1
Immigration/Border / Re: San Diego is now the top border region for migrant arrivals
« Last post by Smokin Joe on Today at 01:40:00 pm »They will take the path of least resistance. 
Recent Posts
2
Climate Change / Re: Biden Gives Big Wind Preferential Offshore Leasing After Issuing Restrictive Oil And Gas Plan
« Last post by Smokin Joe on Today at 01:38:48 pm »Offshore wind will sink at the dock, or shortly afterwards. The additional expense of operating offshore and maintaining those platforms will sink such proposals in debt. Hurricane season is coming...what's on your beach?
3
National/Breaking News / Re: Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction overturned in New York
« Last post by Smokin Joe on Today at 01:36:00 pm »Some people really could bugger children in Times Square at rush hour and get away with it.
4
Economy/Business / Mortgage rates reach new high for 2024
« Last post by mystery-ak on Today at 01:34:44 pm »Mortgage rates reach new high for 2024
Brianna Crane
U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates
Daily; Jan. 2, 2019, to April 24, 2024
Mortgage rates touched 7.5% in April, the highest they've been since last fall, per Mortgage News Daily data.
Why it matters: Our frozen housing market may not unthaw this spring.
The big picture: High mortgage rates are keeping homeowners locked in, and prospective homebuyers shut out.
Experts were optimistic late last year that mortgage rates would drop in early 2024 and lure sellers and buyers off of the sidelines in time for spring.
Reality check: Mortgage applications have fallen since last week, and home sales have remained relatively stagnant.
The bottomline: Relief isn't coming any time soon.
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/24/mortgage-rates-high-april-2024
Brianna Crane
U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates
Daily; Jan. 2, 2019, to April 24, 2024
Mortgage rates touched 7.5% in April, the highest they've been since last fall, per Mortgage News Daily data.
Why it matters: Our frozen housing market may not unthaw this spring.
The big picture: High mortgage rates are keeping homeowners locked in, and prospective homebuyers shut out.
Experts were optimistic late last year that mortgage rates would drop in early 2024 and lure sellers and buyers off of the sidelines in time for spring.
Reality check: Mortgage applications have fallen since last week, and home sales have remained relatively stagnant.
The bottomline: Relief isn't coming any time soon.
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/24/mortgage-rates-high-april-2024
5
Trump Legal Investigations / Re: Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Democrats are planning to have Donald Trump 'MURDERED in jail' by
« Last post by Smokin Joe on Today at 01:33:43 pm »This administration is looking for an excuse to lock down the country to stay in power.
Killing Trump would give them that excuse.
In so many words, it would be regarded as the event which would lead many to believe it is 'time', a Lexington and Concord moment.
He is being prosecuted for allegedly engaging in a conspiracy to affect the outcome of an election, supposedly by suppressing stories which would present him as an unfaithful husband. Without that conspiracy, anything done with the money is a misdemeanor.
What is this whole lawfare eruption, if not an attempt to influence the outcome of an election, designed to keep Trump from campaigning around the country? That they are conspiring to do this is self-evident. As usual, they are guilty of that of which they accuse others.
Killing Trump would give them that excuse.
In so many words, it would be regarded as the event which would lead many to believe it is 'time', a Lexington and Concord moment.
He is being prosecuted for allegedly engaging in a conspiracy to affect the outcome of an election, supposedly by suppressing stories which would present him as an unfaithful husband. Without that conspiracy, anything done with the money is a misdemeanor.
What is this whole lawfare eruption, if not an attempt to influence the outcome of an election, designed to keep Trump from campaigning around the country? That they are conspiring to do this is self-evident. As usual, they are guilty of that of which they accuse others.
6
National/Breaking News / Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction overturned in New York
« Last post by mystery-ak on Today at 01:32:05 pm »Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction overturned in New York
The disgraced movie producer was convicted of rape in February 2020.
ByAaron Katersky
April 25, 2024, 8:12 AM
The rape conviction of movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been overturned by New York's highest court.
The New York Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 opinion, overturned Weinstein's conviction on sex crimes against three women, finding the trial judge "erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes."
The court said that testimony "served no material non-propensity purpose" and "portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light."
Weinstein, 72, was a well-known, powerful man within the entertainment industry and prosecutors said he abused his power to take advantage of aspiring female actors, like the alleged victims, to coerce them into unwanted sexual encounters. According to the prosecution, the quid pro quo of assisting them with their careers in exchange for sexual favors on demand was both common behavior and a well-known secret throughout the film industry.
more
https://abcnews.go.com/US/harvey-weinstein-conviction-overturned-new-york/story?id=109621776
The disgraced movie producer was convicted of rape in February 2020.
ByAaron Katersky
April 25, 2024, 8:12 AM
The rape conviction of movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been overturned by New York's highest court.
The New York Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 opinion, overturned Weinstein's conviction on sex crimes against three women, finding the trial judge "erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes."
The court said that testimony "served no material non-propensity purpose" and "portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light."
Weinstein, 72, was a well-known, powerful man within the entertainment industry and prosecutors said he abused his power to take advantage of aspiring female actors, like the alleged victims, to coerce them into unwanted sexual encounters. According to the prosecution, the quid pro quo of assisting them with their careers in exchange for sexual favors on demand was both common behavior and a well-known secret throughout the film industry.
more
https://abcnews.go.com/US/harvey-weinstein-conviction-overturned-new-york/story?id=109621776
7
Economy/Business / More than 1 in 4 US adults over age 50 say they expect to never retire: AARP study
« Last post by mystery-ak on Today at 01:28:45 pm »More than 1 in 4 US adults over age 50 say they expect to never retire: AARP study
About one-quarter of U.S. adults age 50 and older who aren't yet retired say they expect to never retire and 70% are concerned about prices rising faster than their income
ByFATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press
April 24, 2024, 10:49 AM
WASHINGTON -- About one-quarter of U.S. adults age 50 and older who are not yet retired say they expect to never retire and 70% are concerned about prices rising faster than their income, an AARP survey finds.
About 1 in 4 have no retirement savings, according to research released Wednesday by the organization that shows how a graying America is worrying more and more about how to make ends meet even as economists and policymakers say the U.S. economy has all but achieved a soft landing after two years of record inflation.
Everyday expenses and housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, are the biggest reasons why people are unable to save for retirement.
The data will matter this election year as Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump are trying to win support from older Americans, who traditionally turn out in high numbers, with their policy proposals.
more
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/1-4-us-adults-age-50-expect-retire-109580387
About one-quarter of U.S. adults age 50 and older who aren't yet retired say they expect to never retire and 70% are concerned about prices rising faster than their income
ByFATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press
April 24, 2024, 10:49 AM
WASHINGTON -- About one-quarter of U.S. adults age 50 and older who are not yet retired say they expect to never retire and 70% are concerned about prices rising faster than their income, an AARP survey finds.
About 1 in 4 have no retirement savings, according to research released Wednesday by the organization that shows how a graying America is worrying more and more about how to make ends meet even as economists and policymakers say the U.S. economy has all but achieved a soft landing after two years of record inflation.
Everyday expenses and housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, are the biggest reasons why people are unable to save for retirement.
The data will matter this election year as Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump are trying to win support from older Americans, who traditionally turn out in high numbers, with their policy proposals.
more
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/1-4-us-adults-age-50-expect-retire-109580387
8
Editorial/Opinion/Blogs / Iran’s Nightmares> By Victor Davis Hanson
« Last post by mystery-ak on Today at 01:26:43 pm »Iran’s Nightmares › American Greatness
Victor Davis Hanson
Details of the recent limited Israeli retaliatory strike against Iranian anti-aircraft missile batteries at Isfahan are still sketchy. But nonetheless, we can draw some conclusions.
Israel’s small volley of missiles hit their intended targets, to the point of zeroing in on the very launchers designed to stop such incoming ordnance.
The target was near the Natanz enrichment facility. That proximity was by design. Israel showed Iran it could take out the very anti-missile battery designed to thwart an attack on its nearby nuclear facility.
The larger message sent to the world was that Israel could send a retaliatory barrage at Iranian nuclear sites with reasonable assurances that the incoming attacks could not be stopped. By comparison, Iran’s earlier attack on Israel was much greater and more indiscriminate. It was also a huge flop, with an estimated 99 percent of the more than 320 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles failing to hit their planned targets.
Moreover, it was reported that more than 50 percent of Iran’s roughly 115-120 ballistic missiles failed at launch or malfunctioned in flight.
more
https://amgreatness.com/2024/04/25/irans-nightmares/
Victor Davis Hanson
Details of the recent limited Israeli retaliatory strike against Iranian anti-aircraft missile batteries at Isfahan are still sketchy. But nonetheless, we can draw some conclusions.
Israel’s small volley of missiles hit their intended targets, to the point of zeroing in on the very launchers designed to stop such incoming ordnance.
The target was near the Natanz enrichment facility. That proximity was by design. Israel showed Iran it could take out the very anti-missile battery designed to thwart an attack on its nearby nuclear facility.
The larger message sent to the world was that Israel could send a retaliatory barrage at Iranian nuclear sites with reasonable assurances that the incoming attacks could not be stopped. By comparison, Iran’s earlier attack on Israel was much greater and more indiscriminate. It was also a huge flop, with an estimated 99 percent of the more than 320 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles failing to hit their planned targets.
Moreover, it was reported that more than 50 percent of Iran’s roughly 115-120 ballistic missiles failed at launch or malfunctioned in flight.
more
https://amgreatness.com/2024/04/25/irans-nightmares/
9
Immigration/Border / Re: Joe Biden’s Latest Billions for Ukraine Could Build Entire U.S. Border Wall
« Last post by Smokin Joe on Today at 01:26:11 pm »I don't see this as a question of one or the other, only a relative metric of the priorities of this administration and Congress.
How much have we spent importing and distributing illegal aliens in the last three years?
How much would the wall cost?
One is a one time expenditure, with additional expenses for maintenance and patrolling/enforcing the barrier.
The other is an ongoing and growing expense which may cost us our Republic.
Seems to me that the priorities in DC are twisted beyond recognition, when the Executive Branch fails to follow Statute and refuses to perform its duties to the American People they allegedly serve, not rule.
How much have we spent importing and distributing illegal aliens in the last three years?
How much would the wall cost?
One is a one time expenditure, with additional expenses for maintenance and patrolling/enforcing the barrier.
The other is an ongoing and growing expense which may cost us our Republic.
Seems to me that the priorities in DC are twisted beyond recognition, when the Executive Branch fails to follow Statute and refuses to perform its duties to the American People they allegedly serve, not rule.
10
State Politics/Government / Annual MA Outmigration Hits 39,000, Up 1,100% Over The Last Decade: BU Study
« Last post by mountaineer on Today at 01:25:36 pm »Pioneer Institute
@PioneerBoston
Contrary to common assumptions, outmigration from Massachusetts has been mostly concentrated among those in higher income brackets. To learn more, read Boston University’s new report. #Outmigration #Massachusetts #BostonUniversity
1:40 PM · Apr 24, 2024
@PioneerBoston
Contrary to common assumptions, outmigration from Massachusetts has been mostly concentrated among those in higher income brackets. To learn more, read Boston University’s new report. #Outmigration #Massachusetts #BostonUniversity
1:40 PM · Apr 24, 2024
Quote
Annual Massachusetts Outmigration Hits 39,000, Up 1,100% Over The Last Decade: BU StudyMore from Pioneer Institute
Could rise to 96,000 per year by 2030, costing Massachusetts $19.2 billion in adjusted gross income & $961 million in income tax revenue
April 24, 2024
by Editorial Staff
BOSTON (April 24, 2024) – Annual net outmigration from Massachusetts has soared by a stunning 1,100 percent to 39,000 people since 2013, according to a new Boston University Questrom School of Business study. If the trend continues, the researchers found, the state’s net outmigration could reach 96,000 by 2030.
Outmigration cost Massachusetts $4.3 billion in adjusted gross income (AGI) and $213.7 million in tax revenue during the 2020-21 tax year. The majority of that money went to Florida ($1.77 billion), New Hampshire ($1.1 billion), and Maine ($393 million.) Those numbers could rise to $19.2 billion in AGI and $961 million in lost tax revenue by 2030.
“To make matters worse, those who are leaving tend to be younger and earn more than state averages,” said Boston University Questrom School of Business primary researcher and lecturer Mark Williams. “These are the people the Commonwealth needs to bolster its future workforce.”
The age group leaving in the largest numbers is 26-34, although most of the lost AGI comes from the departures of those aged 55-64. More than half of people who exited Massachusetts earn well over the state average.
Income tax, housing costs, and costs of health care are the largest drivers of outmigration, according to the study. ...
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