Online headline/story: "California High Speed Rail Funding Approved * The bill authorizes the state to begin selling $4.5 billion in voter-approved bonds that includes $2.6 billion to build an initial 130-mile stretch of the high-speed rail line in the Central Valley. That will allow the state to collect another $3.2 billion in federal funding that could have been rescinded if lawmakers failed to act Friday. * The first segment of the line will run from Madera to Bakersfield. The final cost of the completed project from Los Angeles to San Francisco would be $68 billion." --$68,000,000,000.00.... the entire line driving distance by car is 382 miles. Quick math shows that just the initial start up PROJECTED cost is $178,010,471.20 per mile...$178,000,000.00+ dollars PER mile. That doesn't include government red tape, cost overruns, and tax dollar waste! Assuming the high speed rail between Columbus & Atlanta would cover about 100+/- miles, and that construction could be completed before wage hikes and inflation kick in, we're talking $17,800,000,000.00 to do the same. And that is initial costs, not the ongoing operating costs, maintenance, depreciation, tax subsidies, or the union grasp on every revenue dollar the project can possibly generate. In perspective, the Groom shuttle from Columbus to Atlanta Airport averages about (rounded off average of Columbus/Ft Benning) $70.00 round trip. For 17,800,000,000.., Groom could transport 254,285,714 persons, and not only would not cost us a penny in subsidies, but would generate over half a billion in local sales taxes ALONE! Think about moving 254,285,714... with the Columbus/Ft Benning population being about 215,000, Groom could shuttle us back and forth 1182 times PER person!

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The 'jobs created' number was bad enough, but the fact that construction jobs created was basically 'zero' indicates a whole new level of "bad". The construction number is a leading indicator of the recovery for the housing, real estate, and mortgage businesses... ---

Online story: "ALBANY, N.Y. — A state appeals court rejected a challenge to New York's year-old same-sex marriage law Friday, ruling closed-door negotiations among senators and gay marriage supporters, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, did not violate any laws." -- Try as they may, no matter how they parse it, at least one law was severely 'broken', the law of nature.

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Online story: "WASHINGTON -- A restaurant owner in Akron, Ohio who served breakfast to President Barack Obama on Friday morning died hours later of a heart attack, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. * Josephine "Ann" Harris, 70, complained of "fatigue and a tingling feeling" shortly after Obama left her family diner, Ann's Place. She was taken by ambulance to Akron General Medical Center, and by 11:18 a.m., she was pronounced dead from an apparent heart attack. * Harris met -- and hugged -- Obama just after 8:00 a.m., when he stopped in unannounced for breakfast. Harris' sister, Frankie Adkins, told the Beacon Journal that meeting Obama was likely a "highlight" for her sister since she was a big fan. * "She loved Obama," said Adkins. * Later Friday, Obama called Harris' daughter to offer his sympathies, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. * "The president expressed his sorrow and his condolences," Carney said, per a White House pool report. "Very sad event, he was honored to meet her this morning and passed on his feelings that the whole family is in his thoughts and prayers today." -- Hmmm, maybe if he had expressed his 'sorrow and condolences' for the job he's done directly TO Mrs Harris while she was alive, she might not have died.
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Online headline: "11 Ways to Profit From Health Care Reform" -- Hmm don't even have to read this to know most of them...become a Senator/Congressperson, President, move to another country, quit your job, retire early, stop looking for a job, cut your salary to below the poverty line, move to a state in 'fly-over' country, get a job in the hospital/insurance company industry, or take your own life at the first sign of a sympton. have I left any out?
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Passed on from a fellow BCer...ain't it the truth:

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The latest from barackobama.com: "Hal - Romney and the Republicans announced yesterday that they brought in more than $100 million in June. * For context, that's about what we raised in April and May combined. * We're still tallying our own numbers, but this means their gap is getting wider, and if it continues at this pace, it could cost us the election." -- Looks like our private prayers are working... no wonder DIM&DUMBERats want to stop praying in public places!
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I learned something in Florida that I never had even thought of before. Do you know where Hillary Rodham was born and raised? In a conversation with a couple from near Little Rock, I found out she was born in Chicago and raised in the suburbs of it. Does that not explain her politics and Machiavellian work efforts?

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Does it bother you that potUS Arpege will brag about the 'jobs number' whether or not the actual figures agree with him or not?

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The latest from Joe Biden: "Hal --Want to have a cup of coffee sometime soon? * I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about, but mainly I just want to say thanks for helping out. * Joe" -- A cup o' joe with Joe? Well, maybe if I could pick the Gaffe'. Sorry for the.... pun-ishment.

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Obvious liberal's L-E "soundoff": "The United States is ranked 37th and falling by the World Health Organization in health care. Poor quality and high prices, and getting worse every day. " -- Well, how about trying the healthcare in the other 36 countries before tapping into the American system. Of course, as a non-citizen of those countries, he/she should be prepared TO PAY for it.

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Another liberal's L-E "soundoff": "Congratulations to Rev. Bourgeois and the School of the Americas Watch delegation on convincing Ecuadorean President Correa to withdraw from this unsavory “institute.” That’s five nations that have disassociated their military from a dangerous influence. " -- "That's 5 nations that have disassociated their military from a dangerous influence"? Now what influence are those military units under.. dictators, ego-maniacs, despots et al?

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L-E headline: "France confirms Syrian defection * Prominent general, friend of Assad abandons regime " -- As Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"

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