All the Other Stuff

Motivational Posters

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We’ve all seen the motivational posters that truly inspire excellence.

Even a ‘De-motivational’ line has appeared inspiring laughter from all who recognize their own weaknesses, and failings.  Even the low resolution versions of those became ‘viral’ for a time, and caused many to try and duplicate based on their own version of irony and truth telling. Alas, we are not immune to the allure of entertainment with the truth, and nothing but the truth.

payback

Glass houses indeed.

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All the Other Stuff

RightMichigan.Com Endorses Blake Edmonds For Michigan Republican Party Youth Chair

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Though we apply a decent dose of critique and praise at times, we don’t always officially endorse from here.

History will demonstrate that its hard to do so, without a near guarantee at some point that we eat crow.  Some folks make mistakes, and we might even be associated with those mistakes when, and if, that time comes.  In fact, associations are often a good indication of a candidate’s character, or at the very least, his or her ability to discern the good from the bad.  An occasional judgment lapse doesn’t define a person, and as well, a minor success or effort does not either. However, we must embrace those who bring the whole package in a productive manner.

We must look at the big picture.

Today, we start with the recognition that our young voters have not only been misled by current political events, but their indoctrination in our failing public education system completes the corrosive understanding of government and politics.  Folks, we recognize the need to concentrate first and foremost on that big picture by stepping up our outreach to our younger voters and activists. We need to embrace them.  Not only to rebuild their trust in traditional conservative values as espoused in our Republican platforms, but get them involved as it is THEIR future we are fighting for.

blake-edmondsTo reach them, RightMichigan.Com endorses the selection of Blake Edmonds for the Michigan Republican Party Youth Chair.

Blake has been fortunate enough to have had a solid family values background, a sense of self reliance, work ethic, and skills that have allowed him to develop a college Republican organization that has kept the interest of his peers for more than a single meeting.  He is willing to expand upon those skills statewide with a realistic strategy of growth by inclusion and involvement.  This last point cannot be over-emphasized. Without a sense of belonging, its hard to rally the effort needed to win elections and spread a constitutional Republican message. A history of his efforts point to a likelihood of success as youth Chair.

We note the clearly conservative voices in support of Blake as well with Jen Gratz (HERO of Michigan’s MCRI effort) Sarah Ledford, (incumbent youth chair) Jeff Sakwa, (2012 candidate, MSU trustee) and Dave Agema, who has demonstrated that there is room in the Republican party for ethical conservative leadership.  On Blake’s site one can find some quite favorable commentary.   Association with these conservative stalwarts, along with a well considered plan of action, complemented by results already achieved by bringing a conservative Republican message to our youth, seals the deal.

A last word needs to be said however.  for Blake, and others whom we may endorse in the next few days, it is important that he is allowed to accomplish what needs to be done.  That requires a commitment to a party environment that fosters inclusion.  Clearly, it would be helpful to consider a change at the top of our state party, so that such talent is not held back by a repressive central control.

And THAT, We will address shortly.

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Michigan Politics

Oxygen Deficiency

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Often I marvel at the complete disconnect associated with the left, and its assumptions on all manner of issues.

It is incredibly difficult to hold back an utter contempt for the mental state suggesting that defense of personal liberties requires the use of force and abrogation of others’ rights. And frankly, its hard to overcome disgust with such wretched thinking that suggests protecting children from [the possibility of] abuse is best done by murdering those children before they can take their first breath.

And someone having the nerve to state objections to such obvious violence, invites scorn from a part of society that has disconnected itself from humanity. It draws fire from those who have had their souls stripped from them by expanding relativity and acceptance of violence toward fellow human beings through ‘new media’ entertainment, virtual slaughter, and the promotion of abortion as morally superior to the possibility of abuse.

DeficientThe air around people such as these can be quickly consumed with tiresome rhetoric and hyperbole. The vacuous assumptions, and particularly the words spewing like flame, burn all that is breathable and starve those who inhale too deeply, of that which allows recognizable conscious discourse. In fact one might assume the dream state of the affected left is nearly complete when seeing the responses to a simple statement of fact as reported recently by our local newspaper:

“Commissioner Jason Gillman rallied other commissioners against the grant application. Gillman said he couldn’t support providing any type of aid to Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, regardless of the program.

“The organization is designed to kill babies,” Gillman said. “The nicer side of it is only there to mask its evil intent. That is to kill babies.”

The report was accurate. It was what was said to the reporter when the interview was given a day before publication. It was a statement of what should appear obvious when looking at the history and outcome of planned parenthood’s operations.

And the story received quite a bit of attention. Particularly edgy about it are those who occupy the left’s vocal ranks. On Facebook, the paper’s promotion of the article drew a few comments:

“Craig Hexham I’ve never been an “advocate” for PPNWM, but following are some of the services described by them. “Comprehensive physical exams (male/female); Breast, cervical, testicular cancer screenings Colposcopy, biopsy; Birth control methods and emergency contraception; Pregnancy testing and options information/referral; STI testing and treatment; HIV testing (results in 20 minutes); Condom distribution (three free per day); Treatment of genito-urinary infections HPV vaccine (for women ages 18-26).” I looked, and didn’t see “kill babies” ANYWHERE in their website or other locations.

Some of these things speak for themselves about what PP promotes through its programs. Basically, “its OK to go out and mess around – we’ll get you ready for your next round of promiscuity”. In fact, if one were to look at the promotion of bad choices to an extreme, looking HERE can drive home the point quite well:

“One of the hardest things about dating, sex and relationships is the possibility of being rejected by someone you are attracted to or in a relationship with. You may worry that your current or potential partner(s) will reject you if they find out you are living with HIV.

.. Some countries have laws that say people living with HIV must tell their sexual partner(s) about their status before having sex, even if they use condoms or only engage in sexual activity with a low risk of giving HIV to someone else. These laws violate the rights of people living with HIV by forcing them to disclose or face the possibility of criminal charges.

Uhh .. what?

And the newspaper reporter had in fact looked at this and said “that’s planned parenthood international – It isn’t the same”. So this information didn’t make it into the article, though it was discussed at the meeting where the grant request was “Spiked”. And likewise, the very argument is being made about PP of Northern Michigan. “We don’t do abortion service up here..” Yet as even alluded to by the Hexem comment above, (pertinent in bold) they provide ‘referrals’ for those who are ‘afflicted’ with the ‘disease’ of pregnancy; including bus fare and recommendation of termination elsewhere.

But Hexem’s words are likely the most reasonable coming from those in support of PP.

The other comments:

“This County Commissioner should be banned from public office the next voting cycle.”
“Jason Gillman: Your closed minded and cold hearted views are such a disappointment to me.”
“What a moron and embarrassment to the community.”
“YEAH!!! Jason Gillman’s term as a county commissioner as ended. Beware, he will turn up on another board or worse yet run as a state legislator.”
“Morons.”

All just angry emotional outbursts. But these same folks who scoff at terrorist tea partiers, decry gun violence, and want hands off their bodies are eager to advocate violence:

“Sally Neal maybe he should have something else cut off…..after he’s endured COMPULSORY PREGNANCY……

Sally Neal how bout we institute a required IQ test for public office; it would definitely prevent this kind of moron from ruining womyns’ lives…..probably the only thing he has control of…….anyone know where he lives?

Is that a threat Sally? Oh my.

And that is just a small part of the disconnect. It continues when they seem to think that the feelings of Planned Parenthood have been hurt. Enough so that it warrants a lawsuit.

Sue them! Sue this guy.
Someone put this to the courts, please. You can’t do it and we can’t allow him or them to get away with it. They thumb their noses without a hitch because they think God is on their side and therefore are above the law… and heaven awaits them. It’s no better than suicide bomber thinking.

Yeah.. because its pure terrorism to want to protect a life. And because there are some who profess the truth about certain organizations, its actionable.

Yawn. Predictable, insipid, unimaginative, and impossibly frequent.

And of course all the moral authority that makes the killing babies option superior comes from enlightenment that is simply not available to tea folk. Humble bumpkins that we are, cannot understand that “abstinence training prevents the abortions” that we abhor. Add to this how at the same time condoms and pills do the same. Why if we would just understand that the money being asked for was only for that, then it would be clear we wouldn’t have to oppose the killing of the defenseless in the womb.

“Planned parenthood provides free or low cost birth control to women, and studies clearly show that this results in a SIGNIFICANT reduction in abortions – nearly 80%. And considering that abortions are a very small percentage of Planned Parenthood services, defunding this organization actually increases abortions from unwanted pregnancies. Kind of missing the forrest through the trees for the dumbed down, don’t you think?”

If WE would only understand how the duplicitous agenda of planned parenthood is for the best after all.

Perhaps its best to ignore the fact that PP promotes irresponsible active sexuality on the one hand, as mentioned with the pamphlet mentioned above, and the birth control programs, in order to appreciate the value of its ‘abstinence’ and promiscuity training.

There is no doubt in my mind, to reach that point in understanding, the canary is dead, the flame is out, and the head must be under water.

 

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All the Other Stuff

Jobs Jobs and More Jobs

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Things are looking brighter in our great lakes state.  Unless, of course, one wants to use a light bulb to make it so.

A demand for engineers in Michigan:

“Andrew Watt says he figures the shelf life of an auto engineer looking for a job in Michigan is about three days. Companies that wait longer than that will have to get back in line for the next candidate.

“If their skills are even on the edges of automotive, they can get a job,” said Watt, whose iTalent LLC in Troy finds engineering and information technology workers for companies in nine states. “There’s an extreme shortage. There’s way more demand than supply.”

This might be true, but if 25×25 is approved by voters, we can kiss Michigan manufacturing goodbye

Demand, Supply ..  Funny how such things work.

The long term effect of our emerging technical interaction with each other will continue to create demand for such things as better engineered automobiles, heavy equipment and other manufactured goodies.  But the most important thing that ties it all together is electricity.  Cheap, abundant electricity that will continue to power the goodies, toys, and necessary equipment that keeps us healthy, mobile, and interactive.

Environmentalists in Michigan, need to mature into the continuing reality of our still relatively industrial state.  Those idealists growing up and believing the world of The Lorax exists around us need to stop believing in the fairy tale promises of such efforts as the United Nations 25×25 plan which will appear on your Michigan ballot in November.

DR. Seuss is dead.

And yes, I DID say, the United Nations plan.

Continued below ~

The 25×25 number is no coincidence.  In fact even proponents would likely point those who are curious to 25×25.org, to get their curiosity sated.   What is barely discernible from the outward front of the site is its United Nations Related ownership. (note the contact email for the connection)  The UN of course, has been steadily promoting its globalization platform to equalize all the population into an equal state of misery with its Agenda 21.

Even as people are awakening to the UN Agenda 21, and its effects on private property and the way we live our lives, its still plodding forward slowly driven by the inertia of roughly 20 years.  In 1992, we were told that the rest of the world was poor.  And poor, not because of their own despotic governments, central planning, or inefficient socialist tendencies, but rather as a result of our (U.S.A.’s) own successes.

And Bill Clinton couldn’t wait to sign on.

And on June 29, 1993, The “President’s Council on Sustainable Development” was established by Executive Order No. 12852.

Its mission described as “solely advisory in nature” though since that time, countless federal grants and incentives to local governments through COG functionaries (‘Council of Government’ – Non government organizations, but partnered with government) have been given.  Those non profit NGOs have then acted to finance the implementation of zoning and planning rules that wouldn’t have had the interest without the seed money feeding planners and local officials who express a desire for cool cities, village centers etc..

A21 and its accompanying Rio Declaration are pretty clear.

“Principle 8

To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

What is Unsustainable? And who decides the ‘demographics?”  And it likely cannot be done without an excessive amount of planning.

We have been wondering up here in the hinterland why some rural communities and townships would EVER consider hiring urban planners to work full time.  Perhaps it was the free money to start doing so?  One of those MSU trained planners locally developed an ordinance for campgrounds locally that restricted the ability of a family to live on the campground they built to only September.  Stating “It would be a Residence then..”, the planner pointed to it as a zoning argument.

Yeah, because an owner living on his own camping property violates everyone else’s rights.

And in the upper peninsula, the ongoing concern for a coal plant should be ringing the alarm bells like a catholic church on Sunday morning.  I wrote about it last December:

“And manufacturing is what Michigan has always been about. No Utopian vision of cool cities and green ‘great societies’ where we are all fed like pigs with a trough, can undermine the fact that Michigan’s secret to success has always been its ability to craft, create, or build, and its secret to recovery will be the same.  A higher cost to manufacturers translates directly into either higher cost of goods, a few less people on the line, or even more devastating a loss of a company altogether.  According to a September SMU study, energy could be particularly hurtful to Upper Michigan’s core industry, paper.

“For each manufacturing job lost, many other dependent jobs will also exit the economy. One in eight private sector jobs rely upon our manufacturing base. For energy intensive manufacturing industries, the relationship is even higher. For example, models show each job lost in iron and steel, 12.3 jobs are lost elsewhere, pulp and paper, 9.7 jobs and refining, 36.3 jobs”

A higher cost of energy in the Midwest, means higher costs to mine ore, produce steel, means losses of jobs there, and results in double whammy to the upper peninsula paper producers.Oh, and costs WILL be higher.  Even directly to the consumers in the UP by the actions of this administration’s EPA, the cost of electricity will likely increase by 4 cents per KWH.  A shutdown of this particular plant in Marquette will require the building of a transmission system from Wausau, WI at a cost of a Billion bananas.

Typically, those costs are passed along to buyers of electricity, ya know?

When considering the cause and effect of such overreaching regulatory efforts on Michigan’s working class, one might consider such factors to be important. If overall health concerns are truly paramount, then the cause and effect might matter to a discerning leader.  If  economic health concern is a part of the equation then any leader who feigns ignorance of such effect is derelict in his or her service representing us.

And therein lies the problem.”

Indeed.

And now, under the guise of a local environmental initiative, the 25×25 plan is trying to force us out of even more. The initiative would mandate that by 2025, 25% of the state’s electricity must come form renewable resources. In one of the strange twists of the environmental movement, those resources by the way, DO include hydro electric power,   yet all the previous enviro-babble (25×25.org does not) has stated it is NOT a renewable.  The proposal was filed by Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs on January 12, 2012, and turned in July 6 for the November ballot. Indeed it follows the UN Rio Declaration principles and guides us toward a more complete compliance with A21:

Principle 15

In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

You know, if someone were to point out that space debris and mind control waves enters our atmosphere daily, shouldn’t we as a precautionary measure wear tinfoil helmets when outdoors?  Certainly lack of scientific certainty should not be used to hinder our absolute safety.  I am sure they  could be purchased cheap, or made with your left over thanksgiving baked bean covering.

The radical  25×25 initiative is a way to get us out of the manufacturing business. (A global agenda) And it is unworkable. The Environmental Council has the MSU Green sheet Jobs report states:

” … Beginning no later than 2025, at least 25% of each electricity provider’s annual retail electricity sales in Michigan shall be derived from the generation or purchase of electricity produced from clean renewable electric energy sources. The foregoing clean renewable electric energy standard shall be implemented incrementally and in a manner that fosters a diversity of energy generation technologies. Facilities used for satisfying the standard shall be located within Michigan or within the retail customer service territory of any electric utility, municipally-owned electric utility or cooperative electric utility operating in Michigan.

Consumers shall be charged for electricity from clean renewable electric energy sources in the same manner and on the same basis as for electricity from other sources.

To protect consumers, compliance with the clean renewable electric energy standard shall not cause rates charged by electricity providers to increase by more than 1% in any year. Annual extensions for meeting the standard may be granted, but only to the extent demonstrated to be necessary for an electricity provider to comply with the foregoing rate limitation.”

1% increase in cost limit? Yeah..  Good luck with that.  The chart below gives an example of the comparisons.

And the claim of jobs creation has already been debunked.  Spain tried it, and has since suspended its support for such things:

“The results in Spain were even more stark than in Germany: a study conducted in 2009 found that for every 1 “green” job that Spain created, 2.2 jobs were destroyed elsewhere.”

Expensive energy (no way we would see 1% increases) will certainly not increase jobs as THIS release would lead you to believe:

“At least 74,495 Michigan jobs will be created if the Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs renewable energy ballot proposal passes in November, according to a new report from researchers at Michigan State University.

The study also found the higher renewable electricity standard would create more than $10 billion in new investments. “

First off.  It would certainly create jobs in the green sectors.  But the lesson Spain gives us should give pause to voters stupid enough to sign on to this.  Secondly, $10 billion might be accurate as well, however, $100 billion or more in withdrawn or depreciated investments in manufacturing just (barely) negates this gain.  Third, there is this little problem with how the job creation is represented:

“The Michigan Environmental Council’s press releasesaid that the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs renewable energy ballot proposal would create 74,495 jobs.However, the report never said it would create 74,495 jobs, but instead said it would create that many “job years.” It’s an important distinction in economic analysis that the MSU report acknowledges.

OK, then on the backside, we would only see a “Spain effect” job loss of 163,889 job YEARS.  Funny how some things are measured that way.  Is a Job year similar to the “President’s Council on Sustainable Development’s  person-years? (see number 5)

Yep, things are indeed looking up.

Up, as in Cost to produce goods, unemployment, wealth and technology transfer overseas, and overall misery index.

Forget about it.

The 25X25 Ballot initiative would be more like a 2×4 on the back of the heads of job creators in Michigan.

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Conservative News, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

Thanks, Doc: But I Will Be Getting A Second Opinion

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A commentary piece as read by a Rep. Benishek constituent, via the good folks at MCC.   

U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek speaks out against vague language in legislationBy Rep. Dan Benishek

Imagine government without responsibility toward its citizens — let me give you a hint, it looks a lot like Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime.

America is blessed with a Constitution that protects Americans so they are not afraid that each new leader will turn the country into a fascist nation. No matter how much anyone disagrees with a president’s policies, we can take solace in the protections of the Constitution.

The Constitution’s authority is supreme and every piece of legislation must fit within the Constitution’s limits.

Roger that, Doc.  So far, we’re on the same page.  Let’s continue…

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Michigan Politics

Justin Amash Receives ‘Defender’ Award

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Grand Rapids, MI – Congressman Justin Amash R-3rd US Congressional District, on Wednesday received the Constitution Defender award from the Constitution Celebration Committee.  Presenting the award was Heather Cerone, Jody Ferry, and Candy Gillman (shown here with Representative Amash)

The award is presented to our elected officials who follow adhere closely to the United States Constitution and further advocate government compliance to it.  The award reads:

On this day June 13, 2012, let it be known to all that

U.S. Representative Justin Amash ..

“Has been recognized by the Constitution Celebration Committee and membership as a person of indefatigable character, who abides by the laws of our country, and defends with vigor, the principles of its founding by lawful means.

This person’s actions have had a positive impact on the community, and has promoted a better understanding of our founding documents through writings or actions and has shown a willingness to resist usurpation of the rights granted by our Constitution.

This person promotes awareness of the United States Constitution through outreach and participation and an unfailing dedication towards preserving it for our children and beyond.”

Previous winners of the award were presented to Michigan State Representative Ray Franz R-101st house, and also to the founder of the Constitution Celebration, Jody Ferry.

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