The widely anticipated February Unemployment Report covering the month of January was just released. Let’s dive right in and take a look at the numbers . . .
I. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
August: 9.4%
September: 9.7%
October: 9.8%
November: 10.2%…revised to 10.1%
December: 10%
January: 10%
– February Consensus Expectation: 10.1%
- February Actual: 9.7%
A fluke. A drop in the rate would typically be viewed as a positive, but then why didn’t we see job growth? Today’s report indicates that a lot of people have given up looking for work, thus shrinking the overall labor pool. The U-6 (the underemployment rate) is now 16.5%. Better? Don’t be fooled. I think it is again more an indication that people are exiting the labor force overall.
II. NON-FARM PAYROLL (click here for definition of this term)
July: loss of 463k
August: loss of 304k
September: loss of 154k
October: loss of 139k
November: loss of 111k…revised to a loss of 127k jobs
December: loss of 11k…revised to a gain of 4k
January: loss of 85k
- February Consensus Expectation: 0, that is no job gain or loss
- February Actual: a loss of 20k jobs.
>> Weaker than it appears as a lot of jobs added were temporary workers and Census workers. Revisions from prior two months was a net loss of 5k jobs.
III. AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS
August: .3%
September: .4%
October: .1%
November: .3%
December: .1%
January: .2%
- February Consensus Expectation: .2
- February Actual: .2%
>> As expected.
IV. AVERAGE HOURLY WORKWEEK
July: 33.0 hours
August: 33.1 hours
September: 33.1 hours
October: 33.0 hours
November: 33.0 hours
December: 33.2 hours
January: 33.2 hours
- February Consensus Expectation: 33.2 hours
- February Actual: 33.9 hours
>> This number surprises me. Are we truly seeing the increased demand drive the hours worked this much higher? Overall, this is a positive in the midst of otherwise mixed to negative news.
V. The major piece of news within our employment situation was actually hinted at a few days ago and that is that the Department of Labor revised overall employment for 2009 down by 930k jobs. Were they looking through rose-colored glasses all along? Who knows? This revision is an indication our recession was even deeper than believed or, in my opinion, reported.
The cheerleaders will run out onto the field and smile for the camera, but don’t be fooled. The labor pool has shrunk and that explains the drop in the rate.
Where are the real jobs? Where is the growth? We’re still looking and waiting.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
WND Feminist Tied In Knots Over Tebow AD
Posted: by Jane Chastain February 04, 2010
1:00 am Eastern
Radical feminist groups have been burning up the airwaves and chewing up newsprint in an effort to persuade CBS to reconsider its decision to air a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl featuring football star Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, called "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."
Although no one outside of Focus on the Family, which produced the spot, and CBS has seen the ad, it likely will highlight the story of this Heisman Trophy winner's amazing birth.
By now, most true-blue football fans are somewhat familiar with Tebow, who is as famous for his faith in Christ as he is for his gridiron ability. After Super Bowl Sunday, even the casual fan will know why Tim's mother is one of his heroes.
In 1987, Pam Tebow was serving on the mission field in the Philippines when she became pregnant with Tim, her fifth child. During the pregnancy, she became seriously ill and was given a drug to rouse her from a coma and treat her dysentery that threatened the health of her baby. Doctors recommended an abortion, which she declined.
It's a beautiful story of faith, courage and conviction. It is non-controversial and should be celebrated. So, where's the rub?
The problem for groups like the National Organization for Women, the Women's Media Center and the Feminist Majority (there's an overstatement if ever there was one) Foundation is that, after more than three decades of debating the abortion issue, they still lack the courage of their convictions. They simply will not stand up and say what it is they want pregnant women to do.
What is the extend of societal harm done by the so-called women's movement? Find out in "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex and Feminism"
Yes, Pam Tebow chose life for her baby, knowing all the while that he might be less than a perfect child. She also knew that he might inconvenience her life in some way. However, she knew that what was in her womb was a living, breathing child, not simply a glob of pregnancy tissue (as these so-called pro-choice groups like to put it). Nevertheless, Mrs. Tebow was prepared to welcome that child into the world and love him no matter what. Pam Tebow knew that her Bible, which is the basis for her Christian faith, has a commandment that says, "Thy shall not murder," so she would not permit doctors to take Tim's life and left his fate up to God.
Feminist groups are tying themselves in knots over this ad and the reason couldn't be more obvious. They claim to be "pro-choice," so why not simply celebrate Pam Tebow's choice?
These feminist spokespersons are afraid to attack Tim Tebow or his mother directly. Instead, they attack Focus on the Family, a group that promotes adoption and pregnancy help centers that offer tangible help to women with crises pregnancies.
When backed into a corner, these radical feminists claim they want to make abortions safe, legal and rare. Why can't they simply commend Focus on the Family for doing its part to make abortions rare and simply agree to disagree on their first two objectives? Instead, they are out trying to demonize Focus for being "intolerant."
We are told that the Focus ad does not get into the controversial issue of abortion but, instead, will feature a positive message celebrating life.
Clearly, the only choice these radical feminists want promoted or celebrated is abortion and abortion alone.
Of course, these groups could buy their own ads, but what would be the message?
Scrape out that unwanted glob of pregnancy tissue and be free!
Guarantee yourself a perfect child – abort!
If you are pregnant and not equipped to raise a child, see that no one else does. Kill it!
Then, there is a compelling tag that could run at the end of every commercial, "Choose death!"
Now, I think you can see why these feminist groups are in such a tizzy. They have no real message with which to counter this ad.
That is why they are putting out surrogates to criticize Tim for becoming "political," and suggesting that this might turn off his fans.
Is Tim Tebow being political or simply standing by the moral principles he claims to believe? Does the extreme left now view this as a character flaw in star athletes?
Let's see, which sports star would you like your child to emulate – Tiger Woods or Tim Tebow? One uses women, the other respects them. I know. It's a hard choice, especially for radical feminists.
The more light that shines on Tim Tebow, the sillier these radical feminist groups look. That is why their unspoken message to Tim Tebow and his mother Pam is: "Sit down and shut up!"
1:00 am Eastern
Radical feminist groups have been burning up the airwaves and chewing up newsprint in an effort to persuade CBS to reconsider its decision to air a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl featuring football star Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, called "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."
Although no one outside of Focus on the Family, which produced the spot, and CBS has seen the ad, it likely will highlight the story of this Heisman Trophy winner's amazing birth.
By now, most true-blue football fans are somewhat familiar with Tebow, who is as famous for his faith in Christ as he is for his gridiron ability. After Super Bowl Sunday, even the casual fan will know why Tim's mother is one of his heroes.
In 1987, Pam Tebow was serving on the mission field in the Philippines when she became pregnant with Tim, her fifth child. During the pregnancy, she became seriously ill and was given a drug to rouse her from a coma and treat her dysentery that threatened the health of her baby. Doctors recommended an abortion, which she declined.
It's a beautiful story of faith, courage and conviction. It is non-controversial and should be celebrated. So, where's the rub?
The problem for groups like the National Organization for Women, the Women's Media Center and the Feminist Majority (there's an overstatement if ever there was one) Foundation is that, after more than three decades of debating the abortion issue, they still lack the courage of their convictions. They simply will not stand up and say what it is they want pregnant women to do.
What is the extend of societal harm done by the so-called women's movement? Find out in "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex and Feminism"
Yes, Pam Tebow chose life for her baby, knowing all the while that he might be less than a perfect child. She also knew that he might inconvenience her life in some way. However, she knew that what was in her womb was a living, breathing child, not simply a glob of pregnancy tissue (as these so-called pro-choice groups like to put it). Nevertheless, Mrs. Tebow was prepared to welcome that child into the world and love him no matter what. Pam Tebow knew that her Bible, which is the basis for her Christian faith, has a commandment that says, "Thy shall not murder," so she would not permit doctors to take Tim's life and left his fate up to God.
Feminist groups are tying themselves in knots over this ad and the reason couldn't be more obvious. They claim to be "pro-choice," so why not simply celebrate Pam Tebow's choice?
These feminist spokespersons are afraid to attack Tim Tebow or his mother directly. Instead, they attack Focus on the Family, a group that promotes adoption and pregnancy help centers that offer tangible help to women with crises pregnancies.
When backed into a corner, these radical feminists claim they want to make abortions safe, legal and rare. Why can't they simply commend Focus on the Family for doing its part to make abortions rare and simply agree to disagree on their first two objectives? Instead, they are out trying to demonize Focus for being "intolerant."
We are told that the Focus ad does not get into the controversial issue of abortion but, instead, will feature a positive message celebrating life.
Clearly, the only choice these radical feminists want promoted or celebrated is abortion and abortion alone.
Of course, these groups could buy their own ads, but what would be the message?
Scrape out that unwanted glob of pregnancy tissue and be free!
Guarantee yourself a perfect child – abort!
If you are pregnant and not equipped to raise a child, see that no one else does. Kill it!
Then, there is a compelling tag that could run at the end of every commercial, "Choose death!"
Now, I think you can see why these feminist groups are in such a tizzy. They have no real message with which to counter this ad.
That is why they are putting out surrogates to criticize Tim for becoming "political," and suggesting that this might turn off his fans.
Is Tim Tebow being political or simply standing by the moral principles he claims to believe? Does the extreme left now view this as a character flaw in star athletes?
Let's see, which sports star would you like your child to emulate – Tiger Woods or Tim Tebow? One uses women, the other respects them. I know. It's a hard choice, especially for radical feminists.
The more light that shines on Tim Tebow, the sillier these radical feminist groups look. That is why their unspoken message to Tim Tebow and his mother Pam is: "Sit down and shut up!"
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ELECTION 2010 Obama adviser: Amnesty to ensure 'progressive' rule 'Imagine 8 million new voters who care about our issues?
Granting citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants would expand the "progressive" electorate and help ensure a "progressive" governing coalition for the long term, declared a recent adviser to President Obama whose union group is among the most frequent visitors to the White House.
"We reform the immigration laws, it puts 12 million people on the path to citizenship and eventually voters," stated Eliseo Medina, international executive vice-president of Service Employees International Union, or SEIU.
Medina was speaking at a June 2009 Washington conference for the liberal America's Future Now!
Medina said that during the presidential election in November 2008, Latinos and immigrants "voted overwhelmingly for progressive candidates. Barack Obama got two out of every three voters that showed up."
"Can you imagine if we have, even the same ratio, two out of three? Can you imagine 8 million new voters who care about our issues and will be voting? We will be creating a governing coalition for the long term, not just for an election cycle."
See video of Medina's remarks:
The SEIU is closely linked to the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. SEIU President Andrew Stern was the most frequently logged White House visitor, according to an official list released in October.
Get it now! "Conquest of Aztlan: Will Mexicans retake American Southwest?"
Medina and the SEIU are top supporters of Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez's Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Bill, which seeks to document up to 12 million illegal immigrants inside the United States.
During the most recent presidential campaign, Medina and Gutierrez served on Obama's National Latino Advisory Council. Also on the council was Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., the co-sponsor of Gutierrez's immigration reform bill.
Medina was a chief lobbyist credited with a change in the longstanding policy of the AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S. The union reversed its stance against illegal immigration in February 2000, instead calling for new amnesty for millions of illegals.
The New Zeal blog documents how Medina was honored in 2004 by Chicago's Democratic Socialists of America for his "vital role in the AFL-CIO's reassessment of its immigration policy." That same year, Medina became a DSA honorary chairman.
The DSA also supported Gutierrez's 1998 bid for Congress. In the mid-1990s, Gutierrez served on the board of Illinois Public Action alongside a number of DSA members, including Obama health-care advisor Quentin Young. Finally, Obma will do whatever, it takes to get re-elected and impose his Progressive agenda on this great country. Check Out Eliseo Medina Remarks below in the video.
"We reform the immigration laws, it puts 12 million people on the path to citizenship and eventually voters," stated Eliseo Medina, international executive vice-president of Service Employees International Union, or SEIU.
Medina was speaking at a June 2009 Washington conference for the liberal America's Future Now!
Medina said that during the presidential election in November 2008, Latinos and immigrants "voted overwhelmingly for progressive candidates. Barack Obama got two out of every three voters that showed up."
"Can you imagine if we have, even the same ratio, two out of three? Can you imagine 8 million new voters who care about our issues and will be voting? We will be creating a governing coalition for the long term, not just for an election cycle."
See video of Medina's remarks:
The SEIU is closely linked to the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. SEIU President Andrew Stern was the most frequently logged White House visitor, according to an official list released in October.
Get it now! "Conquest of Aztlan: Will Mexicans retake American Southwest?"
Medina and the SEIU are top supporters of Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez's Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Bill, which seeks to document up to 12 million illegal immigrants inside the United States.
During the most recent presidential campaign, Medina and Gutierrez served on Obama's National Latino Advisory Council. Also on the council was Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., the co-sponsor of Gutierrez's immigration reform bill.
Medina was a chief lobbyist credited with a change in the longstanding policy of the AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S. The union reversed its stance against illegal immigration in February 2000, instead calling for new amnesty for millions of illegals.
The New Zeal blog documents how Medina was honored in 2004 by Chicago's Democratic Socialists of America for his "vital role in the AFL-CIO's reassessment of its immigration policy." That same year, Medina became a DSA honorary chairman.
The DSA also supported Gutierrez's 1998 bid for Congress. In the mid-1990s, Gutierrez served on the board of Illinois Public Action alongside a number of DSA members, including Obama health-care advisor Quentin Young. Finally, Obma will do whatever, it takes to get re-elected and impose his Progressive agenda on this great country. Check Out Eliseo Medina Remarks below in the video.
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