We have watched the horizon for this over two years now.  HERE and HERE –  The best view is through the comparative prism between Illinois and neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana (more following article).   In July of 2011 Illinois Governor Quinn signed the largest tax increase in history, raising state income taxes by 60%.   Now the state bond rating is the worst in the nation….

ILLINOIS – Illinois’ credit rating has taken another hit.   Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service downgraded the state from an “A” rating to “A-minus”, making it the worst in the country.

The New York ratings firm’s ranking means taxpayers may have to pay tens of millions of dollars more in interest when the state borrows money for roads and other projects.

The downgrade is the latest fallout over the $96.8 billion debt to five state pension systems.   The downgrade now ties Illinois with California, but California has a positive outlook.

Illinois’ fragile overall financial status netted it a negative outlook, putting it behind California overall.   The ratings came out now because Illinois plans to issue $500 million in bonds within days.   (article link)

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The only good thing from these debates is the doubling down by the insufferable water-carrier Moron on the issue which further slides him toward the land of perpetual irrelevance.

The ridiculous points again are evidenced: “the first step“, which we all know is EXACTLY their point. This is only the first step, at least he admits it. Secondly, this entire Pierced Moron mantra of “I don’t want to stop the second amendment” is insufferably moot. Pierce is a TV personality, the real people who do matter on this issue do indeed proport to remove all guns: Mayor Bloomberg, Senator Feinstein, Mayor Corey Booker, Governor Cuomo, Senators Schumer and Blumenthal et al, along with Attorney General Eric Holder have all advocated for the forced removal of “ALL” guns from law abiding citizens.

Last week it was Jackson Tennessee and Tens of Thousands…..

This week it is Austin, and Alvin Texas:

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There is no more dangerous time in the professional life of a politician as that time between when he/she announces they will not seek re-election, and the time they actually leave.    They have nothing to lose by compromising the principle requests of the constituency.

WASHINGTON DC – Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin announced on Saturday that he will not seek a sixth term in the chamber. The news was first reported by the Associated Press.

“After 40 years, I just feel it’s somebody else’s turn,” Harkin said in a lengthy statement. “I don’t by any means plan to retire completely from public life at the end of this Congress. But I am going to make way for someone new in this Senate seat. I think that is right not just for me, but for Iowa, as well.” (more…)

It is well noted the industrial legacy media is not covering this story.  Imagine if one of George Bush’s Cabinet Members had created fictitious e-mail accounts to skirt transparency laws and hide their communication.    EPA Head Lisa Jackson, aka Richard Windsor, ain’t just quitting because she wants to pursue another career choice;  She’s quitting because her secret communication was found out and may indeed damage the Obama administration……   

WASHINGTON DC – Republican lawmakers on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee warned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Thursday they may take “formal action” to pry information from the department regarding outgoing EPA administrator Lisa Jackson’s use of secret email addresses.

Committee Republicans in a letter said the agency failed to properly respond to requests for records about the use of non-public email accounts by EPA officials, including Jackson.

The GOP-led committee implied a subpoena could be issued if the EPA does not meet its requests, warning “failure to respond may result in formal action requiring EPA’s compliance.” (more…)

Why?   Another audio visual reality……

NEBRASKA – Nebraska has a population of a 1.8 million people, of which 81.8 percent are white and 4.7% are black. According to an incredible story out of the Journal-Star, the state of Nebraska saw 51 people murdered in 2012; 80 percent of those slain occurred in North Omaha, which is almost ¾ black. [Omaha looks to combat its homicide problem, 1-20-13]:

At least 51 people were killed in Nebraska last year, and of those, nearly 80 percent were slain in Omaha. (more…)

Use this thread as an open thread just for Zimmerman Case stuff. A place to just dump, collect, or discuss general information about the Trayvon Martin VS George Zimmerman Case.

“The sensationalized, fact-deficient coverage of this case has achieved the
desired results. The networks got their ratings. The politicians got their
talking points. And if it means innocent people get caught in the middle of the
racial enmity they’ve fomented, obviously it’s considered acceptable collateral
damage. Congratulations, geniuses. Job well done.” Jim Treacher, The DC Trawler

REMINDER – Please WATCH THE TONE and CONTENT of Commentary. Please be respectful, courteous and considerate of other readers and contributors. Please avoid hatespeak, angry rhetoric, vulgarity, personal attacks and condescension. If you wish to engage in vitriolic, racist, or bitter angry rhetoric, there are alternative sites on the internet more than welcoming to such considerations. But not here. Thank You.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

For almost a year, and through four refused FOIA requests, we tried to get the 911 call tapes from the Virginia Pilot Beatings. Fox News Bill O’Reilly was able to twist enough arms and aired the call tapes (Thur) on his show.

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WASHINGTON DC – Thousands of young adults thronged the National Mall on Friday to protest abortion and cheer speakers who called for overturning the 40-year-old landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.

Protesters — drawn by social media and church youth groups — flocked to the annual March for Life despite subfreezing temperatures and snow in the forecast.

“We are winning with young people. I see it right in front of me today,” said organizer Jeanne Monahan, president of the March for Life Education & Defense Fund.

As one abortion opponent after another addressed the crowd, Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey drew the loudest applause with an attack on the court ruling: “Forty years ago this past Tuesday marks the Supreme Court’s infamous, reckless and inhumane abandonment of women and babies to the abortionists.” (more…)