More Manufacturing Jobs Being Imported From China -- I Blame Bush!

A Washington-based brake drum manufacturer is relocating some of its machining work from China to Rockford, echoing a trend that’s becoming more common in North American factories.

The KIC Group is contracting with a new local company, Rockford Automated Machining, to make raw brake drum casings once manufactured in China. Rockford Automated Machining, created by the owners of FAC Consolidated Industries, will employ about 40 people at its 840 Airport Drive location.

John Schneider, vice president of sales for KIC, said multiple factors have eroded the Asian competitive advantage — increased ocean freight charges, the rising price of raw iron ore and the strengthening of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar.

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Business Rockford

Chinese Corporation Solar Cell Assembly Plant In The Works For Rockford

Wanxiang Group, the second-largest privately held Chinese corporation, wants to build a photovoltaic solar panel assembly plant at or near Chicago Rockford International Airport. The proposed 40,000-square-foot facility could be operational next year and employ 60 to start. President and CEO Lu Weiding signed an agreement with Rockford, Winnebago County and airport officials today to work out a development deal for the project. Wanxiang officials said they want to move fast, starting construction as soon as possible.
(...)
Wanxiang Group conducted a nationwide search for the site of its assembly plant, said Janyce Fadden, president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. 

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RRStar

Beat To Heck -- Update

Hey, following tests I had a change in meds and I have been beat to heck.  Hopefully I will be back to regular posting tomorrow.
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Winnebago County Stands Out Front In The Lead To Restore Gun Rights In Illinois -- Popular Revolt By Vote Possible!

Voters in Ogle County may soon join a growing number of Illinoisans who can cast a vote for president this November and, on the same ballot, decide whether their neighbor can pack a pistol.

An Ogle County Board committee approved a request from Winnebago County officials to place an advisory referendum on the November ballot asking Ogle voters whether they want to see concealed carry legislation in Illinois.

The request was one of the 101 unsolicited letters that Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen’s office sent to every county in the state about a week ago, putting Winnebago County on the front lines of a statewide concealed carry debate.
...
Representatives from other Illinois counties, including Effingham and LaSalle counties, also have looked favorably on Winnebago County’s referendum request in recent weeks.

For those not from the area, Winnebago County is the top center county on the map with Ogle directly below it.  Rockford, Illinois' third largest city is in Winnebago County.  To the East is Boone County which is set to take up the issue next month.

Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states without some form of concealed carry and Winnebago County is considering a county law that would allow people to carry if they received a permit from the Sheriff, but a state law would be a far better alternative

For the history of Winnebago County's excellent leadership on the restoration of rights and the releasing the state from the death grip of Chicago see the concealed carry label here.

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RRStar

Welcome, and thanks to Glen Reynolds and Instapundit readers!

Regular Periodic Medical Testing This Week -- Light Posting

'Chef '-- Isaac Hayes has died at 65

Soul singer and arranger Isaac Hayes, who won Grammy awards and an Oscar for the theme from the 1971 action film "Shaft," has died, sheriff's officials in Memphis, Tennessee, say. Relatives found Hayes unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill. Hayes also voiced "Chef" for the animated series "South Park."

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CNN

Bernie Mac Dies At Age 50

CHICAGO —  DEVELOPING STORY:
Bernie Mac's publicist says the actor and comedian has died. He was 50 years old.
Mac was recovering from pneumonia at the time of his death.

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Fox News

McCain Practices The Art Of War -- Obama Arrogance Opens Up Death By A Thousand Cuts

McCain is old!

We know he is old, he has admitted he is old, and he has even joked about it!   The comedians have told us how old he is, even the media has slipped it into their stories as sly comments when they don't outright state it.

McCain embraces his joke line!  It is a smart strategy similar to using the honey pot theory (understanding the Honey Pot Theory), sucking the comedians, media, and his opponent into a known flaw that most Americans don't consider a game ender.

Obama, either out of fear or out of arrogance, has gone out of his way to deny every single perceived error or flaw he may have.  Doing so makes it appear that he really thinks he is a perfect and flawless god.

He lost the ability to pick the laugh line -- how he was defined!  Democratic president candidates always make this same error, either out of fear of appearing less then perfect or, as it looks more and more every year, out of arrogance of actually believing their own press.  They refuse to allow any area open for attack by the Republicans thus opening all areas for attack.  Eventually some of the game changers actually do stick.

The comedians were short on material for jokes (while they had tons of old people jokes for McCain) leaving them struggling for something -- McCain gave it to them, Obama is an arrogant, empty 'celebrity'.

Because Obama is unable to laugh at himself, and because he was unwilling to embrace a benign flaw early, he set himself up for a death by a thousand cuts as everyone struggles for a way of describing him. 

He has appeared arrogant and has demonstrated that he has a glass jaw and in a weakened candidate who can't laugh at himself that often leads to unforced errors.

This has made him vulnerable to a knock out punch.  A punch at a time when he is vulnerable and lacking the ability to laugh it off because by that time doing so would be so out of his carefully crafted character that the general public won't believe a word of it.
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Bejing Olympics Open To Stunning Ceremony

Reuters

Here are some stunningly beautiful photo's.
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Reagan/Carter -- McCain/Obama -- Nuance As A Default Position Is A Losing Position!

"Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory,” McCain said in a statement to reporters shortly after his campaign plane landed in Iowa.

“The consequences of Euro Atlantic stability and security are grave,” he added.

He also called for “a truly independent” international peacekeeping force for South Ossetia, and said the United States should work with the European Union and the OSCE to pressure Russia to halt its military efforts.

McCain has been a sharp critic of the policies of the Russian government headed by Vladimir Putin.

In a statement sent to reporters, Barack Obama called for an end to the violence, but stopped short of assigning blame, or making strong demands on Moscow. “I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict," he said.

"Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected. All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.”

Russia sent troops into the region Friday to defend South Ossetia from Georgian troops battling separatist forces there.

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CNN

Edwards Admits Affair -- Stabs Media And Wife In The Back -- Media Forced To Finally Cover Story!

Former Sen. John Edwards has admitted having an extramarital affair in 2006. In a written statement today, the former Democratic presidential candidate said he "made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs." 

National Enquirer was right and the media covered it up, until they couldn't any longer.   This was really a disgraceful display by the media.
CNN

Update:  Hot Air -- David Shuster: You know who else deserves an apology from Edwards? The media

After all they did to suppress the story for him, it’s really the least he can do. Tip via TV Newser, which neglects to mention the punchline here: Upon pronouncing the media a hapless victim whose blind trust was so cruelly exploited by Edwards’s aides, Shuster then turned around and pulled rank on the one press outfit that actually bothered to do some reporting. This one’s for you, Kaus.

If David Schuster knows politics more then all the people at MSNBC then they are really in trouble!
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Pump Up Your Tires, Save The Planet -- How 'Bout You Try Doing What Americans Want For A Change?

RASMUSSEN: "Americans overwhelmingly believe there is an urgent national need to find new sources of energy, and this need is more important that reducing current energy usage, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. With energy issues taking center stage in the presidential campaign, 81% of Americans see development of new energy sources as an urgent priority. Only 9% disagree. For nearly two-thirds (65%), finding new sources of energy is more important that reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think reducing current usage is more important."

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Instapundit

Russia Invades Breakaway Georgian Region -- Georgia Says It Is At War!

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said today his country is under "continuous Russian bombardments" and that Russian tanks are moving in. He accused Russia of targeting civilian populations as tensions over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia appeared to boil over into full-blown conflict.

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CNN

Was Blair The First Obama Supporter In 1975 Or Are Obama-maniacs Saying 'Suck It'?

(I)f a Los Angeles creative agency gets its way, Sen. Barack Obama will see fans meet him with his own salute like the one above. "Our goal is to see a crowd of 75,000 people at Obama's nomination speech holding their hands above their heads, fingers laced together in support of a new direction for this country, a renewed hope, and acceptance of responsibility for our future," says Rick Husong,

Isn't that is just cult creepy and reminiscent of bad things in history?

That was a nasty gesture when I was in high school -- saying to the person it was aimed at to suck it! (As it is shown it would be as if someone up front were telling someone behind them to suck it).

However, I did find what could be one of the first photo's of Obama's O' sign from way back in 1975!  Former Prime Minister Tony Blair at college! 

Okay, maybe both Blair and Obama are just saying "Suck It," but I believe it is all for Obama man!
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US News
Just One Minute -- Working for the big "O" 

Daily Trek -- August 8, 2008

What'd I miss?

Everything you need to know to stay informed each day in 5 minutes or less!  Read your regular news and include this and you will be able to participate in most any current events discussion.
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Governor Blagojevich says he is considering speed cameras on the interstates to ticket speeders.  The money is to be used to assist crime fighting measures in Chicago.  Interestingly enough just yesterday I saw a photo showing a speed camera ticket of a car being towed for service over the speed limit.  I am fundamentally opposed to traffic cameras of any kind.

A man was arrested for planning to assassinate Barack Obama.  He had also made threats against President Bush but you wouldn't see that in CNN's report.

In Los Angeles there is a proposal to require any big box home-improvement stores to build a heated and cooled shelter, and toilet, for day laborers who often hang looking for work.

"Suddenly being green is not cool any more -- As the credit crunch bites, environmental policies are being ditched. But oddly we are doing better at saving the planet."

A seven year old gets it -- tells Michelle Obama we should finish what we started in Iraq. Barack, there is your hope for America.

OBAMA GETS MORE DONATIONS FROM EXXON THAN MCCAIN.

"You Read it Here First: We Won the War"

 Mathew Sheffield reported today that Liberals are more than 12 times likely to use profanity than conservatives on the Web.

"Islamic Group Warns Muslims to Keep Children Away From Olympics (Video) -- 'Do not stay on the same bus, on the same train, on the same plane, in the same buildings, or any place the Chinese are.;"

 It seems that in the last two weeks John McCain has taken the lead in YouTube hits
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Senate Republicans Getting Into The Act -- Demand Harry Reid Allow A Vote On Energy Plan!

House Republicans have attracted most of the attention the last week in the rebellion that erupted after Nancy Pelosi adjourned the session without taking a vote on drilling.  Their colleagues in the upper chamber want to press the case as well.  Fifteen Republican Senators have a new video demanding that Harry Reid allow debate and a vote on a “balanced energy plan”

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Hot Air -- Video: Senate GOP calls for “balanced energy plan”

House Republicans Continue Protest Fighting For Energy Relief For Americans!

“Republicans will not rest until we have an honest, up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act,” Boehner wrote in the memo written by Republican leaders. “To that end, we request that you contact the Whip’s Office and indicate any time you may have available to come to Capitol in the coming weeks. We specifically request that you indicate your availability for any days during the next two weeks, August 11th through 22nd, as soon as possible.”

Republicans began their protest on Friday, as the House went into its August recess. Through a handful of members, Republicans have been able to continue rounds of speeches on the House floor ever since.

The plan now seems to be to continue taking to the House floor every weekday until at least the start of the Democratic Convention, which kicks off on Aug. 25.

I still don't know if Congressman Manzullo stayed in DC or came home, but he did update his campaignM site with nice links to reports on this strong Republican reaction to a do nothing party that would rather you and I suffer just so they can get elected.

Several Republican members of Congress are asking constituents to send in their gas receipts, which will be presented to the vacationing Democrat leadership see the full report at Michelle Malkin.
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Hot Air -- House Oil Party rockin’ to the Democratic Convention

Move On And The Far Left Really Are Ideologically Suicidal!

A series of new MoveOn.org radio advertisements looks like they could backfire, big-time.

The liberal group is up with ads against six House Republicans attacking them for their support of offshore drilling. Problem is: most of the targets represent energy-rich districts where drilling is viewed favorably, to put it mildly.

One target, Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), represents a west Texas district where the discovery of oil in the 1940s created wealth throughout the region, and the energy industry has since dominated the region’s economy.
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“We wholeheartedly endorse this colossal waste of funds,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. “Not only is MoveOn.org’s anti-drilling position out of step with 70 percent of Americans, but a member like Mike Conaway who represents the Texas oil patch will probably see his approval rating surge upward as a result of these ads."

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Politico -- The Scorecard

Why Are You Running For President Mr. Obama? Well, America Is No Longer What It Once Was...

“America is …, uh, is no longer, uh … what it could be, what it once was. And I say to myself, I don’t want that future for my children.”

Here he is in 2004 discussing his book:

"The Basic Outline of the government we possess and our civic religion as a people is such that potentially at least, we could create a society that is a model for the world, it isn't right now."

I wonder when he was proud of America, remember his wife is finally proud for the first time.  How about pre Civil War?  How about when schools and buses were segregated?

Someone needs to ask this man that question because I have done so to liberals who make this same claim and they cannot point out a time that meets their standards!  I addressed this in 2004 and came to the conclusion on Kerry that:

This man is anti-American and so is his party! Here is the key - they don't think they are anti-American because their idea of America is their utopian dream - not the reality of where America is (and the American people are)! In other words - they are in favor of what they want America to be - but they are definitely against everything America is currently. This is where they have been since the 60's!

This is how they can, with a straight face, demand apologies from anyone who would dare to question their patriotism. It is also why this is such a sensitive issue for them - see deep down they understand that this is really an un-American position.

Because of their hatred for the REAL America they would trust a murdering dictator over a Republican President. They would turn over control of our economy, our security, and our health to an international body that has a history of support for dictators and genocide but rabid hatred for democracies like Israel and America.

They are willing to sacrifice soldiers, civilians, national reputation, and national security in order to bring America down a peg or two because this is the only way they think they can accomplish their return to power. They believe that with that power they can remake the world in their Utopian image. 
...
Where on earth does this come from, this demand for utopia? This failure to accept the reality of where we are today?

I think it can be traced to this a dramatic perversion of this quote from the closest thing to a God the left has:

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?
Robert F. Kennedy

Now, just as Islam has been perverted by terrorists (who demand the destruction of civilization and the murdering of innocents as a means of accomplishing their conversion of the world) I believe this statement by RFK was also twisted from it's original meaning. A meaning that hearkened back to his brother John F. Kennedy where he admonished us:

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
John F. Kennedy

Instead of hunkering down and changing the world for the better the left has decided that there is nothing worth salvaging and that we must abandon all that is good about America and start from scratch. With America in a subservient position their goals will have been accomplished. These goals, according to the Lie-N-Hype'ers, are noble and patriotic!

Hot Air has a copy of Rush Limbaugh's response today:

LIMBAUGH: Alright, now here’s he’s brought it home. He had trashed his country in Germany, he has seen the result of that in his plummeting poll numbers. And now he does it again in Elkhart, IN. A 7 year old little girl. You’re running for President Sen. Obama, a little girl asks you a question, “Why did you start running for President?”

It’s a 7 year old Senator. Ya tell her because you love the country. You tell her because this is the greatest place on Earth. That we’ve got challenges, but you want to help the country through it. You don’t tell a 7 year old that her country isn’t what it once was. You do not lie to 7 year olds and tell them that your country sucks. You just don’t do it Senator.

America’s no longer what it could be? What it once was? How the Hell would you know Sir? Your experience has only been in one part of America. Elite, leftist academia.

Ace responded this way:

Unfortunately for Obama America has a fairly long history of rejecting African America, arrogant and liberal candidates who run down their country. Just ask Jimmy Carter how he enjoyed his second term or Walter Mondale, Michale Dukakis and John Kerry how they liked being President at all.

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Sick Of Him Yet -- The Danger Of 24/7 Media Love Fest, Public Tires Of Obama!

From the Pew Research Center:

While John McCain closed the gap in campaign news coverage last week, equaling the attention garnered by his opponent, Barack Obama remains the far more visible candidate in the eyes of the public. When asked which presidential candidate they have heard the most about in the news over the last week or so, 76% of the public names Barack Obama while just one-in-ten (11%) recalls John McCain.

But the Democratic candidate’s media dominance may not be working in his favor: Nearly half (48%) of the public says they have been hearing “too much” about Obama lately. And by a slight, but statistically significant margin – 22% to 16% – people say that recently they have a less rather than more favorable view of the putative Democratic nominee. Not surprisingly, a very large number of Republicans say they have heard too much about Obama lately. But 51% of independents share this opinion, as do as many as a third of Democrats.

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