Cleveland Sports Forum

You know guys, I grew up fishing on the Ohio River, and always having to throw everything back cause I wouldn't dare eat anything out of it. Sad.

I grew up hunting just about everything that walks or crawls in the hills of southern Ohio, and always had a deep appreciation for the beauty of that area.

And I think you guys can tell you would be hard pressed to find anybody that appreciates the beauty of Montana outdoors more than me.

So I hope you believe me when I say if people were doing anything to harm the environment I would be first in line to fight the bastards.

What bothers me is the junk science. The lies. The doctored "facts".

How can you believe anything they say?

And I do not like the way the government gobbles up humungous chunks of land to "preserve" it.

That is a very sore subject out here in the west. You should google it sometime and look at how much land in Utah, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, etc, has been stolen by the federal government. Hey, I love federal forests, wilderness areas, and national parks. There isn't a liberal in this forum that takes advantage of those areas more than me. But alot of the land grabs are totally bogus.

I just wish scientists would put their ideology aside and give us true facts on the subject. And I wish the government would stick to just protecting the true prestine areas that absolutely need it. I could totally get on board with environmental issues then. But as usual, politicians over-reach. They grab as much as they can when they can, and go to any lengths of deception to get there.

U.S. Firms Move Abroad

By John D. McKinnon | The Wall Street Journal – Tue, Aug 28, 2012 10:42 PM EDT

More big U.S. companies are reincorporating abroad despite a 2004 federal law that sought to curb the practice. One big reason: Taxes.

Companies cite various reasons for moving, including expanding their operations and their geographic reach. But tax bills remain a primary concern. A few cite worries that U.S. taxes will rise in the future, especially if Washington revamps the tax code next year to shrink the federal budget deficit.

"We want to be closer to where our clients are," says David Prosperi, a spokesman for risk manager Aon plc, which relocated to the U.K. in April.

Aon has told analysts it expects to reduce its tax rate, which averaged 28% over the past five years, by five percentage points over time, which could boost profits by about $100 million annually.

Since 2009, at least 10 U.S. public companies have moved their incorporation address abroad or announced plans to do so, including six in the last year or so, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of company filings and statements. That's up from just a handful from 2004 through 2008.

The companies that have moved recently include manufacturer Eaton Corp., oil firms Ensco International Inc. and Rowan Cos., as well as a spinoff of Sara Lee Corp. called D.E. Master Blenders 1753.

Eaton, a 101-year-old Cleveland-based maker of components and electrical equipment, announced in May that it would acquire Cooper Industries PLC, another electrical-equipment maker that had moved to Bermuda in 2002 and then to Ireland in 2009. It plans to maintain factories, offices and other operations in the U.S. while moving its place of incorporation—for now—to the office of an Irish law firm in downtown Dublin.

When Eaton announced the deal, it emphasized the synergies the two companies would generate. It also told analysts that the tax benefits would save the company about $160 million a year, beginning next year.

Eaton's chief executive, Alexander Cutler, has been a vocal critic of the corporate tax code. "We have too high a domestic rate and we have a thoroughly uncompetitive international tax regime," Mr. Cutler said on CNBC in January. "Let's not wait for the next presidential election" to change the rules.

The moves by Ensco and Rowan, which operate offshore oil rigs, show how one company's effort to lower its tax rate can spur other shifts.

In moving from Dallas to the U.K. in 2009, Ensco followed rivals such as Transocean Ltd., Noble Corp. and Weatherford International Ltd. that had relocated outside the U.S. The company said the move would help it achieve "a tax rate comparable to that of some of Ensco's global competitors."

In fact, Ensco's tax rate has declined. In the second quarter, the company said its "effective tax rate" was 10.5%, down from 19% in 2009. The savings: more than $100 million a year.

Around the time of Ensco's move, Rowan executives fielded questions from investors and analysts about their own tax rate. In February, Rowan answered the questions, announcing plans to move to the U.K. from Houston. "We're able to be competitive, with a low effective rate," says Suzanne Spera, the firm's director of investor relations.

Fear of such moves is what prompted Congress to pass the 2004 law, which was backed by Democrats and some Republicans and included exceptions that some firms and advisers have sought to exploit.

In June, the Internal Revenue Service tightened an exception that had allowed companies to move to countries in which they have substantial business activities. It will not prevent moves through a merger, such as Eaton's.

Lawmakers of both parties have said the U.S. corporate tax code needs a rewrite and they are aiming to try next year. One shared source of concern is the top corporate tax rate of 35%—the highest among developed economies. By comparison, Ireland's rate is 12.5%.

The Obama administration has proposed lowering the rate to 28%, while Republican rival Mitt Romney has proposed 25%.

Critics of the tax code also say it puts U.S. companies at a disadvantage because it taxes their profits earned abroad. Most developed countries tax only domestic earnings.

While executives would welcome a lower tax rate and an end to global taxation, some worry their tax bills could rise under other measures that could be included in a tax-overhaul package.

U.S. multinationals often pay far less than 35% because of various breaks, including the option of deferring the payment of U.S. taxes on foreign earnings until they are brought to the U.S. Those companies could pay higher taxes under Obama administration proposals to limit the benefits of deferral. Rowan cited that potential change in announcing its move.

Obama administration officials play down the significance of the recent company moves and say their proposals would encourage companies to stay in the U.S.

In his State of the Union speech in January, President Barack Obama said that "it's time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America."

For companies that leave the U.S., the appeal of lower taxes "is still there, but people now are also getting more concerned about where tax reform is going," says Bret Wells, a University of Houston law professor.

Still, several key lawmakers hope to rewrite the tax code to give companies an extra incentive to stay in the U.S.

Tax reform needs to "put American businesses in the best position to compete in the global economy while adding U.S. jobs." said Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.), the Senate Finance Committee chairman, in a recent statement.

And House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R., Mich.) said in a recent statement that "comprehensive tax reform that lowers rates and transitions the U.S. to a territorial approach that is used by our global competitors is critical to making America a more attractive place to invest and hire."

"We own this country...." ...... "Not the politicians."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ ... video.html


Clint Eastwood, with a question to Our President as to whether or not he sat down with The Russians for advice on spending years in Afghanistan.


Clint might have been a bit long in the tooth to carry the ad lib completely, but his message of new hope and critical change was pure.

Art and politics do not mix. This is true at both ends of the political spectrum.

Poor Clint.

Methinks he stayed too long at the fair.

Sad like Willie Mays' last hurrah.

I think the people beating up on Eastwood are taking him far too seriously. If he had meant for it to be a serious speech it would have. He had one, he threw it away at the last moment and decided to just play it loose by the seat of his pants.

I tend to make it a rule not to take anybody too seriously that is talking to an empty chair and cracking jokes.

He made two serious points though. Obviously the first being, we the people are the bosses, and when someone isn't doing the job we need to replace them.

And lastly, a little more obscure, Obama, as a leader, IS an empty chair.

Whatever you thought about the message, you had to feel sorry for the messenger.

Not really, Seagull. Just an 82 year old actor giving a silly improv ruitine. I wouldn't expect a liberal to find it funny but really think it's silly all the bashing the old fella has taken today.

I commend Clint for still being able to improv and speak off the cuff to tens of millions of people at age 82. And actually have a few funny lines doing it. I probably won't live to 82, but if I do I just hope to be able to find the restroom before I fill my pants and have a conversation with a nurse whose name I actually remember and say things she will actually know what I'm talking about...

At least he gave his lines without vile and hatred, which you can't say for alot of the so called jokes coming from actors and comedians on the left the last several years.

Did you find it sad when Sarah Palin was called a (@nt? Or when her teanage daughter a slut? Or when they crack jokes about her down syndrom baby?

I mean really, is it fair to remain silent when absolute garbage like that is going on then turn around and pick on an 82 year old who can't deliver a line as quickly as Tina Fey can?

There is going to be alot of bad jokes going on the next couple months. There will be alot of vile, disgusting, hateful, despicable things said under the vail of comedy. And I will guarantee you almost all of it will come from the left. I hope you find that sad too.

Again, I know it wasn't the most exciting act ever on television. But it was a totally unscripted off the cuff piece of performance art by an 82 actor. And while it took a while to get there, he actually did make a couple good points.

No way you will ever see something unscripted at an Obama event. Those guys are extremely careful... Their mantra was "No drama Obama" during the last campaign.

Here is an example of something sad said in recent days ...

.


Yahoo! News fired its chief political correspondent on Wednesday for an off the cuff remark about Republicans partying "with black people drowning".

David Chalian, the Yahoo! News Washington Bureau Chief, made the comment privately during a webcast of the Republican National convention on Monday in partnership with ABC News, but it was picked up by a live microphone.

With Hurricane Isaac approaching New Orleans as the convention got underway, Chalian was heard saying to an unidentified guest, "Feel free to say, ‘They're not concerned at all. They are happy to have a party with black people drowning'".

I tell ya', I thought the convention was a huge success for the GOP. You go right down the line each day and there was impressive speeches during the entire event.

I thought Chris Christie gave a great speech on where the GOP should head in the future.

I thought Condoleezza Rice was very impressive in her comments on foreign policy and education.

Marco Rubio is a force to be reckoned with in the future. That dude has "it".

Jeb Bush gave some thought provoking comments on education, and totally called Obama out to the playground for picking on his brother.

I'm a big Rand Paul guy so glad he was allowed some time, even though his dad wasn't.

Paul Ryan was great. Romney is never great but even he wasn't as dry and he normally is. And his wife, with no experience, did a darn good job.

The GOP lost it's way for a while under W. Ran up a 4 trillion dollar debt. (Obama called Bush "unpatriotic" for running up a 4 trill debt in 8 years, yet he has run it up 5 trill in 3 & a half years) But I have hope that at least one party might have found a clue and can get this country back on the right track. They have some good young people on the horizon.

I agree, HB. I am not sure why Clint is taking so much heat.

Media is so biased.

Most people identify Eastwood with his characters, Dirty Harry, Josey Wales..etc. Tough guys that don't take any crap. I love his movies.

Then they run out a frail 82 year old guy that mumbles and stumbles and has trouble staying on topic. "That's not the Clint Eastwood I know" I said to myself.

That's why I felt sad.

I remember Willy Mays stumbling and bumbling before he retired. Sad ending for one that once lit up the baseball field.

Hmm, well, I can see your point in that regard, Seagull. I'm sorry I read you wrong. Clint has taken alot of crap in the media today so I jumped to the wrong conclusion with where you were going.

Again, my apologies.

I have two pieces of art on my wall featuring Eastwood. A pencil drawn picture of Eastwood as Josey Wales, and a painting of "the man with no name" from the spaghetti western trio. I also have a small picture of him as William Muny from Unforgiven framed and on a bookshelf. I'm a big fan too, so I guess in that regard I can feel your pain.

Unfortunately we all get old. Although I heard a rumor that in this campaign Obama is going to promise that after healing the planet and lowering the ocean he is going to heal alzheimers in his spare time between golf outings. So we have "Hope".

Rusty:

Liberals think they should have the market on women, minorities, and stars. If a woman, black person, or singer/actor gets out of step and comes out of the closet as a conservative they always get beaten down. Sarah Palin gets called the most vile names, the National Organization of Women sits silent. Herman Cain gets called Uncle Tom, Jesse Jackson sits at home silent.

Eastwood would never work in Hollywood again, but he makes his own movies now so he cares less what the Hollywood big wigs think. But liberals will make him their punchline. He's now the crazy drunk uncle. His next movie will still be great.

Let me see if this works ...