Our Military’s Grim State: Armed Forces Under Stress
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
This is the grim state of our military’s readiness: An Air Force F-15C that broke in half during flight, two F-18s that have caught fire aboard ships, every single cruiser with cracks in its hull, A-10C Warthogs with fuselage cracks, the UH-1N Twin Huey helicopter fleet that is regularly grounded, and over half the navy’s deployed aircraft not ready for combat. That is the picture of the U.S. military in disrepair—what The Heritage Foundation’s Mackenzie Eaglen calls a “readiness crisis” among all U.S. military services, including the National Guard and reserves. Readiness is “dangerously lower,” she writes, leading to “delayed,...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
CA: Still more grim news on pension front
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
The latest stark confirmation that California’s public employee compensation practices are unsustainable and have been horribly managed came this week with the release of a report that warned the University of California’s retirement system faced a $20 billion shortfall. The report contained this astounding fact: Employees and UC didn’t pay a penny into the system for a 20-year span that only ended earlier this year. Why? Apparently, because there was a presumption the system was adequately funded. In a recent letter to employees, UC President Mark Yudof blamed this massive oversight on state officials. He said he will work with...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
Grim outlook for US Democrats two months from vote
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Just two months before November elections, President Barack Obama's Democratic allies insist they will defy predictions of a Republican romp that could cripple the White House's still-ambitious agenda. "Reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated," House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson told reporters on a conference call Thursday, scoffing at a growing chorus of warnings the party could lose the US Congress. "Let me be very clear about it: We are going to hold the House of Representatives and we are going to hold the United States Senate and we're going to do it each district...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
'Grim Sleeper' (California serial killer) Suspect Collected $300K in Pension Payments, Report
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
'Grim Sleeper' Suspect Collected $300K in Pension Payments, ReportLonnie Franklin Jr. is suspected of killing 10 women and one man over a 22 year period. KTLA News 11:37 AM PDT, August 20, 2010 LOS ANGELES -- The man accused of being the notorious " Grim Sleeper" serial killer has reportedly collected $300,000 in pension payments, and will continue to collect them until he dies. City documents obtained by L.A. Weekly show that Lonnie Franklin Jr., 57, has been collecting monthly disability pension checks from the L.A. pension system for 19 years after being injured while working as a garbage collector....
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
Dems court donors as grim Calif budget released (Pebble Beach fundraiser, 'pay-in' opportunity)
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California's Democratic Party on Friday will hold one of its most lucrative fundraisers at a prestigious golf resort as the governor releases what is expected to be a grim state budget that will include eliminating health and social programs for the poor. The two-day "Speaker's Cup" starts Friday at Pebble Beach, headlined by Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles. Meanwhile Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will release his revised budget plan to address a deficit forecast at more than $20 billion. ... Lobbyists and business executives have paid between $10,000 and $45,000 in the past for a weekend with...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
BREAKING: Freepers Get Over It in Unison
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
USAville, — October 9, 2009 — In a surprise development, after venting for several hours because of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Barack Obama, Freepers nationwide, sighed in unison, "Ah, I feel better now," and got back to business.
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
Reid: Teddy's death "going to help us"
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
The Reno Gazette Journal has a sit-down with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who addresses the Ted Kennedy question in, um, an interesting way. Q: How will U.S. Sen. (Edward) Kennedy's death affect things? A: I think it's going to help us. He hasn't been around for some time. We're going to have a new chairman of that committee, it'll be, I don't know for sure, but I think Sen. (Chris) Dodd, (D-Conn.). He has a right to take it. Either him or (U.S. Sen. Tom) Harkin, (D-Iowa), whichever one wants it can have it. I think he (Kennedy)...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
MASSIVE WTC COST OVERRUNS LOOK 'GRIM'
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
MASSIVE WTC COST OVERRUNS LOOK 'GRIM'FREDRIC U. DICKER State Editor June 28, 2008 Last updated: 5:00 am ALBANY - New Yorkers will be told the "grim truth" Monday about new delays and cost overruns at the World Trade Center redevelopment site by Port Authority executive director Christopher Ward, state officials and real-estate industry sources said yesterday. Ward, in what one source called "the coming grim truth," is expected to outline for Gov. Paterson and the PA more than 20 major problem areas facing the $16 billion redevelopment efforts, including massive cost overruns and unrealistic construction timetables. At least one project,...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
The Eternal Nazi: Watching Roman Polanski's The Pianist in Germany
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
There's an old joke that says inside every German there's a Nazi yearning to get out. While a gross overstatement, there is, I'm unhappy to report, more than a little truth to that old chestnut.
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
US Targets Al-Qa'eda With 'Grim Reaper'
Posted by admin / Under Grim Fandango
US targets al-Qa'eda with 'grim Reaper' By Tim Shipman in Washington Last Updated: 3:23am BST 17/07/2007 The world's first attack squadrons of unmanned aircraft are shortly to deploy in Iraq and Afghanistan to take the fight to al-Qa'eda. A Reaper plane at the Creech Air Force base in Nevada. The unmanned aircraft will be used for attacks on insurgents The menacingly named Reaper planes can carry up to a ton and a half of precision weapons for attacks on insurgents and terrorists - but the pilots of the "hunter killer" drones will be 7,000 miles away from their targets. They...
Published on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 02:02:43 PM
Share this!