a family business starts work at age 14, if not sooner.
Point No. 3: Her parents were separated, but that is not the commonly accepted meaning of "single mother."
Point No. 4: As for being a single mother at age 19 -- she wasn't a "single mother" in the traditional sense, either. She was married at age 18, had a child at 19 and divorced her first husband, a construction worker, at 21. (He couldn't afford tuition at Harvard.)
So she got married young? That isn't a hard-luck story. Well into the 1950s, nearly half of all first-born children were born to married women under the age of 20. http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2014-01-22.html#read_more
Wendy Davis: Just another liberal fraud.
Just like President Obama...Just another fraud.
My Predictions For The year 2014
Well, sorry I am late about the lateness of my 2014 predictions, but I was waiting for a good time to
Last year, I think I went just about .500 21 out 41 predictions.
So, with a beer in my tummy and in my hand, here are my 2014 predictions. Feel free to comment, mock or make your predictions:
1. Seattle will win the Super Bowl
2. Oklahoma City thunder will win the NBA Championship
3. The L.A Dodgers will win the World Series.
4. The Las Vegas wranglers will stay in Las Vegas
5. The Las Vegas 51's will stay in Las Vegas
6. No government financed arena or stadium will be approved.
7. Tiger Woods will win 4 or fewer tournaments.
8. Tiger Woods will not win a major in 2014
9. Jimmie Johnson will not repeat as NASCAR Sprint Car championship.
10. Matt Kenseth will be in the top 3 in NASCAR.
11. Tony Stewart will not make the Sprint Cup Chase.
12. Danica Patrick will not win a race, will place in the top ten 3 or fewer times.
13. Danica Patrick will not be in the top 20 in Sprint Car Cup points.
14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not win a race in 2014.
15. Justin Bieber will be arrested at 1 more time in 2014
16. A current or former star player of Saturday Night Live will die in 2014.
17. A former president will pass on in 2014.
16. A liberal member of the U.S. Supreme Court will resign or leave the Supreme Court.
17. Scott Walker will easily win re-election in Wisconsin, by at least 3%.
18. 200 or fewer traffic deaths will occur in Nevada.
19. Metro Police will get a tax increase in the sales tax in 2014.
20. At least 1 member of Nevada's House of Representatives will be defeated in the 2014 elections.
21. The GOP will keep the House of Representatives in the 2014 elections.
22. The GOP will take over the U.S. Senate.
23. John Boehner will still be Speaker of the House at the end of 2014.
24. The Supreme Court will rule against ObamaCare at least 1 time in 2014.
25. ObamaCare will still be in operation and funded at the end of the year.
26. ObamaCare will make an attempt to bail out insurance companies and that effort will succeed.
27. Articles of Impeachment will be introduced in the House in 2014.
28. The over/under for the highest temperature in Las Vegas will be 114 and I will be within 2 degrees of that.
29. Las Vegas will have above average rainfall for 2014.
30. Eric Snowden will remain in Russia for all of 2014, unless he takes a vacation.
31. Eric Holder will announce his retirement sometime in 2014.
32. The stock market (Dow) will be at 16,000 or less at the end of 2014.
33. The UNLV football team will win at least 6 games in 2014.
34. The Marquette Warriors, Wisconsin Badgers and UNLV will make the NCAA tournament and 2 of the three schools will the round of 16.
35. There will be no fatal terrorist attacks against athletes or spectators at the 2014 Winter Olympics, inside the Olympic Compound in Sochi Russia.
36. The Unemployment rate will be below 7% in the United States, but it will mostly because more people are leaving the work force.
37. The unemployment rate in Las Vegas/Clark County will be 7.5% and I will be within 1.5% points of either side of 7.5%.
38. 2 Blogs I read regularly will cease to be written.
39. The Las Vegas Badger will have at least 2,000,000 page views by the end of 2014.
40. President Obama's poll numbers for 2014 will drop to 35% or below for positive poll numbers and 58% for negative numbers.
41. President Obama will not visit Las Vegas in 2014, despite having a girl friend here.
42. President Obama and Michelle Obama will have at least 1 major vacation apart from each other.
43. Hillary Clinton will announce her candidacy for president in 2014.
44. At least 2 major GOP candidates will announce their candidacy for president.
45. Alex Rodriquez will not play baseball in 2014- his court case will fail.
46. My team, the Milwaukee Brewers, will win 78 games give or take 5 games in 2014.
47. My team, the Green Bay Packers will win 11 games, give or take 2 games.
48. Fox News will still be the number 1 rated cable TV news station.
49. Chris Christies and former Gov. of Virginia Bob McDonnell will not be convicted of any crimes in 2014.
50. Pawn Stars will lose 1 major character in 2014.
51. Duck Dynasty will announce they will stop filming in 2014.
52. My team, the Milwaukee Bucks will less than 40 games and not make the playoffs in 2014.
53. There will be no immigration reform that will pass in Congress.
54. The USAF Thunderbirds will perform for an entire season.
55. Phil Mickleson will not win a major this year.
56. The Las Vegas Sun will still continue to operate, despite what Brian Greenspun says.
57. Matt ward will not be editor of the Pahrump Valley Times by the end of 2014.
58. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will declare the gay marriage ban in the Nevada constitution unconstitutional but will delay the ruling pending appeal.
59. Brian Sandoval will win re-election easily, by at least 5% points.
60. Steve Sisolak will not run for governor of Nevada.
61. There will be cold (within 3 degrees of freezing) and snow at the Super Bowl
62. Wal-Mart will stop offering health insurance to part time employees, starting with new hires.
63. At least 2 oil wells, including those used for fracking will be begun in Nevada.
64. Wendy Davis will not win the Texas race for governor.
65. Nevada Democrats will continue to hold the Assembly and Senate in Nevada.
Ok, a little lengthy but hey, 3 big beers and let's see how you do.
My guess I will be above 50% but below 75%.
What say you.
Friday, January 24, 2014
I'm No Fan Of Dennis Rodman, But...
I think he is being screwed over.
From The Daily Beast:
Dennis Rodman was already having a rotten month, between the trip to rehab and the global condemnation for cozying up to a dictator. Now things may be about to get much worse. The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating whether he violated the law that prohibits the importing of luxury goods into North Korea.
On his third and most recent trip to Pyongyang this month, Rodman reportedly brought several gifts for the young Kim’s 31st birthday. They allegedly included hundreds of dollars’ worth of Irish Jameson whiskey, European crystal, an Italian suit, a fur coat, and an English Mulberry handbag for Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju.
But these gifts, reportedly worth more than $10,000, may not have been all. Michael Spavor, a Beijing-based consultant who facilitated and joined Rodman’s trip, tweeted a photo of Rodman apparently displaying several bottles of his own brand “Bad Ass Vodka” for Kim Jong Un and his wife.
These gifts could be more than tasteless. They could also put Rodman in legal jeopardy. They appear to be violations of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718, adopted in 2006, and UNSCR 2094, adopted in 2013.
Perhaps more importantly, Rodman may have violated an American law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as implemented by Executive Order 13551, which President Obama signed in 2010, which makes it a violation of U.S. law for any person determined by the Treasury and State Departments “to have, directly or indirectly, imported, exported, or reexported luxury goods to or into North Korea.” http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/24/u-s-investigating-dennis-rodman-for-busting-sanctions.html
So, by a stroke of President Obama's pen, he just made a criminal out of Dennis Rodman. And Obama, by himself, can send Rodman to prison and fine him.
No involvement of Congress, just Obama's pen.
Anybody else bothered by this?
Am I the only one
From The Daily Beast:
Dennis Rodman was already having a rotten month, between the trip to rehab and the global condemnation for cozying up to a dictator. Now things may be about to get much worse. The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating whether he violated the law that prohibits the importing of luxury goods into North Korea.
On his third and most recent trip to Pyongyang this month, Rodman reportedly brought several gifts for the young Kim’s 31st birthday. They allegedly included hundreds of dollars’ worth of Irish Jameson whiskey, European crystal, an Italian suit, a fur coat, and an English Mulberry handbag for Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju.
But these gifts, reportedly worth more than $10,000, may not have been all. Michael Spavor, a Beijing-based consultant who facilitated and joined Rodman’s trip, tweeted a photo of Rodman apparently displaying several bottles of his own brand “Bad Ass Vodka” for Kim Jong Un and his wife.
These gifts could be more than tasteless. They could also put Rodman in legal jeopardy. They appear to be violations of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718, adopted in 2006, and UNSCR 2094, adopted in 2013.
Perhaps more importantly, Rodman may have violated an American law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as implemented by Executive Order 13551, which President Obama signed in 2010, which makes it a violation of U.S. law for any person determined by the Treasury and State Departments “to have, directly or indirectly, imported, exported, or reexported luxury goods to or into North Korea.” http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/24/u-s-investigating-dennis-rodman-for-busting-sanctions.html
So, by a stroke of President Obama's pen, he just made a criminal out of Dennis Rodman. And Obama, by himself, can send Rodman to prison and fine him.
No involvement of Congress, just Obama's pen.
Anybody else bothered by this?
Am I the only one
Super Bowl Prop Bets from The LVH
Here are the prop bets for the Super Bowl from the LVH, formerly of the Las Vegas Hilton and from the Las Vegas Sun:
SUPER BOWL XLVIII -- PROPOSITIONS
METLIFE STADIUM -- EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014
3:25 PM (PACIFIC TIME) - FOX
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 47 +115
DENVER BRONCOS -2.5 -135
1ST HALF WAGERING
SEAHWAWKS 23.5 +105
BRONCOS -.5 -125...
THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS MAY BE PARLAYED UP TO 2 TEAMERS
OPENING COIN TOSS WILL BE:
HEADS -103
TAILS -103
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE 3 STRAIGHT TIMES?
**Excludes extra points and 2 point conversions
***Includes safeties
YES -175
NO +155
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FIRST 6 1/2 MINUTES OF THE GAME?
**(Includes safety)
YES -110
NO -110
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE FIRST HALF?
**(Includes safety)
**(If score happens with exactly 2 minutes remaining in First Half-Yes is the winner)
YES -240
NO +200...
FIRST GROSS PUNT BY: JON RYAN (SEA)
(If no punt---all bets are refunded)
**Must be an official punt
OVER 41.5 EVEN
UNDER 41.5 -120
WILL FIRST KICKOFF BY STEVEN HAUSCHKA (SEA) RESULT IN A TOUCHBACK?
(If no Kickoff---all bets are refunded)
YES +155
NO -175
PEYTON MANNING (DEN) FIRST PASS WILL BE:
**(Interception is incomplete)
COMPLETE -190
INCOMPLETE +170
WILL PEYTON MANNING (DEN) THROW AN INTERCEPTION?
YES -200
NO +175...
WILL THERE BE OVERTIME?
YES +600
NO -900
WILL THE GAME BE DECIDED BY EXACTLY 3 POINTS?
YES +330
NO -400
WILL THE TEAM THAT SCORES FIRST--WIN THE GAME?
YES -170
NO +150
TOTAL INTERCEPTIONS BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 1.5 -130
UNDER 1.5 +110
TOTAL FUMBLES LOST BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 1.5 +150
UNDER 1.5 -170...
WHICH WILL BE GREATER:
**(Barclays Premier League soccer match Crystal Palace at Arsenal.
Prop closes at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on February 2, 2014. Match must be completed by February 3, 2014 for action)**
TIME OF 1st ARSENAL/CRYSTAL PALACE GOAL -1.5 -110
SHORTEST MADE FIELD GOAL OF SB XLVII +1.5 -110
**(If no FG is made--all bets are refunded)
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Barclays Premier League soccer match Crystal Palace at Arsenal.
Prop closes at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on February 2, 2014. Match must be completed by February 3, 2014 for action)**
ARSENAL YELLOW CARDS +5.5 -110
BRONCOS NUMBER OF PENALTIES -5.5 -110...
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Red Wings/Capitals--February 2, 2014) Prop closes at 9:30 am Pacific
RED WINGS+CAPITALS GOALS -0.5 EVEN
DEMARYIUS THOMAS (DEN) RECEPTIONS +0.5 -120
**In case of shootout only 1 goal is added to game total
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Red Wings/Capitals--February 2, 2014) Prop closes at 9:30 am Pacific
ALEXANDER OVECHKIN (WAS) POINTS +0.5 -120
RUSSELL WILSON (SEA) TOUCHDOWN PASSES -0.5 EVEN
**Ovechkin Points(Goals+Assists)--Shootout Goals excluded
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/talking-points/2014/jan/24/full-list-super-bowl-48-prop-bets-vegas-superbook/
And the list goes on.
SUPER BOWL XLVIII -- PROPOSITIONS
METLIFE STADIUM -- EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014
3:25 PM (PACIFIC TIME) - FOX
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 47 +115
DENVER BRONCOS -2.5 -135
1ST HALF WAGERING
SEAHWAWKS 23.5 +105
BRONCOS -.5 -125...
THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS MAY BE PARLAYED UP TO 2 TEAMERS
OPENING COIN TOSS WILL BE:
HEADS -103
TAILS -103
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE 3 STRAIGHT TIMES?
**Excludes extra points and 2 point conversions
***Includes safeties
YES -175
NO +155
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FIRST 6 1/2 MINUTES OF THE GAME?
**(Includes safety)
YES -110
NO -110
WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE FIRST HALF?
**(Includes safety)
**(If score happens with exactly 2 minutes remaining in First Half-Yes is the winner)
YES -240
NO +200...
FIRST GROSS PUNT BY: JON RYAN (SEA)
(If no punt---all bets are refunded)
**Must be an official punt
OVER 41.5 EVEN
UNDER 41.5 -120
WILL FIRST KICKOFF BY STEVEN HAUSCHKA (SEA) RESULT IN A TOUCHBACK?
(If no Kickoff---all bets are refunded)
YES +155
NO -175
PEYTON MANNING (DEN) FIRST PASS WILL BE:
**(Interception is incomplete)
COMPLETE -190
INCOMPLETE +170
WILL PEYTON MANNING (DEN) THROW AN INTERCEPTION?
YES -200
NO +175...
WILL THERE BE OVERTIME?
YES +600
NO -900
WILL THE GAME BE DECIDED BY EXACTLY 3 POINTS?
YES +330
NO -400
WILL THE TEAM THAT SCORES FIRST--WIN THE GAME?
YES -170
NO +150
TOTAL INTERCEPTIONS BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 1.5 -130
UNDER 1.5 +110
TOTAL FUMBLES LOST BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 1.5 +150
UNDER 1.5 -170...
WHICH WILL BE GREATER:
**(Barclays Premier League soccer match Crystal Palace at Arsenal.
Prop closes at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on February 2, 2014. Match must be completed by February 3, 2014 for action)**
TIME OF 1st ARSENAL/CRYSTAL PALACE GOAL -1.5 -110
SHORTEST MADE FIELD GOAL OF SB XLVII +1.5 -110
**(If no FG is made--all bets are refunded)
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Barclays Premier League soccer match Crystal Palace at Arsenal.
Prop closes at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on February 2, 2014. Match must be completed by February 3, 2014 for action)**
ARSENAL YELLOW CARDS +5.5 -110
BRONCOS NUMBER OF PENALTIES -5.5 -110...
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Red Wings/Capitals--February 2, 2014) Prop closes at 9:30 am Pacific
RED WINGS+CAPITALS GOALS -0.5 EVEN
DEMARYIUS THOMAS (DEN) RECEPTIONS +0.5 -120
**In case of shootout only 1 goal is added to game total
WHO WILL HAVE MORE:
**(Red Wings/Capitals--February 2, 2014) Prop closes at 9:30 am Pacific
ALEXANDER OVECHKIN (WAS) POINTS +0.5 -120
RUSSELL WILSON (SEA) TOUCHDOWN PASSES -0.5 EVEN
**Ovechkin Points(Goals+Assists)--Shootout Goals excluded
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/talking-points/2014/jan/24/full-list-super-bowl-48-prop-bets-vegas-superbook/
And the list goes on.
Yeah, I Knew They Wouldn't Leave
In Las Vegas, you have to have a real strong poker face to play with the big boys. The National Finals Rodeo didn't have a poker face when they threatened to leave Las Vegas for Florida: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2013/12/nfr-leaving-las-vegas-i-doubt-it.html
Today, it was announced the NFR is staying in Las Vegas.
From the LVRJ: The National Finals Rodeo will remain in Las Vegas through 2024 after Las Vegas Events and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association reached agreement on a new 10-year contract Friday.
The agreement ends a flirtation by the PRCA, the sanctioning body that oversees the NFR, with Orlando and Dallas.
Both cities had been looking to grab the 10-day event — considered the Super Bowl of rodeos —away from Las Vegas, where it has been held for 29 years.
In December, Osceola County Commissioners near Orlando in Central Florida held a rare Sunday meeting to approve an NFR bid that offered about $10 million more in prize money to than what Las Vegas Events offered.
In Dallas, Mark Cuban, owner of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry expressed interest in having the rodeo move to the Lone Star State.
Officials in Orlando and Dallas were informed of the new contract with Las Vegas. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/national-finals-rodeo-stay-las-vegas-10-years
Yeah, it's going to cost a little bit more, but not that much more and the NFR is staying.
Today, it was announced the NFR is staying in Las Vegas.
From the LVRJ: The National Finals Rodeo will remain in Las Vegas through 2024 after Las Vegas Events and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association reached agreement on a new 10-year contract Friday.
The agreement ends a flirtation by the PRCA, the sanctioning body that oversees the NFR, with Orlando and Dallas.
Both cities had been looking to grab the 10-day event — considered the Super Bowl of rodeos —away from Las Vegas, where it has been held for 29 years.
In December, Osceola County Commissioners near Orlando in Central Florida held a rare Sunday meeting to approve an NFR bid that offered about $10 million more in prize money to than what Las Vegas Events offered.
In Dallas, Mark Cuban, owner of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry expressed interest in having the rodeo move to the Lone Star State.
Officials in Orlando and Dallas were informed of the new contract with Las Vegas. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/national-finals-rodeo-stay-las-vegas-10-years
Yeah, it's going to cost a little bit more, but not that much more and the NFR is staying.
Obama/Holder Prosecuting Rivals
From Fox News:
The conservative filmmaker behind a hit anti-Obama documentary was indicted Thursday night on charges he violated federal campaign laws, in what a close colleague is calling a “selective prosecution.” The indictment states the 52-year-old best-selling author and activist will be charged with one count of illegally donating to a Senate campaign and one count of causing false statements to be made to authorities in connection with the contributions.
FoxNews.com has confirmed that the donation in question was made to Republican Wendy Long, who lost a 2012 Senate bid against New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
D’Souza is accused of directing various donors to give contributions to Long’s campaign totaling $20,000, and then reimbursing them. Individuals are only allowed to donate a maximum of $5,000 to a candidate per election cycle.
“Trying to influence elections through bogus campaign contributions is a serious crime,” George Venizelos, the assistant director in charge of the New York FBI office said in a statement. “Today, Mr. D’Souza finds himself on the wrong side of the law.”
D’Souza’s co-producer in “2016” Gerald Molen told FoxNews.com he believes D’Souza is being singled out by federal authorities. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/23/conservative-filmmaker-behind-anti-obama-documentary-indicted-for-violating/
Ten, when you throw in the bogus prosecution of the former governor of Virginia and the fed's trying to make a federal case of Christie's traffic jam and it is clear that Obama/Holder and now making crimes out of politics.
Time to impeach Obama and Holder, assholes of the year.
The conservative filmmaker behind a hit anti-Obama documentary was indicted Thursday night on charges he violated federal campaign laws, in what a close colleague is calling a “selective prosecution.” The indictment states the 52-year-old best-selling author and activist will be charged with one count of illegally donating to a Senate campaign and one count of causing false statements to be made to authorities in connection with the contributions.
FoxNews.com has confirmed that the donation in question was made to Republican Wendy Long, who lost a 2012 Senate bid against New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
D’Souza is accused of directing various donors to give contributions to Long’s campaign totaling $20,000, and then reimbursing them. Individuals are only allowed to donate a maximum of $5,000 to a candidate per election cycle.
“Trying to influence elections through bogus campaign contributions is a serious crime,” George Venizelos, the assistant director in charge of the New York FBI office said in a statement. “Today, Mr. D’Souza finds himself on the wrong side of the law.”
D’Souza’s co-producer in “2016” Gerald Molen told FoxNews.com he believes D’Souza is being singled out by federal authorities. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/23/conservative-filmmaker-behind-anti-obama-documentary-indicted-for-violating/
Ten, when you throw in the bogus prosecution of the former governor of Virginia and the fed's trying to make a federal case of Christie's traffic jam and it is clear that Obama/Holder and now making crimes out of politics.
Time to impeach Obama and Holder, assholes of the year.
Pawn Stars Review: January 24, 2014
The letter above was sent to an boy with autism who wanted to pawn a Game Boy.
From the LVRJ: The cast of “Pawn Stars” has given one young boy a lasting memory after being made an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Reddit user MrsLeslie posted on Wednesday a photo of a note Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” had written in response to a fan with autism who had written to him.
The boy, referred to as Little J, is a huge fan of “Pawn Stars,” set at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, according to MrsLeslie.
MrsLeslie said that, according to LittleJ’s mom, LittleJ wrote to the show’s cast and offered to sell them his GameBoy for $30.
“I added a cover letter describing J and his autism — and although I told them that I didn’t expect them to actually buy his GameBoy, I did ask if they could at least reply,” his mom is quoted as saying.
Harrison responded, but went one step further, enclosing $30 to pay for the GameBoy.
“I’m donating the GameBoy back to you for being such a loyal viewer, so keep enjoying it and think of us when you play with it,” Harrison wrote.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/pawn-stars-cast-counters-autistic-boy-s-offer
In the first episode, the story line was Chumlee and Corey went to Henderson to get hamburgers. They started by taking the Old Man's truck without permission. While getting the burgers, they saw a 1962 Corvette and they decided to chase he car but instead the truck broke down.
The place they went to, Hometown Classic American restaurant, which, if you know Henderson/Las Vegas, is across the street from St. Rose Hospital on boulder Highway and near Lake Mead. The road they travelled doesn't look like a road they would go on to Boulder City, about a 15 mile trip. They actually could have walked to the Clark County Museum, where Mark works. They went walking in the desert and ended up by the PRO Gun Club. http://progunclub.com/ But that store is in Boulder City, and it is in the opposite direction of where they are supposed to go.
They shot some machine guns and were really bad shots. And the guys from Danny's shop came down and they also took some shots.
And no one brought back the Old Man his hamburgers. In the end, Chumlee had to take the Old Man on his errands.
(BTW, the hamburger place they went to kind of sucks, at least the one time we went there) S, this story line is full of crap... like most story lines are.
The first guy brought in a medieval mace.
The good wanted $3800 and time for an expert, Craig.
Craig said the mace came from the 1500's and was used as a weapon. He said it was worth $2500and the customer disagreed. The customer wanted $3500and Rick offered $1800 and then $2000. He then went to $2100 and that was the sale price.
The next guy brought in a 1893 English made pocket watch. Rick offered $100 and then $120 because there were many old watches out there and Rick was firm on the price. There was no sale.
The next guy brought in a cap gun collection. They looked like guns used in the wild west of the United States. The guy wanted $250 and time for an expert, Johnny. The holsters didn't go with the guns and the holsters were worth more money. He said the collection was about $135 and Rick offered $60. The guy went down to $85 and Rick offered $65 and that was the sale price.
In the 2nd episode, the story line was Chumlee playing on the computer while looking at his stocks he has purchased. He wanted to use to the profits to buy a Lamborghini. Chumlee went to his financial advisor and he found out he has to work a lot to buy the car. It also turns out to be a day trader in the stock market and he lost most, if not all of his money. Corey did buy Chumlee a toy Lamborghini.
The first guy brought in a Charlie Chaplin's driver' license. http://www.charliechaplin.com/
The guy wanted $8000 for the license. Rick offered $3000 and then $3400 and there was no sale.
In the background of one of the shots, they showed the biggest Ferris wheel in the world, the Linq:
Rick then sent Chumlee to do something with a picture frame and the seller had a Picasso for sale. The name of the piece was Goat Skull on Table.
Chumlee called Rick to see if he wanted to buy the painting. They wanted $16,000 and Rick/Chumlee offered $11,000 and that was the selling price.
The next guy brought in a 1940 Sports Sedan. It was supposed to be owned by Fidel Castro from Cuba.
The guy wanted $35,000 and time for an expert. Steve was an expert and he said the car was modified quite a bit- engine and transmission and the brakes sucked. He said the car was worth about $14,000 and the owner strongly disagreed. Corey offered $15,000 and there was no sale.
That ends another 2 now episodes of Pawn Stars. Thanks for stopping by and I think there are 2 new episodes next week.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Adios
From the Chicago Tribune: A Mexican national convicted for the 1994 slaying of a Houston police officer was executed by lethal injection in Texas on Wednesday, ending a capital murder case that put him at the center of a diplomatic dispute.
Edgar Tamayo, 46, who was denied an 11th-hour stay of execution by the U.S. Supreme Court, was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m. local time at a state prison in Huntsville, Texas, according to officials at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The Mexican government had called on Texas to halt the execution, calling it a violation of international law, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had asked Texas Governor Rick Perry to consider a stay.
Tamayo was convicted of shooting Houston police officer Guy Gaddis to death in 1994. Gaddis had arrested him on suspicion of robbery.
While handcuffed in the police car, Tamayo pulled a pistol that had gone unseen and shot Gaddis, 24, three times in the back of the head. Tamayo kicked open a window and ran away from the car but was arrested again a few blocks from the scene....
"Mr. Tamayo was convicted of killing a police officer," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a news briefing on Wednesday.
"It's not that we don't take that seriously. It's that we take seriously our obligations to uphold consular access for folks incarcerated here because we go all over the world and ask other countries to do the same thing and apply those same obligations when our folks are incarcerated overseas," she added
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-execution-texas-delay-20140122,0,4841723.story
Actually, the Obama administration doesn't take cop killing seriously.
Remember Brian terry, a Border Patrol agent who was killed in the Obama scandal of Fast and Furious? Yep, Eric Holder and the rest of the Obama ilk did nothing about that.
It's a shame that the Obama administration/Eric Holder/John Kerry decided to side with a cop killer thug instead of the people of Texas.
But I guess that is not surprising since they love illegal thugs over American citizens.
Edgar Tamayo, 46, who was denied an 11th-hour stay of execution by the U.S. Supreme Court, was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m. local time at a state prison in Huntsville, Texas, according to officials at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The Mexican government had called on Texas to halt the execution, calling it a violation of international law, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had asked Texas Governor Rick Perry to consider a stay.
Tamayo was convicted of shooting Houston police officer Guy Gaddis to death in 1994. Gaddis had arrested him on suspicion of robbery.
While handcuffed in the police car, Tamayo pulled a pistol that had gone unseen and shot Gaddis, 24, three times in the back of the head. Tamayo kicked open a window and ran away from the car but was arrested again a few blocks from the scene....
"Mr. Tamayo was convicted of killing a police officer," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a news briefing on Wednesday.
"It's not that we don't take that seriously. It's that we take seriously our obligations to uphold consular access for folks incarcerated here because we go all over the world and ask other countries to do the same thing and apply those same obligations when our folks are incarcerated overseas," she added
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-execution-texas-delay-20140122,0,4841723.story
Actually, the Obama administration doesn't take cop killing seriously.
Remember Brian terry, a Border Patrol agent who was killed in the Obama scandal of Fast and Furious? Yep, Eric Holder and the rest of the Obama ilk did nothing about that.
It's a shame that the Obama administration/Eric Holder/John Kerry decided to side with a cop killer thug instead of the people of Texas.
But I guess that is not surprising since they love illegal thugs over American citizens.
They Pay Them How Much??
The Oakland Raiders football team pays a bunch of worthless football players millions of dollars for losing and they pay their cheerleaders $1250 a season.
from ESPN: The Oakland Raiders are being sued by current and former cheerleaders claiming wage theft and other unfair employment practices.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Alameda County Superior Court alleges that the organization withholds all pay from the Raiderettes until the end of the season, does not pay for all hours worked and forces the cheerleaders to pay many of their own business expenses.
According to the filing, Raiders cheerleaders are paid $1,250 per season, which amounts to less than $5 per hour for the time they spend rehearsing, performing and appearing at events for which they are not compensated.
The team had no comment on the lawsuit.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10334429/cheerleaders-file-suit-oakland-raiders-wage-theft-unfair-employment-practices
My guess is that the Raider cheerleaders probably had a more successful season, decade and probably quarter century than the Raider football team, in which Al Davis and family paid hundreds of millions of dollars.
My guess is that the ladies signed contracts and the one thing the NFL is good at, is contracts, so the ladies may not win the lawsuit.
But they will look good in court, and that will help if they get an all male jury of 20 somethings straight men.
ObamaCare Disaster Continues
And the train wreck continues.
From Fox News: While the administration publicly expresses full confidence in its health care law, privately it fears one part of the system is so flawed it could bankrupt insurance companies and cripple ObamaCare itself.
To justify a no-bid contract with Accenture after firing CGI as the lead contractor, the administration released documents from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services that offered a rare glimpse of its worst fears, saying the problems with the website puts "the entire health insurance industry at risk" ... "potentially leading to their default and disrupting continued services and coverage to consumers."
Then it went even further, saying if the problems were not fixed by mid-March, "they will result in financial harm to the government."
It even added that without the fixes "the entire health care reform program is jeopardized."
In spite of the "urgent" need officials cited to keep the system from collapsing, the White House spokesman said he knew nothing about it.
“I didn't see the article I'm not aware of those statements,” Jay Carney said.
The dangers were known in early December, but later, shortly before CGI was fired, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave Fox News an upbeat account.
“I’m thrilled that we’re going to have millions of people for the first time that have health security,” she said.
Shortly after the website went live,one official told Congress a critical part of the system – what is known as the “back end” -- had not even been built yet.
Doug Holtz-Eakin, former head of the Congressional Budget Office, says "the back end -- that information is supposed to be transmitted to an insurance company, the insurance company knows who you are, they know what policy you've picked."
But the back end still hasn't been built, so insurers are dealing with massive confusion, missing information on who's signed up and what subsidies they get. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/22/administration-fears-part-health-care-system-so-flawed-it-could-bankrupt/
And yet, no one has been fired.
But we can do one thing- let's start impeachment proceedings against Obama, even if the Senate won't hold hearings, except if the Democrats lose the Senate later this year.