HONOLULU WATCH, DAY 6

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May 23, 2007

Dear readers, I know these reports of the trials our dogged local public pension officials are going through at NCPERS 2007 at the Waikiki Hilton in Honolulu, Hawaii, are getting to be old news. But isn't it a matter of simple justice to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of these public servants? If you thought the schedule for Monday and Tuesday wasn't tough enough, they got to do it all over again today. Two-and-a-half hours with a guest speaker and another two-and-a-half hours in an educational seminar, with only a lousy thirty minute break in between, and no relief until the day ends at 1:30 p.m. On top of all that, today's speaker, Prof. Charles M. Elson, is only confirmed as "invited". He may not even show up, and so our pension officials at NCPERS 2007 might end up with half of their five-hour workday going down the crapper. I for one am keeping my fingers crossed that everything will go well for them today.

Posted on May 23, 2007 at 11:43 AM in Taxes & Public Spending | Permalink

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L.A.W. Highlights

Yeah, and Summer is Hotter Than Winter
The Grand Rapids Press ignores science to promote feel-good politics on the environment and becomes the watchdog that doesn't bark.
When Will It Stop?
Enough of the repulsive tactic of accusing everyone of bigotry who doesn't kowtow to the racemongers.
Thirty-Six Bucks
Balancing the City budget: Maybe it's time for those making a living on the taxpayer's dime to give up a little instead of sticking it to the taxpayer one more time.
The Problem With Teachers
Why teachers are the professionals least suited to run a school district -- or even a school.
The Pig in the Python
The dirty little secret behind the success and failure of every school reform that the education establishment, the public school bureaucrats, and the teachers unions will never reveal.
The Fool's Gold of a College Education
Most kids who get a college degree today have nothing but an expensive credential that lands them a job that any high school graduate could have gotten a generation ago -- WITHOUT the heavy burden of paying back a student loan.
The Fixer
A four-part series about the local attorney behind the demise of Autodie, Butterworth Hospital, Amway, and Old Kent. Warning: Strong accusations of corruption, greed, and skullduggery. Not for the feint of heart.
Poison
The nasty nature of the 26,000 tons of poison that The Boardwalk's developers dug up and then dumped upon the rest of us.
No Honor Among Thieves: The Demise of Quixtar
The re-branding of Amway as Quixtar put lipstick on the pig, but none of the crappy way of doing business changed. Now comes public scrutiny around the world to control its kingpins and clean up the dirty "tools" business.
Lost Cause
A story of how River City lost its way to a secure economic future.
Living Wage Kills Jobs
City pols support a Marxist policy that, like all Marxist policies, hurt the very people they say it will help.
El Dorado, Big Rock Candy Mountain, and the Grand Rapids Public School District
Those of us not in straitjackets are fairly certain that lands of fabulous wealth free for the taking do not exist. No El Dorado, no Big Rock Candy Mountain, no Shangri-la, and no GRPS with money growing on trees.
Defenders Who Do Not Defend
Excessive plea-bargaining, lack of preparation, shoddy to non-existent representation, conflicts of interests are rife among lawyers taking public defender cases on the taxpayer dime.

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