Author Archives: hro50ta1

CABs = compound trouble for California

Posted on May 1, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell The arcane name for the financial parasites compounding California school debt is “Capital Appreciation Bond.” The California Senate’s Commerce and Finance Committee will consider a ban on CABs at its May 9 meeting. Let’s hope the California … Continue reading →

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Dead in Michigan, CAB scam dogs California

Posted on April 30, 2012 by hro50ta1

The bond industry calls them CABs, for “Capital Appreciation Bonds.” To lay people, the meaning is not easy to parse. The result for taxpayers is simple: CABs are a sleeping monster waiting to gouge property owners 10, 15 or 20 … Continue reading →

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Michigan killed CABs; California can do it, too!

Posted on April 28, 2012 by hro50ta1

          By Joel Thurtell Note: The Michigan Legislature banned CABs in 1994, not 1993. California public schools and the taxpayers who support them are facing a financial disaster that could force some — maybe many — … Continue reading →

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Muni bomb ticks in California

Posted on April 27, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell I was sipping coffee and reflecting on the ignorance displayed for all the world to read in a New York Times article. It was January 9, 2009. The Times story claimed to offer “a rare glimpse into … Continue reading →

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What’s wrong with gun laws?

Posted on April 26, 2012 by hro50ta1

Seems timely, with all the carnage in Arizona early in 2011, then the killing of Travon Martin, to re-run my October 2, 2010 column about Canada’s firearms law: By Joel Thurtell Watch out, NRA. My PAL’s gonna get you. Before … Continue reading →

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‘Bridge to nowhere’ dead — so build the bridge!

Posted on April 25, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Matty Moroun’s “bridge to nowhere” is gone. The state of Michigan tore down Pier 19, the tangible sign of Matty’s “plan” to build a new privately-owned “twin” to his antique international bridge across the Detroit River. Now, … Continue reading →

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Newspaper Red Squads — again

Posted on April 17, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Scary news coming from reporters. Newspaper publishers — you know who you are! — are actively searching through journalists’ social media accounts in search of comments critical of news bosses and expressions of political opinion. Sorry to … Continue reading →

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Tail bites man

Posted on March 24, 2012 by hro50ta1

Die Welt is alles, was der Schwanz ist. — Ludwig Wittgenhund, Tractatus Dogico-Philosophicus By Peppermint Patti Do two-leggers ever think, Sophie, about what they’re saying? I mean, engage gray matter before opening yap! What does that mean, “the tail wagging … Continue reading →

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Riverside Park contaminated, Matty says

Posted on March 21, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell For eleven years, Matty Moroun has squatted on Detroit’s Riverside Park. Hoping to keep his illegal fence up a bit longer, as in forever, Matty’s now claiming the park is contaminated. There is a public information meeting … Continue reading →

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We’re back!!!

Posted on March 15, 2012 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell What a relief! Thought I was a goner. Son Adam and pals Potsy and Freddie labored to breathe life into the old database. For a while, I thought I’d lost my entire site. Hundreds of blog columns, … Continue reading →

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