An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Morning Coffee 07/11/08
As the Federal Reserve chairman pushes ahead with his effort to expand the Fed’s oversight of investment banks, traditionally the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission, some officials said the move would severely limit the securities agency’s influence on Wall Street and could even lead to its dismantling.
Everytime the gubmint goes meddling, it screws things up. Tell Bernanke to step back. Trying “cure” problems with short term “solutions” ends up in complete disaster in the long run. I don’t much care for the idea of some super secret entity fiddling with the nation’s finances.
County Commission suggests cutting raises for top administrators
With the power to keep the Shelby County Schools’ budget on hold, County Commissioners are asking the district to cut pay raises for top school administrators — including a $56,000 raise for the superintendent.
Commissioner Mike Ritz is sponsoring a resolution on Wednesday’s agenda that defers approval of the schools’ operating budget and asks the district to reduce all pay increases down to the 2 percent designated for teachers.
A $56,000 dollar raise? Each year? No wonder the general public is of the mind that the lunatics are running the asylum!
If the $353.8 million budget is approved, Webb’s salary would jump from $175,284 annually to $231,750 — a 32 percent increase. His deputy superintendent, Patsy Smith, would receive almost a 5 percent increase, from $140,000 to $146,832.
I don’t suppose canning this clown’s hind end is an option? Only someone associated with public education bureaucracy would think that $175K isn’t enough to live on. This ain’t New York y’know!
Ayatollah Kashani says Iran will give strong response to likely invasions
“… So, Iran is not a threat. That’s what regional and even western states have said. They say Iran is ready for talks. Don’t raise hue and cry against Iran. Oh! the world’s liars! Oh the liar Israel! Oh the liar White House! If you wish to attack Iran, we will give you a response that will make you regretful,” said Ayatollah Kashani in his second Friday prayers sermon.
Have I missed something? 
I don’t think anyone has said a word about invading Iran. On the contrary, it’s been Iran doing all the saber rattling. The head weenies are funny, but they are extremely dangerous. That word “likely”? I don’t think anyone wants to put boots on the ground over there. Drop a few “packages” maybe.
Brown blunders in pledge to secure Nigeria oil
Gordon Brown is being accused of preparing for a military adventure in Africa after he pledged to provide backing to the Nigerian security forces. His announcement prompted the collapse of a ceasefire in the oil-rich Niger Delta and helped to drive up crude oil prices on world markets.
Is this guy really as inept as he appears?
State offers last chance to save old York school
The historic public high school built by war hero Sgt. Alvin C. York has one last chance at being saved.
The executive subcommittee for the state building commission decided Thursday to offer York Institute and the property it sits on in Fentress County to the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation. The organization would then be responsible for stabilizing and restoring the building, which would cost millions. If the foundation assumes responsibility, state officials will kick in $500,000 to help.
Uh….no offense, but I’d say that place was past saving. Why did they let it get into such disrepair to begin with? That’s just really a shame.
Two Years Later: Waiting for Dead Bodies While Hizbullah Re-Arms
The government-approved deal two weeks ago that calls for freeing Arab terrorists, including convicted murderer Samir Kuntar, for kidnapped soldiers Goldwasser and Regev, completed a total reversal of previously stated policies.
Where is Golda when they need her? The US and Israel have a lot in common. Sadly, one of those things is a governing body that is working towards their own destruction.
Report: Iran’s Nuclear Negotiator to Meet With EU Chief on Nuke Issue
Iran’s official news agency says the country’s top nuclear negotiator will meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana next week to address Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
The report says Saeed Jalili will go to Brussels to meet with Solana on July 19. Their talks will focus on a package of economic and technological incentives presented to Iran by permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
Last week, Iran responded to the European Union but indicated that it has no plans to stop enriching uranium — a key Western demand. The process can be used to generate electricity or build nuclear weapons.
So, once again, the EU will bend over to terrorists.
Senate Dems Want to Keep Federal Gas Tax
The 18.4 cent-per-gallon federal gas tax currently goes to finance a federal trust fund that provides state and local governments money to pay for road maintenance and repair. McCain’s proposed gas tax holiday plan would have relieved Americans of the 18.4 cent per gallon tax between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The problem isn’t so much the 18.4 cent fed tax. It’s the extra tax that state tacks on, in addition. Then you have feckless governors who instead of using the money that their senators bring home for road projects for other things, like balancing the state budget. So, you have some double dipping so to speak. In order to get those projects finished, or even started, the states have to grab more money from the feds. Essentially, a small stretch of road that originally should have cost say, $10mil, ends up costing $20mil. The BIGGEST problem? Gubmint can’t balance a flippin’ check book!
Calmer weather slows fires in Calif., Wash.
Firefighters battling a raging wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California caught a break early Friday when strong winds they expected did not immediately materialize, while residents in Washington state’s Spokane Valley fled a fire that destroyed eight houses.
The winds in California were expected to be similar to ones that caused the blaze in Butte County to flare up earlier this week, destroying about 50 homes and forcing 10,000 residents to evacuate. But they were mild early Friday, CalFire spokesman Fred Orsborn said.
Curiosity: Are other states sending in some manpower to help out?
Yemen: Camel urine trade flourishing
Camel urine, considered an ancient Islamic ‘remedy’ from the time of the Prophet Mohammed, has become big business for men and women in Yemen.
The urine has become fashionable recently among Yemen’s young people, who claim that it strengthens the scalp, slows hair loss and promotes healthy hair.
According to the Arab TV network al-Arabiya, hair salons throughout the country are requesting this precious ‘tonic’ and selling it at four dollars a litre - a high price considering the income level of most of the buyers.
Nasty! Just plain nasty!
‘Iran threat justifies shield’
The director of the US Missile Defense Agency said yesterday that Iran’s missile tests have emphasized the urgency of going ahead with plans to place a proposed US missile defense system in Eastern Europe.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meanwhile warned Iran that the United States will not back down in the face of Iranian threats against Israel.
Iran answered hours later with another round of missile tests that included those launched from naval ships in the Gulf and surface-to-surface missiles.
The Saudis might want to consider having a chat with Ahmabooboo themselves. It would be in their best interest to reign in the little tyrant and his puppet masters.
Rangel Rents Apartments at Bargain Rates
While aggressive evictions are reducing the number of rent-stabilized apartments in New York, Representative Charles B. Rangel is enjoying four of them, including three adjacent units on the 16th floor overlooking Upper Manhattan in a building owned by one of New York’s premier real estate developers.
Mr. Rangel, the powerful Democrat who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, uses his fourth apartment, six floors below, as a campaign office, despite state and city regulations that require rent-stabilized apartments to be used as a primary residence.
Two obvious reasons he gets away with this: One, he’s a Dhimmicrat. Two? Well, YOU figure it out!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
So, you missed the story about Norm Coleman getting his residence in Washington subsidized by a direct mail consultant? And then not always been real good about paying for it?
At least Rangel is cutting a check to the landlord.
@grumps:
Would you care to point out just where in that NY Slimes story Coleman was mentioned?
The tit for tat stuff is getting tiresome. If I had read the story about Coleman, I would have said the same thing, IF warranted. Sleeze is sleeze.
You need to widen your circles.
http://happycircumstance.blogspot.com/2008/06/its-good-to-have-friends.html
@grumps:
Jiminy Crickets grumps! They’re politicians. They ALL suck!