Check out Canadian's Top Ten List of America's Stupidity

Canada's version of David Letterman's Top 10. Just makes you want to shake your head in disbelief, and, just maybe choke someone in charge.

This is Canada's Top Ten List of America 's Stupidity -

Of course we look like idiots - we are!

# 10 Only in America ... could politicians talk about the greed of the rich at a $35,000.00 per plate Obama campaign fund-raising event.
# 09 Only in America... could people claim that the government still discriminates against black Americans when they have a black President, a black Attorney General and roughly 20% of the federal workforce is black while only 14% of the population is black, 40+% of all federal entitlements goes to black Americans - 3X the rate that go to whites, 5X the rate that go to Hispanics!
# 08 Only in America... could they have had the two people most responsible for our tax code, Timothy Geithner (the head of the Treasury Department) and Charles Rangel (who once ran the Ways and Means Committee), BOTH turn out to be tax cheats who are in favor of higher taxes.
# 07 Only in America... can they have terrorists kill people in the name of Allah and have the media primarily react by fretting that Muslims might be harmed by the backlash.
# 06 Only in America... would they make people who want to legally become American citizens wait for years in their home countries and pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege, while they discuss letting anyone who sneaks into the country illegally just 'magically' become American citizens. (probably should be number one)
# 05 Only in America ... could the people who believe in balancing the budget and sticking by t he country's Constitution be called EXTREMISTS.
# 04 Only in America ... could you need to present a driver's license to cash a check or buy alcohol, but not to vote.
# 03 Only in America ... could people demand the government investigate whether oil companies are gouging the public because the price of gas went up when the return on equity invested in a major U.S. Oil company (Marathon Oil) is less than half of a company making tennis shoes (Nike).
# 02 Only in America... could you collect more tax dollars from the people than any nation in recorded history, still spend a Trillion dollars more than it has per year - for total spending of $7 Million PER MINUTE, and complain that it doesn't have nearly enough money.
# 01 Only in America.... could the rich people - who pay 86% of all income taxes - be accused of not paying their "fair share" by people who don't pay any income taxes at all.

Bait restriction reminder from the DNR

As the 2015 Winter Free Fishing Weekend quickly approaches, Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that the use of salmon eggs or minnows for bait is restricted in some waters as part of a continuing effort to slow the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia.

Anglers who purchase minnows for bait should make sure that they are certified as VHS-free. Certified disease-free bait is widely available and may be used anywhere for 14 days after purchase. As a reminder, anglers no longer need to keep their bait receipts with them while using purchased bait. The use of uncertified bait is restricted on where it can be used and can only be used for three days after purchase or collection. 

• Uncertified bait from the VHSv Free Management Areas can be used anywhere in the state. 
• Uncertified bait from VHSv Surveillance Areas can only be used in VHSv Surveillance or Positive Areas. 
• Uncertified bait from VHSv Positive Areas can only be used in VHSv Positive Areas and are those waters where VHS has been detected and confirmed. 

All bait collected by anglers is considered uncertified bait. Information on which waters are in which VHSv Management Areas is in the fishing guide and online at michigan.gov/vhs.  VHS is a viral disease that causes fish to die from internal bleeding and has caused mortalities among a number of species of fish in Michigan waters. The disease has been found in the Michigan waters of lakes Erie, Huron and Superior and has been detected in Lake Michigan, though not in Michigan waters. It has been found in at least two inland lakes – Budd Lake in Clare County and Baseline Lake in Washtenaw County. While active VHS infections have not been detected in Michigan for several years, the virus continues to cause mortalities in other parts of the Great Lakes."There is no known treatment for VHS," said DNR Research Manager Gary Whelan. "We must continue to educate anglers in an effort to prevent its spread."

Learn more about fishing opportunities and the health of Michigan's fisheries at michigan.gov/fishing.

Free Fishing Weekend coming Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, everyone in Michigan – including residents and non-residents – can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

These two days make up the Winter Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will bundle up and head out to fish for free on their own, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources points out there are many organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well. Some of these events include:

Pure Curtis Weekend at Big Manistique Lake (Mackinac County)Feb. 14, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.The town of Curtis will host an adult ice fishing tournament, a kids' ice fishing contest and outdoor events throughout the city. Tournament registration will be held at Mick’s Bait Shop at the cost of $15 per entry.

Winter Festival at Bay City Recreation Area (Bay County)Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.This event offers youth an opportunity to participate in an ice fishing clinic where they construct an ice fishing jig, design a lure and learn tips on ice fishing. The derby is held on Tobico Lagoon. Pre-drilled holes, free hot refreshments and warming fire, bait and loaner fishing rods will be provided. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Free Ice Fishing Derby at Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County)Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event will offer loaner equipment and instruction to participants. It will be held at the Fisherman’s Cove Shelter at the park. This event is assisted by members of the Izaak Walton League of America. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Northland Sportsmen’s Club Winter Ice Fishing Derby at Otsego Lake State Park
(Otsego County) - Feb. 14, 8:30 a.m. to noonThis event is for kids age zero to 16. Participants must register at the lake prior to the 8:30 a.m. start time. Bait, tackle and ice holes will be provided. There will be hot beverages on the lake. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Family Ice Fishing & Bonfire at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Make your own ice fishing jig stick at the Eddy Discovery Center and then head to Mill Lake to try ice fishing. There will be ice fishing demonstrations as well as an area cleared for ice skating. Warm up afterwards around a bonfire with marshmallows and hot chocolate. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Please note that all events are subject to weather conditions.

There are many other events scheduled in other locations throughout the state, including in the counties of Arenac, Baraga, Chippewa, Emmet, Gogebic, Huron, Ingham, Presque Isle, St. Clair and Van Buren. Information about these events, including those listed above, can be found at michigan.gov/freefishing.

Michigan has celebrated the Winter Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1994. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a natural match.

DNR receives updated Graymont proposal for Upper Peninsula land transaction

Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received a revised land transaction application from Graymont, Inc. The company is proposing development of a limestone mining operation in northern Mackinac County near the town of Rexton. The land transaction application amends a January 2015 version of the proposal.

The revised land transaction application is unchanged in the total amount and location of public land under consideration. The new application proposes an increase in the offered royalty payment for the limestone to be mined.

Under the revised application, Graymont would pay the state 30 cents for each ton of extracted limestone, up from an earlier offer of 18.75 cents per ton.

Those royalties would be deposited into the State Parks Endowment Fund. In addition, Graymont is proposing to develop a regional economic development fund to provide grants for local units of government, schools and/or small businesses.

The company has proposed to pay a timber consideration fee on Tract A, limit wetland impacts on Tract E, and has suggested possible routes for the relocation of recreation trails on Tract E. The entire revised proposal, along with maps of tracts under consideration, can be found at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

The transaction had been slated for a decision by DNR Director Keith Creagh at the Feb. 12 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. However, in order to allow the public and the DNR to thoroughly review this revised proposal, the director will now make a decision on the land transaction no earlier than the March 19 NRC meeting in Roscommon.The company has a second proposal pending – a mineral exchange application – which remains unchanged from a Jan. 15 application.

This proposal seeks to exchange more than 1,700 acres of state-owned minerals under the Hiawatha National Forest in Chippewa County for 1,700 acres of Graymont-owned minerals under state-owned lands in northern Mackinac County. The mineral exchange application will go before Creagh for a decision at the Feb. 12 NRC meeting. The mineral exchange proposal can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

There are multiple ways people can provide comments about these proposals. The public will have an opportunity to make comments at upcoming NRC meetings.

DNR continues to maintain an email address for the public to comment. Interested parties may send comments to DNRGraymontProposalComments@michigan.gov. Mailed comments can be sent to the Roscommon Customer Service Center, ATTN: Kerry Wieber, 8717 N. Roscommon Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.

Comments will be accepted until a final decision is made.

Read this op-ed from our congressman

Veterans issues too important to wait

Rep. Dan Benishek

Home to more than 70,000 veterans, Northern Michigan understands how important it is to support those who have fought for our freedom.  We line up to cheer our vets in parades, and we volunteer throughout the year to help meet their basic needs. 

As the proud father of a veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible support offered by our communities.

As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Veterans Health, I believe we can do even more for those who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.  Our veterans have done so much for our country, and I believe even more can be done to embrace that selfless spirit that our nation’s heroes have bravely displayed.

To help achieve that goal, I’m announcing the Veterans Action Initiative, a comprehensive program and legislative agenda to provide wide-ranging services to veterans and to find solutions to the challenges they face.

Our veterans have questions, and I’m devoted to making sure that they get the information and the help they need. That’s why I’ll be holding a series of Veteran’s Benefit Fairs throughout Northern Michigan in the coming months. I’ll be bringing experts and representatives of various veterans’ organizations to talk through issues, answer questions, and connect veterans with the help that they’ve earned.

I’m also proud to announce the expansion of the Michigan’s First District Veterans Advisory Council, a group of veterans from all age groups and service branches that meet with me regularly.  The council allows me to stay connected with the needs of the veterans on the ground and to develop innovative new solutions to the problems they face.

Over the next two years, I’ll visit all VA facilities and major veteran service organizations in Michigan’s First District and will maintain regular contact with all local VA officials.  In addition, I will hold a series of “Hearing from our Heroes” roundtables to give local vets an opportunity to express their concerns about what’s happening in Washington and to provide me with their solutions.

Last year, as Michigan’s only member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I was honored to play a role in the important progress that was made on getting veterans off waiting lists and into exam rooms. However, there is so much work left to be done.

The legislation we wrote to end long waits for VA care was only the first step towards my ultimate goal of allowing every veteran to choose whether to receive healthcare within the VA or from a local provider. 

As a doctor who worked both at the VA and in the private sector, I’m certain that the VA will only be improved by competition.

Bureaucratic incompetence is unacceptable, especially when it comes to veterans’ health, which is why I’ll be reintroducing my legislation to institute real accountability at the VA. 

My bill applies to the VA a commonsense principle that every worker already knows: if you don’t do your job, you are going to get fired, and I’m committed to seeing that this legislation is signed into law.

If you’re a veteran and you’d like to be involved in my Veterans Action Initiative please reach out to my office in Washington at (202) 225-4735. Our veterans deserve our steadfast support, and I’m looking forward to making real progress on the issues that matter to our returning heroes in the 114th Congress.

Terry Webb - A heartfelt tribute to a true friend

Today I write with a heavy heart because I have lost a friend and a long-time confidant.

Terry Webb was a man of integrity, a man of foresight, a man with a plan – for his life and for this village. I cannot begin to share with you the number of hours we spent discussing life in general as well as village business, hashing out solutions to problems, addressing village needs and considering the long-term impact of decisions made by him, as village president, along with the members of Newberry Village Council.

When the idea of selling the former 41 Lumber property came up, we talked at length about the consequences of taking the property off the tax rolls. We discussed the planned move of village offices to that location. We talked about our dogs, Terry and Vicky’s Newfoundlands and our German shepherd and Chihuahua, sharing their maladies and foolish adventures. We had conversations about the garbage service provided by the village and how the administration had been instructed to save money for future needs for that enterprise operation. We talked about Terry’s school years in Newberry.

We talked about his service to all of us as a member of the United States Air Force. We discussed his job in the service as a communications specialist. As a former telephone person myself, I could speak Terry’s language, making the conversations all the more meaningful. We talked about eliminating parking on Newberry Avenue during the annual July 4 parade. We talked national politics. We talked religion.

We talked about raising rabbits. We talked about gardening. When it was learned funding was not in place for all elements of the Tahquamenon Outdoor Recreation Park project, we talked about ways to pursue grant monies to get the park built to the perception drawings that were presented to village council members as a, presumably funded, done deal.

We talked about hunting. My husband and I visited the Webb camp, enjoying a day of exploring and storytelling and good food and drink. I will never forget that day. It was fantastic. We talked about the content of Terry’s newspaper column – Village Viewpoints. We talked about the Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding of his son and how Terry made the PERFECT white rabbit – clock and all!

It seems hard to believe that I just talked to Terry a little over a week ago. This time our conversation was about the good things of life, with Terry recounting the trip he made with Vicky to Kentucky to visit with Waylon and Tabby, their son and daughter-in-law. I recall his description of their apartment and its convenient location. “You could see the roof of Sam’s Club from their front door,” Terry said.

We talked about how their blind puppy was progressing and how the puppy had visited with them recently. We talked about one puppy that was coming home because the owner could no longer care for her (she returned to Newberry last week). We talked about the upcoming gardening season, praying together for warmer weather to create a better harvest. We talked about my daughter and her children. We talked about Christmas. We wished one another a happy and prosperous new year and said we would talk soon. Much to my chagrin, we never did.

And now this.

Even though I know it is part of His plan, I sometimes just want to shake my fist at God and ask, “WHY?”

I loved Terry. I love Vicky. I will miss him terribly. I will miss his wit. I will miss his level headedness. I will miss our long-winded conversations. I will miss his gentle and caring nature. I will miss Terry Webb. God rest his soul.

Today I end with the King James Version of the 23rd Psalm, as I know Terry made that walk yesterday, and I am confident that he resides in a better place now.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen

Local man appointed to bridge authority

January 9, 2015 – Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the appointment of Thomas Buckingham of Newberry to the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority.

            Established in 2000, the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority is a joint organization between the U.S. and Canada. This board seeks to provide safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the international bridge between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

            "International trade is important to reviving Michigan's economy. I am confident Thomas will continue to promote a healthy trade partnership between the U.S. and Canada," Snyder said.

            Buckingham is general manager and secretary for Forest Insurance Center Agency Inc., Mauck Insurance Agency Inc., and Loggers Insurance Agency II LLC. He is a licensed property and casualty and life and health insurance agent, as well as a licensed Wisconsin property and casualty insurance sales agent. Buckingham served in the U.S. Air Force as a security police officer. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Stuart Bradley.

            Buckingham will serve at the pleasure of the governor. His appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.