80228 - Mon May 4 20:44:02 2009 - [DNT & Budgeteer in a dying industry] By: Cyrus the Virus |
Remember the crap in the Budgeteer about tea parties in the Our View and Ralph Doty. Well it's the old way of DFL influence peddling and the crap isn't marketable. They will all be looking for work in time according to someone that should know. Read below and a lot more on the respective link.
Warren Buffett on Newspapers
Mr. Buffett has long held himself out as a newspaper man. As a child, one of his first jobs was delivering newspapers. An Omaha newspaper Berkshire owned, Sun Newspapers, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1973 based in part on a tip Mr. Buffett provided. One of Berkshire's biggest investments in the 1970s was the Buffalo News, which it still owns.
But his view on the future of the newspaper industry is dismal. "For most newspapers in the United States, we would not buy them at any price," he said. "They have the possibility of going to just unending losses."
As long as newspapers were essential to readers, they were essential to advertisers, he said. But news is now available in many other venues, he said.
Berkshire has a substantial investment in Washington Post Co. He said the company has a solid cable business, a good reason to hold on to it, but its newspaper business is in trouble.
Mr. Munger called newspapers' woes "a national tragedy....These monopoly daily newspapers have been an important sinew to our civilization, they kept government more honest than they would otherwise be."
A Washington Post Co. representative couldn't be reached for comment.
http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/107029/Business-Musings-From-Woodstock-for-Capitalists |
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80226 - Mon May 4 20:13:25 2009 - [ DFL is boosting the economy] By: Truthism |
FACT: The Dow closed at 214.33 Almost 8500!
DISCLAIMER: It is MY OPINION this is because of a DFL administration boosting the economy. Slow (but sure) climb out of the bush hole!! |
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80225 - Mon May 4 19:56:14 2009 - [DFD was sleeping while DPD did the work] By: Truthism |
| THANK GOD we have awesome UNION city workers who work for us out there to investigate and extinguish molotov cocktails if this idiot decides to toss one of these in a home next!! |
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80222 - Mon May 4 19:44:35 2009 - [Molotov Cocktails] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE:05/04/2009
SUBJECT:Arson, use of incendiary and explosive device
CASE #:09-266734
INCIDENT DATE:04/28/2009
INCIDENT TIME:2350 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION:1200 Kenwood Ave, College of St. Scholastica
NATURE OF INCIDENT:"Molotov Cocktails"
BY:Arson Investigator Todd Kuusisto/Lt. Wright
________________________________________________________________________________
Description:On 04/28/09 at about 2350 hours, St. Scholastica Security was made aware of a fire occurring in one of the main parking lots on campus. Four "Molotov Cocktails" were located in the parking lot where the fire had been reported. The parking lot at the time was empty. No injuries or property damage occurred.
St. Scholastica Administration and Security received a tip indicating a possible suspect. The suspect was identified as an enrolled St. Scholastica College student living on campus. Items commonly used to maufacture "Molotov Cocktails" were found in the possession of Ronald Bates Case 08/04/1990. Bates has been charged with Manufacturing, Possessing, and Discharging of an incendiary and explosive device, which is a felony.
For further information contact Investigator Todd Kuusisto 218-730-5709
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80221 - Mon May 4 17:48:53 2009 - [The ripoffs just keep on happening] By: Cynic |
Yet another:
5201 Glenwood St sold for $92,000 assessed $119,800 |
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80220 - Mon May 4 17:40:14 2009 - [More property tax ripoff proof] By: Cynic |
Second property I checked today:
4706 W. 6th St. Sold for $112,500 assessed $123,900 |
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80219 - Mon May 4 17:18:26 2009 - [Trying justify their thievery ] By: Cynic |
A quick check for Hermantown and Minneapolis from City-data.com shows median real estate property taxes paid for housing in Hermantown was 1.3 percent, Minneapolis 1.1 percent(2007), Minnesota average 1.1 percent. If you check the Duluth assessors office site you will see in Duluth we pay 1.0 percent. Hardly the three times as much. Must be another public employee trying to justify their thievery. BTW in Superior you are also getting garbage service on your property taxes but yes they are getting hosed good over there. Almost twice what you pay in Duluth and still not near the three times as much as some would want you to believe. It is only the government employees who insists you are getting such a good deal here in Duluth.
Not only that but just because people are being robbed in one city does not mean we in Duluth should roll over and play dead as we are raped by the government, especially the assessors office. WAKE UP REAL TAXPAYERS
Taxpayer said: "If you want to complain, move to Hermantown or Superior. Whoops! You'd pay three times the amount."
PARROT: Cynic, do the other areas have $7,500 sewer socialism, light fees, sewer fees and who knows what else? |
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80218 - Mon May 4 16:47:59 2009 - [DFler Stop drinking the Kool-Aid] By: Cynic |
| Taxpayer, Your rant had nothing to do with over valued real estate in the city of Duluth. Do something for yourself. Get a mind. |
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80217 - Mon May 4 15:57:12 2009 - [Unions and Governments Destroy ] By: Anonymous |
How Unions and Governments Destroy Businesses
by Bill Bonner
London, England
In the newspapers there is much discussion of what General Motors should do. This discussion has gone on for many years. Until now, it was a conversation carried on by serious analysts and auto industry experts. They all said the same thing: GM needed to clear out its management, dump much of its expensive, "legacy" overhead, and produce better cars. Why didn't it do so?
And now, it's broke. And even politicians think they know how to run an auto company. Just read the papers. "Obama insists on changes," says one headline.
Normally, the politicos should hold their tongues...and let an industry's owners run their businesses. Alas, as of a few days ago, the politicians ARE the owners.
Here's a question:
When the government takes a majority stake in the auto business you know you are:
A) In a bad dream
B) In a bad way
C) In a bad country
D) In France
Correct answer: well, we we're not in France. But as for the rest, it could be any of them...or all of the above.
Here's an easier question. Who will the U.S. government put on the board of directors of General Motors?
A) A political hack
B) An industry hack
C) A far-sighted maverick who will shake up the business and put it on the road to growth and prosperity
If you answered "C" - you are from another planet. There is a reason neither governments, nor workers should own businesses. In the following, roundabout way, we explain why...
But first, a bit of news. As far as we can tell, the bear market rally is still on. The Dow rose 44 points on Friday. Oil closed at $53. The dollar is still sinking. And gold lost $3 to end the day's trading at $888.
Thirty-two banks have shut down so far this year in the United States. Little, mismanaged banks go broke. But big, mismanaged banks get federal money. With these subsidies and bailouts, the big banks get larger...and live to foul-up another day.
Poor Warren Buffett seemed a little discouraged at his annual shareholders' fest in Omaha. He must be nearing the end of his career. And consumers just aren't buying as much furniture, cola, and candy as they used to, he told the faithful. Berkshire Hathaway's profits were 10% below those of last year.
Swine flu seems to be disappearing from the front pages. Has it gone the way of Y2K and terrorism? Has another great disaster been averted? Might be too early to tell...
Oh you doomers and gloomers, cheer up! There's always some other disaster waiting for a headline. How about this? The Seattle Times looks at Las Vegas and sees what it calls "the next global crisis." After 10 years of drought, Las Vegas is running out of water.
The city fathers are thinking of all sorts of solutions - except, of course, for the obvious and effective one. They're planning on huge pipelines...hundreds of miles long...and sucking water out of aquifers millions of years old. But, according to the paper, Las Vegas charges only about a tenth as much for its water as Atlanta does. The simple solution is to let free enterprise provide water...so that it could be priced correctly.
Colleague Chris Mayer has been following the water crisis story since the introduction of his newsletter, Mayer's Special Situations, in 2006.
"Water is not just a problem in Las Vegas. The lack of sources for fresh water is a problem facing much of the American West, though the problem is particularly acute there and in the state of Nevada generally. Nevada is the most arid state in the union," says Chris.
"The tight water supply has implications all over the West. In Arizona, you can't build a residential development unless you find a 'designated assured water supply' that can sustain that development for 100 years. I could go on and on about this kind of thing. Suffice it to say, the American West faces a water crisis."
Maybe the increase in water prices would discourage people from planting Georgia-style grass lawns in the Nevada desert. Or maybe it would discourage people from moving to Las Vegas in the first place. But that's the thing with capitalism; it doesn't take people where they want to go...it takes them where they ought to be. That's also why people hate free enterprise so much. Where they ought to be is, often, where they least want to go. In the present example, people think they have a right to water - practically for free. They think there's a 'water clause' in the Constitution that says government is supposed to provide them as much water as they want at a price they can afford.
Most things work better when they are run by private enterprises. Too bad. Free enterprise is out of style. The days of privatizing are over. Now, everyone wants the government to take charge.
What a turnaround from a few years ago - when people thought they could solve practically every problem by privatizing it. And then, the voters would buy shares in the newly privatized companies...and we'd all get rich!
"For water, the really bad stuff hasn't happened - yet," says Chris. "As investors, it's a good place to be for a long time."
Chris' 'blue gold' plays in the Mayer's Special Situations portfolio have done well. And as he said, this is a play for the long-term investor. To learn about his water plays, and the rest of the MSS portfolio, see here.
Now, over to Addison for a look at this year's federal deficit:
"Panic over the financial system is no longer crowding out discussion of the federal deficit here in I.O.U.S.A.," writes Addison in today's issue of The 5 Min. Forecast.
"Even the New York Times is noticing the deficit as a percentage of GDP will likely shoot above 10% this year - a post-WWII high.
"Bond investors caught onto this even sooner than the Times. They've driven yields on the 10-year Treasury note to their highest since last November - above 3%.
"Ben Bernanke and Co. can keep short-term rates as low as they like, but the bond market clearly sees signs of trouble on the longer end of the yield curve."
"'The reality remains that the United States is struggling through the most severe post-World War II recession with a rather compromised credit system," writes The Richebächer Letter's Rob Parenteau, "and the only sure area of rising final demand over the next year will be coming from fiscal deficit spending.'"
Read more from Rob in the latest issue of The Richebächer Letter.
And back to Bill, with more thoughts:
The proletariat began buying stocks in the '80s. The 'shareholder nation' was a dream of Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Reagan: Everyman a Capitalist.
Of course, these new capitalists were not real capitalists. Instead, the little guys were mostly pigeons for Wall Street. Instead of really understanding and CONTROLLING the companies they owed, they bought shares in mutual funds...or owned their shares through insurance or pension funds. These collective investments left the little guys dependent on Wall Street managers - who paid themselves enormous fees and bonuses.
Of course, as long as stocks went up, the new capitalists didn't mind or notice that the financial industry took advantage of them. They completely misunderstood what they had gotten into. In their minds, capitalists made people rich...and Wall Street helped them get in on the deal.
When Francois Mitterand, socialist president of France during the '80s, realized how it worked, he was outraged; 'they make money in their sleep,' he remarked of capitalists. But that was just what most people wanted to do. So, they began to imitate the capitalists. "Buy stocks," thundered Wall Street.
And so...the little guys piled in....and stocks soared.
"Buy and Hold," the pros told them. "Stocks for the Long Run," wrote professors of finance.
Of course, some people wanted to make money faster. So 'day trading' became popular in the late '90s. The newspapers were full of stories of people who quit their jobs in order to trade stocks.
In the '80s and '90s, too, people began to believe that you could motivate workers by giving them "a piece of the upside." And the workers, too, believed they might get rich if they had a stake in their employer's company. Especially in the financial sector, 'results-based compensation' caught on. Soon, almost everyone had a piece of the upside.
The trouble was, especially in the financial sector, the upside was remarkably short-sighted. In the near-term, business managers had a huge incentive to push the upside up farther than it ought to go. Take risks? Why not! If they could increase the quarterly results they would get a bigger bonus. If, over the long term, the business were weakened...well, that would be the owners problem, wouldn't it? Managers sometimes had such a big piece of the upside there was scarcely anything left for the owners.
Everybody wanted a piece of the upside. Owners - including the new capitalists - wanted the business to prosper so their stocks would go up in price. Managers wanted high quarterly profits - so they could exercise their stock options and pay themselves big bonuses. They were all 'capitalists' - but ersatz capitalists. None had much of an interest in the long-term health of the capitalist institution itself.
A real capitalist is eager to cut his labor costs. If hourly wages rose too high...he'd want to move to a lower-cost production center. And if the managers asked for too much - he'd fire them and get new ones.
But neither the working stiffs nor the suits shared the owners' interest in cutting labor costs and preparing for the future. While European automakers shifted much of their production to lower-cost countries...GM continued to make cars in the United States of America. Its unionized, stock-owning, voting employees wouldn't allow it to move. And when it needed to invest in new tools and equipment in order to make autos for the 21st century - suppressing earnings in the short term in order to make the company stronger later on - its bonus- seeking, option-driven managers wouldn't permit it.
Lesson: Let the managers manage. Let the workers work. Let the capitalists grub for money. And let the politicians lie and steal. Each to his own métier.
If you're wondering what that means in today's world, you're not alone. We're wondering too.
Until tomorrow,
Bill Bonner
The Daily Reckoning
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80216 - Mon May 4 13:30:28 2009 - [DFLer wants higher city taxes] By: taxpayer |
So over assessed my A$$! My city portion of my property taxes is a joke. I pay more for internet than I pay in city taxes! Give this tax thing a rest, already! If you want to complain, move to Hermantown or Superior. Whoops! You'd pay three times the amount.
If you want some sympathy, drive down the the cities and try your crying in some suburban bar. Tell them what you pay, they could use a good laugh.
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80215 - Mon May 4 12:55:18 2009 - [Keep on disclosing the tax fraud truth] By: Muffin Top |
| Amen Cynic! Duluth is so over assessed to fund the DFD and AFSCME obscene salaries and retrire benefits gig. Keep on disclosing the tax fraud truth. |
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80214 - Mon May 4 12:39:40 2009 - [Advice just for Truthism] By: Truthism AKA DFL09 |
| TONY: Truthism, if you want to contribute to the discussion with fact or opinions, they are more than welcome. The name calling and rhetorical meaningless DFL blather of hate with no relevance is not going to be posted when I am on. If you are too damn dumb to get it, let me help you with some advice just for you – STFU. |
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80211 - Mon May 4 11:03:46 2009 - [Ne$$'$ $ewer $ociali$m] By: Web Hound |
Ne$$'$ $ewer $ociali$m is being discusses on http://www.areavoices.com/buzz/
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Sewer fixes costing thousands
Remember that blog post on sewer socialism, where I wrote about the imaginary person that goes to his/her mailbox and finds a letter ordering a repair that will cost thousands. It's happening, according to two homeowners who recently sent emails to the city council:
>>> M ZAHLER 5/2/2009 8:06 PM >>>
Dear Councilors;
I am writing to you regarding my home sewer. Last month I had sewer water coming in my basement and thought it was a plugged sewer line. After having Roto Rooter and Rooter Tech try to unplug the line (it was clogged with paper towels, courtesy of my neighbor), it was determined that I would have to get somebody to check the line further to see what the problem was. After calling the City of Duluth to see if they were responsible, it was revealed to me I share a sewer line with my neighbor and the line is over 225 feet long. It goes under my yard, across the alley, down the avenue and hooks up with the city sewer line. I was told I would have to hire a contractor to dig up the line at the place where the line was clogged and put in a cleanout. Once the cleanout was put in, I was told by the city that my neighbor and I would have to put in separate lines and that we were responsible for paying for these lines. I had the contractor give me an estimate to put in a new line from my house to the city sewer line. The cost: $22,098, not including any damage the contractor may do to my property or any property near the construction site.
I am a single parent; my son is a Marine currently serving in Japan and my daughter just graduated from college, and I cannot afford to put in a new sewer for this amount of money. I have a full-time job and the amount for the sewer is twice what I make in a year. I don't have internet service, cable or a home telephone - I can't afford them. I also have no credit card debt. In fact, after paying my monthly bills, I have very little left for anything else. I have made many phone calls to the City trying to get financial help, but no one seems to have money for this and no one knows who or where to call to get any financial help. I have already spent about $1,500 for the work so far and really have no idea where the rest of the money will come from. The problem in the existing line has been fixed (the line had pulled apart and they put a new part in), but I have been told I have to put a new line in and cannot use the existing one, even though it currently works fine.
I really don't know where to turn next. Nobody seems to know where I can get help. Please let me know if you can help me. I look forward to hearing from each one of you regarding this matter.
Thank you,
Marsha Zahler
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Ardis 4/29/2009 7:38 PM >>>
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail is considered public information
according to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and will be sent to the
media, who have requested access to e-mails sent to the City Council.
To Sandy Mass, Project Coordinator Utility Operations and City
Councilors,
You have requested a reply (if we have not completed our sewer repair
within 45 days of a letter dated March 19, 2009!) regarding the
action we have taken regarding the notice.
We have had a company come to our home to give us a cost estimate….
$9,116.00. We have talked with our neighbors, and we attended a
WLSSD meeting last week.
We are responsible homeowners, concerned community members and
worried global citizens. Of course wed like to contribute somehow
to cleaning up Lake Superior.
It is our understanding, however, that we are 1 out of 175 homes that
have been chosen to fund this project this year. We are 1 out of
approximately 14,000 homes in the city of Duluth that are in need of
these same repairs to help the overflow problem into Lake Superior.
Does this approach really make any sense at all to you? To call it a
band-aid style fix would be giving it too much credit.
We would like to see a list of what the city has thought of to remedy
this situation, other than sending 175 homeowners a tidy list of
possible banks that might be able to grant us a loan (ridiculous in
light of these economically distressed global times including bank
lending freezes) and a threat that if we dont respond we may end up
with a monthly surcharge to our utility bill.
Even if these exorbitant fees were possible out of pocket for 175
homeowners, how effective to you think this would be? How long do
you think it would take to solve the problem, at this rate? Do you
really think that this is equitable?
We look forward to hearing of upcoming meetings regarding this
important issue.
Sincerely,
Bob and Pam Ardis
2521 E 5th St
Duluth, MN
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80210 - Mon May 4 10:53:08 2009 - [Tax delinquency rate is increasing] By: Dolla Bill |
Property values in Duluth are overstated. I know of 3 different people working with lawyers to take on this issue. This could be a ticking time bomb for the government as revenues will go down or people just won't be able to pay.
May 15th is when the first half payments are due. I wonder how much higher the delinquency rate will be? I am sure the DFL is mixing up a batch of Lie Flavored Kool-Aid to cover up the inevitable so we will see if the DNT does a better job than they did on “local” crime. I'm not holding my breath and this is probably why people are seeking legal help to get their property values truly adjusted to actual market values.
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80209 - Mon May 4 08:19:41 2009 - [How obscene AFSCME salaries are paid ] By: Cynic |
First property transaction I checked today:
823 E 10th st sold by bank for $60,000 assessed at $107,300 |
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80208 - Mon May 4 01:02:20 2009 - [Contrary Mary come on back] By: JBBP |
Starfire, I would love to read DFL 09's post. I'm sure it was quite humorous.
Contrary Mary, your post was great! I hope you continue to visit this blog.
Thank you. |
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80207 - Sun May 3 23:23:06 2009 - [Property tax objections quadruple !!!!] By: Truthism aka DFL 09 |
STARFIRE: DFL 09, you can't possibly be that dumb, can you? Are you a product of ISD 709 with a "World Class Education"? LOL! What a crock of DFL Bull. More like line the DFL teachers pockets first and the hell if the kids even know the three Rs. It should be called Kool Aid from kindergarten on up. No different than the Komsomols in the Soviet Union or the Hitler Youth. Feed the Youth with bull and call it education. Wake up Rube! Your lifestyle is about to change, like it or not. The only ones who don't know it yet are all the Kum-ba-ya blowasses like you. Have you heard that tax objection cases with regard to property taxes have quadrupled this past year? That's right, even though the DFL Duluth DNT refuses to talk about it, check with a local attorney and ask how many people are filing claims against unreasonable assessments. This is just the beginning. The only hope Minnesota has is that Pawlenty is the Governor or it would already be game over. The DFL parasties are too damn dumb to realize what is going on. On a brighter note what do you think about Obama paying back the UAW for supporting him by giving them 55% ownership in the new Chrysler? What a joke. I will never buy a Chrysler knowing the union runs the company. And with Fiat? They failed in the U.S. 30 years ago. It goes to show why government does not belong in the private sector but too many of you idiots just don't get it.
But you will! |
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80204 - Sun May 3 21:14:10 2009 - [DFL Duluth ruled by juveniles] By: Contrary Mary |
Hello DCBers.
Anyone here feel like there is something more important in life? What I wonder is, after not looking at or posting on this site for nearly two years, I thought...hmmm, maybe I should see if the site is still up and if the juveniles are still posting.
Low and behold...here you all are. I see the same dipshits from the left...the I love OBAMA ignoramuses are still around, smoking their crack and waiting for Michelle to deliver a $540 pair of sneakers. The JAWILLA crowd...Just Another Whacko, Ignorant, Liberal, Lowlife, Activist, seems to keep sprouting another head.
When will you people grow up? Common sense seems to have left the left side of the aisle long ago, yet here we are, bickering with them. If there is anything to be learned from the DFL, the Democrats, the left, the idiot "progressives" is that evil wears many hats. Nothing they say, do or believe is based in logic and everything they act on is based in emotion. Fools...all of them. Go be fools, smile, laugh, love, be joyous and frivolous. Just quit asking the rest of us to pay for your stupid, juvenile bullshit. And, when the jihadists come to your house, kidnap your family and begin sawing their heads off...for God's sake, have the dignity to not scream like a freakin baby. We tried to warn you but YOU WON'T LISTEN! You deserve what you get.
When I see your stupid lame ass getting held up at gunpoint and robbed by some scumbag criminal, will I take my concealed weapon out and blow the puke away? Well, you're an American...so, yes I will. Then I will take your candy ass out behind the woodshed and beat you senseless until you get the fact that guns don't kill people, guns don't rob people, guns can't even read the GD paper! You need to have a GUN if you want to fend off criminals with GUNS! Comprehend, dipshits?
Duluth is ruled and run by juveniles...aka, the DFL. When the idiots in the electorate see how bad they have been bent over by Barry and company, they will undoubtedly find new and innovative ways to blame Republicans. Wake the F up you ignorant, juvenile punks. Wait...it's a mental disorder...I forgot. You cannot wake up from a mental disorder. So sorry. I pity you...those of you from the left who have been seduced by the many snakes in your camp. Freedom...explore the meaning and the essence of it. Once you understand the TRUE meaning of freedom you will become a right wing extremist just like me. Until you understand what freedom is and the price so many have paid for it, you will just be another juvenile, swine, sloth, ignorant, pathetic follower. God help you.
Have a great day, a great life and
Give me liberty or give me DEATH! GFY liberals. ;)
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80203 - Sun May 3 20:57:38 2009 - [Criticism called attack from left ] By: Anti-Cynic |
Cynic,
Good call, keep attacking the First Lady. You are a true patriot. |
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80202 - Sun May 3 13:55:09 2009 - [Mindless Oberstar on Almanac North] By: Cynic |
Did anyone see Oberstar on Almanac North? No wonder we are in the trouble we are. The guy has absolutely no mind left but they still vote him in time and again.
BTW has anyone noticed the First Lady's legs below the knees. Man those things are logs. |
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80201 - Sun May 3 13:47:08 2009 - [Cynic the plumber] By: Cynic |
| Called to see about getting a plumber to help for a day(I'm getting to old for some of this shit). They said they would send a plumber and his helper. Price $1,200 for the day plus materials of course. Guess I'm gonna continue being my own plumber. |
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80200 - Sun May 3 13:01:23 2009 - [Funny] By: Cynic |
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80199 - Sun May 3 12:56:42 2009 - [Give him a shout if you grow up] By: Cynic |
| Anti-Cynic, Yep I can tell by your answer to my question who is ignorant. When you grow up and see a little of the world like I have then give me a shout. |
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80198 - Sun May 3 08:52:37 2009 - [This is DFL DULUTH Poverty] By: DFL Fact Check |
This is DFL DULUTH
http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Duluth-Minnesota.html
Duluth, Minnesota (MN) Poverty Rate Data - Information about poor and low income residents
THANK YOU DFL! WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. |
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80196 - Sat May 2 21:23:37 2009 - [Civil unrest coming to the US] By: Numbers Cruncher |
Check out the latest posts on the Numbers Cruncher at:
http://numberscruncher.blogspot.com/
No Change - Bill Moyers and William K. Black on the financial industry brought the economy to its knees, but how did they get away with it? With the nation wondering how to hold the bankers accountable, the American taxpayers are flipping the bill.
Mayday Mayday Mayday - Civil unrest arround the world
A realnews.com video of the May 1st civil unrest building around the world and two Peter Schiff on the End the FED Rally in NYC and the upcoming civil unrest in the USA.
NC
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80195 - Sat May 2 11:02:33 2009 - [Radio chatter] By: Anonymous |
http://www.redandnater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=72688
Check out the radio chatter. |
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80194 - Sat May 2 10:33:19 2009 - [Ralph Doty has lost it] By: Tara |
LRO,
Ralph Doty has lost it for sure. What's the history of Doty as he is so biased? Hardly a newsman.
MV, I miss Danny G also. What happend to him? He added color to the DCB and for me the DCB hasn't been the same.
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80193 - Sat May 2 09:02:31 2009 - [Budgeteer editorial out of line] By: LIB Reader Online |
The letter writer knows this is DFL Duluth and he ends his letter with what is in the future for the two bit Duluth Budgeteer and Ralph "DFL Hack" Doty.
Furthermore, what is up with these chicken-shit “Our Views”. Who writes these and why do they not want you to know who they are? Local and national editorials have the columnist’s name, but not in DFL Duluth.
The DFL is what is wrong with this region and Duluth. The DFL is why you need to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
_______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/119088/group/Budgeteer/
Duluth Budgeteer
May 1, 2009
Budgeteer editorial out of line
How would you know the tea party was partisan? There were no politicians allowed to speak for a reason. Anyone and everyone against out-of-control government was welcome.
You’ve just seen the start of resistance to a socialistic government we’ve had for far too long (it started under Carter). Spending never worked for FDR, and it won’t work now.
I came to Duluth in 1963 and started a business for years before health problems changed my course. I noticed only one party has run this area and look at the mess it’s in.
You, as a paper, should be neutral and report. Who cares what your view is? After the News Tribune sent me back my editorial because it was not typed, I quit the paper.
Your editorials and articles by Ralph Doty call the Red Plan good, but Duluth is broke, and all the school board can do is think of how to spend more money. They ignore the newest building of all (Central). I’m sorry, but buildings don’t educate anyone.
One party has run the government in this area, as I said, and look what we have. Thomas Jefferson said a government big enough to give you everything is also a government big enough to take all you have. And that’s what’s happening to America. IIlegals who broke our law have more rights than I do — and I was born here and served my country in another unneeded war because of people who want government to give them everything.
You and the Tribune are going broke. Only after you fools go bankrupt and lose your jobs will you see the light. We in the country end up paying some for Duluth’s mistakes.
Al Miller
Duluth
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80192 - Sat May 2 08:51:07 2009 - [Duluth's most successful women] By: jthyme |
| I certainly hope I don't do business with "one of Duluth's most successful women" where I work, but I have a feeling that I do. Trust me, fellas, she's no better looking than the wideload! In fact, I can't think of one attractive business woman from Duluth. |
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80191 - Sat May 2 07:36:17 2009 - [What are the requirements? ] By: Dead Inside |
| "One of Duluth's most successful women"? What are the requirements to get that spot? Waiting until 18 to get pregnant instead of 16? |
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80190 - Fri May 1 22:48:44 2009 - [G is what you ain't] By: Big Iron |
Mons, Danny G is what you ain't.
STARFIRE: Big Iron, 2 for 2 dumbass.
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80189 - Fri May 1 22:31:21 2009 - [Mano-a-mano and her husband] By: mons veneris |
I would like to follow up my last post. I would be more than honored to meet the infamous "C" and "Subdouche" at C C Cafe. I would like to do nothing more than to go mano-a-mano with Subdouche and C. Don't let my blog handle fool you, I aint no pussy ! Bring it on baby ! Bring it on !!
Hey, what the hell ever happened to Danny G ? I miss his pod cast updates here on the DCB. |
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80188 - Fri May 1 22:18:05 2009 - [Way out ] By: EMCR |
| The race of the innocent until proven guilty is unimportant and is another example of DCB racism. This is a minor incident blown way out of proportion by the DPD and the media. Regarding the First Lady, it's pretty lame that you racist losers haven't figured out that all you've got is to criticize is her looks. You’re just so absolutely childish to go after someone for a characteristic that they may not be able to change...or may not want to change. This illustrates one more time how shallow and crass racist DCBers are. As one of Duluth’s most successful women, I have such a woman crush on Michelle Obama! She is beautiful, and just too cool! |
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80187 - Fri May 1 22:02:24 2009 - [Carrboro or 19th and 8th?] By: Big Iron |
By chance were the armed robbers from Carrboro or 19th and 8th?
STARFIRE: Big Iron, glad to see you didn't let your DFDers down by posting another dumbass post. |
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80186 - Fri May 1 21:43:20 2009 - [Armed Burglary/Robbery] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE:May 1, 2009
SUBJECT: Burglary/Robbery
CASE #:09267820 xr 09267817
INCIDENT DATE:April 30, 2009
INCIDENT TIME:2226 hrs/2236 hrs
INCIDENT LOCATION:1100 Blk E. 7th Street/600 Blk North 11th Ave. E.
NATURE OF INCIDENT:Burlgary occupied Dwelling and Robbery at Gunpoint
BY: Lt. Leigh Wright/218 390 9296
_______________________________________________________________________________
Description:
On April 30, 2009, at about 2236 hrs, Duluth Police Officers responded to an incident where a male stated he had been assaulted and robbed. Three males entered the victims residence, fired a shot from a handgun and hit the victim in the head with a hammer. The suspect with the handgun was described as a black male, 22-23 years, 5'4", thin build, goatee and wearing a black/white sweatshirt, t-shirt and baseball cap. The suspects took personal items belonging from the victim.
The victim was treated at St. Marys for non-life threatening injuries and released.
911 dispatchers were broadcasting a second incident in the 600 blk N. 11th Ave. E. Two victims were approached by the same three suspects while near their vehicle. The suspects demanded their valuables. One suspect shot a round into the air from a small handgun when the victims didn't comply fast enough. Suspects stole cash, credit cards and personal items. The victims were not injuried.
It is believed the suspects left the scene in a small subcompact size car. The investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes, are encouraged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 218-730-5050.
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80185 - Fri May 1 19:20:56 2009 - [Backwards beautiful] By: Dead Inside |
| Well, I'm beautiful, on the inside and out, and I can say that if I had a dog that looked like her, I would shave it's ass and make it walk backwards. |
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80184 - Fri May 1 18:52:43 2009 - [Pot calling the kettle...] By: Anti-Cynic |
| I have no doubt you are quite ugly, I also have no doubt you are quite ignorant. |
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80183 - Fri May 1 10:09:48 2009 - [DFL caught playing race card again ] By: Cynic |
| Anti-Cynic, I wasn't aware that a flattened face was a black and white or race issue. Why do you make it such? Ugly is ugly no matter white, black, brown, yellow, or red. It is also a matter of who's taste. Others seem to think the present first lady is quite a beauty. I find many women of all races beautiful just not this first lady. BTW I am quite ugly myself and proud of it. The media and magazine have been passing this first lady off as some kind of striking beauty and I don't agree. I have a right to my opinion and will voice it. All this ooooooooh and aaaaaaah over this women is just so much more of the media hype. |
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80181 - Fri May 1 07:06:25 2009 - [What does Joe know?] By: Jeanne |
Cancel the train according to Joe Biden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw1h2t355Bo |
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80180 - Fri May 1 06:58:51 2009 - [Bama 'Jumps the gun'] By: Jeanne |
Teleprompter gone bad on Obama...Obviously lost without it.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0409/obama_gets_ahead_of_prompter_3813cbcb-1e4a-44c6-b1e7-26017e7b70c2.html |
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80178 - Thu Apr 30 23:53:23 2009 - [More change as MidWest Communications] By: Former MW Employee |
Published April 30 2009
Ron Stone stepping down from Midwest Communications
The man who dumped local radio personalities Lew Latto, Rhonda Grussendorf and Bruce Ciskie is leaving Midwest Communications.
By: Brandon Stahl, Duluth News Tribune
The man who dumped local radio personalities Lew Latto, Rhonda Grussendorf and Bruce Ciskie is leaving Midwest Communications.
Ron Stone, the Market Manager for stations including AM talkers WDSM-710 and KDAL-610, sent an e-mail to his employees today saying his last day would be May 15.
Stone told the News Tribune tonight that he made the decision to be closer to his family, who live in the Twin Cities area.
“It’s hard driving up here every Monday morning and driving home every Friday,” Stone said. “That’s a tough life.”
Stone said his decision had nothing to do with some of the controversial station changes he’s made, including renaming WDSM-710 into the Patriot and featuring more conservative programming, as well as giving the boot to Latto last month, who had been on Duluth’s airwaves since 1958.
“His ratings were not significantly lower, but they trailed the station as a whole,” Stone said. “The show that comes on after that, Brad Bennett’s, did significantly better, so we decided to expand it an additional hour.”
Latto could not be reached for comment.
The ratings for WDSM are the highest in the market for men aged 25 and over, Stone said. He said he didn’t expect the station would change its format.
“Now is a great time to have a conservative talk station, when Democrats are in power,” he said. “Now is usually when talk radio gets its best ratings.”
Last December, Stone let go of Ciskie, who had been the voice of UMD men’s hockey games and sports director for three Midwest Communications AM stations. Grussendorf, who was on the air since since 2007, was let go the day before Latto.
Stone did not say what his next career move would be.
“I’ll be pursuing other interests,” he said. “But I’m not announcing anything yet.”
What ya all want to see on those stations? I'd dump half of the stations formats and start over. What a waste of signals. |
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80177 - Thu Apr 30 23:48:24 2009 - [EXPERIMENTAL] By: JBBP |
About the flu again...Read MP's post, carefully. It supports what I wrote in a prior post.
EXPERIMENTAL vaccines...research...we ARE test subjects.
But we don't have to be...yet.
Thank you.
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80176 - Thu Apr 30 23:14:37 2009 - [You brought it on yourself] By: Now a Vegetarian |
Pork Eater:
If that's what a swine looks like, I don't want any part of it. Must have had the ham hocks sawed off already, as she's shorter (and wider) than the others.
Even saw her on the TV last week walking across the street by a school with her panty-wearing husband. This time she wasn't carrying a protest sign though. Was surprised to see her on the TV given the digital conversion . . . brings out the (many) blemishes. "It" was probably too busy to notice, being on the computer under multiple handles.
Keep up the work, CK. You're good entertainment and, by the way, you brought it on yourself. |
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80175 - Thu Apr 30 22:49:54 2009 - [Air ForceD 1] By: Pitt Street Panther |
Flying a Boeing 747 and F-16 over New York City: $328,835
Purchasing Adobe Photoshop: $699
Scaring the living daylights out of 1000's of New Yorkers: Priceless |
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80174 - Thu Apr 30 22:45:28 2009 - [Swine Flu or Flu Swindle] By: JBBP |
I almost forgot...I don't believe in getting flu shots.
The ones who are giving/supplying/developing them don't even know for sure what sort of virus will be around. So where's the real logic in putting some sort of a germ/substance in your body when nobody even knows if it's what we'll be dealing with, or if it might just mutate into something else?
I think it's mostly another moneymaking racket for the pharmacuetical(spell check) companies and research organizations.
Don't take this wrong. Polio, measles, mumps, etc...those are proven vaccines that have been a boon to mankind. But flu shots? Nope. Who wants to be a guinae pig?
Thanks again. |
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80173 - Thu Apr 30 22:36:50 2009 - [All abord the DFL Ho Train] By: JBBP |
Carl Sack, from Superior, thinks that the passenger rail gig should have more public subsidies so more people can ride...?!
Hate to tell ya this, but there's a reason why the government is involved at all in funding this one: it's because private business obviously doesn't think a train running from Duluth to the Cities isn't likely to be much of a moneymaker. They aren't willing to put their own money into it.
You would think that with a name like Sack, Carl would be thinking about who will be holding the bag for this. Bad pun intended.
Personally, I think it would be kind of cool to have a passenger train again. However, the government shouldn't be paying for it, or for any other feel-good projects. Remember the glorified bait shop? Not exactly an essential item. A passenger train would be nice, but it's not a neccessity. The folks that are moving up here from Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Cities seem to be getting here just fine on their own steam. There are virtually no decent-paying jobs here(unless you're a government employee or you inherited piles of money to live on, and to buy your pecking order) for the average person, so I don't expect there would be a whole lot of people coming to Duluth from the Cities to work.
Besides, if you can't seem to afford a train ticket on your own, what can you afford on your own down at the casino, or the Cities? What would you do once you got to your destination? Go to work at a job? Or maybe shop? Or go visit the zoo? Cost-compare doobies?
Yeah, yeah, there may certainly be some people who would be riding the train and getting some good use out of it. But there aren't enough to justify the cost to the taxpayers...if there were, the taxpayers wouldn't be in the funding picture, unless they bought tickets.
Hmm. Maybe, if you can prove you're a resident of the State of Minnesota, you should be allowed to ride the train without buying a ticket, seeing as you're paying for it, anyway. More than would be necessary, too, as it appears that the folks building/running the train/railroad will be getting union wages to keep their union in power.
After all, union people are special, and are obviously entitled to any sort of jobs more than other people are. They just have to snare government-funded projects to have those jobs granted to them, a quasi-entitlement program which is quite deftly set up by the politicians and special interests who continue to grease their wheels. Most private businesses don't seem to want to deal with unions, as they tend to be a huge drag. Just ask the automobile industry people. Why would anyone want to pay workers extra money so they can turn it over to henchmen posing as protectors of their jobs? Since when is it the responsibility of business to give the henchmen their livelihoods? It's not...that's why unions morphed into extorting government funds for themselves through dues-paying government workers.
This train gig would also prove to be yet another opportunity for Homeland Security to add more jobs to its list. Do you think the terrorists won't overlook the chance to commandeer/sabotage/blow up a flipping train? Independent travel is much harder for them to deal with.
By the way, I think Michelle Obama is a nice-looking person, as people go. But it doesn't matter to me if she's uglier than a mud fence or if she's fashion model material, I still don't agree with her politics.
Thank you. |
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80172 - Thu Apr 30 22:27:51 2009 - [Google this] By: Pork eater |
Here's the Swine Flu source that I found on Google
http://www.facebook.com/people/Claire-Kirch/629397043 |
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80171 - Thu Apr 30 22:22:31 2009 - [Too many hits with the uglystick] By: Dennis Miller |
| My Name Is Claire Don't Wear It Out - go back under your rock in Carrboro. Leave now and take your junk in the trunk with you. Get a highway wideload permit also. Too many whacks with the uglystick have left you bitter. |
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80170 - Thu Apr 30 22:10:25 2009 - [Might be from Baxter International] By: MP |
The flu isn't from Muslims, DFL, etc. but it might be from Baxter International.
www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/02/27/8560781.html
The company that released contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria confirmed Friday that the experimental product contained live H5N1 avian flu viruses.
...The contaminated product, a mix of H3N2 seasonal flu viruses and unlabelled H5N1 viruses, was supplied to an Austrian research company. The Austrian firm, Avir Green Hills Biotechnology, then sent portions of it to sub-contractors in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Germany. |
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80169 - Thu Apr 30 21:59:59 2009 - [Billions of debt no worry for DFL Duluth] By: Web Hound |
Duluth, California is on the phone
A friend forwarded this PDF from the California state auditor showing the state's other post employment benefits (aka retiree health care) liability will represent a significant liability if not dealt with soon, and the state isn't paying nearly enough to deal with it.
In 2007, the report said the liability was $48 billion.
This Sacremento Bee blog post has a nice breakdown.
http://www.areavoices.com/buzz/
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80168 - Thu Apr 30 21:18:29 2009 - [Check out the link] By: Web Hound |
| http://duluthcitizen.org/ |
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80167 - Thu Apr 30 20:43:40 2009 - [Working girl from the South Side ] By: My Name Is Claire Don't Wear It Out |
All of you DCBers are jealous of people especially women like me who are more accomplished than these losers are. Michelle Obama raised herself up from South Side Chicago b/c of brains and hard work, and is now in the "White" House. You DCB losers live in your basements and spew crap all day, complaining about everything b/c you feel like you're victims, and the world has cheated you out of whatever is missing in your sad and pathetic lives.
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80166 - Thu Apr 30 18:52:13 2009 - [Speak up while you can] By: O |
"In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me–and by that time there was nobody left to speak up."
—Martin Niemöller (1945) "he served seven years in a concentration camp
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80164 - Thu Apr 30 15:47:39 2009 - [Flu DEMS flock together] By: Pork Flu |
| Think about it...The Democrats are responsible for pretty much all our problems: the economy, the war, taxes, 9/11, and the loan mess. Why wouldn't they set up a fake flu, look what happened the first day of the "flu" Specter switches parties and the congress passes Obama's budget and you hardly heard anything about it. Next they will come take our guns after some other fake "crisis" hits. |
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80162 - Thu Apr 30 15:08:38 2009 - [Bring em back] By: Dick |
We'll all wish these guys were running the show before Obama is done with his CHANGE.
http://www.eleganthorsepictures.com/thomas-grand.html |
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80161 - Thu Apr 30 11:19:48 2009 - [GPS would bring accountability ] By: Iwanna No |
GREAT IDEA Cynic, putting GPS tracking devices on city, county and state vehicles. That way trips to stores, shops and doing personal errands could be accounted for.
It would be amazing to see a total for the amounts of miles, estimated time, and gas used for non-work activity.
What's also truly amazing is the fact that it's gone on so long at tax payer expense. GPS would bring accountability for all these entilements and perks. |
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80160 - Thu Apr 30 09:43:41 2009 - [Pork Flu...] By: Phyllis U |
| Pork Flu...better break out your tinfoil hat. |
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80159 - Thu Apr 30 08:11:32 2009 - [Empty wallets waltzer were heard ] By: Smoker |
| If you don't believe your voice matters? Monday night twenty folks from the preservation society with empty wallets, waltz into council chambers, change the minds of three councilors and wha la the jail still stands. Don't believe that silence is a better way to go. |
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80158 - Thu Apr 30 07:07:01 2009 - [Largest DFL waste of money yet] By: LIB Reader Online |
“If it’s our tracks, we should supply the labor,” says the union boy. I guess the rest of you paying for this huge waste of money don't count as this is their tracks.
All a board and pay up for the largest DFL waste of money yet. This will make the fish tank look like a good investment but in reality is just a mini Amtrak.
DFL railroading is today's reason you need to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
___________________________________________________________________________
Duluth News Tribune
Published April 30 2009
Potential riders, workers air concerns at Duluth train forum
Duluthian Kay Rieck said she supports the concept of the Northern Lights Express train from Duluth to Minneapolis, but attended a public forum Wednesday seeking answers to many questions.
By: Andy Greder, News Tribune
Northern Lights Express
Duluthian Kay Rieck said she supports the concept of the Northern Lights Express train from Duluth to Minneapolis, but attended a public forum Wednesday seeking answers to many questions.
Rieck joined about 150 inquiring citizens, union railroad workers and train supporters at a Minnesota Department of Transportation open house at the introduction of a statewide study into freight and passenger rail options. MnDOT said a follow-up meeting with more detail will come in October.
“My earliest memory was boarding a train in Duluth for the Twin Cities, so it appeals to me that there might be a train that serves our modern needs,” Rieck said, comparing the 1960s to now. “I still question the feasibility, ridership, and have concerns on the environmental and safety issues.”
After the evening meeting at the Depot in downtown Duluth, Rieck said she remained optimistic and thankful for the openness of the meeting despite a lack of specific answers.
“I will want to see numbers by October,” said Rieck, a retiree who travels to the Twin Cities about once a month to visit her son.
Members of the United Transportation Union voiced concern on who would operate the 150-mile line, which is tentatively planned to run along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks through Superior, Hinckley, Cambridge and northern Twin Cities suburbs. Previous statements from Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance members said it would be “privatized.”
“If it’s our tracks, we should supply the labor,” said Peter Banks, a retired train operator and union member. “With workers unemployed, it would be a travesty to see jobs scooped up where we have the experienced people to do it.”
Operating the line could employ about 15 people in Duluth, estimated Rick Olson, a safety officer for the union.
Alliance member Ken Buehler downplayed those operational concerns.
“With the amount of federal and state money in the total, it will be union operators right down to the car attendants,” he said.
The MnDOT study is intended to research opportunities for federal funding, which could include a slice of the $8 billion of the federal stimulus package set aside for rail. Funding for the Northern Lights Express, with a tentative price tag of $500 million, is expected to be 80 percent federal and 20 percent state.
Carl Sack of Superior and Claire Kirch of Duluth questioned the fluctuating and often high cost estimates of a train ticket, which currently stands at about $36 one-way between Duluth and Minneapolis, according to a poster at the meeting.
“There needs to be a heavy public subsidy to keep fares low,” Sack said. “It will allow more people to use it.”
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80155 - Wed Apr 29 23:38:13 2009 - [She is the smartest, bestest of all!] By: Anti-Cynic |
Nice work Cynic, attack the President's wife because she doesn't look like the white people you see everyday. Just because she is way smarter than you and way hotter than your troll of a wife. You bitch about Duluth all the time, but you obviously have never been out of your white neighborhood!
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80154 - Wed Apr 29 23:21:32 2009 - [A liberal's idea of beauty w/flat face] By: Cynic |
| I've been meaning to ask. What happened to the First Ladies face? Did someone sit on her face with a book under them and flatten it when she was a kid? |
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80153 - Wed Apr 29 23:07:16 2009 - [IQ not required for DFD pole sliders] By: DFD Blogging Team Captain |
Starfocker,
Looks like you're a bit sad you couldn't get that awesome fireman job. Those long hours would still be better for you than sitting on your ass like I do blowing my boss while reading this DELETED blog! If only you had a new 3/4 ton pickup to wash....
STARFIRE: DFD BTC, whose your boss, Big Iron? Are you sure you're not one of the proud DFDers who cost the taxpayers quite a bit of money after the gal twisted her ankle at the firehall's after bars party? You sound like you have about the same IQ. |
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80152 - Wed Apr 29 22:53:58 2009 - [GPS to keep tabs on Big Iron?] By: Cynic |
| I think Ness was heading in the right direction when he said he was going to put GPS tracking devices on all city owned vehicles. I think it should go beyond that and include all county and state vehicles as well. Trouble is that means they would probably hire another government employee or two to oversee the tracking not to mentioned installation of the devices. Still perhaps start small and see how it goes. It would give 365 day a year locations of all public vehicles for that year. You would then be able to look over the data and see exactly where police and fire had been at all times and perhaps find cheaper ways to do things. How much time was spent at the grocery store, McDonalds, work, home, girlfriends, Target, and boyfriends house(in Big Iron/huh?/John W of Saginaw/Saginaw J/Drzs case). |
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80150 - Wed Apr 29 22:04:09 2009 - [Just a theory] By: Pork Flu |
I agree with Michelle Bachman, I think the swine flu is a conspiracy set up by the Democrats and Mexico and Islam. The Muslims and Obama don't eat pork so they wont get sick and they will kill off all the good Christians.
Just a theory. |
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80149 - Wed Apr 29 21:39:59 2009 - [Public to view union hosing up front?] By: Joel Syphilis |
Looks to me like DFL09 is AFSCME/DFD the two biggest threats to Duluth. Read this:
http://www.areavoices.com/buzz/
Idea of the week: make the AFSCME contract public before a vote
Brother-in-shaved head Andy Peterson sent an email last week forwarding a call from a lawyer questioning whether contract negotiations between the city and its various labor unions should be kept private or could be made public. It's a bit of a crusade for him, he said, because he believes that the more light shed on the contract before the council votes on it, the more likely it is that it will be favorable to tax payers.
He recalls a story told to him by councilor Jim Stauber that when the city council voted on the 2004 contract, then councilor Russ Stewart asked then (and now, but soon to be then) CAO Mark Winson "Does this make economic sense?"
Winson replied yes, and the council unanimously approved it. Of course, the contract still included retiree health care, but many councilors acknowledged that they didn't read the contract to know that -- they simply took Winson's word for it.
(This also motivated Charlie Bell to run again for mayor, he once told me).
At any rate, Peterson believes bringing public scrutiny to contracts before they're voted on would prevent similar mistakes. Listening to the phone call, I think the lawyer's interpretation of the privacy laws was at best inconclusive, but Peterson said he'll push for a 30 day public comment period for the public to review contracts before they're approved.
Of course, it's not likely the city and a union would go back and negotiate if a few members of the public complain about provisions in a contract. Peterson acknowledges that, "but at least it would slow down some of the folks who would vote yes no matter what's in the contract," he said.
In addition, he argues, "it would force the administration and union, in the process of negotiations, to shut off anything that would be goofy."
In other words: just the idea that the public will be able to inspect the contract would lead to less government waste.
STARFIRE: Joel Syphilis, "Does this make economic sense?" That says it all in DFL Duluth. Since when has common sense ever been a consideration in DFL Duluth, a city pushing 1 billion in debt onto the taxpayers?
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80148 - Wed Apr 29 21:25:05 2009 - [DFD employees work at least 10 days] By: pro-firefighter |
I don't believe for a moment the DFD members only work 6 days a week on average. They have 3 shifts so they must at least work 10 days a month and remember these are 24 hr shifts which I wouldn't want to work. The firefighters actually work more hours per week than most of us. They are a valuable asset to our community and I support them.
STARFIRE: pro-firefighter, the DFD doesn't like to work 24 hours either, so they sleep for 8 or so hours and then blog for another 8 or wash their personal pickups or blog at the DCB, where the action is. DFD only likes the 24 hours of pay, not 24 hours of work. Maybe 12 hour shifts would be better for all and then they can sleep and blog on their own dime. |
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80147 - Wed Apr 29 20:55:51 2009 - [Chamber King makes $173,138] By: DFL09 |
| Wrong DCB sockpuppets as the chamber king doesn't make $160,000. I just went to www.guidstar.org which is free to look at the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Form 990 tax return to verify how much he made and the 2007 tax $154,638 in compensation and another $18,500 in contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation plans. WTF = $173,138/year. The mystery question is how much does Andy Peterson make? Another $173, 138 a year??? Stop screwing with DFL, DFD, AFSCME losers and clean up your own backyard. We will see if free speech really is the truth on the DCB liars. |
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80146 - Wed Apr 29 20:34:40 2009 - [A frightening 10 days a month at the DFD] By: Big Iron |
| Correction Cyrus. The average DFD fire "frightener" works 10 days a month. |
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80145 - Wed Apr 29 20:13:19 2009 - [Chamber of Commies leader earns 160K] By: Brahma |
WTF !! ?? Daddy Warbucks makes over $160,000 a year ! ?
Is that for real? $160,000 to do what ? I thought the bald headed chicken fockers job is to PROMOTE business development in Duluth. Not DELETED DELETED with those opposed to progress and economic development in Duluth. |
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80144 - Wed Apr 29 20:03:51 2009 - [DFDers work 6 days in a month] By: Cyrus the Virus |
Nice post Mr. Duluth. The more people air out the corrupt bought off council and school board, the more they will come around or lose their elected position. Air out the dirty laundry on the DCB like Donny boys car repo which eventually made the DNT.
For example: how many of you know the average DFD fire frightener works only 6 days in a month? You'll hear it first on the DCB and then maybe the DNT. Duluth is getting hosed by the DFD.
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80143 - Wed Apr 29 20:00:37 2009 - [Time has come & gone for Miller Mall] By: Mike R. |
| Does anyone really care that the Miller Hill Mall has put in yet another Woman's clothing store? I mean come on who gives a rip. The place is starting to look like the Mariner Morgue in Superior with empty stores all over the place and it's so boring to even go there anymore. The Food Court is looking bleak as well. I heard it costs $10,000 per month to rent a space in the Food Court. Get real Simon Properties. The time has come and gone for that place. |
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80142 - Wed Apr 29 19:44:21 2009 - [Who's hot and who's not] By: Tom A |
Progressive Action's Steer the WIDELOAD can be seen in the hot video. I couldn't have sung it better myself. She brings out the nimrod in me. See if you can spot the WIDELOAD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svOumzlbz_g
Smiles it’s time to wake up Buckwheat! The BALD HEADED CHICKEN FOCKER is a DFL operative. Why are you so surprised? Daddy Warbucks as you call him has a good gig making over $160,000 for blowing dumb gas up the apathetic Duluth chamber members DFL asses. But the ass is their mascot.
Way to go DCB on a million hits! The DCB is hot and the WIDELOAD and BALD HEADED CHICKEN FOCKER are NOT!
I was gone MIA for a few months in Florida. What's the scoop on Danny G-Spot tooooooooo sensitive or what?
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80141 - Wed Apr 29 19:26:55 2009 - [Local polticians read and fear the DCB] By: Mr. Duluth |
When looking at the comments about the DCB and freedom of speech, I think of the painting by Norman Rockwell. He painted a famous series, The Four Freedoms, which one was called Freedom of Speech. In this painting, it shows a gentleman speaking his mind perhaps about an issue facing a city like Duluth. This man stands with dignity as he is speaking his mind, with some looking at him with great respect in this painting. This Rockwell painting meant a lot to me when growing up, knowing I could speak my mind about issues in our government.
There are perhaps many things that the eyes can not see in this painting going on. For one, somebody could be saying some nasty comment about what this guy has to say to the person next to him or her. Another could be that this guy is wasting his time and others by speaking his voice about a dead issue. The people listening are perhaps glad this guy shut his mouth up afterwards. Maybe even the governmental body this man is speaking too is not listening and will vote opposite on the issue on hand no matter what the guy has to say. Behind the Scenes, there is much going on in any governmental body, like in our fine city.
To me, the DCB is that Behind the Scenes back talk, because we all have these thoughts. The DCB is that place for dead issues, because we all like beating a dead horse. Yes, the government doesn’t listen and here at the DCB, we can say it and they still don’t listen.
Norman Rockwell gave us these visions long ago, yet they were visions from one man. Even during Rockwell times the issues and the politics were the same. There was back talk, dead issues resurfacing and elected governmental functionaries not listening in his time too. One thing old Norman did not have was the Internet back then. His painting may have inspired me to speak out on issues, but I have come to the conclusion that my voice doesn’t matter, but here at the DCB it does. Here I can be Mr. Duluth, a man with great wisdom and knowledge.
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80140 - Wed Apr 29 18:52:14 2009 - [DCB is the definition of "Free Speech"] By: jthyme |
| And the dumbocrats believe in free speech? That's why they hate conservative talk radio and want to put the fairness doctrine in effect and get rid of all talk radio that doesn't agree with their policies. GIVE ME A BREAK. This blog DOES practice free speech but if you're stupid enough to spew lies and can't back up what you say, dumbos, then I don't blame the mods for deleting posts. (although some of these stupid posts from the dumbos are good for a few laughs) |
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80139 - Wed Apr 29 18:35:04 2009 - [Socialism - "progress and new thinking"] By: blinders off |
| i find it interesting that this blog of "free speech" contains very little debate of any issues. With free speech comes the responsibility to listen as well as speak. A bunch of whiners mourning about the "good old days" know nothing about the importance of free speech. Hiding behind simple proclamations about the American ways has nothing to do with what makes this country great. Good luck to you for trying to move this country backwards. I believe the future of America is about progress and new thinking. |
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80138 - Wed Apr 29 16:02:03 2009 - [Conservative lack of support sarcasm] By: Phyllis |
| Good luck on your mission Pete....you're asking a great group of get up and go types here for help. Hope it all works out for ya. I'm sure you'll get a landslide of support from these folks. |
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80136 - Wed Apr 29 10:27:52 2009 - [Chamber and Union Bros] By: Smiles |
WTF Chamber of Commie members! Do you fricken believe Daddy Warbucks in this picture here doing the Kum-Bay-Ay with his union bros?
http://www.duluthbuildingtrades.com/index.html |
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80134 - Wed Apr 29 02:03:21 2009 - [You can resolve the DFL mess] By: peter m |
| For too long the DFL liberal left has dominated local politics. They have constantly ran off businesses, used social programs to hold people in poverty for the sake of political power. We ask who can solve this problem? The answer is you! The only person that can affect change is you, we can no longer sit around and do nothing. We can not have a defeatist mentality, we must get out and work. We need to knock on doors, hold protest, flood our elected officials with calls and letters. We can be the change that is needed, however we must go and do. I have become very frustrated with conservatives, and republicans that aren't willing to fight for their beliefs, who care more about being liked than fighting for liberty. So let me encourage you to get out there and fight, get behind good conservative candidates, boldy proclaim, "I am a conservative republican and I am proud of it!" |
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80132 - Tue Apr 28 23:28:35 2009 - [Bob Dylan sucks] By: Ghetto Blaster |
Can you say Bob Dylan sucks?
http://www.armorycenter.org/default.asp?page=home |
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80130 - Tue Apr 28 15:19:50 2009 - [Doesn't want DFL restrictions] By: I C RED PEOPLE |
Last week, TCF Financial told Mr. Geithner no thanks and paid back the taxpayer money given to them by the federal government’s TARP Program. So far, TCF is the largest institution to pay off their TARP funds. In an interview with Finance and Commerce, TCF CEO Bill Cooper said “the bank had maintained a strong capital position over the last year through its own operations, and it didn’t need to rely on the public capital infusion to continue its traditional lending pace.”
The TARP money came with restrictions that put TCF at a considerable disadvantage, so the paying the money back was in the best interest of the shareholders. According to the Wall Street Journal, some of the restrictions placed on banks participating in the TARP program include dividend restrictions, compensation limits, continuously changing rules and a provision that could have allowed for government officials to sit on a company's board. If those restrictions on private businesses aren’t scary enough, just wait until Congress adds tax increases to the bailouts. |
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80129 - Tue Apr 28 13:46:07 2009 - [BO's 20 greatest moments - 1st 100 days ] By: Got BO |
20 Great Moments from Obama's First 100 Days! (edited down due to space limitations)
http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnHawkins/2009/04/28/20_great_moments_from_obamas_first_100_days!
Future generations will want to study Barack Obama's presidency, not only because he made history by being America's first black President, but because he also appears to be on track to be America's worst President. Sure, everybody wants to know the minute details of what Abe Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt did in the White House, but how many Americans are clamoring for the full story of the U.S. Grant or Jimmy Carter presidencies?
That's a shame, too, because those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it and it's not certain that America could survive another incompetent of Obama's caliber in charge -- although, in all fairness, Rome made it through quite a few emperors who were probably only marginally more on the ball than Obama, so perhaps I'm being overly pessimistic.
In any case, one day` when future generations of Americans are studying chapters of their American history books like, "No longer a Super Power: The Long Slide Down" or alternately, "Why We're Eating Our Own Shoe Leather Now," I'd like to think that articles like this one will be helpful for them.
In no particular order:
20) In another historic first, Obama has opened up the possibility that members of the party out-of-power now may be arrested and thrown in jail over political disagreements -- in this case, over the legality of waterboarding, making terrorists tired, and making them swleeeeeepy!
Granted, policies of that sort have consistently led to retaliatory arrests, bloodshed, and even revolution in other countries, but since Obama is repeating many of FDR's failed plans, the fact that these schemes have led to disaster since before even the days of the Roman Empire probably isn't going to phase him.
19) In another great moment for the presidency, Barack Obama publicly referred to his own country as "arrogant" while he was in Strasbourg, France. Jeremiah Wright must be so proud!
18) In what appeared to be an effort to undercut the nationwide anti-tax Tea Parties that occurred on April 15th, Janet Napolitano released a report that encouraged law enforcement agencies to be wary of military veterans and,
Right-wing extremists as 'groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,' and includes those 'rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority.'
Make no mistake about it: if the Founding Fathers were alive today, every one of them would be on the Department of Homeland Security "right wing extremist" watch list.
17) The only thing more startling than finding out that there were banks that want to give back hundreds of millions of dollars worth of taxpayer money was being told that Barack Obama’s administration was refusing to let them give the money back so he could retain control over the banks.
16) After rebuking freedom-loving Venezuelans by shaking hands with their thuggish dictator for life, Hugo Chavez, Barack Obama accepted an anti-American book that Chavez gave him as a gift. A President who loved the country he led would have been insulted. Obama probably just thought, "At least he didn't get me a bunch of DVDs that won't work in my DVR."
15) Under Obama's hear-no-evil, see-no-evil leadership, people around the world are for the first time wondering: which group of radical Islamists who want to kill millions of Americans will get their hands on nukes first? Will it be the Ayatollahs in Iran or Al Qaeda and the Taliban -- who, emboldened by Obama's weakness, have begun trying to take over Pakistan in earnest.
14) In a move that has typically only been seen in banana republics run by tinpot Castro wannabes, Barack Obama became super-CEO of General Motors by firing the CEO and most of the board, while dictating how they were going to run their company in the future. It would be far more comforting if Obama had, say, as much business experience as an assistant manager at Burger King, since he's now running one of the world's largest companies.
13) After ferociously attacking earmarks during the campaign, Barack Obama signed a budget with over 8,000 earmarks in it. However, it was Obama's calls for earmark reform on the very same day he signed a bill larded up with a staggering number of pork projects that showed the sort of utter shamelessness that makes him stand out in the sea of con men, hustlers, and flim-flam artists on Capitol Hill.
12) Despite the fact that Obama went to an anti-white church, he ran on racial reconciliation. Therefore, it was a wee bit of surprise when his attorney general, Eric Holder, described America as a, "nation of cowards." Perhaps Holder lost his bearings for a minute, thought he was overseas, and figured that would be an applause line. That's certainly a tactic his boss uses on a regular basis.
11) Once again, Obama made history -- not by breaking his campaign promise that no one making under 250k a year would have to pay new taxes, but by proposing the largest tax increase in the history of the world with his cap and trade plan. The cost per family of Obama's tax increase? $3,900 per household.
10) In a stunning display of haphazard incompetence that quickly came to define Obama's scattershot approach to foreign affairs, Barack Obama gave Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, 25 DVDs that wouldn't even play in a British DVD player. Tragically, that probably meant the British head of state wasn't able to unwind after a hard day's work by watching Psycho -- which, yes, really was one of the movies Obama gave him.
9) Most of America watched Barack Obama deeply bow to the Saudi king either on YouTube or the news, which made the "who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes" denial that there was a bow, that came from the White House all the more stunning.
8) Despite the fact that Obama's State Department has more than 18,000 employees, apparently none of them speak Russian because Hillary Clinton handed Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov a button that was supposed to say "reset" It actually said "overcharge," so perhaps it was meant for one of the hundreds of companies now suckling at the government teat thanks to the stimulus and TARP.
7) In the best example yet of Obama's over-reliance on a teleprompter and the mainstream media's fervent devotion to him, during an appearance with the Irish prime minister, there was a mix-up -- and "President Obama thanked President Obama for inviting everyone over." The same mainstream media which relentlessly mocked George Bush for his slip-ups wouldn't even release the footage.
6) In yet another horrible precedent, the man who talked ceaselessly about bipartisanship and unity when he was running for President, yanked the census away from the Commerce Department so it could be manipulated to help the Democratic Party. There's nothing quite like preparing to cheat Republican states out of electoral votes and congressional representatives to help heal that partisan divide in the country!
5) In another wonderful moment that truly gives you insight into Barack Obama's raging narcissism, he actually gave the Queen of England an iPod that featured photos of himself and audio of his speeches. Many observers were undoubtedly surprised that Obama didn't force the queen to sit down and watch a slideshow of his last trip to the Grand Canyon, but he may be saving that treat for a future meeting.
4) After listening to a fifty minute rant against his country from fellow socialist Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, Obama responded, "I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old." Translation: Trash America all you like as long as you say nice things about me.
3) In a move that is shockingly typical of Obama's modus operandi, it was announced that he was closing the prison for terrorists at Guantanamo Bay despite the fact he has yet to figure out what to do with the prisoners. This is sort of like opening all the cages at the zoo and not worrying about what happens next -- except worse. Lions don't strap bombs to themselves and blow up buildings, but terrorists do, and it now looks like some of the terrorists from Gitmo may actually be released into the United States population.
2) While in Turkey on his "Trash America" tour, Barack Obama said this,
"We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. uh uh We consider ourselves uh uh a nation of US citizens"
What's this "we" stuff, pal?
1) If you want evidence of how the government "watchdogs" of the mainstream press have turned into lapdogs on Obama's watch, you couldn't do much better than White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs giving them a "strong A" grade. Roll over. Fetch! That's a good press watchdog! Who wants his belly scratched?
PS: If you're wondering why Barack Obama's approval rating isn't at about 23% after all these screw-ups, this last one explains it.
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80127 - Tue Apr 28 09:20:49 2009 - [The waste must be 10 times greater] By: Cynic |
| Geee Big Iron you mean I only needed to look at 10 percent of the easily identifiable public employee vehicles to see 5 slackers in one morning. The public doesn't have to look at the other 90 percent to see what's going on. The waste must be 10 times larger than I thought. Thanks for the heads up Big Iron. BTW last I checked they were "public employees" so if the public wants to keep tabs on "their" employees that is hardly stocking. Now run along little puff snake get back under your rock you don't scare anyone since being found out for what you are. |
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80126 - Tue Apr 28 02:47:32 2009 - [DFL majority not for much longer] By: peter m |
to whoever said this is DFL country...not for much longer. We will see a conservative majority in Duluth and st. louis county. I am interested in how many young conservatives under 40 are interested in serving Duluth in helping start up a local young republican chapter. we need people who are under 40 and passionate to see a majority on all levels of government.
Pete |
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80125 - Tue Apr 28 00:03:14 2009 - [DFLer will extort $4,800/mo by theft] By: Big Iron |
| Poor uninformed Cynic. Here's a little tidbit for ya. 90% of County vehicles have regular plates. Would you like some more schooling? City? State?.........Looking forward to that $1200.00 a month check? LOL! Mine will be 4X that. Before taxes of course. I'd offer you a tissue, but I'm fresh out. |
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80124 - Mon Apr 27 23:57:23 2009 - [City employees get FREE gas too] By: Brahma |
| Free gas is a "bonus" for some city employees. At a city garage (which is now closed), neighbors observed employees and their spouses / kids of helping themselves to free gas. (This particular city garage had a fuel tank for city equipment / vehicles.) Complaints were made but for obvious reasons, they did not go very far. Sad but true. |
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80123 - Mon Apr 27 23:46:08 2009 - [DFL justice means steal, steal, steal] By: Ben Dover |
Congratulations DCB on the FIRST million. I would like to see the first million dedicated to the Pudknocker Dave B and his Uglystick sidekick known as Wideload. For without them, this first million may not have come as quickly as it did. Let's get going to the next million.
Tony R: Keep up the good work and keep the pressure on these DFL leeches.
Cynic: You're too much. What a great idea!
An acquaintance of mine was telling me a story the other day about when he worked at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis during college as a janitor. He said that the union fulltimers clued him in right from day one. The supervisor would leave and the whole crew would go to the bar. One of them would remind the rest to go back and punch out. He said the pay was great and the racket was one of the best gigs he ever had as far as the little bit he had to do to get paid so well. He got to study when he wanted and spent the rest of the time at the bar, all on the back of the taxpayers. He knows all about government work. He said that every once in a while they would pick up a mop and do actual work, but no too often. Can you imagine the fleecing by our own DFD and the rest of the UNION grubs who are sucking the life out of the people who pay the bills. They are all busy crying for more money, running to Subway, working on campaigns for those that they decide to buy as politicians who will steal more money from the taxpayers. Good examples are Anderson, Cuneo, Gardner, & Gilbert. And the cycle goes on and on. Your DFL, stealing all they can in the name of justice. (That is, justice as they define it.) |
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80122 - Mon Apr 27 23:05:57 2009 - [Dealing with the bottom of the barrel] By: Cynic |
| I feel so full of thought tonight. You see here's the real deal. These slacker public employees know most people are good honest hard working people and they use that to their advantage. They will break the law, inflate their importance in the community, lie, stalk and do any other unsavory act they need to to make others look bad figuring no one is going to do the same to catch them at their thievery. "Now you know the rest of the story" but hopefully not the end......get to work people you now know what you are dealing with. |
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80121 - Mon Apr 27 23:03:34 2009 - [Taxpayers have been getting scammed] By: Iwanna No |
Cynic your idea to use cell phones to record what public employees do during working hours really is a GREAT IDEA!!
Don't forget to take pics at the beauty salon and barber shop too. Word has it these same employees can take off any time of day and week for their hair-'do's.' Wthout a doubt these folks also get a good dose of gossip on company time while taking care of their personal business.
Citizens would be in an uproar if they knew how their hard earned tax dollars have been being spent for years by those abusing their positions. Who authorizes all of these 'entitlements' and perks for public employees?
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80120 - Mon Apr 27 22:53:07 2009 - [No sympathy for non government folks] By: Big Iron |
| The most expensive house on 99th W. is what, 70K? I can see why you're not too concerned. BTW, in case you haven't noticed, Wildcat, 99th is paved...Next! |
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80119 - Mon Apr 27 22:50:39 2009 - [Slackers, slackers, nothing but slackers] By: Cynic |
| For anyone who wants to take up my suggestion for the pictures of public employee slackers you identify them by writing down which government vehicle they are driving. Not hard at all. If I see that many slackers in one day can you imagine what we would find if just 2 percent of the population started paying attention. |
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80118 - Mon Apr 27 22:46:03 2009 - [3 months of SS income to pay maggots ] By: Cynic |
BTW for anyone interested this was the part of my previous post where I mentioned my social security checks. I said it will take over three months of my social security checks to pay our property taxes and it will. However, I have not collected a single social security check in my life at this point. Yes I will be collecting social security shortly and know how much my social security check will be because you can go to the social security web site and figure exactly what you will get using their automatic calculations. Plus they send me a notice in the mail every year telling me what I will get. You can see how a liar like Big Iron alias Saginaw J and many other aliases will jump on anything to discredit anyone who threatens to expose the public employee scam. Not most public employees mind you but the bloodsuckers who need to be fired or their job done away with. Talk about a looser.
Cynic previously said: "It now will take over three months worth of my social security checks to pay our property taxes." |
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80117 - Mon Apr 27 22:29:33 2009 - [You'll get charged with stalking] By: Cynic |
| Watch out Wildcat they'll charge you with stalking. he he he |
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80116 - Mon Apr 27 22:27:58 2009 - [Making up lies along the way] By: Cynic |
| There you go Big Iron make it up as you go that's what you're good at. Get the opposition with lies cause the truth hurts too bad. waaaaaaa |
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80115 - Mon Apr 27 22:01:33 2009 - [DFD in Gary likes to go for grub and sub] By: jthyme |
HEY WILDCAT! I'm out in Gary, too. You're on 99th...and I'm not far from you at all. Just a couple of blocks.
You mention our DFD goes on a run once every 24 hours? I didn't think it was that often....but I do see them go on their grocery run (and Subway, of course) quite a bit. |
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80114 - Mon Apr 27 21:44:37 2009 - [Video of useless DFD already started] By: Wildcat |
| Mr. Cynic, your about 3 months behind the curve on your suggestion. Out in Gary, we are shooting video about just that...the firemen at that station hardly ever leave except for driving to the West Duluth grocery store. Our video will show them on actual fire related calls about once every 24 hours to provide medical assistance. Two full timers stationed at the Gary New Duluth fire station 24/7 costing taxpayers a ton of money. They have to buy the next councilors because the residents are on to them. I would rather have my streets paved here on 99th rather than paying good money to have two city employees sleeping their shifts away. |
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80113 - Mon Apr 27 20:29:55 2009 - [It takes one to know one] By: Big Iron |
| That's what I thought, Cynic. ANOTHER money sucker who scammed the system with a phony "disability". So how do you plan to identify these public employees while stalking them at McDonalds and Target? Hmmmmmm? This should be good. |
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80112 - Mon Apr 27 19:28:45 2009 - [Great idea to show slackers on the net] By: Cynic |
| I was thinking with all these cell phones that take pictures someone should start a web site just for pictures of public employees sitting in public vehicles reading newspapers, stopping at the bank, shopping a Target, standing around the grocery store, McDonalds, etc. The picture would hopefully register the date and time so the employee could perhaps verify if it was coffee or lunch break. |
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80111 - Mon Apr 27 19:22:37 2009 - [Go do what you're good at, stalk Danny G] By: Cynic |
| Big Iron why don't you go stalk Danny G some more you're good at that Big Iron. |
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80110 - Mon Apr 27 19:03:34 2009 - [SS checks for retirement or disability?] By: Big Iron |
| Cynic, do you receive SS checks because of retirement or "disability"? |
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80109 - Mon Apr 27 18:17:39 2009 - [The 2009 Tax Cut Rally this Saturday] By: Anonymous |
http://www.taxcutrally.com/
What: The 2009 Tax Cut Rally
When: Saturday, May 2, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota State Capitol
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80107 - Mon Apr 27 16:52:47 2009 - [DFL to eliminate mortgage deduction] By: Web Hound |
Dear Friends:
Over the last few days, DFL legislators made good on their promise to pass sweeping tax increases on most Minnesotans.
A few "lowlights" from the bills they passed include:
• Across the board income tax increases.
• New income tax bracket which would be the 4th highest in the country. Plus, other tax rate changes that would give Minnesota not just one, but two of the top ten income tax rates in the country!!
• Elimination of tax deductions for home mortgage interest, charitable contributions, child care and even expenses related to organ donations.
• Tax increases on music downloads, alcohol, and cigarettes.
• Elimination of the property tax cap enacted last year.
I am deeply disappointed Democrats would increase taxes when Minnesotans are facing such challenging times. I will veto these tax increases. Minnesotans pay enough in taxes and government should be focusing on tightening its belt, not raising taxes.
You can help support my position by calling your legislator or writing a letter to the editor. Turn up the volume against these sweeping tax increases.
The budget I submitted cuts spending overall by about 4% while maintaining funding for key priorities like veterans programs and public safety.
I also proposed a job-creating plan that includes cutting Minnesota's business tax rate in half, from 9.8% to 4.8%. Minnesota has the 3rd highest business tax rate in the world!!
I will need your help more than ever over the next few weeks. Please call your legislator or write a letter to the editor expressing your concern over the DFL's massive tax increases. With your help, we will stop the DFL's bad ideas and position Minnesota to be a more job-friendly state.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Sincerely,
Tim Pawlenty
Governor
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80105 - Mon Apr 27 15:00:47 2009 - [Not all unions like AFSCME's actions] By: Local 361 |
| Cynic I am doing the "Loffler-Kemp" method of buying anything taxable here in Superior. The sales tax is 2% less and the only way to stop this abuse by public AFSCME employees is to not fund them. Do all you can out of Duluth just like AFSCME's Ken Loffler-Kemp did when he built is $500,000+ house without union labor or local materials. Now it AFSCME's turn to be out of work. |
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80104 - Mon Apr 27 14:18:16 2009 - [Carrboro welfare crime connection?] By: Adam R |
The story about the attack at the DECC by 12 and 13 year old females is really sad. The victim was on the way to work when these animals attacked. It is sad enough when the DFL Duluth team is stealing all it can from the hard working citizens, but when people are being attacked and stolen from on their way to work, by 12 and 13 year old females, it is unbelievable.
Any bets on where the animals are from? Don't ask Stahlalinski as he would claim they are natives of Duluth even if further investigations showed they are from places like Milwaukee, Detroit or Carrboro.
Did any of you native Duluthians ever hear of such an attack by 12 and 13 year old females prior to the mass migration to the welfare capital of Northeast Minnesota? unheard of 20 years ago. Thanks DFL/Progressives for bringing such DELETED animals to our once beautiful city. |
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80103 - Mon Apr 27 12:58:00 2009 - [5 more doing squat for their pay] By: Cynic |
| Alf, of course public employee pensions are big money. There is still that huge sucking sound whenever a public employee pensioner walks by me. So far today alone I saw 5 public employees doing squat for their pay. Shopping, banking, groceries, and on and on it goes. |
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80102 - Sun Apr 26 21:57:40 2009 - [Taxes and more taxes are good for all!!!] By: Alf |
Here is another good thing City/County retirees do for the communities. So, quit your whining!
Study recognizes impact of public pensions on Minnesota's economy
Public pensions pumped $3.11 billion into the state’s economy, supporting 31,274 jobs across Minnesota, according to figures recently released by the National Institute on Retirement Security.
Pensionomics: Measuring the Economic Impact of State and Local Pension Plans found that retiree expenditures from those benefits resulted in $4.5 billion in total economic output in the state and $2 billion in value added in the state. The findings echoed those of a similar study commissioned by PERA, the Minnesota State Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement Association last year.
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80101 - Sun Apr 26 21:55:39 2009 - [Congratulations from both of us ] By: Subdude aka Former Tony R |
1,000,000 hits, good job. We have tried our best at marginalizing the DCB but if you google "Duluth Blogs", the DCB lives up to its reputation as the blog where the action is as it is #1. Our little blog doesn't even appear in the google search. Although we disagree on many things, we would like to extend an olive brach in the name of civility in the local blogosphere. DCB is well on its way to another million hits. Congratulations from both of us at the Watch.
EMCR, you know my name |
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80099 - Sun Apr 26 20:57:25 2009 - [Insult on your intellect] By: MODERATOR |
Evil view: Obama spending cut an insult on your intellect
http://duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com/ |
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80098 - Sun Apr 26 20:43:08 2009 - [Robbery on the Skywalk] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE: April 26, 2009
SUBJECT: Robbery
CASE #:09264524
INCIDENT DATE:April 25, 2009
INCIDENT TIME:1649 hrs
INCIDENT LOCATION: Northwest Passage (near DECC)
NATURE OF INCIDENT:Robbery
BY: Lt. Leigh Wright
_______________________________________________________________________________
Description: On April 25, 2009, Duluth Police responded to the Northwest Passage area of the Skywalk (closest to the DECC) where a 17 year old girl was jumped by three young juvenile girls who wanted the victims' cell phone. At about 1649 hrs, the victim was on her way to the DECC for her first day of work, when someone struck her on the head from behind and wrestled the victims' phone from her. The 12 and 13 year old suspects were located near the DECC and taken into custody. All three were lodged at Arrowhead Juvenile Center. Robbery charges are pending.
No serious injuries reported by the victim.
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80097 - Sun Apr 26 18:34:00 2009 - [Congrats DCB, keep it up for another Mil] By: Cynic |
| One million heck that's nothing to the Obomba/DFL/Ness team. errrrrr that is if we are talking tax dollars. Anyway congrats DCB keep it up for another million. |
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80096 - Sun Apr 26 18:28:52 2009 - [Sunday visitation over early for BI?] By: Cynic |
| What is Sunday visitation over early Saginaw J/John W of Saginaw/DRZ/huh?/Big Iron/etc.? |
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80095 - Sun Apr 26 15:57:53 2009 - [A monument for the DCB] By: DFL09 |
| DCB don't you dare show up at the Chester Creek Cafe because if you do DELETED they will build a monument for you when we're done with you. Your playground is here losers and don't forget this is DFL country and you're nothing more than a speed bump liar losers. 1,000,000 hits my ass liars. |
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80094 - Sun Apr 26 15:50:53 2009 - [Congrats DCB-Where the action is!] By: Barb J |
Who is Barney Frank Jr.?
I did a search for Barney Frank Jr. Duluth and the DCB comes up but there is no mention of what this means. Can someone enlighten me here?
Also, congratulations moderators on a million hits. That's really cool.
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80093 - Sun Apr 26 15:44:40 2009 - [Bring on the next MILLION DCB!] By: LIB Reader Online |
Crongratulations DCB! Thanks for the MILLION chances to let all know to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees!
Who would have thought the DCB would be Duluth's most active blog? Bring on the next MILLION DCB! |
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80092 - Sun Apr 26 14:47:37 2009 - [Big Iron looking for Barney Frank Jr?] By: Big Iron |
| Is BROWNFIRE on tonight, or will he be off playing "bury the weenie" with my boyfriend? |
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80091 - Sun Apr 26 14:13:07 2009 - [5 years and a 1,000,000 truths later] By: Adam R |
Congratulations Tony on reaching yet another milestone. It is good to know that the DCB has now been around for 5 years or so bringing objectivity and facts to an otherwise Kool Aid force fed DFL agenda in DFL Duluth. I love the name DFL Duluth, by the way. It is perfect for this cesspool created by decades of DFL self serving leeches. I appreciate the DCB allowing people the freedom of speech to speak out who would otherwise have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about the DFL, AFSCME, DFDPAC crooks who have been hosing the taxpayers of the area for decades.
Most of all, I love to watch how Tony has stood up to the DFL Progressive whackjobs who are pissed off that the general public has this venue to inform others. Tony, you cost the local DFL over $133,000 to buy their politicians the last election cycle. They are now importing DFL millionaires like Boyle in an attempt to control this area even more. Good job, keep them spending money. You know that you are getting to them when the local DFL set up a website just to try to marginalize the DCB. That is the one that whackjob from California is running. One question DFL: If the DCB is so irrelevant, why do you spend so much in energy and resources trying to marginalize it?
Keep up the good work Tony, et al, and keep costing these goons $$$$$$$$$$. I know of many people who come to read only at the DCB to get the truth in Duluth. |
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80090 - Sun Apr 26 14:05:47 2009 - [DFL crook needs new computer taxpayers] By: jthyme |
| small soft and limp, how come when I hit REFRESH the counter only adds ONE more? I think the firehall needs a new computer for you to play with. |
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80089 - Sun Apr 26 14:05:18 2009 - [Warped minded DFLer's reality] By: Big Iron |
| I detect a degree of jealousy, Cynic. Why don't YOU move to Hermantown, if things are sooooooooo bad. |
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80087 - Sun Apr 26 13:12:47 2009 - [Congrats on 1,000,000th hit DCB!!!!!] By: jthyme |
Congrats on hitting the MILLION mark on the blog counter!
Yes, this IS where the action really is! |
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80086 - Sun Apr 26 12:42:37 2009 - [Nepotism continues to plague DFL Duluth] By: Cynic |
| Speaking of mobile homes......I was talking to this guy that had retired from the city of Duluth and he mentioned he was living in a mobile home park in Hermantown. I asked him why he lived there as he could afford more and he said he didn't like paying taxes on a regular home because they were too high. Here the guy sucked money out of the taxpayers year after year and into retirement plus add in heart bypass surgery thanks to the taxpayers but was to cheap to pay some taxes back. I now see his son is working for the city of Duluth. |
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80085 - Sun Apr 26 11:36:39 2009 - [DCB, where the action is!!!!] By: Big Iron |
LOL! I just refreshed twice and the counter jumped ahead by 11 and 3.
PARROT: Big Iron, just another demonstration of how many people are on the DCB where the action is! |
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80084 - Sun Apr 26 08:22:12 2009 - [Anyone lose their life?] By: Ashley |
| You really do need to get a life. |
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80083 - Sun Apr 26 08:18:27 2009 - [See what goes around comes around ] By: Cynic |
| What it's worth, Just what I thought someone who has never paid taxes saying we should all pay more. What goes around comes around just wait and see. |
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80082 - Sat Apr 25 23:49:33 2009 - [DFL09 has intimate "experience"] By: Truthism |
Mons,
If a DFL'er was invited to the shitty party, You would get your ass beat like in the last election and like Coleman.
STARFIRE: DFL09, don't tell me that Duluth's own Barney Frank Jr. would carry out the "ass beating" you are referring to. Be careful with your word choice around your "core" DFL ass pounding team. You seem to have an intimate knowledge of how your DFL team conducts its "ass beatings". Is this by coincidence or experience? |
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80079 - Sat Apr 25 23:42:04 2009 - [DCB coming out party at CCC?] By: mons veneris |
| Hey, what's the deal with the DCB millionth hit party ? Have any plans been made yet ? Word on the street is that the party is going to be at Chester Creek Cafe. Maybe it's time for a DCB "coming out party" ? I heard the food is good however some of the regulars at the cafe are rather "unpleasant", both in appearance and attitude. Why not have a little wine, discuss the issues and tell the progressive to shove it ! DFL09, you're invited also, it would be fun to discuss the issues with you ! You sure could use some political deprogramming. |
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80078 - Sat Apr 25 23:22:30 2009 - [A little advice & most of all, STFU!!!!] By: DFL09 |
Lib Reader you and the DCB doppelgangers are senseless pieces of DELETED. One million hits is nothing but a DELETED joke, one of a million DCB lies. The DCB has never had and never will have any influence in Duluth politics. The truth is the DCB is dead so give it up DELETED. We know who you are and DCB free speech is a lie. You won’t post this proving my point over and over again loser. Move if you don’t like it here at this is and will always be DFL COUNTRY and don’t any of you forget it.
TONY R: DFL09 let me help you with getting the facts straight and some friendly advice. The blogger counter is not hits, it is page refreshes. The hits are much higher. In the last 12 months, the DCB has had 1,159,458. The hits since the blogger counter was reset are 3,684,096. In Google, do a search for ‘Duluth blogs’ and you will see who is NUMBER ONE and WHERE THE ACTION IS, THE DCB. My advice is if you don’t like it here leave it, don’t come here , stay away for your own sanity. Stick to what you do best, twiddling your thumbs with you husband on your little Watch site, living denial of the DCB numbers, and most of all STFU.
Ciao!
The "REAL" Tony Ramone
ramoneanthony@gmail.com
http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/
http://duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony_Ramone/1497522456
http://www.youtube.com/DCBtony
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80077 - Sat Apr 25 21:27:08 2009 - [The rest of the story by CAO John Hall] By: Bill |
Wally is woefully misinformed with his public opinion..here is the rest of story as told by former CAO John Hall.
I'd like to share a few thoughts on the Duluth Mayor Ness' compromise solution to the PERA quandary which will refund contributions to current employees, refund some contributions to the City and reduce pensions going forward for many current retirees. Because it does not require current retirees to return past benefits as had been suggested, it sounds like a compromise. I'd like to put the issue in a somewhat different perspective. In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a disinterested person and my pension is one of the affected pensions. I also know considerable history of this matter, having been both the union president who negotiated the first contract in 1995 that established these questioned contributions, and subsequently I was the CAO for the City of Duluth from July 2006 through April 2008.
In 1995, the City Administrator negotiated a contract that divided the agreed upon raise into two parts, one part paid immediately as salary, and one part paid to a State of Minnesota sponsored savings plan that would be collected by the employee at a later time, called deferred compensation. The City Administrator assured the union that this deferred compensation would still be considered salary for PERA pension purposes. The City Administrator had reasons for wanting to make part of the raise Deferred Compensation, the Union had compelling reasons for making sure it would be considered PERA income.
PERA is a state administered public pension plan for public employees. A sizeable percentage of salary earned is paid into the plan by the employee and a roughly similar percentage is paid into the plan by the public employer. The combined contributions are then invested by PERA with the Minnesota State Board of Investment, with the principal and earnings expected to fully fund the eventual retirement benefits of the employee. Once paid into the plan, both the employee's and the City's contributions belong to PERA. The benefit calculation is a function of the average annual earnings of the "high five" years multiplied by a percentage derived from total years of service credits. Therefore it is reasonable and appropriate that unions be concerned that earnings are PERA eligible and count in the calculations.
In years following 1996, the same City Administrator, for purposes known to him, expanded options for that portion of compensation dedicated to the Deferred Compensation plan and allowed employees to elect to receive all or a part of that amount as a payment toward their family medical insurance premiums instead of going exclusively to the Deferred Compensation program. Some chose to exercise that option, most did not.
Unknown to the unions, and perhaps unknown to the City Administrator himself, allowing that option arguably appears to have moved that whole portion of compensation from the classification of "salary" to the classification of "fringe benefit," whether the employee diverted any or all of the money to health insurance or not. Fringe benefits are normally not eligible for the PERA program and thus are not included in pension calculations unless there are special exceptions passed by the legislation. Current law includes several of these, apparently just not one that that covers this situation.
City administration during those years deliberately considered and treated those payments as salary, at the direction of the City Administrator. Whether he realized he was making a mistake at the time is unknown. Finance took it's direction from the Administration. This was not their decision, it was Administration's. Employees were required to make PERA contributions on those earnings as did the City.
Over the years, the city finances, including payroll, were audited annually by the State Auditor. In 2001, the State auditor noted a concern about this specific compensation in the draft report, conferred with City Administration, then removed the concern from the report, obviously indicating satisfaction with the explanation.
In 2007, this matter was again reviewed by the City Auditor who was previously an employee of the State Auditor's Office, and who opined that specific statutes seemed to indicate clearly that this amount must now be deemed a fringe benefit. At that time the administration determined that no further contributions would be made on that portion of earnings by employees or by the City.
In 2008, yet another administration made a decision to try to go back in time and reverse the decision made by the 1995 Administration, and treat the Deferred Compensation payments as benefits and have PERA refund the contributions that were made over the years by both the employees and the City. It is simply not possible to do this with any degree of fairness for a host of reasons. Most important of them, if it had been determined in 1995 that the deferred amount was not eligible for PERA, the unions would not have accepted the raise as deferred compensation and would have insisted that amount and the subsequent negotiated increases to that amount, be paid as plain salary instead. This is clearly demonstrated by member concerns at the time and by reassurances that were demanded of, and given by Administration.
Whether it is policy or law that has changed, or the interpretation of policy or law, or if the City was misinformed by PERA or simply misunderstood the regulations in those early years is unknown at this time. The officials in charge then are not with the City now. What is patently clear is this; if a mistake was made, it was not made by the employees or the union. It was made by the City administration or by PERA or both.
Public anger is not justified. No money is missing, no money was misappropriated. There was no intent to unfairly advantage anyone. Employees made PERA contributions based on a percentage of their earnings as required and they certainly have a right to expect them to be included in the calculation and payment of their pensions. The City made the contributions it obligated itself to when it negotiated the contracts. Those contributions now belong to PERA for use in satisfying the pensions the employee have earned. And most importantly, if the compensation in question had been known then to be ineligible for PERA, it would have likely been paid as normal salary instead, and the same contributions, in the same amounts, would have been made by both the City and the employees and the same pensions would have been earned.
The active employees are certainly entitled to a refunding of their contributions, as they will receive no pension benefit from them, and PERA should refund the City's match to those particular funds as well, since PERA will not be required to pay out pension benefits on those particular earnings and thus is not justified in retaining the contributions made on them.
The current City retirees did nothing wrong. They have earned their pensions which they funded through their contributions during their work life. They had no idea there was any question. They made their irrevocable life decisions based on that anticipated pension amount. PERA is in possession of that principal and it's earnings and the pension should continue to be paid as all parties agreed and intended it would be.
A great share of these pensioners were public safety officers whose employment was not covered by Social Security and thus will not receive Social Security, and who will be totally dependent on their pensions. To reduce the pension these people worked, planned and saved for by as much as one, or even two hundred dollars a month for the remainder of their lives, for no fault of their own, and for which they have no ability to compensate by returning to their work, is simply wrong.
Thank you for your consideration.
John Hall |
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80076 - Sat Apr 25 18:02:26 2009 - [Robbery of delivery driver] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE:April 25, 2009
SUBJECT:Robbery of delivery driver
CASE #:09-264101
INCIDENT DATE:April 24, 2009
INCIDENT TIME:2349
INCIDENT LOCATION:1000 block of east 5th St.
NATURE OF INCIDENT:Robbery of delivery driver
BY:Sgt. Chad Nagorski
________________________________________________________________________________
Description:On 4/24/2009 Duluth Police Squads were dispatched to the area of 1000 block of east 5th street on the report of a robbery of a Jimmy John's delivery driver in that area. Upon arrival squads attempted to locate the suspects and used a Police K-9 unit to attempt a track but were unable to locate the suspects. The suspects are described as three black males dressed in all black wearing hoods and masks. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of money and some personal belongings from the delivery driver. If you have any information reference this crime please contact the Duluth Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit at (218) 730-5050.
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80075 - Sat Apr 25 17:32:09 2009 - [No answer to fire department doings] By: Ashley |
| Cynic, You were bitching about the cops not controlling the speeders in front of your house. Here's the answer, I think...You live in a trailer park. It would be a waste of time watching for speeders in front of your mobile home!! Now quit blogging and get to work. I don't have an answer as to what your fire department is doing 5 blocks from your house on any given day. |
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80074 - Sat Apr 25 12:14:46 2009 - [Check out this action ] By: Cyrus the Virus |
NRA guy check out this action and the babe shooter! The is awesome fire power!
http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/exclusives/64615/OFASTS-Gun-Apocalypse.html
Thanks for the link to the free NRA sign up. I did it this morning. Fight to keep your second amendment rights. |
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80073 - Sat Apr 25 09:09:54 2009 - [Ne$$onomics = More DLF Duluth Arrogance] By: LIB Reader Online |
Kudos to this letter writer. I can only call Mayor Ne$$'s fiscal skills Ne$$onomics. This is a classic example of DFL Duluth arrogance.
The DFL run city could care less about the people of the city as a whole. It is all about how much can the take for their own.
Examples include a million dollar "mistake" here, a ten "million" dollar mistake there (Sheraton/SMDC) parking ramp. This is a story for Brandon Stahl, the millions wasted over the last two decades from the $16 million fish tank to the underfunded retiree healthcare to numerous lawsuit settlements. You can only imagine how much better the condition of Duluth would be.
The DLF spin has always tried to create class separation, rich vs. poor. The reality is government employees vs. private sector employees in DFL Duluth and we can all see Ne$$ is their boy.
Have no fear as the apathetic Duluth taxpayers will pay and this is why you need to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
____________________________________________________________________
Duluth News Tribune
Published April 25 2009
Reader's view: Mayor is giving taxpayer money to AFSCME
I’m amazed at the lack of critical comment regarding Mayor Don Ness’ proposed settlement for overpayment to AFSCME retirees. Retirees’ benefits were overpaid and they were to return the excess. Active members overpaid and were to receive a refund.
Mayor Ness interjected himself into a brokered arrangement, giving a bonus to retirees by not returning their overpayment, taking the required funds from active member overpayments. The union rejected this proposal. The mayor now proposes taking the money that retirees need to pay back from all Duluth taxpayers. Obviously the union agrees.
The real solution is for the union to decide how to sort it out, since they represent interests of both active and retired members. This has to be done within the confines of the collective bargaining agreement, with no added costs to the city. Instead, Mayor Ness’ proposal takes close to $1 million dollars that is presently credited to the city for employee retirements and uses it to pay a beyond-the-contract bonus to past retirees. Duluth taxpayers should revolt at this million-dollar giveaway of our taxes, handing it to the same people who are suing the city for attempting to reduce costs for their ridiculously expensive health care plan.
This follows Mayor Ness’ questionable settlement of the AFSCME part-time employee grievance, giving the union exactly what it demanded last fall. By settling now, the city is also paying 18 returning employees their wages for about a half year they didn’t work. This settlement cost Duluth taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and, according to the mayor, the union was wrong and the city was right!
I can only hope the new chief administrative officer can guide Mayor Ness to represent the interests of the taxpayers first, before giving handouts to AFSCME.
Wally Mahnke
Duluth
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80072 - Fri Apr 24 23:17:48 2009 - [Letter to Osamabamayomama ] By: jthyme |
I got this in an email today. I know for a fact that several people I know actually sent this letter to Osamabamayomama and signed their real name:
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.
You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America. You are responsible to the citizens of the United States. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States, telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, came directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia. You don’t show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can’t find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don’t want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What’s the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members – on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven’t said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn’t.
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million -- not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven’t you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now?
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every Real American
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80071 - Fri Apr 24 22:51:08 2009 - [DFL undies in a bundle] By: What it's Worth |
I am impressed that you add whatever you want into other people's posts. According to you statement at the top of the page:
"All content on this message board is strictly the opinions and statements of individual bloggers
and doesn't reflect the opinions, or purpose, of duluthcitizensblog.com, or any other entity."
This just shows me how pitiful you are.
MODERATOR: Now now sniveler, let us not get our undies in a bundle. What seems to be the problem here?
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80070 - Fri Apr 24 22:26:05 2009 - [Has the Pudknocker come out from hiding?] By: Dave B |
Dennis Miller's Barney Frank Junior is the post of the year baby! Wheeeewwwwwwww!
MODERATOR: Is that you Pudmeister???? Das ist ausgezeichnet Puddy! |
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80069 - Fri Apr 24 22:07:42 2009 - [Millionth hit party!] By: Muffin Top |
Tony,
Are you going to have a millonth hit party at Chester Creek Cafe with "C"? Right in her face is the way it should be. |
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80068 - Fri Apr 24 21:48:15 2009 - [DFL arrogance] By: What it's Worth |
Cynic,
Boo hoo, it is people like you who were irresponsible and did not save properly for retirement like I get as a public employee. Now you are using Social Security as your primary source of income, that is not my problem, I've got the total package thanks to you taxpayers. I am putting your tax money away because of lazy people like you will have sucked Social Security dry by the time I can collect, but I will still manage to do that along with pay my taxes. I must be a millionaire because anyone that can save for retirement and pay their fair share of taxes is 100% union.
Go get a job at Wal-Mart, they will take good care of you!
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80067 - Fri Apr 24 20:53:11 2009 - [Does DFL Duluth Donny have a program?] By: Ben Dover |
I couldn't help laughing when I watched the news and that loudmouth Democrat Jauch from across the bridge was blabbing about "whiners" who don't want to follow the Democratic program of spend, spend, and spend. Then they interviewed Superior Mayor Dave Ross and when asked about Jauch and Nimrod, Milroy, he responded, "We have a program for getting Superior out of debt. How are they doing on the state level?" LMAO!!! That is the rebuttal of the week as far as I am concerned. Superior has a real leader and all the trash politicians from there and their family members leave and head over the bridge to live on the taxpayer in DFL Duluth.
TONY R: Ben Dover, do you think that DFL Duluth Mayor Ne$$ has a program for getting DFL Duluth out of hundreds of millions of DFL Duluth debt? |
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80066 - Fri Apr 24 17:01:26 2009 - [Never enough 4 DFL until no more to take] By: Cynic |
| What it's worth, You make about as much sense as a talking rock. Let me see our property taxes have gone up 130 percent in 5 years but that still is not enough for idiots like you. How stupid can one person be? It now will take over three months worth of my social security checks to pay our property taxes. We have never been on public assistance but compete fools like you seem to want us there. Well pay up because very soon you'll be feeding us with food stamps and then housing us when we loose our home due to taxation. |
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80065 - Fri Apr 24 16:47:37 2009 - [Barney Frank in Duluth?] By: Dennis Miller |
| I can't wait to watch the big council meeting on Monday night staring Duluth's own Barney Frank Jr. They'll be coming in the backdoor and packing the council chambers full for this one. Get there early for this testicle, whoops spectacle. |
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80064 - Fri Apr 24 16:16:25 2009 - [Evil and News Babes on the Tabloid] By: Tony R |
Read about the "evil" on the Duluth News Tabloid and don't forget to vote for your favorite local news babe station!
http://www.duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com/
Ciao!
The " REAL" Tony Ramone
ramoneanthony@gmail.com
http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com
http://duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony_Ramone/1497522456
http://www.youtube.com/DCBtony |
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80063 - Fri Apr 24 14:53:38 2009 - [Taxes 4 benefits & wages much > yours] By: What it's Worth |
So is there a magical city somewhere where you do not have to pay taxes and still get services. If you find it let me know. Then you can move there and tell me how it works.
Another idea, I am healthy and drive safe, I should drop my car and health insurance. I mean, I have not used them in years and what are the odds that I will actually need it? Think of all the crap I could buy then.
As far as complaining about the services you have being screwed up, maybe they need more funding but cheap people like you cant cough up a few bucks when you are so shortsighted you cant see how it might benefit you. That is unless you can get some shiny piece junk to stare at.
Whether you want to admit it or not everyone benefits from services provided from tax revenue. I wish I didn't have to pay them, I also wish I could fly like Superman. But you cant always get what you wish for. |
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80062 - Fri Apr 24 12:43:03 2009 - [Interested in owning a firearm?] By: FREE NRA MEMBERSHIP |
We need everyone interested in owning a firearm, sign up for this, #'s count
The NRA is giving FREE 1-yr memberships to everyone who wants to join.
They are trying to build up their membership to fight pending legislation that impacts our right to keep and bear arms.
It is very important that anti-gun congressmen see how many people they will have to fight to get their legislation through.
https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp
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80061 - Fri Apr 24 12:24:52 2009 - [City healthcare fraud management] By: Web Hound |
The health insurance fund is currently managed by a committee made up of equal parts management and city union leaders -- but all are city employees. But under the department of commerce rules and state statute, the fund has to be managed essentially by a board of trustees -- and the city will only be allowed one member.
READ this and more at http://www.areavoices.com/buzz/
Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuuuuummmmmbbbbllllle |
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80060 - Fri Apr 24 11:06:30 2009 - [Dump the UAW!] By: Chicken Hammer |
| Fiat is going to dump Chrysler if they can't get their labor costs under control. Dump the UAW! |
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80058 - Fri Apr 24 10:09:06 2009 - [F in DFL is for FEE] By: Cynic |
Whats it worth, Oh and don't forget to add $114.96 to your $500 in taxes for street lights and storm water fee. Then don't forget all the fees for services and taxes if you eat out or buy something in Duluth. Don't forget the permit if you want to move a water pipe, put siding or a roof on your house or even hook up an xtra electrical outlet. Then there's that dog and cat license, rental license, etc. etc.
Why don't you go to the City of Duluth web site and look at all the fees charged to people and businesses for almost everything you do in life. WAKE UP FOOL |
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80057 - Fri Apr 24 09:46:58 2009 - [Don't be a DFL tax & fee "FOOL"] By: Cynic |
Whats it worth, I'll take a stab at some of the bargains you said I get for my city taxes. 1. Can't remember a city cop "ever" doing anything to control speeders and reckless drivers past my house. Did need a cop once and he went to the wrong house. 2. County plows my road. 3. Never heard of "Harley park". 4. Don't use the Lakewalk(wasn't that set up for tourists and the folks out east) 5. Fire hall? Yep that's what we pay taxes for. 6. 500 bucks a year to the city is highway robbery but like they say a sucker is born every minute. Perhaps you can write a check to the city as a gift. They'll take it, spend it and still stick you with even higher taxes. Like Mr T used to say "FOOL"
Whats it worth said: "My tax bill for next year is $2200 less than $500 go to the city. So for all of that I get police officers that patrol my streets, a fire hall a block from my house, plowed streets, libraries, parks like Harley and the Lakewalk. Sounds like a bargin to me. Have any of you actually looked at what goes to the city vs. the county vs. schools. The city is the best deal on there." |
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80056 - Fri Apr 24 09:04:25 2009 - [DFL trying to get more out of you] By: Joe Don |
| Has anybody else heard the rumor that MN is going to eliminate the practice of deducting your mortgage insurance on your tax return? |
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80055 - Fri Apr 24 07:01:22 2009 - [How does the UAW rate?] By: Matt |
| Okay, Javier, in Duluth, if this Chrysler plan goes through, we in Duluth will be paying for Duluth retirees with our Duluth taxes, Chrysler employees with our federal taxes, and Medicare taxes? I won't be able to pay for my own health care expenses. How does the UAW rate? |
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80054 - Thu Apr 23 22:32:57 2009 - [DFL Debt AIN"T NEVER BEEN NO DEAL!] By: Dopes for Donny Debt |
What do you get in Duluth for it's portion of your real estate taxes? A judged illegally run $300,000,000.00 unfunded retiree health care scam. Capped streets, PCA failed sewers, a mostly run down, dirty looking City with a third more low income than any other City in the State. Foolishly lost taxpayer millions from DEDA to the chosen ones while middle class, tax backbone, Mom and Pop businesses die in a mire of City fees, liscenses, taxes, and socialistic dictator type politics. A City that achieves it's low income housing initiatve four years ahead of schedule but can't afford to pay for property it got caught stealing with eminent domain. A City where taxes can NOT go to protect a stone with the Ten Commandments on it, yet there are tax dollars available to entertain the gay right celebrations and resolutions.
What it's Worths' less than $500.00 is worthless, just what every other tax dollar is worth in Donny's DFL Dollar Dumping Duluth. The fact is, buying The DFL Debt AIN"T NEVER BEEN NO DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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80053 - Thu Apr 23 22:09:04 2009 - ["In God We Trust" Poll] By: Subdude |
Will NBC be surprised?
Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation.
NBC is taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.
Please send this to every Christian you know so they can vote on this important subject.
Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off the web page.
Poll is still open so you can vote.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/
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080052 - Thu Apr 23 17:01:44 2009 - [UAW first, Duluth's turn is coming] By: Javier |
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/business/24chrysler.html?_r=1
DETROIT — The Treasury Department is preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for Chrysler that could come as soon as next week, people with direct knowledge of the action said Thursday.
The Treasury has an agreement in principle with the United Automobile Workers union, whose members’ pensions and retiree health care benefits would be protected as a condition of the bankruptcy filing, said these people, who asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
Okay, who in the heck is going to be paying for the UAW pensions and retiree health care if Chrysler can’t afford them. Uhhhhh, that’d be us, I suppose. They get to receive their lucrative benefits, and the taxpayers get to pay for them. JUST LIKE DULUTH!!!
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