http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house/%E2%80%9Ctiny%E2%80%9D-a-short-documentary-about-living-small/

“TINY”: A (short) Documentary about Living Small
by Kent Griswold on November 27th, 2011
Guest Post by Merete Mueller, co-director and producer of the film.

*** begin quote ***

“TINY: A Story About Living Small” is a short documentary about Christopher Smith’s process of building a tiny house from scratch with no building experience in the mountains of Colorado. The film also follows the lives of other families around the country who have downsized their lives to less than 400 square feet.

*** and ***

That cabin turned into a tiny house on wheels when he learned that building codes in Park County, Colorado would require him to build a house of at least 600-square feet. He realized that a house on wheels would allow him to bypass these laws, and the more that he learned about tiny houses, the more he liked the idea of minimally impacting the land he had bought by simply parking his small home on it, instead of digging a foundation into the ground.

*** end quote ***

Doesn’t anyone else find this “absurd”?

In the era of conspicuous consumption, homelessness, and unsaleable McMansions, why not “small”?

It seems that “tiny” houses can be done for well under 100k$.

Guess this doesn’t make the tax collectors happy or the builders.

What’s wrong with youngsters going back to the land and building something they can afford?

Make me ask what is the purpose of a building code anyway? Make work for politicians and bureaucrats. Not like they stand behind their “inspections”. Just watch “Holmes on Homes” or do a project with contractors that require permits and “inspections”.

What a joke!

Except that we pay for it in so many many ways.

Couldn’t we have a “village of tiny houses” without it being a “shanty town”. Instead of “projects” or “dormitories”, tiny houses.

Homes that people can afford.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8897662/EU-bans-claim-that-water-can-prevent-dehydration.html

EU bans claim that water can prevent dehydration
By Victoria Ward and Nick Collins
6:20AM GMT 18 Nov 2011965 Comments

*** begin quote ***

EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact.

*** and ***

Last night, critics claimed the EU was at odds with both science and common sense.

*** and ***

“The euro is burning, the EU is falling apart and yet here they are: highly-paid, highly-pensioned officials worrying about the obvious qualities of water …”

*** end quote ***

ROFL!

Sure glad that “our” idiots are NOT doing anything so stupid. Like worrying about the authenticity of Vermont maple syrup.

There are important issues of the day and this is a sympton of the problem — highly paid politicians and bureaucrats!

Fire them all.

Gooferment is the meme that kills.

# # # # #

News Alert
from The Wall Street Journal

*** begin quote ***

The Food and Drug Administration said it was removing the approval of Roche’s drug Avastin as a breast-cancer treatment.

The agency said that there was no proof that Avastin was effective against breast cancer and that the drug carried a risk of bleeding and heart failure.

Avastin remains approved as a treatment for certain types of colon, lung, kidney and brain cancer.

*** end quote ***

The FDA should be reduced to an “advisory” role.

If a court wants an opinion, then the FDA should be a finder of scientific fact. It could “vend” opinions to courts and any citizen when asked.

Sort of like a Consumers’ Reports!

For them to make the process so expensive and time-consuming is just plain dumb.

Then, after all that, they make mistakes too.

We’d be better off without them.

And, lest anyone forget, remember that they are the poster child — along with the SEC — for “regulatory capture” (i.e., those regulated rule the regulators and politicians).

Argh!

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FROM DOCUTICKER EMAIL, A BRIT RESEARCH GROUP

“The U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics lay the groundwork for a new quantitative measure of poverty to replace the current, inadequate official measure – an improvement that will only be possible with proper funding. (Current official measures are described by the Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services.)”

The Research Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2010

Posted to the DocuBase on 7 November, 2011 at

http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/65475

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

From the media tip sheet:

The Census Bureau, with assistance from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and in consultation with other appropriate agencies and outside experts, introduces a new measure of poverty to complement the official measure, which has been in use since the 1960s. The official measure will continue to be produced every year and be used to assess eligibility for government programs and determine funding distribution… »

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Anyone else suspect politics in this mess.

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http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2011/11/14/millionaires-jon-bon-jovi-bruce-springsteen-rake-in-farm-subsidies/

*** begin quote ***

“For example, Jon Bon Jovi paid property taxes of only $100 last year on his extensive real estate holdings in New Jersey that he uses to raise bees. At the same time, Bruce Springsteen received farm subsidies because he leases his property to an organic farmer,” the report explains.

*** end quote ***

Time to end ALL subsidies!

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http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Lucky-Leprechaun-may-be-fired-from-Lucky-Charms-cereal-133319873.html

Lucky Leprechaun may be fired from Lucky Charms cereal
Famous icon sends wrong message on child obesity say critics
By FRANK O’BRIEN, IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, November 6, 2011, 8:03 AMUpdated Sunday, November 6, 2011, 8:03 AM

*** begin quote ***

New federal guidelines are in the works and General Mills, owners of Lucky Charms and other breakfast giants may be forced to drop commercials that attract kids to their products.

It is a $10 billion a year market and the stakes are very high.

“The guidelines would be one of the most important ways for the food industry to improve children’s health,” said Mary Story, a University of Minnesota public health professor and expert on child and adolescent nutrition told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

*** end quote ***

The fact, that Gooferment Skrules have turned children into mind numbed robots with heads full of mush, doesn’t come up in conversation.

Parents are being replaced by Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats!

They can’t educate their children and can’t control what they eat.

Argh!

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http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/health-care-executive’s-medicare-fraud-scheme-included-lobbying-washington

‘Health-Care Executive’s Medicare Fraud Scheme Included Lobbying Washington’
Posted by Michael F. Cannon

*** begin quote ***

Miami health-care executive Larry Duran orchestrated one of the largest Medicare frauds in U.S. history, submitting more than $205 million in phony claims and landing a record-breaking 50-year prison sentence for his crimes.

*** and ***

The basic scheme, records show, worked like this: Duran and Valera paid up to $400,000 a month in kickbacks to assisted living centers, halfway homes and others to procure a steady stream of patients for their clinics, which claimed to be providing group mental health treatment. Doctors frequently faked records or signed off on charts without seeing any patients.

*** and ***

The basic theorem is this: market actors have greater incentives to prevent fraud, because it’s their own money on the line. Politicians are spending other people’s money, so their incentive to prevent fraud is far less. Therefore, fraud will always be higher in government programs than in similar market endeavors.

*** end quote ***

I remember back to my first encounter with “health, health insurance, and health costs”, a least the first one that I remember, was my appendix operation.

I got great care and my Mom, rest her soul, got the bill. I remember it was just a little less than $500!

A huge amount in those days.

She took some from savings, some from family, and some from her “stash”. (Depression era people ALWAYS had money stuffed somewhere in case the banks closed again.)

That bill was on the refrigerator and everyone looked at it for errors.

(Visitors tried to remember if I got the stuff that was on the bill.)

She paid the bill and assembled all the bills (i.e., hospital, doctor, drugs) and sent it to Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance.

A couple of months later, she received a check and an explanation. On the refrigerator again.

It was about 80% of what she paid.

There was a lot of conversation and some correspondence about the whole matter.

Eventually, she got another check for a little more.

Fraud?

Not likely with that level of scrutiny!

So, I agree that Gooferment program equals fraud.

Argh!

Clearly, there has to be a fundamental restructuring of these programs so that the beneficiary pays something. Even a tiny per centage will prevent fraud.

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http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/not-single-christian-church-left-afghanistan-says-state-department

Not a Single Christian Church Left in Afghanistan, Says State Department
By Edwin Mora
October 10, 2011

*** begin quote ***

(CNSNews.com) — There is not a single, public Christian church left in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. State Department.

This reflects the state of religious freedom in that country ten years after the United States first invaded it and overthrew its Islamist Taliban regime.

In the intervening decade, U.S. taxpayers have spent $440 billion to support Afghanistan’s new government and more than 1,700 U.S. military personnel have died serving in that country.

The last public Christian church in Afghanistan was razed in March 2010, according to the State Department’s latest International Religious Freedom Report. The report, which was released last month and covers the period of July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, also states that “there were no Christian schools in the country.”

*** end quote ***

Can someone remind me what our objectives are in the AfPak region?

Was religious freedom on the list?

BYOB

Bring the girls and boys home now!

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http://bigpeace.com/elcid/2011/10/07/pakistani-doctor-who-helped-us-find-bin-laden-to-be-tried-for-high-treason/

Pakistani Doctor Who Helped US Find Bin Laden To Be Tried For High Treason
Posted by El Cid Oct 7th 2011 at 7:40 am in Espionage, Intelligence, Terrorism
From the UK’s Daily Mail:

*** begin quote ***

Dr. Shakeel Afridi

A Pakistani doctor accused of running a vaccination programme for the CIA to help track down Osama Bin Laden should be put on trial for high treason, a government commission in Pakistan has said.

*** end quote ***

https://reinkefaceslife.com/2009/11/07/goverotrageous-the-usa-always-betrays-its-friends/

Why would any foreign national help us and be left behind?

It just seems so obvious!

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http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/09/27/7-arrested-for-alleged-sat-cheating-ring-at-great-neck-north-high-school/

7 Arrested For Alleged SAT Cheating Ring At Great Neck North High School
Educator: Pressure On Kids Massive; Attorney: District, Not Courts, Should Rule
September 27, 2011 11:58 PM

Related Tags: Carol D’Auria, Great Neck North High School, Jennifer McLogan, Long Island, Mona Rivera, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, Peter Haskell, Samuel Eshaghoff, SAT, SAT scam

*** begin quote ***

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Seven former and current students of a prestigious Long Island high school were arrested Tuesday in an alleged SAT cheating ring.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that six Great Neck North High School students had paid 19-year-old Samuel Eshaghoff thousands of dollars to take the SAT for them.

Eshaghoff, who graduated from the high school in 2010 and is currently enrolled at Emory University in Atlanta, was paid between $1,500 and $2,500 per student. He has been arrested and charged with scheme to defraud, falsifying business records and criminal impersonation.

*** end quote ***

Hmmm, … I don’t understand.

Why is this any of the Gooferment’s business?

Who was defrauded? A corporation; that’s not a person.

Isn’t this SAT’s problem for poor identification and authentication problem?

Why is it the taxpayers’ problem?

I just don’t understand.

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http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=348077

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
EPA to property owner: ‘Your land is our land’
$40 million in fines pending over plan to build new home
Posted: September 23, 2011 9:50 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh

*** begin quote ***

“The reality of the Sacketts’ situation is that they have been unambiguously commanded by their government not to complete their home-building project, to take expensive measures to undo the improvements that they have made to their land, and to maintain their land essentially as a public park until the property is ‘restored’ to the satisfaction of the EPA. They have been threatened with frightening penalties if they do not immediately obey; but they have been refused the prompt hearing they should have received as a matter of right in any court,” Pacific Legal argued.

*** end quote ***

Absolutely outrageous.

The Gooferment is out of control.

Secession is the only way out of this mess.

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http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/93908.html

Parents Aren’t Safe
Posted by Karen De Coster on August 30, 2011 05:12 AM

*** begin quote ***

Here’s another way for the government-media safety parade propaganda machine to sell folks on the dangers of biological parents and the “safety” of our government parents: thanks to parental negligence, kids bring “unsafe” lunches to school that are ripe for bacteria. As usual, researchers study something – anything – that is insignificant and turn the non-issue into a major safety issue to be chatted about endlessly by the gullible media halfwits. And this news leads to a media storm and suggestions for treating your kid’s lunch like an organ being shipped off for transplant.

*** end quote ***

I just shake my head. It’s a miracle that the human race can survive without “our betters in Gooferment” telling us how to feed children.

Maybe if “We, The Sheeple” didn’t mandate sending them to prison, then they could be safely fed at home while they are being home schooled. And, parents, who choose to send their children to school elsewhere than home, would take care of the issue of safe food.

Maybe there should be no food in school? Didn’t the media just tell us that the kids are too fat?

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Aug-30 @ 11:22

http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2011/07/two-neverfinished-navy-ships-head-scrap-heap

Two never-finished Navy ships head to scrap heap
By Scott Harper
The Virginian-Pilot
July 15, 2011

*** begin quote ***

They were the only two that went unfinished, and were part of a 1985 budget request from the Navy for three oilers for a combined $567 million, according to records.

The two were built at the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Co. in Philadelphia, which defaulted on its Navy contract in 1989. The ships were then sent to Florida to be finished. But disputes over costs and materials in Tampa led to the termination of that contract in 1993, according to records.

*** end quote ***

Waste, more waste, and ongoing waste.

# # # # #

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/after-jail-time-for-contempt%2C-alleged-rape-victim-returns-to-testify

After Jail Time for Contempt, Alleged Rape Victim Returns to Testify
Updated: Friday, 15 Jul 2011, 10:47 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 15 Jul 2011, 10:37 PM EDT
Taryn Asher, Fox 2 News

*** begin quote ***

That nightmare only continued at a Wednesday hearing , when she claims defense attorney Gabi Silver kept badgering her on the stand insinuating that she brought this attack on herself, causing this victim to snap in court.

“I said just get to the point bitch, it slipped out, it was inappropriate… all the bottled anger” says the alleged victim.

Without a warning, she says 36th District Judge Vanessa Bradley held her in contempt and ordered her to spend three days in jail.

*** end quote ***

Ahh, Gooferment judges, can’t even tell the good people from the bad. It’s all about the assumption of the right to initiate force.

Contempt?

The whole system deserves contempt.

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http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=318537

Democrats stealing from poor, sick
Roger Hedgecock
Posted: July 04, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Apparently “this type of scam” is not only tolerated in Illinois, by a vote of the Democrat-controlled state Legislature and decree of the Democrat governor, charity fraud is the law of the state.

According to the Illinois Times, “Over the last two years, the state of Illinois, in order to pay its bills, has seized more than $1.6 million from at least 15 different ‘charity’ funds to which Illinoisans voluntarily donate for causes like feeding the hungry and helping the homeless.”

In the Illinois News-Gazette, state Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman Kelly Kraft stated that $434,000 of that $1.6 million will never be repaid but promised that the balance will be repaid within 18 months.

In the Obama national media, a well-worn story line has the Republicans taking food from the mouths of hungry children and denying medical care to the sick whenever there is discussion of the federal budget deficit or raising the debt ceiling. For Democrats in Illinois, taking food from the mouths of hungry children and denying medical care and disease research funding by embezzling charitable donations is the law of the state.

*** end quote ***

This is an absolute disgrace.

How to prevent it? Stop allowing them to take power and certainly don’t give them any more money!

Argh!

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010172/Casey-Anthony-trial-Matthew-Bartlett-jailed-6-days-middle-finger-gestures.html

Man jailed for six days for middle finger gestures at Casey Anthony trial

By DAMIEN GAYLE

Last updated at 12:43 PM on 1st July 2011

# – # – #

Free speech?

The Gooferment shall make no law …

Yeah, right.

# # # # #

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/amazon-306409-affiliate-california.html

Published: June 29, 2011
Updated: June 30, 2011 5:00 a.m.
Amazon ends deal with 25,000 California websites
Jan Norman Orange County Register

*** begin quote ***

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law California’s tax on Internet sales through affiliate advertising which will immediately cut small-business website revenue 20% to 30%, experts say.

*** and ***

Board of Equalization Member George Runner blasted Brown for signing the law. “Even as Governor Jerry Brown lifted his pen to sign this legislation, thousands of affiliates across California were losing their jobs. The so-called ‘Amazon tax’ is truly a lose-lose proposition for California. Not only won’t we see the promised revenues, we’ll actually lose income tax revenue as affiliates move to other states.”

*** end quote ***

Corelation?

Nah, how could there be. Aren’t “We, The Sheeple” stupid?

Like when MD taxed “millionaires” and the next year there were ⅓ less millionaires around to be taxed.

Now you might say “counterproductive”. I’d say “educational”.

Like stereotypical drug addicts, politicians are addicted to “spending other people’s money”. They feather their nests admirably during their time as “public servants”. Do you feel “serviced”? Like the stallion put out to stud and the taxpayers the mare getting <past tense synonym for the act of procreation>!

Now, think about the crooks in DC, who need trillions, and lo and behold what does their wandering doth see? But all your IRAs and 401Ks just ripe for the plucking. (Or are we back to the stallion and the mare again?) All they have to do is pass a diktat and strong arm about 2200 “custodians”.

With that be the last straw?

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http://www.downsizedcfoundation.org/fda.html

How the FDA helped kill my Dad
A case study in government harm
by Jim Babka

*** begin quote ***

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a noble purpose — to protect you from dubious drug claims and toxicity. Most government programs are created for high-minded or compassionate reasons.

But the FDA probably kills more people than it saves.

*** end quote ***

I wouldn’t say “probably”.

I wonder personally how, if the FDA had it’s head out of its collective <synonym for donkey>, then perhaps a drug or treatment might have been available to save her.

I have no details. No specifics. But, just a lingering nagging doubt that if the politicians and bureaucrats were not “helping” or “protecting” me and mine.

Just imagine all the good that could be done if all the expense of unnecessary overhead was wrung out of the process and put to better use.

Imagine “Consumers’ Reports” for medicine?

I’d subscribe!

And, what about all these “charities” that seek to cure stuff but never go out of business. The March of Dimes cured polio and then shifted on to “birth defects”. And United Way pays their CEO millions; how much does the Salvation Army pay its troops?

Sorry, but we could be better served by “simplifying” the Gooferment out of all these processes.

imho

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http://www.rollcall.com/news/weiner_pension_benefits_million-206582-1.html

Weiner’s Pension, Benefits Could Top $1 Million

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Are you kidding me? That’s what’s wrong with this whole scheme to defraud the taxpayer.

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http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/01/new-zealand-court-unborn-children-have-no-right-to-life

New Zealand Court: Unborn Children Have No Right to Life
by Steven Ertelt | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 6/1/11 6:00 PM

*** begin quote ***

The New Zealand Court of Appeal has issued a legal decision saying unborn children have no legal rights under the laws in the Pacific island nation. It also ruled on whether the Abortion Supervisory Committee was improperly approving abortions on mental health grounds.

*** end quote ***

“Rights”?

When do you get “your rights”?

The NZ Court seems to feel that when they say you can have them.

There’s another school of thought that says when you can pick up a gun and defend them.

It’s when one of two sides of a conflict have enough power to hurt the other side badly enough, then we have a concession. Enough of those and we have a general acceptance of mutually agree rights.

So, when do you get yours?

And, when do the politicians and bureaucrats agreed to leave you alone?

… when there are enough people in the streets willing to kill and die for the issue.

So what IS that issue that will reverse the Gooferment as the new uncrowned King of all life?

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/28/2333197/church-fined-for-improper-tree.html

Albemarle Road church fined $100 per branch for excessive tree pruning
By Brittany Penland Correspondent
Posted: Saturday, May. 28, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Every two to three years, Eddie Sales trims and prunes the crape myrtles at his church, Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church.

But this year, the city of Charlotte cited the church for improperly pruning its trees.

*** and ***

“The purpose of the tree ordinance is to protect trees,” Johnson said. “Charlotte has always been known as the city of trees. When we take down trees, we need to replace these trees.”

Individuals who would like to trim their trees should call the city foresters to receive a free permit to conduct the landscape work.

Foresters will then meet with the person receiving the permit and give instructions on how to properly trim their trees, Johnson said.

The state Division of Forestry recommends that anyone trimming trees should be certified by the National Horticulture Board, but certification is not required to receive a permit.

On private property, fine amounts are based on the size of the tree improperly pruned. For small trees such as cherry trees or crape myrtles, the fine is $75 per tree. Excessive cutting can increase that fine to $100 per branch.

For large trees such as oaks or maples, the fine is $150 per tree.

Because there is a widespread lack of understanding on how to prune crape myrtles in the Charlotte area, Johnson said, residents found in violation regarding these trees are asked to simply replace them, and the fine will be lifted.

*** end quote ***

Guess down in North Carolina, they never heard of the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. Popularly, know as Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Harassment, and Freedom from Takings.

I know what needs “pruning” in Charlotte — Gooferment.

You have to be kidding me!

Argh!

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http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/88179.html

0.14468 oz of silver

$5.06

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