Germany: Unemployment Benefits Stop When Prostitution Job Available

The Telegraph reports.

Don't advocates of legalizing prostitution do so under the guise of giving women the freedom of "choice"?

Isn't one of the policy arguments for government providing welfare benefits that potential recipients will have at least a minimal income so that they won't "have" to resort to selling their bodies?


Thanks to Mr. Drudge for the link.

Sic Semper Tyrannis: Proposed Va. Grocery Tax Cut But a Return of a "Token Drop"

Virginia sales tax on groceries looks as though it will decrease from 4.0% to 2.5%. Sic Semper Tyrannis aptly observes:

While this tax cut is nice, it is being cleverly used by [Governor] Warner to disguise the way in which he misled the Commonwealth about it's economic health. Now that the tax collectors in Richmond realize they have taken much more of the people's money than they need, they have decided to return a token drop to the empty bucket and keep the rest.

Va. Study: Red-Light Cameras Increase Accidents

Mr. Minor points to the Virginia Transportation Research Council report and comments by TechDirt.

Recall that Virginia localities' authority to issue citations using red-light cameras expires unless extended this year by the General Assembly.

EU: "Windows XP Reduced Media Edition" Name May Be Customer Turn-Off

The WSJ reports that European antitrust authorities are not thrilled with Microsoft's name for the version of the operating system Microsoft is required to offer without the Windows Media Player included.

CHAIN MAIL: Seven Wonders of the World

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. To See
2. To Hear
3. To Touch
4. To Taste
5. To Feel
6. To Laugh
7. And to Love."

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder -- that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

CHAIN MAIL: "Male Enhancement Product"

If you are called "tubby" or "baldy" or "old," you are told not to "despair" because "now there is a new 'Male Enhancement Product' on the market that will change all that."

CHAIN MAIL: Dihydrogen Monoxide Warnings Circulating Again

The Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division and the Coalition to Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide provide warnings on their websites.

Recall the reaction of Aliso Viejo, California officials in March 2004 to such stories.

What Should One Look For in a Church?

The WP profiles Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church. In describing the packed weekly services, the WP draws an analogy to a Las Vegas show.

Should we seek worship opportunities or an entertainment experience?

WP: Gangs Invading Fairfax

The WP reports that gang activity has been appearing more frequently in surburan communities like Fairfax County.

This intrusion into suburbia may turn out to be a strategic error by the gangs. As soon as wealthy (and powerful) suburbanites feel threatened by these criminals, I doubt any resource will be spared by the Commonwealth to drive the gangs out.

Should Hospitals Be Exempt from Income Tax?

The WP joins a chorus of media organizations raising this question. It wouldn't surprise me if it winds up being the state taxing authorities (instead of the IRS) that fight this battle.

What Media Bias? WP on Va. Gun Shows

The WP shows its true colors, again:

Senate Refuses to Expand Gun Show Checks

By Michael D. Shear

Thursday, January 27, 2005; Page B04

The Virginia Senate rejected a bill yesterday that proponents said would have closed a loophole in state laws regarding the sale of firearms at gun shows.

Under current law, only licensed dealers are required to perform criminal background checks on potential patrons before selling a firearm at gun shows. Smaller, unlicensed sellers, who have a significant presence at such shows, are not required to do so.

The bill, SB 807, would have changed that, but it failed ...

"Refuses"..."rejected"..."loophole"..."failed"... Isn't the tone quite apparent?

The WP would not want to appear blatantly bias, so it does include remarks by Sen. Cuccinelli, though they are buried in the article:

Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) countered that the change would not affect crime rates because few guns bought at gun shows are used in crimes. He said, too, that it would be hard to enforce and would create long lines at shows, as buyers queue up for criminal checks. "You shut down a portion of this trade and of this business. That's what you're doing. You'll shut it down, overwhelmingly," he said.

WSJ: Some Women Fear "Gold Diggers"

"Many women are surprised to find their earning power has become a magnet for the opposite sex."

NY Times: Democrat Losses at Polls Attributable to Wins in Courts

Paul Starr writes, "liberal Democrats, in particular, have been inviting political oblivion - not by advocating the wrong causes, but by letting their political instincts atrophy and relying on the legal system."

Chirac: Global Tax on Airline Tickets, Fuels, Financial Transactions to "Fight " AIDS

French President Jacques Chirac again states his desire to impose his policies on the rest of the world.

Annan Receives 3rd Oil-for-Food Grilling

So TBO.com reports.

What information is Kofi withholding? Why have investigators needed to return not once, but twice?

Thanks to Mr. Drudge for the link.

This photo begs for a witty caption.

Comments enabled for suggestions.

Va. May Pay Court-Appointed Att'ys More

The WP reports.

Thanks to Mr. Minor for the link.

Fairfax's Connolly: Increase "Affordable" Housing With Higher Real Estate Taxes

Fairfax County Chairman "Hit and Run" Connolly (D) laments that many county government employees choose not to live in Fairfax County. He attributes this to the high cost of housing. The solution? Charge an extra penny per $100 of assessed value to subsidize 1,000 units of "affordable" housing.

"Hit and Run" Connolly does not comment on any causal relationship between real property tax increases and rent increases, nor does the WP raise the issue.

"Hit and Run" Connolly does not comment on how many private sector employees who work in Fairfax County do not live in Fairfax County, nor does the WP raise the issue.


UPDATE: See also coverage at Ravenwood's Universe.

CHAIN MAIL: Schoolhouse Doors Closed

A dog had followed his owner to school. His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school. However, when the bell rang, the dog sidled inside the building and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shoo'ed him outside, closing the door behind him.  The dog sat down, whimpered and stared at the closed doors. Then God appeared beside the dog, patted his head, and said, "Don't feel bad fella'.... they won't let ME in either.

ACLU Warns About "Matrix" Database

The ACLU has produced this ad and has provided this information sheet. When considering the veracity of these materials, please bear in mind the source is the ACLU.

UPDATE: Prof. Tabarrok provides comments briefly on this ad.

Abortionist Concedes Abortion Causes Women "Grief, Sadness, & Sense of Loss"

"Dr." Warren Hern also opines that fetus burials are "unconscionable."

Thanks to Mr. Drudge for the link.

Tsunami Relief?

Sic Semper Tyrannis points us to this first-hand account.

Prof. Cowen: Why Transportation Hasn't Progressed

Prof. Cowen theorizes why our expectations have not been met.

In Memorium: Johnny Carson (1925-2005)

AP
IMDB
CNN: Carson Wrote for Letterman
Official Johnny Carson site




Click here to play music.
Thanks to a Johnny Carson tribute page.

Minor: No Consensus on Va. Roads' Future

Mr. Minor provides his brief comments and an ever valuable link to the Daily Press. Without Mr. Minor, I would have complete missed this important story, which every paper serving Virginia, especially Northern Virginia, should have carried.

The article mentions an automobile insurance premiums tax that Virginia currently charges. I reveal my ignorance and confess that's news to me. I wonder how much it is.

I also wonder what the present allocation of transportation funds throughout the Commonwealth is based on. Population? Registered vehicles? Acreage? Congressional districts?

Comments enabled.

AP: Handshake Minister Captured

The AP reports that police thwarted his Thursday attempt. Thankfully, the President is safe.

Does the Constitution REALLY Demand that this Fairfax Defendant's Confession be Tossed?

Even though Dinh Pham was "mirandized" before his confession to a double strangulation murder of a mother and child, his attorney claims that Pham was not read his "Miranda" warning soon enough. The WP makes it seem as though this claim actually has merit. Two shocking surprises!

After I locate the so-called "negative" commerce clause in my copy of the Constitution, I'll try to find this one. Don't hold your breath, though.

Nat'l Taxpayers Union: Why Are Federal Taxpayers Subsidizing South Dakota Cell Towers?

NTU's Government BYTES asks in response to an article in USA Today.

I wonder if a single mom living in Detroit knows that the USF tax she's forced to pay on her phone bill is providing "salvation" for considerably wealthier farmers in South Dakota.

WP: Protestors Repeatedly Kicked at Inauguration

Members of the grassroots organization "Protest Warrior" were attacked by those who did not share their political views.

Sad.

No photos of the brutality are available ... yet.

"faithfully execute the office of President ... preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States"

Enjoy Your Champagne!

While NPR airs the chants of protestors, the Washington Times compares the cost of this inauguration to previous ones including President Clinton's second inauguration. Guess which one cost more, even in NOMINAL dollars?

The second Clinton inaugural cost $42 million in 1997 dollars ($49.5 million in 2005 dollars). Bush's second is estimated at $40 million.

Thanks to Mr. Drudge for the link.

Virginia Assembly Update

Mr. Minor has excellent coverage of what is going on, specifically regarding a possible new judgeship, proposed med mal caps, and a judicial nominee for the Court of Appeals.

WP: Va. Gen. Assembly Considers Ban on "Upfront" Proffers

The way the WP spins it, developers argue that "upfront" proffers are unfair to builders because they lack the cash flow to pay until they sell the house (Is financing really not available? Developers must obtain it somehow to pay laborers, suppliers, etc.) while Prince William County claims that an "upfront" proffer permits the county to get a head start on building roads (Again, is financing not available to the county? Probably at a lower cost than to the developer?) before the new residents move in.

I have to be missing something here. Comments enabled.

6th Circ.: No En Banc Review of Finding that Ohio Tax Credits Violate "Negative" Commerce Clause

A tax case and a so-called "negative" commerce clause case all rolled into one! What could be more exciting?

The WSJ summarizes what has happened so far:

To keep DaimlerChrysler from shutting a Toledo factory in 1998, the city and state offered the auto maker a $280 million tax break in exchange for a $1.2 billion plan to expand the complex.

As part of the deal, Ohio gave DaimlerChrysler a tax credit equal to 13.5% of the company's spending on certain qualified investments, including machinery.

A group spearheaded by consumer advocate Ralph Nader filed a lawsuit attacking the package as "corporate welfare." Plaintiffs included 12 Toledo residents and three businesses -- a fraction of the total displaced by the plant expansion.

Mr. Nader's forces lost in the lower court. But in September, a three-judge panel of the appeals court ruled that the tax credit "discriminates against interstate commerce by coercing businesses already subject to the Ohio franchise tax to expand locally rather than out-of-state."

By the way, where is that so-called "negative" commerce clause anyway? I'm having trouble finding it in my copy of the Constitution.

Jury Pool from Hell

Would this have happened in the days when the pool of potential jurors was derived from the land records?

Meanwhile, Indiana expands its jury pool from voting rolls to motor vehicle and tax records.

Thanks to Point of Law for the link.

Sic Semper Tyrannis Sets Record Straight on Kilgore Resignation

Sic Semper Tyrannis reminds us that four years ago Democrats criticized Republican Mark Earley for not leaving his attorney general post soon enough when he was campaigning for governor. We are also reminded that in addition to Kilgore and Earley, Republican Jim Gilmore (1997), Democrat Mary Sue Terry (1993), and Democrat Gerald L. Baliles (1985) also resigned their attorney general terms early to run for governor.

Fed. Judge: O.K. to Question Witness About "Marital Infidelities" in Fraud Trial

No, Ken Starr is neither the judge who approved nor the attorney who requested this line of questioning. No, the case isn't even a divorce case or a sexual harassment case. No, the witness isn't even the defendant, but rather someone who is testifying against his former boss in a criminal trial on fraud-related matters. The witness isn't the target of a vast right-wing conspiracy, either.

Is former WorldCom CFO Scott Sullivan actually legally required to tell the truth about his own infidelities when testifying against former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers? Maybe it depends on what the definition of "is" is.

Thanks to reporting by the WSJ.

NPR Refers to Colorado Springs as a "Mecca" for Evangelical Christians

NPR reports that Colorado Springs, Colo. has become recognized as a center for evangelical Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family.

Perhaps some sensitivity training is in order.

Homosexual Attempting to File Taxes as "Married" Loses in Federal Court

J. Michael McConnell originally filed his 2000 taxes with a "single" filing status. The IRS denied his December 2003 attempt to amend that return to reflect a filing status of "married filing jointly." The IRS's position was that same-sex "marriages" are not recognized for federal tax purposes, but this was not the reason the federal judge through out McConnell's tax refund suit. It turns out that McConnell and his homosexual partner Richard John Baker previously unsuccessfully litigated both a request to obtain a marriage license from Minnesota and an attempt to receive marriage-based federal benefits. Thus, McConnell's tax refund claim was collaterally estopped by these previous judgments.

WP Declares Gonzales An "Assault" Weapon Ban Supporter

However, the quote from Alberto Gonzales declaring his support doesn't seem quite as forceful as the WP headline. Perhaps this is why the WP buried the actual quote in the eighth paragraph:

"I worry about his safety and the types of weapons he [Gonzales's brother Tony, a Houston SWAT officer] will confront on the street," Gonzales said. "The president has made it clear that he stands ready to sign a reauthorization of the federal assault weapons ban if it is sent to him by Congress. I, of course, support the president on this issue."

Vaguely reminiscent of Vice President Cheney's "support" of President Bush's stance against homosexual "marriage," isn't it?

N.B., the President's support of the "assault" weapons ban isn't too ringing, either. Whereas members of his administration ultimately defer to him on policy issues, it sounds as though the President has simply declared he would defer to Congress on this particular policy issue, should the question cross his desk.

WSJ: First Guilty Plea in "Oil for Food" Scandal

The WSJ reports, "Samir A. Vincent, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Annandale, Va., entered the guilty pleas in federal court in New York to four criminal counts, including conspiring to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and tax violations."

That's a start. Clearly Mr. Vincent was not alone and he is probably turning as evidence against his accomplices. I wonder how many are involved.

I wonder if, when, and how diplomatic immunity hampers the investigation.

Smoking Gun: Reality Show Winner to Face Reality of Tax Law; Can Hatch Survive This?

Apparently, Richard Hatch faces criminal charges relating to tax fraud. My first reaction is to wonder why some tax accountant or tax attorney didn't seek him out as a client after his very public winnings, but then I read about an S-corp (which requires an affirmative "S-election" by the shareholder), which suggests he had tax advice after all, so I wonder what the rest of the story is.

Comments enabled for theories.

Thanks Mr. Drudge for the link.