Aruba

Aruba
aloe factory
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall--confucius

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." anon

A man is but the product of his thoughts--what he thinks, he becomes. Gandhi


I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something that I can do. edward everett hale
Donna Hart
Doom to you who legislate evil, who make laws that make victims -- laws that make misery for the poor, that rob my destitute people of dignity, exploiting defenseless widows, taking advantage of homeless children. What will you have to say on Judgment Day, when Doomsday arrives out of the blue? Who will you get to help you? What good will your money do you? (Isaiah 10:1-3, The Message)

There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad w/radiance. william sharp

I think no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth? edward giobbi

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. marcel proust

I am only one, but still I am one.I cannot do everything,but still I can do something;and because I cannot do everything,I will not refuse to do something that I can do. edward everett hale




Monday, March 10, 2014

march 2014

don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant  --  robert louis stevenson


march wice check did not arrive:  called carl sun the 9th about 9:37 pm.  he said he had seen it hadn't been cashed.  to call him by thurs.  he called tues saying he'd be north wed and to contact thurs.  thurs am eastside closed but called him from hardware on atherton and belsay.  went to home.  got reissued check dated march 2.  he called later to say he had stopped payment on original --79 new one ---80.  perhaps lost in mail or went to another address.


humor i missed last year. had to check this to see if true: what good is it to save the planet if humanity suffers? exxon mobil ceo rex tillerson 

At the ExxonMobil annual shareholder meeting in Dallas on May 29, 2013 the corporation’s CEO, Rex Tillerson, told those in attendance that an economy that runs on oil is here to stay and that cutting carbon emissions would do no good.Again, we probably shouldn’t be surprised by this development; Good announced last year that in a report created by the Global Warming Policy Foundation—a report that expressed serious doubts about the validity of man-made climate change—nine of the top 10 contributors were financially linked to ExxonMobil.
The Financial Post also notes that since Tillerson became CEO in 2006, Exxon has softened the tone of its public comments but not its skepticism about climate change. “Tillerson said that in the past decade the average temperature ‘hasn’t really changed,’ and he repeated his optimism that technology will solve the problem.”
And the guy really does love to talk about this stuff. ThinkProgress observed that in 2012, Tillerson told the Council on Foreign Relations about the “manageable” risks of climate change:
“As a species that’s why we’re all still here: We have spent our entire existence adapting. So we will adapt to this. It’s an engineering problem, and it has engineering solutions.”
Not subject to engineering changes was the shareholders vote on Wednesday to defeat a resolution that would explicitly ban discrimination against gays and lesbians (the 16th time they’ve done so).
The New York Times reported last week that while Mobil Oil had polices protecting gay and lesbian employees from discrimination and extended benefits to same-sex couples, these policies were rescinded by Exxon when it acquired Mobil in 1999.
Alan T. Jeffers, an ExxonMobil spokesman, told The Times that Mr. Tillerson had no comment on the discrimination resolution.
Now if we could just get him to stop talking about the manageable risks of climate change, we’d be making some progress.

 THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. . Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST: Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.
If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency,
dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked. Try it out...
SECOND: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday.
Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock.
Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.
Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other ' remote ' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk)...
Editor ' s Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a mobile phone! '
THIRD: Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#
Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery.
This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
FOURTH: How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone ' s serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 #
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset..
Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.
You probably won ' t get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can ' t use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
SHARE ON YOUR WALL AND TAG YOUR FRIENDS IT MAY USEFUL TO SOMEONE


friday march 21 meeting:
good meeting last night in otisville with info provided by various 'sides' about fracking.  what to do before signing a lease, how long anyone has to file a claim against fracking damage to land (3 yrs from start, against original owner of land), necessity of anyone around area having his land/water tested BEFORE fracking so if a lawsuit were necessary the baseline would exist,  what the DEQ thinks, legislation that townships and cities might want in place before fracking comes, amount of water/well (often between 5 and 20 million gals most of which remains unusable unless 'cleaned' forever), etc.  BUT an example suggested for 40 acres (dad's land original size) at 20 barrels@ 90$ for 200 days a year income could come to 450,000$/year if you were smart w/your lease conditions. how many people would think 2x on that?  who cares what happens to the land or our water if i could get that each year?  maybe nothing bad will happen; and even if it did it may be years before there was a link.  sounds great doesn't it?

HISTORY

Originally known as Western States Oil Company, Inc., Western Land Services, Inc. was formed in 1974 by T.T. Thompson. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Law School, Mr. Thompson worked as a Division Landman with Shell Oil Company for 19 years, prior to forming Western States Oil Company.
During the 1970s and early 1980s and under the direction of Mr. Thompson, Western States Oil Company focused primarily on oil and gas prospect generation in the State of Michigan. The Niagaran formation, a noteworthy oil and gas play in Northern Michigan at the time, served as the organization’s hub of activity.
In 1980, John K. Wilson joined the firm as a landman. A graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Business, Mr. Wilson determinedly worked his way up through the firm to Vice President of Land in 1989, purchased the company in 1992 upon retirement of T.T. Thompson, and soon thereafter changed the name of the company to Western Land Services, Inc.
During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Western Land Services, Inc. developed into a major oil and gas brokerage service company providing regulatory and land services to oil and gas companies and utilities. Significant clients of Western Land Services during these decades included: Unocal, Arco, Gulf Oil, Mark West, Tenneco, CMS Oil & Gas, Chevron, Martin Marietta, Williams Energy, Marathon Oil Company, Wolverine Gas and Oil Corporation, Berry Petroleum, Western Gas Resources, and numerous other smaller independents.
During the early to mid-1990’s, Western Land Services, Inc. provided support to Terra Energy, Ltd, the largest developer of Michigan’s Antrim Shale Play in Northern Michigan. The Antrim Play involved the drilling of over 7,000 wells, in projects of approximately 25 to 75 wells each, and was the largest natural gas play in the United States at that time. The large number of wells forced companies to find innovative solutions to bring projects on-line quickly, and to deal with land owner concerns caused by extensive surface operations.
Western was at the forefront of industry changes, dealing with these unique operational challenges. As a result, Mr. Wilson shifted Western Land’s focus from traditional oil and gas leasing services, to a company focused on all aspects of oil and gas resource development. By expanding its service portfolio to include not only traditional leasing and title work, but also project layout and design, wildlife and environmental studies and coordination of field activities, Mr. Wilson found a way to position Western Land wisely in the market and offer solutions to clients facing these industry challenges.
Since the late 1990s, Western not only started emphasizing its expanded service portfolio, but it also began venturing geographically into other emerging oil and gas plays throughout the U.S. In 1999, for instance, Western Land opened its Sheridan, Wyoming office to service the Powder River Basin CBM play. Western has always managed to stay ahead of the curve, anticipating industry trends and positioning itself amidst the bustle of the oil and gas industry to be easily accessible to clients. Today, Western Land Services, Inc. is a thriving firm, holding offices in six states, employing over 500 professionals, engaging in projects in nearly every state of the nation, and working with many distinguished players of the industry.
Rich Collins - President
Rich Collins - President
Now at the peak of its success, Western Land Services welcomes to its doorsteps, Rich Collins, a seasoned and well-respected professional in the industry. Mr. Collins, a graduate of Michigan State University, started his career in the oil and gas industry with Western States Oil in 1986, where he was responsible for supervising land and ROW acquisitions and regulatory work on over 1,000 Antrim gas wells in NE Michigan.
After a successful 15 year run at Western States Oil, Mr. Collins had the opportunity to hold several executive level positions in other prominent oil and gas companies in the industry, including CMS Oil & Gas, CMS Consumers Energy, Epsilon Energy and Trendwell Energy Corporation. His corporate experience has led him to all major U.S. onshore energy basins, as well as several international projects, with a significant operational presence in the Powder, Marcellus, Utica and Michigan basins.
In both operational and non-operational roles, he has assisted in the drilling of over 1,000 wells, in addition to the 1,000 Antrim wells from his earlier career, and has supervised traditional land functions, as well as regulatory, operational, and government affairs, while facilitating the creation of numerous industry groups in support of domestic drilling. His professional portfolio is also recognized for the successful completion of over $300 million in acquisition and divesture deals. Today, Mr. Collins finds himself back at Western Land Services, and as President, plans to continue driving the success of the company that interestingly enough launched his career.

WITH NINE OFFICES, WESTERN LAND SERVICES IS HERE TO SERVE YOU!

Corporate Headquarters
1100 Conrad Industrial Dr.
Ludington, Michigan 49431
Toll Free: (800) 968-4840
Local: (231) 843-8878
Fax: (231) 843-3183
Email Us
Regional Office
333 Technology Drive
Suite 112
Canonsburg, PA 15317
Toll Free: (877) 775-2972
Local: (724) 743-2972
Fax: (877) 322-3183
Email Us
Regional Office
1662 South Sheridan Ave.
Sheridan, Wyoming 82801
Toll Free: (877) 673-1817
Local: (307) 673-1817
Fax: (307) 673-1823
Email Us

©Copyright 1974-2014 - All Rights Reserved.
re burger king on dort near atherton. 2 visible workers, maybe 1 in kitchen area, 1 on her break. 5 people inside eating , 2 in front of us. order at 1:28 which speedily appeared at 1:50. now 5 people waiting for orders including the worker waiting for a refill. she was docked this week because she had 41.5 hrs worked and only 40 allowed. i did suggest reporting this but as we know, probably she'd be fired. lesson learned: don't go back

List of familiar Koch products and brands:
- American Greetings (Not owned by Koch, took over $200 million of Koch money), Angel Soft, Brawny paper towels, Dixie cups (& napkins & plates), Insulair cups, Perfect Touch cups, paper products, Quilted Northern, Sparkle paper towel, Vanity Fair napkins & paper towels, Mardis Gras napkins, Zee Napkins

Georgia Pacific Office products - Spectrum paper, Georgia-Pacific's enMotion paper towel dispenser, Georgia-Pacific's engineered lumber

INVISTA Brands
- INVISTA’s PET polymer is used in oxygen-sensitive packaging for food and beverages, ADI-PURE® Adipic Acid, ANTRON® Carpet Fiber, C12™ Intermediates, COMFOREL® Fiber, COOLMAX® Fabric, CORDURA® Fabric, DACRON® Fiberfill, DYTEK® Idea Intermediates, FLEXISOLV® Solvent Solutions, LYCRA® Fiber, LYCRA HyFit® Fiber, OXYCLEAR® Barrier Resin, POLYCLEAR® PET, POLYSHIELD® Resin, SENZAA™ Additive, STAINMASTER® Carpet, SUPPLEX® Fabric, SUPRIVA™ Fiber, TACTEL® Fiber, TECGEN® Garments, TERATE® Polyols, TERATHANE® Polyether Glycol, TERRIN™ Polyols, THERMOLITE® Fabric, TORZEN® PA66 Resin
© Kos Media, LLC



For a list of politicians with known ALEC ties, please see ALEC Politicians.
This is a partial list of Michigan politicians that are known to be involved in, or previously involved in, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). It is a partial list. (If you have additional names, please add them with a citation. The names in this original list were verified as of posting.)
Legislators who have cut ties with ALEC publicly are also listed here.

Michigan Legislators with ALEC Ties

House of Representatives

Senate

  • Sen. Darwin Booher (R-35), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative[2]
  • Sen. Bruce Caswell (R-16), Health and Human Services Task Force[3]
  • Sen. Mike Green (R-31), State Chairman, paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[8]
  • Sen. Goeff Hansen (R-34), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 (twice) while a state representative,[2] Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force member[9]
  • Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R-29), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative,[2] and in 2011 while a state senator[8]
  • Sen. Mark Jansen (R-28)[10]
  • Sen. Rick Jones (R-24), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state representative[2], told Detroit News in August 2012 that he was no longer a member because "I thought (attending ALEC conferences) would be looked at by my constituents as a junket."[11] See Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
  • Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15),[10] paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative, and in 2011[2]
  • Sen. Arlan B. Meekhoff (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative[2]
  • Sen. John Moolenar (R-36), Member of ALEC's Public Safety and Elections Task Force[4]. Paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[2]
  • Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008 while a state representative[2]
  • Sen. David B. Robertson (R-26), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[2]
  • Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-20), former State Chairman[12]; Civil Justice Task Force [13]

Former Representatives

  • Former Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. (D-42), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2008[2]
  • Majority Caucus Chair Dave Agema (R-74), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008[2]
  • Former Rep. Fran Amos (R-43), registered for ALEC annual meeting in 2005 and paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006 and 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. Richard A. Bandstra (R-Grand Rapids, 1985-1994, Michigan 3rd Court of Appeals through January 2003), Former "Public Sector Chairman," Civil Justice Task Force[14]
  • Former Rep./Sen. Patricia Birkholz,[15] paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[8]
  • Former Rep. Bill Caul (R-99), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[2]
  • Former House Speaker Craig DeRoche (R-38), paid ALEC membership dues in 2006 and sent three staffers to ALEC annual meeting in 2006 (for $1,200) with taxpayer funds[2]
  • Former Rep. Leon Drolet (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[2]
  • Former Rep. David Farhat (R-91), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[2]
  • Former Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[2]
  • Rep. Judson Gilbert (R-81), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state senator[8]
  • Rep. Ken Horn (R-94), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[2], Civil Justice Task Force member[16]
  • Former Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-90, now Michigan Congressman R-2), ALEC Alumni in Congress,[17] paid ALEC membership with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[2]
  • Rep. John Jamian, currently Executive Director Port of Detroit. [18]
  • Former Rep. Jerry Kooiman (R-75), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[2]
  • Rep. John Llewelyn [18]
  • Rep. William J. Martin [18]
  • Former Rep. Kimberley Meltzer (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[2]
  • Rep. Mary Ann Middaugh [15]
  • Former Rep. Tim Moore (R-97), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. Tom Pearce (R-73), registered for 2006 ALEC annual meeting and paid 2009 ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds[2]
  • Rep. Andrew Raczkowski
  • Former Rep. Rick Shaffer (R-59), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. Fulton Sheen (R-88), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2006 and 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. John Stahl (R-82), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008[2]
  • Former Rep. John Stakoe (R-44), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. Glenn Steil, Jr. (R-72), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[2]
  • Former Rep. William Van Regenmorter (R-74), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[2]
  • Rep. Tim Walberg, currently represents MI CD-9 in US Congress

Former Senators

  • Former Sen. Jason Allen (R-37), former State Chairman[19], paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006[8]
  • Former Sen. Cameran Brown (R-16), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[8]
  • Former Sen. Valde Garcia (R-22), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[8]
  • Former Sen. Philip Hoffman [15]
  • Former Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[8]
  • Sen. Dennis Olshove (D-9) [18]
  • Former Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-7), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[8]

Former Politicians

  • Former Governor John M. Engler [15]
  • Former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus [15]

References

  1. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  2. ↑ Jump up to:2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 Michigan House Business Office, "Vendor Activity Report: ALEC (Federal ID 2520140979)," on file with CMD, January 1, 2005-May 6, 2011
  3. ↑ Jump up to:3.0 3.1 3.2 Jack McHugh, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Model Resolution Opposing Obamacare Exchange, organizational blog post, July 25, 2011
  4. ↑ Jump up to:4.0 4.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Public Safety & Elections Task Force 2011 Spring Task Force Summit April 29, 2011 Minutes, organizational document, June 30, 2011, p. 5, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
  5. Jump up↑ Michigan House of Representatives, HB 4050, state legislation, passed January 18, 2011
  6. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  7. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  8. ↑ Jump up to:8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Michigan Secretary of State, "ALEC Dues Processed during 2005 and after," on file with CMD, January 1, 2005-May 6, 2011
  9. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  10. ↑ Jump up to:10.0 10.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Durbin Response Letter, signatory letter to Senator Richard Durbin, August 8, 2013.
  11. Jump up↑ Karen Bouffard, Many GOP-backed bills in Michigan copied from 'model bills', group says, Detroit News, August 13, 2012
  12. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC State Chairmen, organization website, accessed April 2012
  13. Jump up↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  14. Jump up↑ Michigan State Court Administrative Office Judges of the Court of Appeals, government document, 2001
  15. ↑ Jump up to:15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 American Legislative Exchange Council, ’99 ALEC Leaders in the States, organizational document, archived by the Wayback Machine December 8, 2000, accessed November 2012
  16. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Civil Justice Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  17. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "House of Representatives," organization website, accessed July 2, 2011
  18. ↑ Jump up to:18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 American Legislative Exchange Council, Sourcebook, annual organizational publication, 1995
  19. Jump up↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC State Chairmen, document exposed by the Center for Media and Democracy, July 13, 2011
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