AUSTIN — Parents' hopes of quick reunions with more than 400 children removed from a polygamist sect's ranch were dashed Friday after their attorneys and a judge clashed over proposed restrictions.
A decision by Texas District Judge Barbara Walther means that to regain custody, the 38 mothers whose filed the complaint that led the Texas Supreme Court to reject the state's massive seizure must personally sign an agreement their attorneys and state child-welfare officials have proposed.
That could add days to the process, attorneys for the mothers said, because the women are scattered across the state to be close to their children in foster care.
"It's not as simple as going across the street and setting up a booth," said attorney Andrea Sloan, who represents several young FLDS women and minors who contend they should be reclassified as adults. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,360268,00.html
____________________
As I had said, I look for several law suits to follow this action.
5/31/2008
5/30/2008
Wind Farm coming to Fowler, Indiana
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. has reached an agreement with enXco to create the Hoosier Wind Project, a 100-megawatt wind farm near Fowler that is projected to go into operation next year.
Phase 1 of the project, developed by BP Alternative Energy and Dominion, will produce 400 megawatts of electricity and is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Phase 2 is expected to generate an additional 350 megawatts of power, and construction could begin as early as next year. When fully operational the project will generate enough electricity to power more than 200,000 average homes.
Marc Lewis, a vice president with Indiana Michigan Power said that his company has agreed to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity from the wind farm.
Fowler Ridge Wind Farm is expected to create more than 300 jobs for construction workers to erect the turbines and approximately 50 full-time positions.
Phase 1 of the project, developed by BP Alternative Energy and Dominion, will produce 400 megawatts of electricity and is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Phase 2 is expected to generate an additional 350 megawatts of power, and construction could begin as early as next year. When fully operational the project will generate enough electricity to power more than 200,000 average homes.
Marc Lewis, a vice president with Indiana Michigan Power said that his company has agreed to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity from the wind farm.
Fowler Ridge Wind Farm is expected to create more than 300 jobs for construction workers to erect the turbines and approximately 50 full-time positions.
All children to be returned home.
It seems that the child welfare officials have agreed to return all children in the polygamist sect case. Then even admitted to false information that they put out to the public
“Texas officials claimed at one point that there were 31 teenage girls at the ranch who were pregnant or had been pregnant, but later conceded that about half of those mothers, if not more, were adults. One was 27“.
I wonder if these people will end up back in court suing the State of Texas for their wrong doing in the case.
“Under state law, children can be taken from their parents if there's a danger to their physical safety, an urgent need for protection and if officials made a reasonable effort to keep the children in their homes. The high court agreed with the appellate court that the seizures fell short of that standard.”
As I understand the facts of this case, they acted on one phone call from a calling they have never identified. Just think, this could happen to you if someone who did not like you decided to call in on you. This is obviously an abuse of power from the child-welfare department of Texas.
http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/P/POLYGAMIST_RETREAT?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
“Texas officials claimed at one point that there were 31 teenage girls at the ranch who were pregnant or had been pregnant, but later conceded that about half of those mothers, if not more, were adults. One was 27“.
I wonder if these people will end up back in court suing the State of Texas for their wrong doing in the case.
“Under state law, children can be taken from their parents if there's a danger to their physical safety, an urgent need for protection and if officials made a reasonable effort to keep the children in their homes. The high court agreed with the appellate court that the seizures fell short of that standard.”
As I understand the facts of this case, they acted on one phone call from a calling they have never identified. Just think, this could happen to you if someone who did not like you decided to call in on you. This is obviously an abuse of power from the child-welfare department of Texas.
http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/P/POLYGAMIST_RETREAT?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Comcast.
It seems that comcast is having trouble with their E-mail site. They said they were working on the problem. If you have this server, you can still get your email by going in the back door. Go to Comcast.com, press on email then sign in on this site.
The Accidental Mayor blog
http://www.accidentalmayor.com/
It seems that another local blog has drop from the local scene. I can not get this link to work this morning. If this person deleted her blog, no big deal because it was only there to bash our New Mayor.
It seems that another local blog has drop from the local scene. I can not get this link to work this morning. If this person deleted her blog, no big deal because it was only there to bash our New Mayor.
Texas Supreme Court
Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of polygamist sect.
The Texas Supreme Court ruling paves the way for parents in the polygamist sect to get their children return to them.
The high court agreed with the lower court that CPS failed to show immediate danger to the 400 children that they took into foster care.
"On the record before us, removal of the children was not warranted," the justices said in their ruling issued in Austin.
The court said there may still be restrictions on parents on where the children could live. But, my opinion is if they had no right to take these children how can they now put restrictions on these families?
The Texas Supreme Court ruling paves the way for parents in the polygamist sect to get their children return to them.
The high court agreed with the lower court that CPS failed to show immediate danger to the 400 children that they took into foster care.
"On the record before us, removal of the children was not warranted," the justices said in their ruling issued in Austin.
The court said there may still be restrictions on parents on where the children could live. But, my opinion is if they had no right to take these children how can they now put restrictions on these families?
5/29/2008
Daniels Endorsed by Professional Firefighters
The Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI) endorsed Governor Mitch Daniels today, citing unprecedented access to the Governor's Office and Daniels' creation of regional fire training centers.
"We have a Governor who will listen to the fire service and is responsive to the needs of firefighters," PFFUI President Tom Hanify said. "Mitch Daniels is a good friend to all of us and our families."
"I have valued, like nothing else over the last four years, getting to know firefighters all over this state," Daniels said. "My appreciation for what you do, how hard it is, and how risky it is, grows and grows."
In 2006, Daniels created and funded the Indiana Fire Training System, which will include 10 regional fire training centers long sought by career and volunteer firefighters.
"There's no reason Indiana's firefighters can't be the best equipped and the best trained anywhere," Daniels said. "In my judgment, since lives are at stake, we have to do the very best we can to support those and sustain those who take on these hazardous duties so the rest of us can sleep better."
"We have a Governor who will listen to the fire service and is responsive to the needs of firefighters," PFFUI President Tom Hanify said. "Mitch Daniels is a good friend to all of us and our families."
"I have valued, like nothing else over the last four years, getting to know firefighters all over this state," Daniels said. "My appreciation for what you do, how hard it is, and how risky it is, grows and grows."
In 2006, Daniels created and funded the Indiana Fire Training System, which will include 10 regional fire training centers long sought by career and volunteer firefighters.
"There's no reason Indiana's firefighters can't be the best equipped and the best trained anywhere," Daniels said. "In my judgment, since lives are at stake, we have to do the very best we can to support those and sustain those who take on these hazardous duties so the rest of us can sleep better."
Take note
You will not see this heart stopping photo on the front page of any major news networks. The protestors at Montebello High School in California took the American flag (our flag) off the school’s flag pole and hung it upside down while putting up the Mexican flag over it. This happen on March 27,2006.
Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government. Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values. You can make a difference. If this story does not get you upset, then all is lost.
Barack Obama gets Fidel Castro's support
http://www.rpof.org/article.php?id=382
Senator Barack Obama's foreign policy credentials took a further blow on Tuesday after his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination won the backing of Fidel Castro. The former Cuban president gave a qualified endorsement to Mr Obama whom he described as "the most-advanced candidate" in the race for the White House. The unwelcome support of the ailing revolutionary icon is likely to give Senator John McCain further opportunity to question Mr Obama's foreign policy credentials. The Republican nominee has consistently tried to exploit the support offered for Mr Obama by Hamas, which is listed by the US state department as a terrorist organisation. But writing in his regular column in the state-run Granma newspaper, Mr Castro noted that Mr Obama had not dared to call for a reversal of the decades-old US embargo on Cuba. "Obama's speech can be translated as a formula for hunger for the country," the 81-year-old former president wrote, referring to remarks Mr Obama made to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami last week. The Illinois senator said he would maintain nearly all trade sanctions against Cuba as leverage to push for democratic change, but also vowed to ease restrictions on US-based exiles travelling to Cuba and sending money to relatives.
Senator Barack Obama's foreign policy credentials took a further blow on Tuesday after his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination won the backing of Fidel Castro. The former Cuban president gave a qualified endorsement to Mr Obama whom he described as "the most-advanced candidate" in the race for the White House. The unwelcome support of the ailing revolutionary icon is likely to give Senator John McCain further opportunity to question Mr Obama's foreign policy credentials. The Republican nominee has consistently tried to exploit the support offered for Mr Obama by Hamas, which is listed by the US state department as a terrorist organisation. But writing in his regular column in the state-run Granma newspaper, Mr Castro noted that Mr Obama had not dared to call for a reversal of the decades-old US embargo on Cuba. "Obama's speech can be translated as a formula for hunger for the country," the 81-year-old former president wrote, referring to remarks Mr Obama made to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami last week. The Illinois senator said he would maintain nearly all trade sanctions against Cuba as leverage to push for democratic change, but also vowed to ease restrictions on US-based exiles travelling to Cuba and sending money to relatives.
Spanish anyone?
In many areas of Miami, Spanish has become the predominant language, replacing English in everyday life. Anyone from Latin America could feel at home on the streets, without having to pronounce a single word in English.
In stores, shopkeepers wait on their clients in Spanish. Universities offer programs for Spanish speakers. And in supermarkets, banks, restaurants - even at the post office and government offices - information is given and assistance is offered in Spanish. In Miami, doctors and nurses speak Spanish with their patients and a large portion of advertising is in Spanish. Daily newspapers and radio and television stations cater to the Hispanic public.
But this situation, so pleasing to Latin American immigrants, makes some English speakers feel marginalized. In the 1950s, it's estimated that more than 80 percent of Miami-Dade County residents were non-Hispanic whites. But in 2006, the Census Bureau estimates that number was only 18.5 percent, and in 2015 it is forecast to be 14 percent. Hispanics now make up about 60 percent.http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/M/MIAMI_WITHOUT_ENGLISH?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Indianapolis seguirá Miami que substituye inglés en vida cotidiana. Gracias por la lectura
In stores, shopkeepers wait on their clients in Spanish. Universities offer programs for Spanish speakers. And in supermarkets, banks, restaurants - even at the post office and government offices - information is given and assistance is offered in Spanish. In Miami, doctors and nurses speak Spanish with their patients and a large portion of advertising is in Spanish. Daily newspapers and radio and television stations cater to the Hispanic public.
But this situation, so pleasing to Latin American immigrants, makes some English speakers feel marginalized. In the 1950s, it's estimated that more than 80 percent of Miami-Dade County residents were non-Hispanic whites. But in 2006, the Census Bureau estimates that number was only 18.5 percent, and in 2015 it is forecast to be 14 percent. Hispanics now make up about 60 percent.http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/M/MIAMI_WITHOUT_ENGLISH?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Indianapolis seguirá Miami que substituye inglés en vida cotidiana. Gracias por la lectura
Another waste of your tax money
"State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe said Wednesday that Indiana won a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pay for nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention activities developed for its statewide obesity plan.
For the first year, the CDC grant will be for $435,000, an amount that is expected to increase in coming years, depending on the state's ability to show progress, Monroe said." http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/LOCAL18/805290484/1304/LOCAL
Now just what is all this money going to be used for? Maybe they will pay you to loose weight. Remember $435,000 is only the first payment of five and they look for it to increase.
This will be just like the tobacco money that went for you to stop smoking. You will see none of it or be able to see where it is spent. Maybe they will improve their web site on weight lost. Remember that Grant money is your tax dollars.
For the first year, the CDC grant will be for $435,000, an amount that is expected to increase in coming years, depending on the state's ability to show progress, Monroe said." http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/LOCAL18/805290484/1304/LOCAL
Now just what is all this money going to be used for? Maybe they will pay you to loose weight. Remember $435,000 is only the first payment of five and they look for it to increase.
This will be just like the tobacco money that went for you to stop smoking. You will see none of it or be able to see where it is spent. Maybe they will improve their web site on weight lost. Remember that Grant money is your tax dollars.
5/28/2008
Stock Market
How long will the stock market last with this pace? As of now Wal-mart is up by 67 cents at $57.06. Now I can see why Wal-mart is going up, one stop shopping.
It seems that oil and gas companies are losing ground this morning. Murphy off by $1.42 at $92.46.
DJIA12,547.21
-1.14
NASDAQ2,474.90
-6.33
S&P 5001,382.75
-2.60
This stock market has held up under pressure better then I thought it would, but how long until it feels the effect of the economy? With the price of gas and people cutting down, the profits will fall along with the market. But one must take some risk with banks paying under 3% for CD's at this time.
It seems that oil and gas companies are losing ground this morning. Murphy off by $1.42 at $92.46.
DJIA12,547.21
-1.14
NASDAQ2,474.90
-6.33
S&P 5001,382.75
-2.60
This stock market has held up under pressure better then I thought it would, but how long until it feels the effect of the economy? With the price of gas and people cutting down, the profits will fall along with the market. But one must take some risk with banks paying under 3% for CD's at this time.
We tried to tell them.
Going back before the election of 2008 there were many people telling others that the Marines was coming to the city county building. I can remember when we stood across from Bart Peterson's tent on Washington street while the chicken Mobile was playing the Marine charge and yelling the Marines are coming. They all thought we were nuts and even got some fingers up in the air. Well, another truth is going to happen. They thought we were all nuts when we told them this. So Watch the skies of Indianapolis June 4th for the landing of the Marines.
Basic Right?
Dan Carpenter wrote in his column today that marriage is a basic right:
"
Until the nation's largest state validated a basic right for gay couples, it appeared that the morals militia Miller leads was unlikely to muster another push toward a constitutional amendment to "defend marriage" in Indiana."
Now who has determine that marriage is a basic right in this country? No other humans can marry except it be a man and woman in the State of Indiana. Is this "basic right" going to extend to the people who believe that its OK to have more then one spouse? If its a basic right for the gays, we will have to extend that to cover all human basic rights.
"After failing to get the measure through the required two consecutive legislatures, Miller had moved over to the property tax bandwagon. Gay couples, meanwhile, continued to live together, and rear children, and be denied marriage under state law, and all was safe in the heterosexual bedrooms and divorce courts of Hoosier values. The Indiana General Assembly could look around for other work to do."
Sure there is other work to do. But what about the will of the people? This country was founded by the people and the government was put in place for the people. For all people, not just a small special part of the people. I see those who supports the marriage of gay people are fighting with all they have to keep you from voting on this issue. Why? Because they know that most states would pass the ban on gay marriage. If they thought that it would fail, they would not be putting this much effort into the fight.
I support this cause because I believe that as Citizens of this State, we have a right to vote on this issue. Don't forget that the people of California can override the court rulings if they can get it on the ballet and vote for the ban this fall.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/OPINION05/805280378/1039/OPINION05
"
Until the nation's largest state validated a basic right for gay couples, it appeared that the morals militia Miller leads was unlikely to muster another push toward a constitutional amendment to "defend marriage" in Indiana."
Now who has determine that marriage is a basic right in this country? No other humans can marry except it be a man and woman in the State of Indiana. Is this "basic right" going to extend to the people who believe that its OK to have more then one spouse? If its a basic right for the gays, we will have to extend that to cover all human basic rights.
"After failing to get the measure through the required two consecutive legislatures, Miller had moved over to the property tax bandwagon. Gay couples, meanwhile, continued to live together, and rear children, and be denied marriage under state law, and all was safe in the heterosexual bedrooms and divorce courts of Hoosier values. The Indiana General Assembly could look around for other work to do."
Sure there is other work to do. But what about the will of the people? This country was founded by the people and the government was put in place for the people. For all people, not just a small special part of the people. I see those who supports the marriage of gay people are fighting with all they have to keep you from voting on this issue. Why? Because they know that most states would pass the ban on gay marriage. If they thought that it would fail, they would not be putting this much effort into the fight.
I support this cause because I believe that as Citizens of this State, we have a right to vote on this issue. Don't forget that the people of California can override the court rulings if they can get it on the ballet and vote for the ban this fall.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/OPINION05/805280378/1039/OPINION05
5/27/2008
City to look at fuel cost.
Councillor Benjamin Hunter announced the formation of a bipartisan study group to address Indianapolis ' rising fuel costs. Hunter, the Chairman of the Council's Public Works Committee, initiated the move in order to address what is becoming an increasing issue within the city budget.
"The City of Indianapolis , much like the average Hoosier, never imagined that gas prices would rise to the current level," said Hunter. " Indianapolis cannot afford to operate under fuel policies designed for a different time."
David Sherman, Director of Public Works, and David Reynolds, Controller, will join Councillor Hunter and other Department heads to study current fuel operations and make recommendations to reduce usage and cost of fuel throughout the city and county. Hunter asked each caucus to support the measure. Councillors Mike Speedy and Mary Moriarty Adams will also participate in the group.
"Operating within a reasonable budget and saving taxpayers money is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is what the public demands of their elected representatives," said Hunter. "I ask my fellow Councillors to support this initiative. Fuel plays a key role in public safety and road maintenance. Under the current circumstances, we must act now to find short and long-term solutions."
"The City of Indianapolis , much like the average Hoosier, never imagined that gas prices would rise to the current level," said Hunter. " Indianapolis cannot afford to operate under fuel policies designed for a different time."
David Sherman, Director of Public Works, and David Reynolds, Controller, will join Councillor Hunter and other Department heads to study current fuel operations and make recommendations to reduce usage and cost of fuel throughout the city and county. Hunter asked each caucus to support the measure. Councillors Mike Speedy and Mary Moriarty Adams will also participate in the group.
"Operating within a reasonable budget and saving taxpayers money is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is what the public demands of their elected representatives," said Hunter. "I ask my fellow Councillors to support this initiative. Fuel plays a key role in public safety and road maintenance. Under the current circumstances, we must act now to find short and long-term solutions."
Humane Society for Hamilton County
It seems that the Humane Society in Noblesville has been hit by a deadly bacterial:
As many of you may already know who have visited recently, we have had to close off portions of our kennel to the public due to an influx of a canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). This all encompassing term now includes a new, deadly bacterial strain of pneumonia that has hit shelters across the United States and claimed thousands of lives. Shelter animals with high stress, and therefore compromised immune systems, are extremely susceptible to this killer bacterial pneumonia. Sadly, we lost 6 dogs in the first weeks even though they received emergency medical care before we could conclusively and scientifically identify the culprit. We worked diligently with national shelter medicine experts to develop a plan for combating this aggressive bacteria strain as it almost always results in death if not diagnosed and treated immediately.
Approximately 100 animals have received the life saving treatment needed to combat or prevent the bacteria from growing into their lungs and progressing into this deadly pneumonia. The Humane Society has already invested over $20,000 in medications, medical and cleaning supplies, labor and emergency vet care to treat our animals and prevent others from becoming ill. Our organization made the decision to NOT euthanize our infected or exposed animals even though it would have been far less expensive and labor intensive. Rather, our staff and volunteers pulled together like never before to clean every nook and cranny of the shelter with high-powered cleaning solutions that kill this rare bacteria. Our medical team watched over our sick dogs and cats like angels coming in late in the evening just to make sure everyone was comfortable and well.
If you believe in what we do, and you believe this world is a better place with Noodles, Caprice, Pisces, Brooke, Glacier, Santana and so many more in it, please send us a monetary gift today to help cover the medical expenses we have incurred fighting this disease. Your continued support is why we are and will continue to be the best chance for a second chance for the homeless, unwanted, and abused animals of Hamilton County. www.hamiltonhumane.com
5/26/2008
World's Smallest Political Quiz
Here you can take a short quiz to find out where you stand in the political arena.
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
Feel free to send in your opinion
Since Dan's email said to pass this on, I took that as permission to post it with out his email address. I will be glad to post anything that you send me to post. Thank you and have a happy holiday off work.
A Email from Dan
HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO SAVE AMERICA?
This is the most interesting thing I've read in a long time. The sad Thing about it, you can see it coming. I have always heard about this Democracy countdown. It is interesting to see it in print.
God help us, not that we deserve it.
About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history Professor at The University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government." "A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." "From that moment on, the majority always vote for the Candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years." "During those 200 years, those nations always progressed Through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage"
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Gore: 19 Bush: 29
Square miles of land won by: Gore: 580,000 Bush: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Gore: 127 million Bush: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore: 13.2, Bush: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those Citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..." Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of Democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years. Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom. Thanks for reading and considering what you can do to reverse this trend.
This is the most interesting thing I've read in a long time. The sad Thing about it, you can see it coming. I have always heard about this Democracy countdown. It is interesting to see it in print.
God help us, not that we deserve it.
About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history Professor at The University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government." "A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." "From that moment on, the majority always vote for the Candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years." "During those 200 years, those nations always progressed Through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage"
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Gore: 19 Bush: 29
Square miles of land won by: Gore: 580,000 Bush: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Gore: 127 million Bush: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore: 13.2, Bush: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those Citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..." Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of Democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years. Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom. Thanks for reading and considering what you can do to reverse this trend.
Mexican trucks in the U.S.
Very few Mexican trucks are now traveling into the U.S. interior, according to John Hill, FMCSA chief. Because there so little interest in the pilot program in government won’t be able to draw any valid conclusions about it. Companies were reluctant to buy insurance for their trucks when they expected the program to shut down.
The battle shifted to Capitol Hill during February and March.
In hearing after hearing, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters faced angry member of Congress who told her she was breaking the law by keeping the border open. Congress last year passed a law cutting off funding off the pilot program. Peters ignored Congress and refused to put the brakes on it.
The transportation Department has failed to put measures in place to make sure that every truck would be checked. “We don’t know that every truck has been inspected.”
Meanwhile the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals continued to consider the request for an injunction stopping the program. You can read more at http://www.firemarypeters.com/
The battle shifted to Capitol Hill during February and March.
In hearing after hearing, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters faced angry member of Congress who told her she was breaking the law by keeping the border open. Congress last year passed a law cutting off funding off the pilot program. Peters ignored Congress and refused to put the brakes on it.
The transportation Department has failed to put measures in place to make sure that every truck would be checked. “We don’t know that every truck has been inspected.”
Meanwhile the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals continued to consider the request for an injunction stopping the program. You can read more at http://www.firemarypeters.com/
Teamsters endorse Obama
The last two elections for president of the United States have been excruciatingly close. They both came down to a small number of votes in a few key areas.
With the endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, the Teamsters’ Union recently took a bold step to make the next four years better for America’s workers. As other last two election made it clear, thought, simply casting a ballot on election day is not longer enough. Years from now, our members will be able to look back on this time, right now, and say they were part of history.
With the endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, the Teamsters’ Union recently took a bold step to make the next four years better for America’s workers. As other last two election made it clear, thought, simply casting a ballot on election day is not longer enough. Years from now, our members will be able to look back on this time, right now, and say they were part of history.
Senator Obama will stand with the Teamsters when it comes to fighting for working families,” Hoffa said. “This endorsement begins a partnership to change America. Together we will reinvent the political process and give a voice to those who have been ignored by the Bush administration for the past eight years.”
Hoffa emphasized Obama’s commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the national transportation infrastructure, a key priority of the Teamsters Union.
Written by:
James P Hoffa
___________________
You notice that he only talk about the last two elections. Hoffa also endorsed Bill Clinton for President. Clinton promised that he would never sign NAFTA into law, which he did later after the election. Hoffa has never once mention this fact. So Mr. Hoffa, how many promises can we believe in? The Teamsters Union has 1.4 million members.
Hoffa emphasized Obama’s commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the national transportation infrastructure, a key priority of the Teamsters Union.
Written by:
James P Hoffa
___________________
You notice that he only talk about the last two elections. Hoffa also endorsed Bill Clinton for President. Clinton promised that he would never sign NAFTA into law, which he did later after the election. Hoffa has never once mention this fact. So Mr. Hoffa, how many promises can we believe in? The Teamsters Union has 1.4 million members.
Talk around town
With this increase of gas prices to $4.00 this spring, there are people who are cutting down on other things.
I notice that some of our fast food places are putting items on sale inside the store to get people in. Arby's has a $5.00 meal now and taco bell has the "big box" for $4.99. I heard they are trying to get people back in since they are cutting down on eating out. Also I heard that people are eating but they are not buying to expensive soft drinks unless it comes with a meal.
The gas station the I go to said they sales are down for gas since the price has gone to almost $4.00 a gallon. While I was there a customer said it did not make much sense to drive across town to go to the $1.00 movie when gas price were so high, but she paid almost $5.00 for a pack of smokes.
I also notice that after the 500 mile race, that the traffic on E. Washington street was hard to find. Maybe the $4.00 mark has people waking up and saying enough is enough.
5/25/2008
Survivalists prepare
What if you went to the gas station and there was no gas for sale? Or you went to the food store and the sevles were empty? So for those who is preparing really that far out?
"Convinced the planet's oil supply is dwindling and the world's economies are heading for a crash, some people around the country are moving onto homesteads, learning to live off their land, conserving fuel and, in some cases, stocking up on guns they expect to use to defend themselves and their supplies from desperate crowds of people who didn't prepare."
"The powers that be, they've determined, will be largely powerless to stop what is to come.
Determined to guard themselves from potentially harsh times ahead, Lynn-Marie and her husband have already planted an orchard of about 40 trees and built a greenhouse on their 7 1/2 acres. They have built their own irrigation system. They've begun to raise chickens and pigs, and they've learned to slaughter them."
http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/E/ENVIRONMENTAL_SURVIVALISTS?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
"Convinced the planet's oil supply is dwindling and the world's economies are heading for a crash, some people around the country are moving onto homesteads, learning to live off their land, conserving fuel and, in some cases, stocking up on guns they expect to use to defend themselves and their supplies from desperate crowds of people who didn't prepare."
"The powers that be, they've determined, will be largely powerless to stop what is to come.
Determined to guard themselves from potentially harsh times ahead, Lynn-Marie and her husband have already planted an orchard of about 40 trees and built a greenhouse on their 7 1/2 acres. They have built their own irrigation system. They've begun to raise chickens and pigs, and they've learned to slaughter them."
http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/E/ENVIRONMENTAL_SURVIVALISTS?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Ballard lucky? Good fortune?
"Let's take a look at the opening months of Mayor Greg Ballard's tenure, a charmed stretch filled with lucky breaks and generous gifts.
Ballard has benefited from a series of events that occurred without him having to do much. And while you have to give him credit for the results, you also have to wonder if he's the luckiest politician Indiana has ever seen."
No mention of Bart digging his own grave. He stood proud when the city county income tax almost doubled and people were kick out of the city county meetings when they voices were heard. You forget the budget that no one could even read where money was going. No mention of how Ballard was at the city county meetings nor is their mention of how many tax protest he attended and spoke at. No mention of how this man went door to door talking to people. The press did not even pick up on him until about 2 months before the election. Lucky? I don't think so. It was Bart digging his own grave on this election. A good example was he was not invited into the mayors office until Jan 1st and found the mess that Bart and his people left him.
Ballard has benefited from a series of events that occurred without him having to do much. And while you have to give him credit for the results, you also have to wonder if he's the luckiest politician Indiana has ever seen."
No mention of Bart digging his own grave. He stood proud when the city county income tax almost doubled and people were kick out of the city county meetings when they voices were heard. You forget the budget that no one could even read where money was going. No mention of how Ballard was at the city county meetings nor is their mention of how many tax protest he attended and spoke at. No mention of how this man went door to door talking to people. The press did not even pick up on him until about 2 months before the election. Lucky? I don't think so. It was Bart digging his own grave on this election. A good example was he was not invited into the mayors office until Jan 1st and found the mess that Bart and his people left him.
Property tax bill higher then 2006 bill
For those who drop by and read this blog, this is no big surprise. I have been telling you that this was going to happen.
"Less fortunate is Dossie Sims Sr., who lives in the 700 block of Dorman Street on the Near Eastside. Sims is among the 10 percent of homeowners who will see a higher revised 2007 bill than the original.
The final 2007 bill for his two-story home, valued at $150,200, increased by about $1,000, going from $1,656 last summer to about $2,606. The home, where Sims has lived for 50 years, is in a neighborhood where the median bill increased by 93 percent over the original 2007 bills and 197 percent relative to 2006."
"Residents in the Meridian-Kessler and Butler-Tarkington neighborhoods, which were at the epicenter of last summer's property tax protests, are among those who will see relief in the new bills.
The median bill in the area that includes most of those two neighborhoods dropped by about 11 percent compared with the bad bills."
But this is still much higher then the 2006 bills which doubled or tripled in 2007. So no tax savings. I will owe $500 to $700 on the "make up" bill that will arrive soon. Yes I am also one of those on a fix income. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/LOCAL18/805250382
"Less fortunate is Dossie Sims Sr., who lives in the 700 block of Dorman Street on the Near Eastside. Sims is among the 10 percent of homeowners who will see a higher revised 2007 bill than the original.
The final 2007 bill for his two-story home, valued at $150,200, increased by about $1,000, going from $1,656 last summer to about $2,606. The home, where Sims has lived for 50 years, is in a neighborhood where the median bill increased by 93 percent over the original 2007 bills and 197 percent relative to 2006."
"Residents in the Meridian-Kessler and Butler-Tarkington neighborhoods, which were at the epicenter of last summer's property tax protests, are among those who will see relief in the new bills.
The median bill in the area that includes most of those two neighborhoods dropped by about 11 percent compared with the bad bills."
But this is still much higher then the 2006 bills which doubled or tripled in 2007. So no tax savings. I will owe $500 to $700 on the "make up" bill that will arrive soon. Yes I am also one of those on a fix income. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/LOCAL18/805250382
5/24/2008
Will "The body Ventura" run
To hear Jesse Ventura tell it, he’s either out to become president or an expatriate.In the opening to his fourth book, due out April 1, the former wrestler and governor of Minnesota writes: “As I begin to write this book, I’m facing probably the most monumental decision of my 56 years on this planet. Will I run for president of the United States, as an independent, in 2008? Or will I stay as far away from the fray as possible, in a place with no electricity, on a remote beach in Mexico?”
He stated in a interview with fox news (you can watch it on fan video http://www.comcast.net/data/fan/html/popup.html?v=752503371 ) that there should be another line on the ballet for President. McCain-- Obama--- None of the above. He also stated that none of the candidates are talking about our National debt.
If he would run as an independent, I would say that I would have have to support this person.
He stated in a interview with fox news (you can watch it on fan video http://www.comcast.net/data/fan/html/popup.html?v=752503371 ) that there should be another line on the ballet for President. McCain-- Obama--- None of the above. He also stated that none of the candidates are talking about our National debt.
If he would run as an independent, I would say that I would have have to support this person.
Northern California City Files for Bankruptcy Protection
Where: The city of Vallejo, California
Why: "We've exhausted all avenues at this point, and this is all we had left," The Mayor said. "I had hoped to avoid it all the way up until yesterday. It's something we can't avoid ... We can't pay our bills."
Why: The foreclosure crisis and economic downturn have caused a sharp decline in revenue from sales tax, property tax and development fees.
The budget: $16 million budget deficit in its fiscal year starting July 1.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357881,00.html
Will more cities be forced to file bankruptcy? What happens to all those bonds that the city has sold?
Why: "We've exhausted all avenues at this point, and this is all we had left," The Mayor said. "I had hoped to avoid it all the way up until yesterday. It's something we can't avoid ... We can't pay our bills."
Why: The foreclosure crisis and economic downturn have caused a sharp decline in revenue from sales tax, property tax and development fees.
The budget: $16 million budget deficit in its fiscal year starting July 1.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357881,00.html
Will more cities be forced to file bankruptcy? What happens to all those bonds that the city has sold?
12 Polygamist Sect Children Reunited With Parents
State child welfare authorities on Friday appealed a stinging court ruling that said their seizure of more than 440 children from a polygamist sect's ranch was unjustified, but they also agreed to reunite 12 children with their parents while the case moves on.
The agreement narrowly specifies 12 children, some of whose parents had filed a motion with a state district court in San Antonio for their release from state foster care. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357861,00.html
In time I look for all children to be returned and law suits will follow.
The agreement narrowly specifies 12 children, some of whose parents had filed a motion with a state district court in San Antonio for their release from state foster care. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357861,00.html
In time I look for all children to be returned and law suits will follow.
5/23/2008
Eastside gets investment from State
Pennsy Greenway - Indianapolis Award: $900,000.00
The City of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation (Indy Parks) will design and construct a critical segment of the Indianapolis Pennsy Trail from Arlington Avenue to Shortridge Road within the former right-of-way of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently owned by Indy Parks.
This 6,700 lineal foot (1.3 mile) segment of the trail corridor is critical in connectivity of the eastside for pedestrians and bicyclists as it utilizes the existing infrastructure of the Shadeland Avenue rail bridge overpass that was preserved from demolition by INDOT specifically for this use. The trail will connect Historic Irvington to the far eastside commercial district along Washington Street and significant destinations including the Irvington Community School and the Ransburg YMCA. The project will assist in meeting the immediate need for bicycle and pedestrian facilities to improve quality of life for eastside residents. Connections to the trail will be made via the existing sidewalk and street infrastructure.
The City of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation (Indy Parks) will design and construct a critical segment of the Indianapolis Pennsy Trail from Arlington Avenue to Shortridge Road within the former right-of-way of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently owned by Indy Parks.
This 6,700 lineal foot (1.3 mile) segment of the trail corridor is critical in connectivity of the eastside for pedestrians and bicyclists as it utilizes the existing infrastructure of the Shadeland Avenue rail bridge overpass that was preserved from demolition by INDOT specifically for this use. The trail will connect Historic Irvington to the far eastside commercial district along Washington Street and significant destinations including the Irvington Community School and the Ransburg YMCA. The project will assist in meeting the immediate need for bicycle and pedestrian facilities to improve quality of life for eastside residents. Connections to the trail will be made via the existing sidewalk and street infrastructure.
Gun Owners of America Endorses Governor Daniels
Gov. Mitch Daniels has done a number of things to promote the right to keep and bear arms during his time as governor. And based on his excellent record, Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is endorsing Daniels for reelection.
Here is a brief list of things that Gov. Daniels has done to promote gun owners' rights:
- In 2006, Daniels signed the Lifetime Handgun license bill, which is the only one like it in the country; - He signed the Castle Doctrine bill into law in 2006 to further protect the rights of gun owners to defend themselves; - He signed an Executive Order allowing licensed carry on Indiana Department of Natural Resources property, which eventually became permanent; and - In February, Gov. Daniels signed the Apprenticeship Hunting License that will allow all children and adults that have not had the Hunters Safety Course to go hunting in the field with a licensed adult hunter.
Here is a brief list of things that Gov. Daniels has done to promote gun owners' rights:
- In 2006, Daniels signed the Lifetime Handgun license bill, which is the only one like it in the country; - He signed the Castle Doctrine bill into law in 2006 to further protect the rights of gun owners to defend themselves; - He signed an Executive Order allowing licensed carry on Indiana Department of Natural Resources property, which eventually became permanent; and - In February, Gov. Daniels signed the Apprenticeship Hunting License that will allow all children and adults that have not had the Hunters Safety Course to go hunting in the field with a licensed adult hunter.
Court Rules Texas Illegally Seized Polygamist Sect’s Children
SAN ANGELO, Texas — An appellate court decision upended the custody case that sent more than 440 children from a polygamist sect's ranch into foster care, but it's not clear whether the children might soon return home.
The Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the youngsters were in any immediate danger, the only grounds under Texas law for taking children from their parents without court action. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357266,00.html
I knew in time that this would come about. They had no right to take those children. If you disagree, then it would ok for someone who knew you to phone in tip to the police about your kids, then the police can come into your home and take your kids, as done in this case. Ibelieve the police jump the gun on this one and law suits will follow.
"But the appeals court said the state acted too hastily in sweeping up all the children and taking them away on an emergency basis without going to court first."
The Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the youngsters were in any immediate danger, the only grounds under Texas law for taking children from their parents without court action. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357266,00.html
I knew in time that this would come about. They had no right to take those children. If you disagree, then it would ok for someone who knew you to phone in tip to the police about your kids, then the police can come into your home and take your kids, as done in this case. Ibelieve the police jump the gun on this one and law suits will follow.
"But the appeals court said the state acted too hastily in sweeping up all the children and taking them away on an emergency basis without going to court first."
5/21/2008
I could not have said it better
Keep Super Bowl Bid Win In Perspective
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2008/05/keep-super-bowl-bid-win-in-perspective.html
You will be hearing from plenty of people in the coming days who will be touting the huge benefits Indianapolis will reap from winning the opportunity to host the 2012 Super Bowl. You will hear economic benefit numbers being tossed around in the range of $250 million. And you will be hearing various politicians and elitist insiders standing in line to take credit for today's announcement. The local news media will be gushing more than anyone because they stand to benefit economically more than most from the event. Here's some thoughts to keep in mind as people celebrate today's win:
In order to land this event, Marion County and neighboring counties had to raise taxes and borrow money to build Lucas Oil Stadium at a cost of $750 million. Without the new stadium, Indianapolis stood no chance of hosting a Super Bowl.
Private sources will have to contribute at least $25 million to front costs for the NFL to put on the event.
The NFL and its affiliates will receive special tax benefits at your expense for the privilege of allowing us to host this event.
Both the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis have essentially written blank checks to the NFL "to provide all governmental services and support reasonably necessary to the success of Super Bowl XLVI and related Official Events within its jurisdiction". The City alone will shell out at least $1.5 million in over-time pay for police officers to support the event.
Very few Indianapolis residents will have an opportunity to attend the event. Even special events for the Super Bowl are "by invitation only" and a large section of downtown will be cordoned off to keep the "uninvited" out and limit access to "invited guests only."
The revenue benefit from hosting the Super Bowl will be less than the economic benefit the City enjoys annually from hosting the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. Only a relatively small number of businesses and employees associated with the service industry will directly benefit from the Super Bowl.
Hosting the Super Bowl will not improve Indianapolis schools. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not reduce crime in the City. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not reduce the growing number of abandoned homes in declining neighborhoods outside the mile square. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not fix the City's crumbling infrastructure. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not clean up the corruption in city government. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not make up for 2,000 lost jobs at Eli Lilly and thousands of other high-paying manufacturing jobs which have been leaving the City in recent years and will probably continue to do so.
__________________
For those who does not know what tax breaks are given, here it is:
Tax exemption Sec. 3. All property owned by an eligible entity, revenues of an eligible entity, and expenditures and transactions of an eligible entity: (1) in connection with an eligible event; and (2) resulting from holding an eligible event in Indiana or making preparatory advance visits to Indiana in connection with an eligible event;are exempt from taxation in Indiana for all purposes.
Marion County admissions tax not applicable Sec. 4. The excise tax under IC 6-9-13 does not apply to an eligible event.
This is all while we have to dig down deep to keep up with property taxes. Great Job!!
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2008/05/keep-super-bowl-bid-win-in-perspective.html
You will be hearing from plenty of people in the coming days who will be touting the huge benefits Indianapolis will reap from winning the opportunity to host the 2012 Super Bowl. You will hear economic benefit numbers being tossed around in the range of $250 million. And you will be hearing various politicians and elitist insiders standing in line to take credit for today's announcement. The local news media will be gushing more than anyone because they stand to benefit economically more than most from the event. Here's some thoughts to keep in mind as people celebrate today's win:
In order to land this event, Marion County and neighboring counties had to raise taxes and borrow money to build Lucas Oil Stadium at a cost of $750 million. Without the new stadium, Indianapolis stood no chance of hosting a Super Bowl.
Private sources will have to contribute at least $25 million to front costs for the NFL to put on the event.
The NFL and its affiliates will receive special tax benefits at your expense for the privilege of allowing us to host this event.
Both the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis have essentially written blank checks to the NFL "to provide all governmental services and support reasonably necessary to the success of Super Bowl XLVI and related Official Events within its jurisdiction". The City alone will shell out at least $1.5 million in over-time pay for police officers to support the event.
Very few Indianapolis residents will have an opportunity to attend the event. Even special events for the Super Bowl are "by invitation only" and a large section of downtown will be cordoned off to keep the "uninvited" out and limit access to "invited guests only."
The revenue benefit from hosting the Super Bowl will be less than the economic benefit the City enjoys annually from hosting the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. Only a relatively small number of businesses and employees associated with the service industry will directly benefit from the Super Bowl.
Hosting the Super Bowl will not improve Indianapolis schools. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not reduce crime in the City. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not reduce the growing number of abandoned homes in declining neighborhoods outside the mile square. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not fix the City's crumbling infrastructure. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not clean up the corruption in city government. (See Detroit)
Hosting the Super Bowl will not make up for 2,000 lost jobs at Eli Lilly and thousands of other high-paying manufacturing jobs which have been leaving the City in recent years and will probably continue to do so.
__________________
For those who does not know what tax breaks are given, here it is:
Tax exemption Sec. 3. All property owned by an eligible entity, revenues of an eligible entity, and expenditures and transactions of an eligible entity: (1) in connection with an eligible event; and (2) resulting from holding an eligible event in Indiana or making preparatory advance visits to Indiana in connection with an eligible event;are exempt from taxation in Indiana for all purposes.
Marion County admissions tax not applicable Sec. 4. The excise tax under IC 6-9-13 does not apply to an eligible event.
This is all while we have to dig down deep to keep up with property taxes. Great Job!!
5/20/2008
Taxpayers would hold the bag for SuperBowl
Almost all of the costs will be borne by private entities, which have pledged $25 million to make Indy's Super Bowl week a success. The city would have to come up with about $2 million to cover extra public safety. That is $2 million funded by you the taxpayer. Now you hear so much of how much money this event would bring into our city. Why do the taxpayers of Indianapolis have to dig deep into thier pockets when others are making the money? With the already hurting citizens thise people expect you to pitch in so they can make more money.
5/19/2008
Counselors spends 1.5 million for the arts.
With the backing of the Mayor’s office our city county counselors approved the grant of spending 1.5 million dollars of our tax money in support of the arts of this city.
Some even admitted that this is not money we have nor do they know where it will come from. With the growing budget pains of future funding due to raising cost of fuel cost and other inflationary items, I disagree with this funding.
Of course it was pointed out by Counselor Oliver that this gives our children the opportunely to attend some activities free of charge. I am all for giving the public which can not afford to attend, the opportunity to do so. But we are in a recession and money will be tight. Also here we have launched a publicity campaign spending another $25,000 of our tax money because
IPS enrollment has been dropping more than 1,000 students a year, and had to close down eight schools last year because of declining enrollment
Here we raised twenty five million dollars to support the super bowl bid, yet these arts can not be done the same instead of strapping the taxpayer. Notre Dame just receives 20 million dollars and Lilly gives one million to for vet’s mental health.
The arts can also be funded this way if it is to survive.
Some even admitted that this is not money we have nor do they know where it will come from. With the growing budget pains of future funding due to raising cost of fuel cost and other inflationary items, I disagree with this funding.
Of course it was pointed out by Counselor Oliver that this gives our children the opportunely to attend some activities free of charge. I am all for giving the public which can not afford to attend, the opportunity to do so. But we are in a recession and money will be tight. Also here we have launched a publicity campaign spending another $25,000 of our tax money because
IPS enrollment has been dropping more than 1,000 students a year, and had to close down eight schools last year because of declining enrollment
Here we raised twenty five million dollars to support the super bowl bid, yet these arts can not be done the same instead of strapping the taxpayer. Notre Dame just receives 20 million dollars and Lilly gives one million to for vet’s mental health.
The arts can also be funded this way if it is to survive.
My views on our economy future.
Many of you know my views but I will try to explain them more with this post.
What we are facing now is the past actions by banks, retailers and even our own government. Let’s start with the fiscal end by the banks and government.
Easy credit: As most of you know getting those credit card offers in the mail begging you to take out cards at high percentage rates are easy to fall into. In 2004, the average credit-card debt of US households was $9,300. In 2007 this report was posted at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/23/growing-credit-card-debt-_n_78048.html.
“Americans are falling behind on their credit card payments at an alarming rate, sending delinquencies and defaults surging by double-digit percentages in the last year and prompting warnings of worse to come.
An Associated Press analysis of financial data from the country's largest card issuers also found that the greatest rise was among accounts more than 90 days in arrears.”
I can not see how anyone with a credit card debt of this amount can stay afloat. But don’t worry because we have that “Payday Loan” office on about every corner, with interest rates up to 400 percent per year.
The Federal bank has seen this coming by reducing interest rates paid by banks for overnight loans. They also want you to borrow and spend by cutting your interest rates. This in turn affects the rate that investors get in return from savings accounts and CD accounts. Which today is almost nothing when you consider taxes and the rate of inflation into the equation.
What this adds up to is a spend and borrow economy. Which has worked for several years, but here is the dilemma. If everyone will cut down on spending and pay that money onto your debt, what would happen to the income of the business owner? You would see many businesses close their doors. But someday this day has to come either by the above or where people are unable to meet their fiscal obligations. We have seen this in the housing markets of today, with the fantastic home loans where you only pay the interest for the first five years and no money down loans. I believe that we will see this in other areas also.
Do retailers really want to save you money? No. We all receive those discount coupons in the mail but to get those savings, you have to spend money. Money that you might not have spent if that item was not on sell. I don’t know how many times I have gone into a retail shop with a coupon only to find another brand that was cheaper without a coupon.
I also can see the citizens play a big part in our economy. We control the prices by demand. Just about everybody I come into contact with complains about the price of gasoline today. But I never hear them explain what they have done to reduce the amount of this product that they are using. As I look at the traffic, I see one person per car, people still sitting in the drive thru at the fast food and banks letting their cars idle. I have not seen any complaints from business owners saying that the week-end volume business has drop off because of the price of gas.
With all this we can look forward to our property tax bills the next couple of months. What was passed will work, but it will take some time for it to fully impact the outlay of money that we will have to pay. And with this we are paying that one percent raise in the sales tax along with the food tax that is building that wonderful new stadium that you and I will never see a dime of income from.
What we can do:
Try ways to cut down on your purchase of gas. If the demand is still here for this product, you will see no reduction in price. Pay those credit cards off and CUT THEM UP!!!! It can be done if you put the effort into it. Sit down and think what is really important in this world. Is that product really going to make you and your family that much happier? We need to remember time spend with your family is more important then keeping up with the Jones. We must be willing to make adjustments to what we really need to our wants in life. Keep a watchful eye on our government and how they are spending our tax money. There is a city county meeting tonight, how many will be there from the public? Thank you for reading.
What we are facing now is the past actions by banks, retailers and even our own government. Let’s start with the fiscal end by the banks and government.
Easy credit: As most of you know getting those credit card offers in the mail begging you to take out cards at high percentage rates are easy to fall into. In 2004, the average credit-card debt of US households was $9,300. In 2007 this report was posted at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/23/growing-credit-card-debt-_n_78048.html.
“Americans are falling behind on their credit card payments at an alarming rate, sending delinquencies and defaults surging by double-digit percentages in the last year and prompting warnings of worse to come.
An Associated Press analysis of financial data from the country's largest card issuers also found that the greatest rise was among accounts more than 90 days in arrears.”
I can not see how anyone with a credit card debt of this amount can stay afloat. But don’t worry because we have that “Payday Loan” office on about every corner, with interest rates up to 400 percent per year.
The Federal bank has seen this coming by reducing interest rates paid by banks for overnight loans. They also want you to borrow and spend by cutting your interest rates. This in turn affects the rate that investors get in return from savings accounts and CD accounts. Which today is almost nothing when you consider taxes and the rate of inflation into the equation.
What this adds up to is a spend and borrow economy. Which has worked for several years, but here is the dilemma. If everyone will cut down on spending and pay that money onto your debt, what would happen to the income of the business owner? You would see many businesses close their doors. But someday this day has to come either by the above or where people are unable to meet their fiscal obligations. We have seen this in the housing markets of today, with the fantastic home loans where you only pay the interest for the first five years and no money down loans. I believe that we will see this in other areas also.
Do retailers really want to save you money? No. We all receive those discount coupons in the mail but to get those savings, you have to spend money. Money that you might not have spent if that item was not on sell. I don’t know how many times I have gone into a retail shop with a coupon only to find another brand that was cheaper without a coupon.
I also can see the citizens play a big part in our economy. We control the prices by demand. Just about everybody I come into contact with complains about the price of gasoline today. But I never hear them explain what they have done to reduce the amount of this product that they are using. As I look at the traffic, I see one person per car, people still sitting in the drive thru at the fast food and banks letting their cars idle. I have not seen any complaints from business owners saying that the week-end volume business has drop off because of the price of gas.
With all this we can look forward to our property tax bills the next couple of months. What was passed will work, but it will take some time for it to fully impact the outlay of money that we will have to pay. And with this we are paying that one percent raise in the sales tax along with the food tax that is building that wonderful new stadium that you and I will never see a dime of income from.
What we can do:
Try ways to cut down on your purchase of gas. If the demand is still here for this product, you will see no reduction in price. Pay those credit cards off and CUT THEM UP!!!! It can be done if you put the effort into it. Sit down and think what is really important in this world. Is that product really going to make you and your family that much happier? We need to remember time spend with your family is more important then keeping up with the Jones. We must be willing to make adjustments to what we really need to our wants in life. Keep a watchful eye on our government and how they are spending our tax money. There is a city county meeting tonight, how many will be there from the public? Thank you for reading.
Sorry outlook for the economy
First the good news: The worst of the painful housing slump and the credit crunch might come to an end this year. Now the bad: The economy will weaken further and unemployment will rise.
That's the latest outlook from forecasters in a survey to be released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, also known by its acronym NABE. It will take time for any rays of light to poke through the economic clouds, though.
A growing number of economists believe the country is on the brink of a recession or in one already, dragged down by all the problems in housing, credit and financial markets. Now 56 percent of the economists think the economy has started or will enter a recession this year. That's up from 45 percent in a survey in February. If there is a recession, it probably will be short and shallow, economists said.
Forecasters downgraded their projections for economic growth. They now predict the economy, which grew by 2.2 percent last year, will slow to 1.4 percent this year. That's lower than the 1.8 percent growth projected in February. If the new figure proves correct, it would mark the weakest growth since the last recession in 2001. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356560,00.html
______________________
Most of you know that I have been saying this very same thing for the past year. With the prices of gas and the growing inflation of food cost, we will be in it for the long haul. When the banks are not even offering interest rates to even beat inflation rate for your money, we know we are in trouble. When the economy is based on the consumer to keep on buying products, on credit someday that economy is will fail. Until the public learns that borrowing and spend does not work on the long term, then we can start rebuilding our economy.
That's the latest outlook from forecasters in a survey to be released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, also known by its acronym NABE. It will take time for any rays of light to poke through the economic clouds, though.
A growing number of economists believe the country is on the brink of a recession or in one already, dragged down by all the problems in housing, credit and financial markets. Now 56 percent of the economists think the economy has started or will enter a recession this year. That's up from 45 percent in a survey in February. If there is a recession, it probably will be short and shallow, economists said.
Forecasters downgraded their projections for economic growth. They now predict the economy, which grew by 2.2 percent last year, will slow to 1.4 percent this year. That's lower than the 1.8 percent growth projected in February. If the new figure proves correct, it would mark the weakest growth since the last recession in 2001. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356560,00.html
______________________
Most of you know that I have been saying this very same thing for the past year. With the prices of gas and the growing inflation of food cost, we will be in it for the long haul. When the banks are not even offering interest rates to even beat inflation rate for your money, we know we are in trouble. When the economy is based on the consumer to keep on buying products, on credit someday that economy is will fail. Until the public learns that borrowing and spend does not work on the long term, then we can start rebuilding our economy.
Some interesting reading
WHEN PLAYING THE RACE CARD, IT'S BEST TO DEAL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DECK
http://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2008/05/playing_the_race_card_and_dealing_from_the_bottom_of_the_deck.htmlI understand the philosophy that "all is fair when it comes to love, war andpolitics" however, if you are going to try to play the game, at least do itwith some modicum of sophistication. I am referring the whisper campaign beinglodged against the Ballard Administration that it is full of racists.
For all those who does not know the writer of this blog, its Abdul. For those who does not know Abdul, he is a man of color.
http://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2008/05/playing_the_race_card_and_dealing_from_the_bottom_of_the_deck.htmlI understand the philosophy that "all is fair when it comes to love, war andpolitics" however, if you are going to try to play the game, at least do itwith some modicum of sophistication. I am referring the whisper campaign beinglodged against the Ballard Administration that it is full of racists.
For all those who does not know the writer of this blog, its Abdul. For those who does not know Abdul, he is a man of color.
5/18/2008
Goverment takes man money
Levi Stoltzfoos distrusted the government, so he hoarded hundreds of thousands of dollars for years before finally reopening bank accounts in 2006, his attorney argued Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Stoltzfoos deposited his nest egg — in 10 different banks and in cash sums just under $10,000 — to avoid investigation by state and federal agents.
Now the 39-year-old Leola man's fate is in the hands of 12 jurors.
Testimony in Stoltzfoos' trial ended Wednesday with closing arguments from defense attorney Jeff Conrad and state Deputy Attorney General Stevan Portman.
Stoltzfoos is charged with 58 felony counts of dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities for allegedly "structuring" the deposits — which totaled $541,100. He faces a maximum prison sentence that could span the rest of his life.
Stoltzfoos deposited the cash in sums just under $10,000 so bank tellers wouldn't fill out a special form, drawing attention from investigators, prosecutors say.
The Bank Secrecy Act requires bank officials to report all cash deposits or withdrawals above $10,000 on a currency transaction report.
Conrad argued that his client made similar deposits in 1999 and 2001 but was never charged with a crime.
Stoltzfoos later withdrew those deposits because he feared he'd lose them because of possible computer problems brought on when calendars turned over for the year 2000, or Y2K, and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, respectively, Conrad told the jury.
"He's a man that hoards his money because he was afraid the government would take it — and they did," Conrad said. "They took every single penny."
Agents from the Attorney General's Office seized all the funds Stoltzfoos had deposited over a six-week period early in 2006 before he was charged later that year.
"Levi Stoltzfoos is a man who grew up in a community, in a faith, that is distrusting of the government," his attorney argued.
Raised Amish, Stoltzfoos left the church 10 years ago but lives with his parents, who are practicing New Order Amish.
Agents raided their Leola home as part of the investigation.
"Money gone, freedom at issue today," Conrad told the jurors.
Conrad conceded that his client made the transactions, but not with a "criminal mind."
"Did he do it? Yep. Over and over and over again," Conrad said.
The lawyer then described how Y2K caused widespread fear that computer systems would crash, causing worldwide chaos. http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/221053
Prosecutors allege Stoltzfoos deposited his nest egg — in 10 different banks and in cash sums just under $10,000 — to avoid investigation by state and federal agents.
Now the 39-year-old Leola man's fate is in the hands of 12 jurors.
Testimony in Stoltzfoos' trial ended Wednesday with closing arguments from defense attorney Jeff Conrad and state Deputy Attorney General Stevan Portman.
Stoltzfoos is charged with 58 felony counts of dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities for allegedly "structuring" the deposits — which totaled $541,100. He faces a maximum prison sentence that could span the rest of his life.
Stoltzfoos deposited the cash in sums just under $10,000 so bank tellers wouldn't fill out a special form, drawing attention from investigators, prosecutors say.
The Bank Secrecy Act requires bank officials to report all cash deposits or withdrawals above $10,000 on a currency transaction report.
Conrad argued that his client made similar deposits in 1999 and 2001 but was never charged with a crime.
Stoltzfoos later withdrew those deposits because he feared he'd lose them because of possible computer problems brought on when calendars turned over for the year 2000, or Y2K, and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, respectively, Conrad told the jury.
"He's a man that hoards his money because he was afraid the government would take it — and they did," Conrad said. "They took every single penny."
Agents from the Attorney General's Office seized all the funds Stoltzfoos had deposited over a six-week period early in 2006 before he was charged later that year.
"Levi Stoltzfoos is a man who grew up in a community, in a faith, that is distrusting of the government," his attorney argued.
Raised Amish, Stoltzfoos left the church 10 years ago but lives with his parents, who are practicing New Order Amish.
Agents raided their Leola home as part of the investigation.
"Money gone, freedom at issue today," Conrad told the jurors.
Conrad conceded that his client made the transactions, but not with a "criminal mind."
"Did he do it? Yep. Over and over and over again," Conrad said.
The lawyer then described how Y2K caused widespread fear that computer systems would crash, causing worldwide chaos. http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/221053
Mitch Danials
I heard that Mitch is on his way today to visit Indiana troops stationed in Iraq. Have a good and safe trip Governor.
Battle of rights in Indiana
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2008/05/indianas-religious-right-plans-to-stoke.html
Here Advance Indiana wrote a story on the California Supreme Court's decision this week gay marriage law. I posted this to their blog.
David Myers said...
In this country everyone has a right to express their own opinions.Everyone has the right to express their idea’s to our state leaders and to support those that comes close to our idea’s. That does not mean that you are wrong and it does not mean that they are wrong.Mitch Daniels state that he would be for a constitution amendment to ban gay marriage. Do you expect him to stand down from his conviction on this subject? I don’t see that happening and I look for him to take the election in November. Why is there such a fuss About this bill anyway? It only gives the citizens of Indiana the right to vote to banned gay marriage. If you were not afraid of this passing on the ballot and the people would their say, there would not be such of a fight on this issue. Don't the citizens of this state have that right?
Advance Indiana said...
David, We're not talking about a simple referencum. We're talking about a mean-spirited amendment, which will write discrimination against a group of persons into Indiana's Bill of Rights. The cavalier attitude you and Gov. Daniels show in stripping away other people's rights is a perfect example of tyranny by the majority. We have a constitution which defines the rights of individuals because our founders knew and feared a tyrannical majority would take away the rights of unpopular minorities when left to their own devices. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to ensure liberty and freedom for all. To use it as a hammer against any group is simply unacceptable and should be discouraged and fought at all expense.
__________
I disagree. We are talking mean-spirited when the people of America are banned from voting on such issues. If there was support for gay marriage, they would be running over your selves to get this on the ballot as soon as they could. If laws of this country also gives the right to us, the individual citizens to vote on constitutional issues. The tyrannic is when that vote is taken away.
Besides this, what will the right for gays open up? I know of a few that would not mind having more then one spouse. Would we have that right also?
Here Advance Indiana wrote a story on the California Supreme Court's decision this week gay marriage law. I posted this to their blog.
David Myers said...
In this country everyone has a right to express their own opinions.Everyone has the right to express their idea’s to our state leaders and to support those that comes close to our idea’s. That does not mean that you are wrong and it does not mean that they are wrong.Mitch Daniels state that he would be for a constitution amendment to ban gay marriage. Do you expect him to stand down from his conviction on this subject? I don’t see that happening and I look for him to take the election in November. Why is there such a fuss About this bill anyway? It only gives the citizens of Indiana the right to vote to banned gay marriage. If you were not afraid of this passing on the ballot and the people would their say, there would not be such of a fight on this issue. Don't the citizens of this state have that right?
Advance Indiana said...
David, We're not talking about a simple referencum. We're talking about a mean-spirited amendment, which will write discrimination against a group of persons into Indiana's Bill of Rights. The cavalier attitude you and Gov. Daniels show in stripping away other people's rights is a perfect example of tyranny by the majority. We have a constitution which defines the rights of individuals because our founders knew and feared a tyrannical majority would take away the rights of unpopular minorities when left to their own devices. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to ensure liberty and freedom for all. To use it as a hammer against any group is simply unacceptable and should be discouraged and fought at all expense.
__________
I disagree. We are talking mean-spirited when the people of America are banned from voting on such issues. If there was support for gay marriage, they would be running over your selves to get this on the ballot as soon as they could. If laws of this country also gives the right to us, the individual citizens to vote on constitutional issues. The tyrannic is when that vote is taken away.
Besides this, what will the right for gays open up? I know of a few that would not mind having more then one spouse. Would we have that right also?
We will pay the cost of doing business.
Firms may use price hikes to offset expected increases:
I have been saying this for a year now that you will see prices go up with buninesses property taxes almost doubling for 2007. We all will recieve a bill next month if I understand it right.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/BUSINESS/805180417
Marion County's reassessment shifted tens of millions of dollars of the property tax burden away from homeowners and onto businesses, but those businesses might shift some of the cost right back to residents with higher prices for everything from a cup of coffee to apartment rents to recoup the expense.
I have been saying this for a year now that you will see prices go up with buninesses property taxes almost doubling for 2007. We all will recieve a bill next month if I understand it right.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/BUSINESS/805180417
Marion County's reassessment shifted tens of millions of dollars of the property tax burden away from homeowners and onto businesses, but those businesses might shift some of the cost right back to residents with higher prices for everything from a cup of coffee to apartment rents to recoup the expense.
5/17/2008
Ballard apparently had enough
I could not help but post this from INDIANA BARRISTER :
I’ve picked up some good gossip lately. Here it is. Take it for what it’s worth.
Is former Deputy Mayor and Marion County Prosecutor candidate Melina Kennedy gearing up for a Mayoral run in 2011? Maybe. Her old boss, Bart Peterson is having a party at the Broadmoor Country club and invited all of his old staff, except the ones who still work for city hall. Some say it’s more than a friendly get together.
Joanne Sanders, the Democratic Leader on the City-County Council may want to watch her back. Rumor has it that she supported David Orenlichter in the primary and now some of the Black Democrats on the Council think she should step down as leader because she did not support Andre Carson.
And speaking of Councils and Mayors, word is Council member Bill Oliver tried to “punk out” the Mayor at a recent meeting of the concerned clergy, calling Ballard everything but a flat out racist. Ballard apparently had enough and gave Oliver a verbal “pimp slapping” at that gathering. I wish someone had been rolling tape on that one.
FYI, the city should know Tuesday if it’s getting the 2012 Super Bowl.
The controversy between the Jill Long Thompson campaign and the UAW may not be over quite yet. The UAW filed a complaint against Thompson’s campaign over money spent on television advertising. The Election Commission says it can’t look at the complaint until the end of the reporting period which is July 15.
By the way, JLT has a new friend in former Congressional candidate Dr. Woody Myers. He recently wrote her a check for $20,000.
And for those of you who thought all the action was in Democratic circles these days, the Republican race for Attorney General Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and challenger AG Chief of Staff Greg Zoeller is stepping up. I’m hearing that while Costas is the Governor’s choice, Zoeller has been working hard to get the votes of the delegates to be the nominee. I think this race will eventually got to Costas, but it will be closer than anyone thinks.
And someone needs to tell Marion County Sheriff candidate Kerry Forestall that the next time you have a political fund raiser at Bubba’s on East Washington that officers should leave their squad cars at home. It’s never nice to mix government and politics, especially where they can be easily seen from the parking lot.
And congratulations to my good friend Leslie Hiner. She is leaving her position as Chief of Staff for House Republicans to take a position with the Friedman Foundation; the school choice people.
I’ve picked up some good gossip lately. Here it is. Take it for what it’s worth.
Is former Deputy Mayor and Marion County Prosecutor candidate Melina Kennedy gearing up for a Mayoral run in 2011? Maybe. Her old boss, Bart Peterson is having a party at the Broadmoor Country club and invited all of his old staff, except the ones who still work for city hall. Some say it’s more than a friendly get together.
Joanne Sanders, the Democratic Leader on the City-County Council may want to watch her back. Rumor has it that she supported David Orenlichter in the primary and now some of the Black Democrats on the Council think she should step down as leader because she did not support Andre Carson.
And speaking of Councils and Mayors, word is Council member Bill Oliver tried to “punk out” the Mayor at a recent meeting of the concerned clergy, calling Ballard everything but a flat out racist. Ballard apparently had enough and gave Oliver a verbal “pimp slapping” at that gathering. I wish someone had been rolling tape on that one.
FYI, the city should know Tuesday if it’s getting the 2012 Super Bowl.
The controversy between the Jill Long Thompson campaign and the UAW may not be over quite yet. The UAW filed a complaint against Thompson’s campaign over money spent on television advertising. The Election Commission says it can’t look at the complaint until the end of the reporting period which is July 15.
By the way, JLT has a new friend in former Congressional candidate Dr. Woody Myers. He recently wrote her a check for $20,000.
And for those of you who thought all the action was in Democratic circles these days, the Republican race for Attorney General Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and challenger AG Chief of Staff Greg Zoeller is stepping up. I’m hearing that while Costas is the Governor’s choice, Zoeller has been working hard to get the votes of the delegates to be the nominee. I think this race will eventually got to Costas, but it will be closer than anyone thinks.
And someone needs to tell Marion County Sheriff candidate Kerry Forestall that the next time you have a political fund raiser at Bubba’s on East Washington that officers should leave their squad cars at home. It’s never nice to mix government and politics, especially where they can be easily seen from the parking lot.
And congratulations to my good friend Leslie Hiner. She is leaving her position as Chief of Staff for House Republicans to take a position with the Friedman Foundation; the school choice people.
5/16/2008
sex couples have right to marry
I hope people do not get to excited the California Supreme Court.
"The celebration could turn out to be short-lived, however. The court's decision could be overturned in November, when Californians are likely to vote on a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Conservative religious organizations have submitted more than 1.1 million signatures on initiative petitions, and officials are working to determine if at least 694,354 of them are valid.
If the measure qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it, it will supersede today's ruling. The initiative does not say whether it would apply retroactively to annul marriages performed before November, an omission that would wind up before the courts. "
Thanks to the Indiana Lawblog.
"The celebration could turn out to be short-lived, however. The court's decision could be overturned in November, when Californians are likely to vote on a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Conservative religious organizations have submitted more than 1.1 million signatures on initiative petitions, and officials are working to determine if at least 694,354 of them are valid.
If the measure qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it, it will supersede today's ruling. The initiative does not say whether it would apply retroactively to annul marriages performed before November, an omission that would wind up before the courts. "
Thanks to the Indiana Lawblog.
5/15/2008
Should our goverment step in?
There are those who thinks the government should step in on the gasoline companies to check on their profits. Why should or shall I say could the government have this right? We live in a free market in this country. A free market does not stop just because of what the company or CEO is making. I could have a hot dog stand downtown Indianapolis and ask one hundred dollars for each hot dog. Now if people are buying, why should people think that the government should step in investigate me? If they want the product and are willing to pay my price, who is to say I am cheating the public? I know some will read this and say we need the gas for everyday life in America, but do we? Yes, you need gasoline to get back and forth to work. Some who lives a short distance could ride a bike, walk or get their on a scooter of some sort. We must first learn what need and want is. Then we must learn how price and demand effects the price of the product. In this case gasoline.
Indiana separation of the races
I recieved an email from the Indiana State Legislative today. I will pass it on to you and it is as follows:
Public Forum on Youth Services
A public forum of the Indiana Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services has been scheduled in Indianapolis next week. I invite you to attend this meeting and bring your ideas on how we can better serve Hoosier children.
Did you know…?
· In 2005, the State’s child population was 86% White, 8% Black — however, 28% of the out-of home/foster care population was Black.
· In Indiana, Black children are 4 times more likely and Hispanic children are 2 times more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions than Whites.
The Indiana Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services is charged with reviewing and addressing the disproportionate representation of youth of color in the use of youth services in juvenile justice, child welfare, education and mental health services.
Your feedback and participation in the public meeting will help the commission develop recommendations on how the state's children can be better served in these areas.
Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services - Public Forum
Tuesday, May 20
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech Campus
North Meridian Center - Fourth Floor Auditorium
50 West Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis
Now I ask this question Why are the white kids not included in this "Indiana Commission"
If anyone today would say that the Indiana Commission is charged with reviewing and addressing the disproportionate representation of all whites in the use of youth services in juvenile justice, child welfare, education and mental health services, this would be labled racist. Why is this not racist?
Public Forum on Youth Services
A public forum of the Indiana Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services has been scheduled in Indianapolis next week. I invite you to attend this meeting and bring your ideas on how we can better serve Hoosier children.
Did you know…?
· In 2005, the State’s child population was 86% White, 8% Black — however, 28% of the out-of home/foster care population was Black.
· In Indiana, Black children are 4 times more likely and Hispanic children are 2 times more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions than Whites.
The Indiana Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services is charged with reviewing and addressing the disproportionate representation of youth of color in the use of youth services in juvenile justice, child welfare, education and mental health services.
Your feedback and participation in the public meeting will help the commission develop recommendations on how the state's children can be better served in these areas.
Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services - Public Forum
Tuesday, May 20
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech Campus
North Meridian Center - Fourth Floor Auditorium
50 West Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis
Now I ask this question Why are the white kids not included in this "Indiana Commission"
If anyone today would say that the Indiana Commission is charged with reviewing and addressing the disproportionate representation of all whites in the use of youth services in juvenile justice, child welfare, education and mental health services, this would be labled racist. Why is this not racist?
And what is there point? :)
An Australian man has been fined after buckling in a case of beer with a seat belt but leaving a 5-year-old child to sit on the car's floor, police said Tuesday. Constable Wayne Burnett said he was "shocked and appalled" when he pulled over the unregistered car Friday in the central Australian town of Alice Springs.
The 30-can beer case was strapped in between two adults sitting in the back seat of the car. The child was also in back, but on the car's floor.
"The child was sitting in the lump in the center, unrestrained," Burnett told reporters Tuesday.
"I haven't ever seen something like this before," he said. "This is the first time that the beer has taken priority over a child."
The driver was fined 750 Australian dollars - about $710 - for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and for failing to ensure a child was wearing a safety belt.
The 30-can beer case was strapped in between two adults sitting in the back seat of the car. The child was also in back, but on the car's floor.
"The child was sitting in the lump in the center, unrestrained," Burnett told reporters Tuesday.
"I haven't ever seen something like this before," he said. "This is the first time that the beer has taken priority over a child."
The driver was fined 750 Australian dollars - about $710 - for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and for failing to ensure a child was wearing a safety belt.
Are you driving a gas hog?
If you do and want to trade it in, good luck. I have heard that most dealerships now have cut out taking them as trade-ins. They have to many on their lots now and are not able to move them out. If you decide to buy a smaller car, you can always sit that big gas hog out in the front lawn and make it a planter of some sort.
Of course the smaller car and truck owners have seen an increase of the value of their vehicles. But I will keep my 12 year old ranger because it runs A-l and is good on gas. Now off to work I go.
Of course the smaller car and truck owners have seen an increase of the value of their vehicles. But I will keep my 12 year old ranger because it runs A-l and is good on gas. Now off to work I go.
foreclosure filings surged 65 percent
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/BUSINESS/805150464/1003/BUSINESS
More U.S. homeowners fell behind on mortgage payments last month, driving the number of homes facing foreclosure up 65 percent versus the same month last year and contributing to a deepening slide in home values, a research company said Tuesday. Nationwide, 243,353 homes received at least one foreclosure-related filing in April, up 65 percent from 147,708 in the same month last year and up 4 percent since March, RealtyTrac said. Indiana, which at times has been among the states with the highest foreclosures, was not listed in the top 10.
More U.S. homeowners fell behind on mortgage payments last month, driving the number of homes facing foreclosure up 65 percent versus the same month last year and contributing to a deepening slide in home values, a research company said Tuesday. Nationwide, 243,353 homes received at least one foreclosure-related filing in April, up 65 percent from 147,708 in the same month last year and up 4 percent since March, RealtyTrac said. Indiana, which at times has been among the states with the highest foreclosures, was not listed in the top 10.
5/14/2008
From the AARP
May 14, 2008
Tell Your Senators to Keep Medicare Fair
Click here to tell your Senators to Keep Medicare Fair!
Your Senators can play a pivotal role in crafting Medicare legislation that will impact the cost of premiums.
201,009 people have signed the KeepMedicareFair.org petition, but nothing is more powerful than your direct voice.
Will you make sure that your Senators hear from you before it is too late?
Click here now to send a note insisting that your Senators lead the charge for a Medicare solution that protects older Americans from large hikes in patient premiums.
What’s coming if we don’t act together? The weight of skyrocketing health care costs is in danger of being passed on – yet again – to you or anyone you know who is on Medicare.
The fact is, Medicare premiums have more than doubled since 2000, and Congress is considering actions that may raise your premiums even higher than usual. Final decisions will be made soon – you have less than seven weeks to make your voice heard. The clock is ticking.
Congress is considering legislation to pay doctors more, resulting in extra premium increases to Medicare Part B. Haven’t Medicare recipients shouldered enough of the burden? Is it fair that they should have to bear the cost of a broken health care system?
We’re asking you to take action today because you live in a critical state, one of only a handful to be selected for this targeted effort. Because your Senators can be key players in this Medicare debate, we want them to use their influence to protect people in Medicare.
So let your Senators know how you feel. Make your Senators accountable to you. Tell Congress to Keep Medicare Fair!
We really need your help on this one. Together, we can ensure that Congress acts quickly and decisively to Keep Medicare Fair.
Sincerely,
The AARP Online Advocacy Team
Tell Your Senators to Keep Medicare Fair
Click here to tell your Senators to Keep Medicare Fair!
Your Senators can play a pivotal role in crafting Medicare legislation that will impact the cost of premiums.
201,009 people have signed the KeepMedicareFair.org petition, but nothing is more powerful than your direct voice.
Will you make sure that your Senators hear from you before it is too late?
Click here now to send a note insisting that your Senators lead the charge for a Medicare solution that protects older Americans from large hikes in patient premiums.
What’s coming if we don’t act together? The weight of skyrocketing health care costs is in danger of being passed on – yet again – to you or anyone you know who is on Medicare.
The fact is, Medicare premiums have more than doubled since 2000, and Congress is considering actions that may raise your premiums even higher than usual. Final decisions will be made soon – you have less than seven weeks to make your voice heard. The clock is ticking.
Congress is considering legislation to pay doctors more, resulting in extra premium increases to Medicare Part B. Haven’t Medicare recipients shouldered enough of the burden? Is it fair that they should have to bear the cost of a broken health care system?
We’re asking you to take action today because you live in a critical state, one of only a handful to be selected for this targeted effort. Because your Senators can be key players in this Medicare debate, we want them to use their influence to protect people in Medicare.
So let your Senators know how you feel. Make your Senators accountable to you. Tell Congress to Keep Medicare Fair!
We really need your help on this one. Together, we can ensure that Congress acts quickly and decisively to Keep Medicare Fair.
Sincerely,
The AARP Online Advocacy Team
5/13/2008
Need a Restroom? Better look before you enter
A New York City restaurant has settled a lawsuit brought against it by a lesbian who says she was ejected because a bouncer thought she was a man in the ladies' room.
Caliente Cab Company, while denying the allegations, agreed to pay Khadijah (kah-DEE'-jah) Farmer $35,000 and train its staff to be sensitive to gender identity issues.
Farmer says she's happy with the outcome, saying it "does send a positive message."
She says she was humiliated last year when she and her party were thrown out of the restaurant after the annual Gay Pride parade.
Farmer, who wears her hair close-cropped and favors khakis and man-tailored shirts, says she has no intention of changing her look. http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8318466
_________
I guess if you think that its a man in the ladies rest room you better not throw her out or you will also get sued. Should you ask if the person is male or female? You might not like the reaction of some you ask. It is confusing these days to tell the difference between a man or woman. How many times have you set there wondering?
Caliente Cab Company, while denying the allegations, agreed to pay Khadijah (kah-DEE'-jah) Farmer $35,000 and train its staff to be sensitive to gender identity issues.
Farmer says she's happy with the outcome, saying it "does send a positive message."
She says she was humiliated last year when she and her party were thrown out of the restaurant after the annual Gay Pride parade.
Farmer, who wears her hair close-cropped and favors khakis and man-tailored shirts, says she has no intention of changing her look. http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8318466
_________
I guess if you think that its a man in the ladies rest room you better not throw her out or you will also get sued. Should you ask if the person is male or female? You might not like the reaction of some you ask. It is confusing these days to tell the difference between a man or woman. How many times have you set there wondering?
Gasoline up stocks fall
Another 20-cent jump in regular unleaded gas prices greeted motorists on their morning commute Tuesday. Speedway gas stations increased their prices overnight from around $3.75 a gallon to $3.95, putting a bigger dent in consumers' wallets.
How will this effect you personally? I would advise you to invest in some locking gas caps for your vehicles. But don't be fooled by the signs of the price of gas. Its not $3.95, its $3.95.9, almost $3.96. It always amazed me how they make people think that its a penny cheaper.
Look like I am going to let part of my lawn grow a little taller before I mow it. I will mow the front and part of the back. As far as driving, I only drive about 7 or 8 miles per week.
Look for prices to raise on your shopping needs. It takes trucks to deliver those products you buy. Many owner operators have sold their trucks already and more will follow suit.
The stock market fell 44 points today and I look for a big dip tomorrow as the market opens.
For those who follows the market, I made a big mistake by selling FDG when it went to $21.00 some time ago. Its up to over $71 today :(
How will this effect you personally? I would advise you to invest in some locking gas caps for your vehicles. But don't be fooled by the signs of the price of gas. Its not $3.95, its $3.95.9, almost $3.96. It always amazed me how they make people think that its a penny cheaper.
Look like I am going to let part of my lawn grow a little taller before I mow it. I will mow the front and part of the back. As far as driving, I only drive about 7 or 8 miles per week.
Look for prices to raise on your shopping needs. It takes trucks to deliver those products you buy. Many owner operators have sold their trucks already and more will follow suit.
The stock market fell 44 points today and I look for a big dip tomorrow as the market opens.
For those who follows the market, I made a big mistake by selling FDG when it went to $21.00 some time ago. Its up to over $71 today :(
The ditch Mitch crowd
With the new ads you see on TV from Mitch Danials campaign there is some disagreement with the ditch Mitch crowd about taxes.
Yes we did have some tax raises:
Increase of the cigarette tax: To provide health care to children. Now I don't know why they are blasting Mitch for this. I personally did not like this tax increase.
His advocacy of local income tax increases: Bart Peterson spend $300,000 to get this tax passed. As far as Danials backing it, it would take more pressure off the state to bail cities out. Of course none of use were for this tax increase.
Raising of the sales tax by 17% : It was my belief that most citizens was for this tax raise to level off property taxes. It will take sometime, about three years, to see what effect this will have on your property tax relief. But in the end, by 2011, you will see property taxes go down to the 1% cap.
Now lets take a look at what Mitch has done for Indiana.
Gov Daniels has paid back over $520 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.
Governor Daniels, in 2006, signed a law directing development of a long-term plan for student assessment. The plan was unanimously approved and is in the process of implementation.
Indiana received federal charter school grants, in 2005 and 2007, to assist with planning, design and initial implementation. In the past three years, 20 new charter schools have opened their doors. More than 9,000 students now attend charter schools across the state.
Indiana now ranks #1 in the midwest and #12 nationally for our business climate in the country, #8 for our overall cost of doing business, and #1 in international investment in the country in 2007 (Forbes Report, July 2007, Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index). CEO Magazine has also rated Indiana #4 in the midwest and #8 in the nation to do business.
Since taking office, over 60,000 new good-paying jobs have been committed by 2012 and some 43,200 more Hoosiers have jobs now than in 2005.
Indiana's unemployment rate hit a 6 year low in July of 2008 with 4.4% - and the lowest in the region. One economist described Indiana as an "island of growth" (IBJ, Dec 24-30, 2007).
Achieved Indiana's first two honestly balanced budgets in nearly a decade. Took the previous administration's $200 million deficit to a billion dollar surplus.
Paid back $750 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.
Trimmed over $250 million in unnecessary spending from state government and saved a total of $190 million by renegotiating the previous administration's some 30 contracts.
Shorten lines, improve service, and save tax dollars at the BMV.
Increased the number of 24-hour, self-service terminals by more than 50 percent and provided discounts for mail-in and Internet registrations. The average wait time at any statewide BMV branch now set at 8 minutes, and an overall satisfaction rate of 96 percent
Six-year diver's license extending the current four-year license renewal period.
In 2005, moved 900 inmates from Kentucky jails back to Indiana prisons - saving taxpayers $8.2 million annually.
In 2006, a private company was hired to mange the New Castle Correctional Facility. The contract resulted in 230 new jobs. Costs were reduced by $3 million - a savings of nearly 17%.
Governor's third executive order, on first day in office, created Office of the Inspector General. Daniels signs bill permanently establishing office. Since inception, investigations have recovered $6 million and charges were filed against 36 state employees for various offenses. Inspector General has provided ethics guidance to thousands of state employees seeking opinions.
General Assembly approves and governor signed False Claims Act in 2005. Investigations result in substantial funds recovered - including $90,000 for the State Police Memorial Foundation. Employees improperly using state gas credit cards were also fired.
In 2005, governor signed the bill into law. State Ethics Commission can issue a lifetime debarment for any person who steals or defrauds the state.
And last lets not forget who is paying for all that road construction that you see out there today. Its paid from interest from the toll road LEASE (not sale) witch I understand is over $500,000 per day.
So to Mitch haters, it does not seem to me that your figures add up.
Yes we did have some tax raises:
Increase of the cigarette tax: To provide health care to children. Now I don't know why they are blasting Mitch for this. I personally did not like this tax increase.
His advocacy of local income tax increases: Bart Peterson spend $300,000 to get this tax passed. As far as Danials backing it, it would take more pressure off the state to bail cities out. Of course none of use were for this tax increase.
Raising of the sales tax by 17% : It was my belief that most citizens was for this tax raise to level off property taxes. It will take sometime, about three years, to see what effect this will have on your property tax relief. But in the end, by 2011, you will see property taxes go down to the 1% cap.
Now lets take a look at what Mitch has done for Indiana.
Gov Daniels has paid back over $520 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.
Governor Daniels, in 2006, signed a law directing development of a long-term plan for student assessment. The plan was unanimously approved and is in the process of implementation.
Indiana received federal charter school grants, in 2005 and 2007, to assist with planning, design and initial implementation. In the past three years, 20 new charter schools have opened their doors. More than 9,000 students now attend charter schools across the state.
Indiana now ranks #1 in the midwest and #12 nationally for our business climate in the country, #8 for our overall cost of doing business, and #1 in international investment in the country in 2007 (Forbes Report, July 2007, Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index). CEO Magazine has also rated Indiana #4 in the midwest and #8 in the nation to do business.
Since taking office, over 60,000 new good-paying jobs have been committed by 2012 and some 43,200 more Hoosiers have jobs now than in 2005.
Indiana's unemployment rate hit a 6 year low in July of 2008 with 4.4% - and the lowest in the region. One economist described Indiana as an "island of growth" (IBJ, Dec 24-30, 2007).
Achieved Indiana's first two honestly balanced budgets in nearly a decade. Took the previous administration's $200 million deficit to a billion dollar surplus.
Paid back $750 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.
Trimmed over $250 million in unnecessary spending from state government and saved a total of $190 million by renegotiating the previous administration's some 30 contracts.
Shorten lines, improve service, and save tax dollars at the BMV.
Increased the number of 24-hour, self-service terminals by more than 50 percent and provided discounts for mail-in and Internet registrations. The average wait time at any statewide BMV branch now set at 8 minutes, and an overall satisfaction rate of 96 percent
Six-year diver's license extending the current four-year license renewal period.
In 2005, moved 900 inmates from Kentucky jails back to Indiana prisons - saving taxpayers $8.2 million annually.
In 2006, a private company was hired to mange the New Castle Correctional Facility. The contract resulted in 230 new jobs. Costs were reduced by $3 million - a savings of nearly 17%.
Governor's third executive order, on first day in office, created Office of the Inspector General. Daniels signs bill permanently establishing office. Since inception, investigations have recovered $6 million and charges were filed against 36 state employees for various offenses. Inspector General has provided ethics guidance to thousands of state employees seeking opinions.
General Assembly approves and governor signed False Claims Act in 2005. Investigations result in substantial funds recovered - including $90,000 for the State Police Memorial Foundation. Employees improperly using state gas credit cards were also fired.
In 2005, governor signed the bill into law. State Ethics Commission can issue a lifetime debarment for any person who steals or defrauds the state.
And last lets not forget who is paying for all that road construction that you see out there today. Its paid from interest from the toll road LEASE (not sale) witch I understand is over $500,000 per day.
So to Mitch haters, it does not seem to me that your figures add up.
And the war of the blogs continue.
It seems that http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/ and a blog called http://circlecitypundit.blogspot.com/ are at it again.
Statement from the circlecitypundit:
"Now, I’m the last one to state that anyone has to toe any particular line when creating or writing a blog. After all, that’s the beauty of the process, the ability for one to post whatever one’s heart desires. But if the blogosphere is ever to be taken seriously and accorded the respect it deserves, we all must call out anyone who takes the path of “conspiracies are us”, especially without the associated sourcing of facts that mainstream journalists require. There’s simply no room for a blog that desires to be taken seriously to venture into this territory. It’s too bad when a blog that has been influential in the past takes this route."
And we have a statement from hoosierforfairtaxation:
"This should really piss off the guys at Circle City Pundit. Lately they tried to discredit this blog as being uncredible due to publishing criticism of George Bush and how he does not uphold the US Constitution. Then the blog accused filmmaker Aaron Russo of being a conspiracy theorist, yet failed to point to a single fact that was incorrect in his film we linked. Conversely, Aaron Russo clearly makes a case that the IRS is an unlawful agency and the federal reserve is a corrupt cartel.This is what pundits and news people do if you dare discredit their corrupt status quo. They label you insane, an idiot, and discredit your work without discussing evidence or fact. Beware, if you dare think independently and don't let FoxNews spoon feed your thoughts to you, you just might find yourself labeled by a pizzaboy pundit. There's a reason why republican George Bush's approval rating is the lowest of any president in history. And the democratic controlled Congress is not rated much better. But you keep on supporting the status quo, pizzaboy."
You can find these statements on both web sits.
Now you have seen me post to this blog about things that Hoosiers for fair taxation has posted to their blog. Its things that I disagree with totally. But I am the only one that post to this site. I have notice on the taxation site that the post are not sign and I believe more then one person post on that blog. If these are posted by Melyssa Donaghy she should sign every post. If not the the author of that post should sign that post. If Melyssa Donaghy is the only one posting this it should be stated some where in the blog.
My personal feelings about Melyssa and her blog is that she has gotten off base with the purpose what it was started for. I am all for someone endorsing a candidate but when you take up the fight for certain small number of people, you will hurt the purpose of what you wanted to get done in the first place. When you mix your personal life with a purpose that you want done, you will only hurt yourself in the end.
Statement from the circlecitypundit:
"Now, I’m the last one to state that anyone has to toe any particular line when creating or writing a blog. After all, that’s the beauty of the process, the ability for one to post whatever one’s heart desires. But if the blogosphere is ever to be taken seriously and accorded the respect it deserves, we all must call out anyone who takes the path of “conspiracies are us”, especially without the associated sourcing of facts that mainstream journalists require. There’s simply no room for a blog that desires to be taken seriously to venture into this territory. It’s too bad when a blog that has been influential in the past takes this route."
And we have a statement from hoosierforfairtaxation:
"This should really piss off the guys at Circle City Pundit. Lately they tried to discredit this blog as being uncredible due to publishing criticism of George Bush and how he does not uphold the US Constitution. Then the blog accused filmmaker Aaron Russo of being a conspiracy theorist, yet failed to point to a single fact that was incorrect in his film we linked. Conversely, Aaron Russo clearly makes a case that the IRS is an unlawful agency and the federal reserve is a corrupt cartel.This is what pundits and news people do if you dare discredit their corrupt status quo. They label you insane, an idiot, and discredit your work without discussing evidence or fact. Beware, if you dare think independently and don't let FoxNews spoon feed your thoughts to you, you just might find yourself labeled by a pizzaboy pundit. There's a reason why republican George Bush's approval rating is the lowest of any president in history. And the democratic controlled Congress is not rated much better. But you keep on supporting the status quo, pizzaboy."
You can find these statements on both web sits.
Now you have seen me post to this blog about things that Hoosiers for fair taxation has posted to their blog. Its things that I disagree with totally. But I am the only one that post to this site. I have notice on the taxation site that the post are not sign and I believe more then one person post on that blog. If these are posted by Melyssa Donaghy she should sign every post. If not the the author of that post should sign that post. If Melyssa Donaghy is the only one posting this it should be stated some where in the blog.
My personal feelings about Melyssa and her blog is that she has gotten off base with the purpose what it was started for. I am all for someone endorsing a candidate but when you take up the fight for certain small number of people, you will hurt the purpose of what you wanted to get done in the first place. When you mix your personal life with a purpose that you want done, you will only hurt yourself in the end.
Memorial Service
May 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. LOCATION: North steps of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument; Downtown Indianapolis and free parking in the Downtown area on this day from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
A reath-laying ceremony, dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation, took place while the names of those Indiana servicemen who have fallen within the past year were read aloud.
A military funeral Cortège, a special horse-drawn caisson presented by the Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit, symbolized Army soldiers who accompany the remains of the deceased to the gravesite. The rider-less horse represented the fact that the deceased had fallen as a warrior and will not ride again. A ceremonial flyover by the “Blacksnakes” of the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard, Fort Wayne, Ind., concluded the service.
From: http://www.500festival.com/events/MemorialService.asp
A reath-laying ceremony, dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation, took place while the names of those Indiana servicemen who have fallen within the past year were read aloud.
A military funeral Cortège, a special horse-drawn caisson presented by the Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit, symbolized Army soldiers who accompany the remains of the deceased to the gravesite. The rider-less horse represented the fact that the deceased had fallen as a warrior and will not ride again. A ceremonial flyover by the “Blacksnakes” of the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard, Fort Wayne, Ind., concluded the service.
From: http://www.500festival.com/events/MemorialService.asp
Forget gas prices, how about food prices.
A new crisis is emerging, a global food catastrophe that will reach further and be more crippling than anything the world has ever seen. The credit crunch and the reverberations of soaring oil prices around the world will pale in comparison to what is about to transpire, Donald Coxe, global portfolio strategist at BMO Financial Group said at the Empire Club's 14th annual investment outlook in Toronto on Thursday.
"It's not a matter of if, but when," he warned investors. "It's going to hit this year hard."
Mr. Coxe said the sharp rise in raw food prices in the past year will intensify in the next few years amid increased demand for meat and dairy products from the growing middle classes of countries such as China and India as well as heavy demand from the biofuels industry.
"The greatest challenge to the world is not US$100 oil; it's getting enough food so that the new middle class can eat the way our middle class does, and that means we've got to expand food output dramatically," he said.
The impact of tighter food supply is already evident in raw food prices, which have risen 22% in the past year.
Mr. Coxe said in an interview that this surge would begin to show in the prices of consumer foods in the next six months. Consumers already paid 6.5% more for food in the past year.
Wheat prices alone have risen 92% in the past year, and yesterday closed at US$9.45 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.
At the centre of the imminent food catastrophe is corn - the main staple of the ethanol industry. The price of corn has risen about 44% over the past 15 months, closing at US$4.66 a bushel on the CBOT yesterday - its best finish since June 1996.
This not only impacts the price of food products made using grains, but also the price of meat, with feed prices for livestock also increasing.
"You're going to have real problems in countries that are food short, because we're already getting embargoes on food exports from countries, who were trying desperately to sell their stuff before, but now they're embargoing exports," he said, citing Russia and India as examples.
"Those who have food are going to have a big edge."
With 54% of the world's corn supply grown in America's mid-west, the U.S. is one of those countries with an edge.
But Mr. Coxe warned U.S. corn exports were in danger of seizing up in about three years if the country continues to subsidize ethanol production. Biofuels are expected to eat up about a third of America's grain harvest in 2007.
The amount of U.S. grain currently stored for following seasons was the lowest on record, relative to consumption, he said.
"You should be there for it fully-hedged by having access to those stocks that benefit from rising food prices."
He said there are about two dozen stocks in the world that are going to redefine the world's food supplies, and "those stocks will have a precious value as we move forward."
Mr. Coxe said crop yields around the world need to increase to something close to what is achieved in the state of Illinois, which produces over 200 corn bushes an acre compared with an average 30 bushes an acre in the rest of the world.
"That will be done with more fertilizer, with genetically modified seeds, and with advanced machinery and technology," he said.
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=213343
"It's not a matter of if, but when," he warned investors. "It's going to hit this year hard."
Mr. Coxe said the sharp rise in raw food prices in the past year will intensify in the next few years amid increased demand for meat and dairy products from the growing middle classes of countries such as China and India as well as heavy demand from the biofuels industry.
"The greatest challenge to the world is not US$100 oil; it's getting enough food so that the new middle class can eat the way our middle class does, and that means we've got to expand food output dramatically," he said.
The impact of tighter food supply is already evident in raw food prices, which have risen 22% in the past year.
Mr. Coxe said in an interview that this surge would begin to show in the prices of consumer foods in the next six months. Consumers already paid 6.5% more for food in the past year.
Wheat prices alone have risen 92% in the past year, and yesterday closed at US$9.45 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.
At the centre of the imminent food catastrophe is corn - the main staple of the ethanol industry. The price of corn has risen about 44% over the past 15 months, closing at US$4.66 a bushel on the CBOT yesterday - its best finish since June 1996.
This not only impacts the price of food products made using grains, but also the price of meat, with feed prices for livestock also increasing.
"You're going to have real problems in countries that are food short, because we're already getting embargoes on food exports from countries, who were trying desperately to sell their stuff before, but now they're embargoing exports," he said, citing Russia and India as examples.
"Those who have food are going to have a big edge."
With 54% of the world's corn supply grown in America's mid-west, the U.S. is one of those countries with an edge.
But Mr. Coxe warned U.S. corn exports were in danger of seizing up in about three years if the country continues to subsidize ethanol production. Biofuels are expected to eat up about a third of America's grain harvest in 2007.
The amount of U.S. grain currently stored for following seasons was the lowest on record, relative to consumption, he said.
"You should be there for it fully-hedged by having access to those stocks that benefit from rising food prices."
He said there are about two dozen stocks in the world that are going to redefine the world's food supplies, and "those stocks will have a precious value as we move forward."
Mr. Coxe said crop yields around the world need to increase to something close to what is achieved in the state of Illinois, which produces over 200 corn bushes an acre compared with an average 30 bushes an acre in the rest of the world.
"That will be done with more fertilizer, with genetically modified seeds, and with advanced machinery and technology," he said.
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=213343
$4.00 a gallan gas? Not for some
Mom-and-pop service stations are running into a problem as gasoline marches toward $4 a gallon: Thousands of old-fashioned pumps can't register more than $3.99 on their spinning mechanical dials.
The pumps, throwbacks to a bygone era on the American road, are difficult and expensive to upgrade, and replacing them is often out of the question for station owners who are still just scraping by.
Many of the same pumps can only count up to $99.99 for the total sale, preventing owners of some SUVs, vans, trucks and tractor-trailers to fill their tanks all the way.
As many as 8,500 of the nation's 170,000 service stations have old-style meters that need to be fixed — about 17,000 individual pumps, said Bob Renkes, executive vice president of the Petroleum Equipment Institute of Tulsa, Okla. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355243,00.html
The pumps, throwbacks to a bygone era on the American road, are difficult and expensive to upgrade, and replacing them is often out of the question for station owners who are still just scraping by.
Many of the same pumps can only count up to $99.99 for the total sale, preventing owners of some SUVs, vans, trucks and tractor-trailers to fill their tanks all the way.
As many as 8,500 of the nation's 170,000 service stations have old-style meters that need to be fixed — about 17,000 individual pumps, said Bob Renkes, executive vice president of the Petroleum Equipment Institute of Tulsa, Okla. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355243,00.html
Immigration Raid
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Federal immigration agents on Monday arrested at least 300 people during a raid at a Postville meat processing plant. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355178,00.html
5/11/2008
Walk with IMPD
There is a 4 week crime prevention program going on right now.
April 28th thru May 23rd, Monday thru Friday at 5:30 you can walk with IMPD on Washington Part trails. You have your choice of 1.5 miles or 2.5 miles. You Start in front of Park family center 3130 E. 30th street.
To pre-Register call Annie Kern at 327-6265 Here is a chance for you to get some exercise and make walking outdoors safer!
April 28th thru May 23rd, Monday thru Friday at 5:30 you can walk with IMPD on Washington Part trails. You have your choice of 1.5 miles or 2.5 miles. You Start in front of Park family center 3130 E. 30th street.
To pre-Register call Annie Kern at 327-6265 Here is a chance for you to get some exercise and make walking outdoors safer!
2nd Annual Community Day
Advance notice:
The 2nd Annual community day will be June 26th at IPS school 93, 7151 E. 35th Street from 10:30 to 2:30. And its free. All you have to do is show up.
Activities Include giveaways games prizes and Karate demonstrations. Also all IMPD units will attend, Mounted Patrols, canine unit bomb squad and they will even have a Helicopter there.
Food and drinks, Education information, IFD activities, health screenings and Clown Balloons.
Here is you chance to get involved in activities on the east side of Indianapolis. I urge all of you to attend this community day.
The 2nd Annual community day will be June 26th at IPS school 93, 7151 E. 35th Street from 10:30 to 2:30. And its free. All you have to do is show up.
Activities Include giveaways games prizes and Karate demonstrations. Also all IMPD units will attend, Mounted Patrols, canine unit bomb squad and they will even have a Helicopter there.
Food and drinks, Education information, IFD activities, health screenings and Clown Balloons.
Here is you chance to get involved in activities on the east side of Indianapolis. I urge all of you to attend this community day.
Don't forget to add a peny stamp today
The cost of mailing a letter goes up a penny to 42 cents on Monday, the latest in what are expected to be annual price adjustments by the Postal Service.
A new law regulating the post office makes it easier to raise rates as long as the agency doesn't exceed the rate of inflation. Rates are to be adjusted each May.
But the post office also has introduced a way for people to save money when the price goes up, the Forever stamp, which remains valid for first-class postage regardless of any increases.
With the rate increase approaching, sales of the Forever stamp reached 64 million-a-day in April, postal officials said.
Forever stamps currently sell for 41-cents, but can be used after the rate increase without any additional postage. However, when the rate goes up, so does the price of Forever stamps.
Unlike the Forever stamps, other 41-cent stamps will require additional postage under the new rates, and postal officials said they printed an additional 1.5 billion 1-cent stamps in anticipation of the demand.
Also, for the first time the agency has stamps available at the new rate before the change takes effect. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354870,00.html
A new law regulating the post office makes it easier to raise rates as long as the agency doesn't exceed the rate of inflation. Rates are to be adjusted each May.
But the post office also has introduced a way for people to save money when the price goes up, the Forever stamp, which remains valid for first-class postage regardless of any increases.
With the rate increase approaching, sales of the Forever stamp reached 64 million-a-day in April, postal officials said.
Forever stamps currently sell for 41-cents, but can be used after the rate increase without any additional postage. However, when the rate goes up, so does the price of Forever stamps.
Unlike the Forever stamps, other 41-cent stamps will require additional postage under the new rates, and postal officials said they printed an additional 1.5 billion 1-cent stamps in anticipation of the demand.
Also, for the first time the agency has stamps available at the new rate before the change takes effect. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354870,00.html
5/10/2008
Bend over Marion County
Property tax relief on its way.
Well folks, I just look up my property tax make up bill. It gives you your property tax for 2007. My tax bill for 2007 is higher then the original bill I received. I was billed in 2007 for the amount of about $1500.00 (Up from $1055 in 2006) Now I find out that it is up to $1791. So that leaves me of a make-up bill of over $700 that will be coming out next month. Plus I am paying the 1% extra sales tax that was added on this year. You can find it at: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/NEWS0307/305100003
But the state is right about future tax bills. With the build in 1% property tax cap, in three years my total will go to $1003 per year. I will be savings of over $700 per year. I repeatedly told you that you were going to pay (the make up bills) this year that it would be based on 2007 taxes, not 2006.
I guess for those people who are on a set income in retirement will have to do without other things or go borrow the money just to keep for falling behind on their property taxes. It seems strange that that these bills was were sent out one month after the election.
So when is the first tax protest going to show up on the circle this year?
Well folks, I just look up my property tax make up bill. It gives you your property tax for 2007. My tax bill for 2007 is higher then the original bill I received. I was billed in 2007 for the amount of about $1500.00 (Up from $1055 in 2006) Now I find out that it is up to $1791. So that leaves me of a make-up bill of over $700 that will be coming out next month. Plus I am paying the 1% extra sales tax that was added on this year. You can find it at: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/NEWS0307/305100003
But the state is right about future tax bills. With the build in 1% property tax cap, in three years my total will go to $1003 per year. I will be savings of over $700 per year. I repeatedly told you that you were going to pay (the make up bills) this year that it would be based on 2007 taxes, not 2006.
I guess for those people who are on a set income in retirement will have to do without other things or go borrow the money just to keep for falling behind on their property taxes. It seems strange that that these bills was were sent out one month after the election.
So when is the first tax protest going to show up on the circle this year?
5/09/2008
Are you moving to Canada
When I first read this story posted to http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/ it upset me to no end. And the person posting this did not even take credit for it by telling us his or her name.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Prediction: You will get screwed over even more after the election
The primary served to show that they started throwing dirt on us before the lid was on or, the box was in the ground. Mitch is slippery enough that he will slide back in on the slug trails left by his cronies, and the 1-2-3 "Plan" will remove ALL residual property rights in Indiana. (If you think you own your property, skip a tax payment! You WILL find out differently!) See: SB 1145, 2008 session.
The orchestrated juggling of Property Tax payment dates; statewide, is designed to keep the trolls under the bridge, until the flood of taxes comes to drown them---after the election. The sheep (see: Electorate) will follow the Shepherd / Kernan across the bridge, all the way to fleecing and slaughter.
Americans are already asking for political / financial asylum, in Canada...Where, I suppose, they can at least expect legitimate socialism. Unlike the insidious creeps we have here. The NAZIonal gubment has presented a PONZI scheme to provide the illusion of foreclosure relief, whilst lining their own pockets Which Bush has promised to veto, right after Jenna's reception...
So, the promised chicken dinner is all beaks and feathers. What you have is agendized governance, by collusion and illusion. There are NO party distinctions left. Only class division---The haves (gubment) and, the have-not's (Everyone else).
The last line of Francis Scott Key's famous tune (The Star Spangled Banner) should be updated for historical relevance, to read: "o'er the land of the greed and, the homeless slave". But, of course, it needs to be re-written in a combination of Spanish and Arabic, too...The smart monkeys learn how to open the cage, and escape. The stupid ones think they look good in carcinogenic make-up, as long as there is a promise of free bananas...The primaries sure brought out the Mary Kay monkeys!The news---
For what it's worth:Leba-tucky:http://www.reporter.net/local/local_story_129005320.html
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To whoever wrote this, I will defend your right to say such words. But I have one question for you. Have you contacted any office in Canada to find out about your political / financial asylum? Its a free country and you are free to do so.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Prediction: You will get screwed over even more after the election
The primary served to show that they started throwing dirt on us before the lid was on or, the box was in the ground. Mitch is slippery enough that he will slide back in on the slug trails left by his cronies, and the 1-2-3 "Plan" will remove ALL residual property rights in Indiana. (If you think you own your property, skip a tax payment! You WILL find out differently!) See: SB 1145, 2008 session.
The orchestrated juggling of Property Tax payment dates; statewide, is designed to keep the trolls under the bridge, until the flood of taxes comes to drown them---after the election. The sheep (see: Electorate) will follow the Shepherd / Kernan across the bridge, all the way to fleecing and slaughter.
Americans are already asking for political / financial asylum, in Canada...Where, I suppose, they can at least expect legitimate socialism. Unlike the insidious creeps we have here. The NAZIonal gubment has presented a PONZI scheme to provide the illusion of foreclosure relief, whilst lining their own pockets Which Bush has promised to veto, right after Jenna's reception...
So, the promised chicken dinner is all beaks and feathers. What you have is agendized governance, by collusion and illusion. There are NO party distinctions left. Only class division---The haves (gubment) and, the have-not's (Everyone else).
The last line of Francis Scott Key's famous tune (The Star Spangled Banner) should be updated for historical relevance, to read: "o'er the land of the greed and, the homeless slave". But, of course, it needs to be re-written in a combination of Spanish and Arabic, too...The smart monkeys learn how to open the cage, and escape. The stupid ones think they look good in carcinogenic make-up, as long as there is a promise of free bananas...The primaries sure brought out the Mary Kay monkeys!The news---
For what it's worth:Leba-tucky:http://www.reporter.net/local/local_story_129005320.html
_______________________________
To whoever wrote this, I will defend your right to say such words. But I have one question for you. Have you contacted any office in Canada to find out about your political / financial asylum? Its a free country and you are free to do so.
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