MacIver News Service | July 21, 2010 [Madison, Wisc...] State health officials Wednesday released a long-range health vision that proposes increased taxes on alcohol, placing community health centers in middle schools, restricting the sale of alcohol at public events and would begin public schooling for children as young as three years old.
According to the Department of Health Services, the Healthiest Wisconsin 2020: Everyone Living Better, Longer sets out several major health improvement targets, including smoking prevention, lowering obesity rates, ensuring access to good nutrition and increasing exercise levels. The plan also emphasizes the need to improve systems that support health, such as research, health literacy, sustainable funding, partnerships and information systems.
“Everyone — public health departments, educators, health care providers, advocacy groups, employers, community coalitions and residents — can use this plan to make progress on at least one of these important goals,” said State Health Officer Seth Foldy.
The objectives also hit on some hot-button issues that may make the plan politically unpalatable. A push for universal pre-kindergarten, for example, would stretch currently strained public education budgets even further. Elsewhere in the plan the Department of Health Services states it’s intent to “promote policies that assure societal norms regarding healthy sexual expression.”
The document also includes several obscure policy goals, including one proposal to “Allocate funding to establish the use of electronic methods of payment at farmers markets.”
Critics assailed the plan as an attempt to grow government and increase taxes.
“It is ironic that the day after the Supreme Court ruled the Doyle administration’s raid of the patient compensation fund was unconstitutional that the Democrats announce they won’t address that issue and instead will tie the next Governor’s hands and force him to deal with it; meanwhile they unveil this expansive new plan to increase the cost, scope and size of government,” said State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette). “It is hypocrisy at its worst.”
Wisconsin Statute Section 250.07 (1)(a) requires the Department to produce a public health agenda for the people of
“The vision, goals, and mission of this plan are anchored in a set of core values that form the moral and aspirational compass for the plan,’ writes Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake at the beginning of the proposal. “These include using science and evidence to solve problems, set policy, and take action; striving for fairness and justice; relying on leadership at all levels; and seeking to prevent rather than treat disease, injury, and disability.”
According to the Department, more than 1,500 people statewide participated in the development of the plan, and implementation is scheduled to begin this fall. The objectives outlined in the vast document will be integrated into the work of foundations, universities, state and local government agencies, private industries and healthcare organizations.
Healthiest Wisconsin, Everyone Living Better, Longer
Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 Focus Area Profiles
This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The green philosophy: You're fat and you have everyone else to blame
Most of us in cheese curd/custard/brat land could lose some weight. I know I could.
I am not in denial. That treasure chest of excuses could be opened rather easily. Not enough exercise. Eating the wrong things at the wrong time. Can’t be too bad because TV adds 15 pounds.
Excuses. That’s what they are. People who are overweight are overweight because they allowed themselves by their own choices and behavior to become overweight.
Now, if I was a flaming, tree-hugging hyper enviro, I could cleanse myself on any personal responsibility because, silly, a fat person isn’t to blame for being fat.
I know this because the green web site, Treehugger.com says so. Treehugger bills itself as “the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. Partial to a modern aesthetic, we strive to be a one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information.”
You can just see the beads and sandals, can't you?
If you’re fat, it’s not because you’ve been planting your sorry posterior in front of the TV and computer too much. It’s not because you sleep with bags of Doritos. It’s not because your favorite dessert is prime rib.
Lo and behold, Treehugger.com says don’t stress, El Gordo. You can’t help it, Tubbo. Here are the evil forces responsible for you floating over stadiums:
Cul de Sacs
McMansions
Gender Bender chemicals
The government
Cheap gas
Cars
There’s a McDonald’s near you, I bet
Suburbs
Architecture
Your zip code
Missing in this nutso litany…..
YOU, YOU LARD BUTT. YOU MAKE YOURSELF FAT!
How do you spell, 'Democrats'?
Meredith Jessup at Townhall.com points to a fundraising letter written by the gaffemeister, Mr. Custard, Joe Biden.
Biden pulls out all the stops, demonstrating how frantic the Democrats are about their own prospects this November.
Take a look.
The honeymoon is over
E-mails. I get e-mails. Tons of stuff. Some good. Most, not so good.
Some you just have to pass along, like this one:
You know the honeymoon is over when the comedians go to
work.
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree . . and think 25 to life would be appropriate. -Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's' new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it. -Conan O'Brien
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser. -Jay Leno
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers and threats to society. The other is for housing prisoners. -David Letterman
Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A:
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers. -Jimmy Kimmel
Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road. -David Letterman
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN
In honor of
We begin with #’s 8, 9, and 10.
10)
At one time, our tiny town was the fastest growing area in southeast
We have well-intentioned leaders at City Hall. They are to be commended for ebbing public servants. If only they’d read the papers and watch the news more often. We are in a recession. Time to stop taxing and spending was a long time ago.
We have great businesses, just not enough. We need more. Could we pull back on the obnoxious rules and regulations?
We have good restaurants, just not enough of them. We need more. One of two great ones would be nice.
Ditto for retail stores.
Schools? We’re not MPS by any means. But our schools could use improvement, especially in student achievement. The management of our system, especially our School Board, needs something close to a miracle to provide any sort of leadership.
There is no reason for a Franklin school tax increase this year
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting the
How should the Jesse James Gang, officially known as the Franklin School Board react? If they had any semblance of fiscal responsibility, they would vote for a school levy property tax increase of 0% or downright close.
But they won’t.
It’s not in their nature.
They will whine and cry that the increase isn’t big enough.
It never is, fellow taxpayers.
Culinary no-no #173
This week’s Culinary no-no is short, sweet, right to the point.
Grills will be fired up in earnest this holiday weekend. Make sure you celebrate the good ol’ fashioned American way.
Did you see last week’s
SACRILEGE!
Delish.com gets it right.
So does the Food Network's Bobby Flay.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN: PARTS 5, 6 and 7
This is a special series featuring, in my view, the Top Ten of what’s best about
7)
Not only politically.
We’re not exactly a rock ‘n’ rollin’, rootin’ tootin’ town, and that’s ok.
6)
Is it the right mix? Depends who you ask.
Some say we’re not enough Flintstones anymore. Some say we’re not enough Jetsons.
There’s enough of each, I believe to satisfy.
5) CITY HALL HAS WONDERFUL
Deserving special recognition: City Clerk Sandi Wesolowski. We’re glad to have her back from the State Elections Board (now the Government Accountability Board).
Also, City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski. I’ve heard city insiders say he’s the best municipal attorney in the state. That one is hard to argue with.
WATCH FOR PARTS 2, 3 AND 4 SATURDAY.
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT
1)
2)
3)
Goodnight everyone, and have a great American weekend!
It's Friday night. Time to unwind with our regular Friday night feature on This Just In.
The weekend has finally arrived.
The sun has set.
The evening sky has erupted.
Let's put controversy and provocative blogs aside for the rest of this work week and smooth our way into Saturday and Sunday.
Tonight, thrilling music to make you proud to be an American.
We need an open.
But not just any open.
It must be…..
A rousing…..
Rock’em….
Sock ‘em…
Knock your socks off open.
I’m pretty sure we’ve got one.
The Best: Only in America
Enjoy this list of the Best of America’s oddities as chosen by readers of Reader’s Digest.
MORE.
The Barking Lot (07/03/10)
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Sunny. High of 83. "A"
SUNDAY: Isolated thunderstorms. High of 85. "B"
Jennifer has the week off.
Here's a timely offering from the American Kennel Club: a tribute to the dogs of our Founding Fathers.
And one of our most popular installments of The Barking Lot is our entry from July 4, 2009 that still gets lots of interest each and every week Enjoy this oldie but goodie:
This week, we salute the All-American dog.
Earlier this year, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, the American Kennel Club announced the ten most popular dogs in the
Week-ends (07/03/10)
A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...
HEROES OF THE WEEK
Nicholas Prokos
Danny Stacey
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa
Glenn Manton
Chester Reed
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
California DOT
Patrick Fousek and Samantha Tomasini
Former Milwaukee County Supervisor Jim McGuigan
El Reno, Oklahoma police
Dan Harkins
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Every economist who's looked at it has said the (stimulus) did its job. It put a brake on the collapse of the economy. It avoided another Great Depression, and now it's growing again. It's hard to argue sometimes that things would have been a lot worse. People say unemployment is still at 9.6 percent but it's not at 12 or 13 or 15. The stock market didn't fully recover, but it's recovered more than people expected last year. That's part of the challenge in delivering (the message of) all the Recovery Act accomplished. Things are still tough, they're just not as bad as they could have been."
President Obama during a visit this week to
"We all know that government doesn't create jobs, private businesses do," McReynolds said. "We operate here in
VP Joe Biden, who, incidentally, was not condemned by the hateful Left for his Nazi comparison.
“There are a lot of people who wrote these eulogies for Senator Byrd, and the newspapers, and I read a bunch of them. And they mentioned that he once had a fleeting association with the Ku Klux Klan. And what does that mean?
I'll tell what you it means. He was a country boy from the hills and hollers of
There are no perfect people. There are certainly no perfect politicians.”
Bill Clinton in a bizarre explanation of the late Senator Robert Byrd’s membership in the KKK.
“White folk done took this country. You're in their home, and they're gonna let you know it....You are not now, nor have you ever been, nor will you ever be a brother to white folk and if you do not realize that, you are in serious trouble.”
Jeremiah Wright
“For someone who asked to be held to the highest standard, President Obama spends an awful lot of time making excuses and whining about others. The American people want leadership from the White House, not childish partisanship.”
House Republican Leader John Boehner
“Here's the thing. If the polls said that 70% of illegals are gonna vote Republican, the Democrats would have already built a high speed railroad train all the way down to Peru to get them outta here, they'd have been long gone years ago. There's no question. So you want to call 'em illegal Democrats just to make the point.”
Rush Limbaugh
“Consider this a textbook case of cause and effect.
The cause: Conservative
The effect: Said same illegal aliens immediately pack their bags and move next door to liberal
Surely, the good people of
From the blog, I Hate the Media
“Considering his accuser claims to have DNA evidence, it looks like (Al Gore’s) fate is in the hands of his old friend: science!”
Blogger Jim Treacher
"I stopped off (on the way) here to get a kringle. Maybe on the way back I'll look for a brat, but don't tell Michelle."
President Obama in
Obama not completely honest about clean up efforts in the Gulf.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
I'm sorry, but "Eclipse" is not "Gone With The Wind."
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Going once, going twice, SOLD!
The bride wore camouflage......so did he.
Tasties!
REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN: PARTS 2, 3 and 4
This is a special series featuring, in my view, the Top Ten of what’s best about
4) BEAUTY
We have no striking landmarks or breathtaking natural wonders. However,
3) OUTSTANDING POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Time and again we hear reports of their excellent work. And some city officials actually thought about cutting their budgets last year?
We owe these departments our support and gratitude.
2) PEACEFUL
We’re not crime-free, but you get a strong sense of security and safety living here. That is due, in large part, to the work of our fine police chief and officers.
I wouldn’t advise it, but there are plenty of places in the 53132 zip code where you could leave your doors unlocked. OK, Chief Oliva, stop cringing. But you get my point.
WATCH FOR #1 SUNDAY.
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT
1)
2) WE’RE PRETTY SAFE
3) TOP NOTCH POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS
Happy 4th of July 2010!
I hope you enjoy these wonderful patriotic clips.
We begin with this recitation from a great American.
And finally, no one sang it like Kate Smith. She often appeared to sing before Philadelphia Flyers games at the old Philadelphia Spectrum. The NHL team considered Smith their good luck charm.
Happy Birthday America!
Recommended Reading (07/04/10)
Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).
President Barack Magoo’s ‘The Economy is headed in the right direction’
“Fresh from his over-hyped pratfall from the Oval Office that left Americans not only wondering if the president actually cared about the Gulf oil spill more than cap-and-tax but also worried that even his teleprompter skills were failing him, President Obama rushed to Racine Wisconsin Wednesday to deliver what must have been the test drive for his stump speech between now and November.
It crashed, and with it, hopes of Americans for some common sense on the faltering economy and of Democrats for a theme on which to build or even a paragraph of talking points for the fall's contests.
‘The economy is headed in the right direction,’ the president told his gathering of usual suspects in a city where unemployment hovers at 14%.
No, really, he said that.”
Obama concedes loss of US House
“Obama is sinking in the polls. The White House can do the Bloody Mary ‘Happy Talk’ song from ‘South Pacific.’ But, the reality is 15 million people are looking for work and there is nothing the Administration has proposed which is dealing with that.”
Running on Empty
“The Obama presidency is nearly out of gas. So are the Democratic majorities in the Senate and House. Yet the White House and congressional Democrats aren’t surrendering. They’re still intoxicated with their ‘historic majorities’ and bent on enacting more landmark liberal legislation this year, including cap and trade, a value-added tax (VAT), and who knows what else.
Are they fantasizing? Not entirely. The odds—and the political climate—are against them. But their ideological ambitions are undiminished and they have a sense of urgency. They know their majorities will be crippled (if not eliminated) in the midterm elections on November 2, which means they must enact the remaining parts of the agenda in 2010 or put them back in the cupboard of liberal dreams, maybe for decades. So it’s now or never.”
Obama’s Oil Spill To-Do List
“Here are the first ten actions President Obama can take immediately to help solve the crisis in the Gulf.”
Get ready for the tanning tax
“The tanning industry is just the latest victim of government paternalism, putting it in the same category as cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, sodas, trans fats, junk food and other targets of so-called ‘sin taxes.’
Desperate for revenue and lacking the guts to curtail big special-interest tax breaks such as the employer-provided health insurance exclusion or the mortgage interest deduction, congressional leaders and the president have singled out a politically vulnerable target. Kind of like a pride of lions singling out the weakest wildebeest.”
Team USA Loses, Lets MSM, Barack Hussein Obama, Entire World Down
“We’ve blown it once again, another great opportunity to win the biggest sporting event on the planet and
I thought this was our year. The world was supposed to love us. We were told that during the 2008 Presidential election that all we had to do was put Barack Hussein Obama in office, and the world would love us. Instead, what do we get? We get horrible calls where goals are being taken away from us by World Cup officials who are either blind, or they haven’t heard that Obama is now our President.”
AND SOME OLDIES BUT GOODIES...
This July 4th, remember the founders
“Certainly the United States would not be here without the Founders, the greatest generation in American history, but perhaps a better way of answering the questions is by simply considering whether the United States is the federal republic of the Founders’ design or has it been “remade” as Barack Obama continues to suggest.”
4th of July dialogue
“A 4th of July conversation between Dude - a teenager - and his Uncle Sam...
"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July.....
...but the Democrats believe every day is April 15."
Ronald Reagan.
My Most Popular Blogs (07/04/10)
As I post every Sunday, here are the five most read blog entries of mine from the previous week. NOTE: some entries may have been posted prior to the past week.
1) Photos of the Week (06/27/10)
2) TIE
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN
3) Who are the best players in the NFL?
4) Excuse me, but what about Burger King....
5) The Barking
Photos of the Week (07/04/10)
People wait on line along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Racine, Wis., to get tickets for President Obama's Wednesday town hall-style meeting Tuesday June 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Journal Times, Gregory Shaver)
People line the streets along President Obama's motorcade route, including one who asked the president to stop in and donate plasma. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo: Kristyna Wentz-Graff
A man shares his displeasure, showing thumbs down as President Obama's motorcade rolls into Racine. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo: Kristyna Wentz-Graff
The Year of My Mother: The charming July 4th police officer
"THE YEAR OF MY MOTHER" IS A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF BLOGS DEDICATED TO MY DEAR, SWEET MOM WHO DIED IN EARLY JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I PLAN TO DEVOTE SPECIAL BLOGS THROUGHOUT 2010 TO MY MOM WITH SPECIAL REFLECTIONS AND MEMORIES THAT I HOPE WILL INSPIRE READERS AND CAPTURE THE TRUE SPIRIT AND CHARACTER THAT WAS THE GREATEST WOMAN I HAVE EVER KNOWN.
It was an annual Independence Day ritual. All the neighborhood kids ranging in age from 7-10 would gather that night on our street corner where we could easily see the
One particular July 4 evening, while waiting for the pyrotechnic extravaganza, we were playing with---GASP ---lit sparklers.
Yeh, yeh, I know. Those suckers can get to a temperature of 100-thousand degrees and you can lose an arm and a leg and never have kids. Funny thing. No one I know back then ever got hurt the least bit.
We’d wave those babies in our hands around and around, and when they’d go out, somehow we’d mange to light another one without having to call for an ambulance. I think we had one of those long sticks that we used to call mosquito chasers stuck into the ground and we used it to light our sparklers.
My mother was in the vicinity and being the cool mom, she was letting us enjoy ourselves.
And then it happened. I’m not exactly sure who but I think it was dumb Susie from next door, tossed a sparkler high into the night air. When it landed, the sparkler was in the road, just as a squad car was turning the corner.
The vehicle stopped, and an officer got out.
Now in those days, young-ins respected the police, out of fear.
Oh-oh.
For a split second, I expected the obligatory lecture about being crazy and foolish, that sparklers were dangerous and could get up to 100-thousand degrees, and we could poke somebody’s eye out.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN: #1
In honor of
10)
At one time, our tiny town was the fastest growing area in southeast
We have well-intentioned leaders at City Hall. They are to be commended for being public servants. If only they’d read the papers and watch the news more often. We are in a recession. Time to stop taxing and spending was a long time ago.
We have great businesses, just not enough. We need more. Could we pull back on the obnoxious rules and regulations?
We have good restaurants, again, just not enough. We need more. One or two great ones would be nice.
Ditto for retail stores.
Schools? We’re not MPS by any means. But our schools could use improvement, especially in student achievement. The management of our system, especially our School Board needs something close to a miracle to provide any sort of leadership.
Franklin
9) COMMUNITY SUPPORT
This past March, I was the timer for the Franklin-Hamilton boys basketball WIAA playoff game at
They were there en masse with their
Multiply that by high school football, girls and boys basketball, soccer, etc., and throw in Little League.
8)
Oh, we have our moments. But despite what some irresponsible bloggers who love to dwell in rumor, innuendo and speculation (anything but facts) love to write,
Our biggest blemishes that actually got the attention of a sleepy public the last few years:
Boomgaard. This is the best your PR group could come up with?
Mayor Taylor, a political figure, and his staff that work for a politician may have engaged in political work in a political building popularly known as City Hall.
Things generally are pretty ho-hum around here, so quiet that some reckless writers have to invent controversy in a feeble attempt to make themselves relevant.
The
7)
Not only politically.
We’re not exactly a rock ‘n’ rollin’, rootin’ tootin’ town, and that’s ok.
6)
Is it the right mix? Depends who you ask.
Some say we’re not enough Flintstones anymore. Some say we’re not enough Jetsons.
There’s enough of each, I believe, to satisfy.
5) CITY HALL HAS WONDERFUL
Deserving special recognition: City Clerk Sandi Wesolowski. We’re glad to have her back from the State Elections Board (now the Government Accountability Board).
Also, City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski. I’ve heard city insiders say he’s the best municipal attorney in the state. That one is hard to argue with.
One more reason to oppose the smoking ban
By now, most are aware that today is the start of
Let’s be clear. I don’t smoke. Never have. I don’t particularly like the smell of smoke. Don’t like it seeping into my nice clothes. Though legal, smoking, in my view, is unhealthy and downright stupid. Even so, I don’t support the smoking ban for many reasons I’ve outlined in previous blogs.
Here’s another. I’ve read the law and am fully aware of its specifics. Smoking is now off limits in many areas including veteran’s homes in
Think about it. A soldier that had an arm or leg or more blown off while fighting for our country, now sitting in a wheelchair or lying in a bed in a veteran’s home is no longer allowed the simple pleasure of lighting a cigarette.
Meanwhile, Potawatomi and other casinos that helped bankroll Governor Doyle’s campaigns to the tune of millions were conveniently left exempt. Despite the fact casinos rest on tribal grounds, the Governor’s office has historically negotiated provisions of gaming compacts. I’m pretty sure the Doyle administration never intended to even suggest smoking be restricted at the casinos he owed mighty big favors.
One of the arguments made by proponents of the ban was that individuals shouldn’t have to work in unhealthy environments. Apparently the health of casino employees isn’t nearly as important as workers in other occupations and settings.
But the veteran’s home inclusion is upsetting. Telling a disabled veteran he/she can’t smoke a cigarette is even more disgusting than the smoke the ban supporters hate so much.
Heartwarming video
Watch a hearing impaired baby's reaction to a cochlear implant being activated.
HT: Viral Footage
Great story.
Amber Alert interruptions
Great news as three missing
Before the children were found,
Having worked in the broadcast business in some form or fashion all my adult professional career, I’ll bet local TV stations and Time Warner had their share of busybody complaint calls from folks upset their favorite soap operas or Jerry Springer low life-a-thons were broken into, over and over again.
Shame on them.
These announcements were necessary. Lives were at stake.
The Amber Alert System is an example of one of the best collaborations between government and the private sector.
Thank goodness the children have been found and are safe.
50 Random Facts That Make You Wonder What In The World Has Happened To America
From the blog, The Economic Collapse:
“Do you ever just sit back and wonder what in the world has happened to
Here is the list I talked about today on Newstalk 1130 WISN:
Air conditioning: A liberal nightmare
Why is it liberals aren’t happy unless they’re unhappy, taking all our comforts away? Remember, this comes as a stifling heat wave is gripping many parts of the nation.
Stan Cox has written what I’m sure is a riveting, captivating book:
In a book review for the lefty web site, Salon.com, Ryan Brown writes:
“In the last half century, air conditioning has joined fireworks, swimming pools and charred hamburgers as a ubiquitous ingredient of an American summer. It’s no exaggeration to say it has changed the way this country functions, shaping everything from where we’re willing to live (Las Vegas, anyone?) to the amount of sex we have (more: It’s never too hot to get it on when the A.C. is blasting). Nine out of 10 new homes in this country are built with central air conditioning, and Americans now use as much electricity to power our A.C. as the entire continent of Africa uses for, well, everything. It has so thoroughly scrambled our way of life that when the National Academy of Engineering chose its 20 greatest engineering accomplishments of the last century, A.C. not only made the list, it clocked in ahead of spacecraft, highways and even the Internet.
But as science writer Stan Cox argues in his new book, the dizzying rise of air conditioning comes at a steep personal and societal price. We stay inside longer, exercise less, and get sick more often — and the electricity used to power all that A.C. is helping push the fast-forward button on global warming. The invention has also changed American politics: Love it or hate it, refrigerated cooling has been a major boon to the Republican Party. The advent of A.C. helped launch the massive Southern and Western population growth that’s transformed our electoral map in the last half century. Cox navigates all of these scientific and social angles with relative ease, providing a clear explanation of how A.C. made the leap from luxury to necessity in the
That no good A.C.! Why should we live and work in comfort! And who knew A.C. was such an integral part of the immense success the GOP enjoys!
Maybe Stan Cox, Ryan Brown and their disciples should step to the plate and be the first to live outside, eat outside, sleep outside, work outside when the thermometer is hitting 100 before I even give this foolishness a second thought.
The Franklin School Board sticks it to taxpayers once again
The Franklin School Board doesn’t get it and doesn’t care.
Despite a recession and high unemployment, the Franklin School Board supports a big fat tax increase.
There is no reason for a Franklin school tax increase this year
Preliminary tax hike of 3.9% approved by Franklin School Board
The Year of My Mother: Don't worry about me, just get the groom to the church!
"THE YEAR OF MY MOTHER" IS A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF BLOGS DEDICATED TO MY DEAR, SWEET MOM WHO DIED IN EARLY JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I PLAN TO DEVOTE SPECIAL BLOGS THROUGHOUT 2010 TO MY MOM WITH SPECIAL REFLECTIONS AND MEMORIES THAT I HOPE WILL INSPIRE READERS AND CAPTURE THE TRUE SPIRIT AND CHARACTER THAT WAS THE GREATEST WOMAN I HAVE EVER KNOWN.
Mom and Dad got married on this day. Forgive me, I don’t recall the year, but it’s over 60 years ago.
One of the wedding pictures shows Mom in her wedding dress looking in a mirror. The photo was taken from behind the bride so you see her smiling reflection in the mirror as she playfully adjusts her veil. Unbeknownst to Mom, when Jennifer and I got married, Jennifer asked our photographer to shoot a similar picture of her. Both photos were then placed side by side as one, a gift for our mother. That picture now sits in our bedroom.
The wedding, seriously, almost didn’t happen. It was almost like something out of a Dick Van Dyke episode.
Dad spent the night before the wedding at his brother’s house, my Uncle Claude. The previous evening was not a wild one, but dad overslept anyway. If it weren’t for my Aunt Rose who furiously woke him up, the standard joke for years and years was that Dad would have missed the most important day of his life. (Think about that, folks. Where would I be?)
For the longest time, Dad jokingly blamed Rose Fischer (a saint of a woman, BTW) for his lot in life.
When Dad used to watch My Fair Lady, he wasn’t laughing.
But Mom sure was.
UPDATE: WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN
From my recent ranking of WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT FRANKLIN, here was #2:
2) PEACEFUL
We’re not crime-free, but you get a strong sense of security and safety living here. That is due, in large part, to the work of our fine police chief and officers.
I wouldn’t advise it, but there are plenty of places in the 53132 zip code where you could leave your doors unlocked. OK, Chief Oliva, stop cringing. But you get my point.
More proof comes in state data on violent crime released today.
Number of Violent Offenses and Percent Change in
VIOLENT CRIMES
2008: 44
2009: 38
Percent change: -14
MURDER
2008: 0
2009: 0
Percent change: 0
RAPE
2008: 5
2009: 8
Percent change: +60
ROBBERY
2008: 5
2009: 3
Percent change: -40
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
2008: 34
2009: 27
Percent change: -21
MUST SEE VIDEO: "The larger the national debt, the wealthier we are"
Watch a pompous, arrogant, condescending, rude Democrat, Congressman Pete Stark (CA) lose his cool during an interview in which he proclaims, “The larger the national debt, the wealthier we are.”
No wonder the economy is in the toilet.
Pay close attention to the interview. Sounds like the Congressman is racist.
Let's give credit to some Democrats......no, really!
First, this prelude.
The news media, especially those in print, report as though the only time the Legislature is in action, it’s akin to a pro wrestling cage match.
I can assure you that legislators from both parties and their staff members actually like each other, respect each other, and play nice together most of the time. But that certainly wouldn’t sell any papers when your circulation has dropped lower than the Equator
I chuckle at the dozens of bloggers (liberal, conservative and a few who claim they are conservative but really aren’t) who actually think they have a clue about Madison politics despite the fact they never venture out of their own SE WI zip code.
Driving to Madison today, I heard state Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) spilling his guts to WTMJ Radio that probably made Governor (choo-choo) Doyle and every light rail-loving liberal go into orbit.
Plale wants $200,000,000 or more of that $800,000,000 in federal stimulus for a choo-choo train between
Incidentally, I blogged about this issue on June 16, 2010 after it was reported in the Daily Reporter, a full three weeks before the snoozing Milwaukee Journal Sentinel caught on.
Joining Plale is state Representative Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee)
Now, I’ve known both Plale and Sinicki for years and years and years, Sinicki more than Plale. That dates back to my public radio years (Sorry, Christine).
The press would have you believe that Plale, Sinicki, and I would never be caught dead enjoying each other’s company in the same room or phone booth.
Listen up!
Plale and Sinicki are right.
Why should we spend over $800,000 on a dubious project years down the road that few will ride rather than fix a lifeline that is vital to our local economy?
By the way, I work in politics. I get that both Plale and Sinicki are up for election. Hello, idiots in the mainstream media and blogosphere. I’ve also known them both and we have called ourselves friends for years. I believe Plale and Sinicki truly mean what they say. And they’re right.
Fix the damn
BTW: This blog has nothing to do with the fact that on the day before Ash Wednesday, Senator Plale invites me into his office for paczkis and Polish sausage.
If that's the case, DC, you can take your stimulus $$$ back
I praised Democrats, state Senator Jeff Plale and state Representative Christine Sinicki for their stance that some stimulus money earmarked for exorbitantly foolish high speed rail between Milwaukee and someplace in Madison (Jim Doyle can't make up his mind and has already incompetently suggested three possible stops in Dane County) be used to fix the crumbling Hoan Bridge.
I am stunned that my lefty friends in the blogosphere have not raced to their terminals to extol me abundantly.
Plale and Sinicki correctly argue money is needed on the already existing
Another Democrat has weighed in, this time through a mouthpiece. From the Daily Reporter:
“David Frey, spokesman for Congresswoman Gwen Moore, D-Wis., said the high-speed rail money cannot be shifted.
No pro sports story is this important
Print reporters and columnists think they are really, really, really smart.
I know because I have worked with them for over 32 years.
The fact is they’re no more intelligent than anybody else. What’s more, they’re incredibly bad dressers and tippers. Comes with being so liberal.
Exhibit A: Cleveland Plain Dealer sports writer columnist Brian Windhorst. Windhorst covers the Cleveland Cavaliers, who, as of this posting, could be losing LeBron James to the Miami Heat in free agency, a story that has gone way beyond over-hyped.
In May, Windhorst said this on the Dan Patrick show on ESPN Radio about the possible move of James to another NBA squad:
"I wish I had a better analogy for it but if he does do that it will be like a nuclear bomb hitting here because number one, the city will be devastated on many, many fronts: emotionally, physically, infrastructurally…”
Yes, Brian, if LeBron packs his bags, roads and bridges will crumble and deteriorate. Fans will jump out windows because they'll be so distressed.
Today, Windhorst repeated his stupidity again on ESPN Radio:
“The nuclear bomb is about to hit. There will be massive fallout here and LeBron will be radioactive for years. If LeBron has already left his house, I assume he has, I hope he’s packed for a good long time. Because he can’t come back. It’s a nuclear bomb and LeBron’s going to be radioactive here for as long as a radioactive bomb is … 50 years, whatever the case may be.”
Dear Brian:
1) Get a grip.
2) The world will not come to an end.
3) For God's sake, buy a dictionary and look up, “hyperbole.”
Jerry Kramer does Lombardi imitations
Thursday night, WTMJ's Lance Allan had a great piece about the upcoming Vince Lombardi movie.
Allan interviewed Packer Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer.
Super stuff.
What's the next step in the smoking ban battle?
Beaches and outdoor parks?
That would never happen, right?
Supporters of
The mayor of
Is a ban on TWW next?
That’s “texting while walking.” Apparently
Good grief.
Robbery hero loses public support after he sues bank
Here are more details on the bank story I discussed today on Newstalk 1130 WISN.
He was a true hero until he phoned his lawyer. Most "heroes" are happy to get a plaque or certificate, a key to the city. They don't make monetary demands.
Richard Camp should have accepted what the bak offerd, expressed sincere gratitude, and then made a public appeal for assistance. because he ran to an attorney, his credibility in the court of public opinion diminished and hurt his chances of any outpouring of financial support.
Goodnight everyone, and have a Francais weekend!
It's Friday night. Time to unwind with our regular Friday night feature on This Just In.
The weekend has finally arrived.
The sun has set.
The evening sky has erupted.
Let's put controversy and provocative blogs aside for the rest of this work week and smooth our way into Saturday and Sunday.
Tonight, some French pastry in honor of Bastille Days.
We open with a popular smooth jazz number featuring a nice French touch (note the accordion) from the normally tropical sounding Rippingtons.
The Barking Lot (07/10/10)
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Sunny. Only a slight chance of an afternoon shower. High of 86. "A"
SUNDAY: Sunny and warm. High of 87. "A"
Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:
Several years ago I met two friends, Sara and Michele, at Panera Bread for coffee and “girl talk.” It was also a chance for two of us to meet Bailey, Sara’s newly adopted dog. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to have our caffeinated beverages outdoors anyhow, so Sara thought it was a great idea to bring him along. It turns out she was right.
We sat at a table next to a couple who brought their cat. Yes, you read correctly, a CAT. Never in my life had I ever seen a CAT sit outside, nicely, and enjoy the company of others. It’s just not what cats do. (Cats don’t do a lot to begin with, much less sip a latte.)
Bailey and “Mr. Hairball” made fast friends. They sniffed each other, Bailey’s tail wagged and Mr. Hairball just sat there. I don’t mean that in a critical way, he willingly and calmly sat while Bailey sniffed, wagged, and pleaded with doggy eyes to play with him. I guess calmly sitting was about all Bailey could ask for or expect. Still, it was a cute interaction with two species whose discord has made for great cartoons for decades.
But… Consider… What if fellow diners are afraid of dogs or simply don’t like them? Why are we exposing the wait staff and others to such health hazards as fleas, dog bites (no guarantees that Fido is up-to-date on his shots) or asthmatic attacks. Patrons and workers alike shouldn’t have to deal with things that could cause them harm!
My point, inspired by yesterday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feature on local canine-friendly eateries, is that in the midst of this recently-enacted crazy smoking ban, restaurants are opening their arms to pooches on their porches. Do you mean to tell me that Fido can hang out on a patio and even get a complimentary treat while the next paying customer has to put on his or her “ashamed/I’m sorry” face for lighting up in a designated OUTDOOR puff place?
C’mon. Every one of the Barking Lot readers knows how crazy nuts I am for dogs. I don’t mind the concept of dog-friendly restaurants. But if we were so concerned for those poor workers who had no choice but to work in a smoke-filled restaurant or bar that we had to create a law banning a legal practice, what are we telling those same people as we expose them to these?
----Jennifer Fischer
Yeh, I wonder how patrons, not to mention the City Health Department would react if dogs were tableside at Lake Park Bistro?
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Here's a Barking Lot update: Dog waits outside court as woman gets sentenced for taping him to fridge.
Why does this keep happening?
To the rescue....
These days, canines need extra care.
Concerns out west about sheep dogs.
Dogs, bikeway don't always mix.
Inmates, dogs team up.
Split custody of dog in divorce case.
San Francisco is considering banning the sale of all pets, except fish. MORE.
A dog for $17.76?
Ocala, FL group gives service dogs to vets.
She rubs pets the right way.
The friendly brain of family dogs.
Dog disrupts the Tour de France.
Tips for pooch predicaments.
That’s it for this week. Thanks for stopping by.
We close with our closing video.
Week-ends (07/10/10)
A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...
HEROES OF THE WEEK
Brendan Marrocco
Thor Soderberg and his many colleagues
Logan Fisher
Devon Minnema
Gustus Bozarth
Milwaukee Police and Fire Departments
16 Ozaukee County Board members
Coal miners
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
The Rev. Kevin Gray
Heriberto Palacio
Jacob Edwards Bartels and Patty Jo Marsh
The people who keep raising your taxes
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“When I became the NASA Administrator – before I became the NASA Administrator - he charged me with three things: One was that he wanted me to re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, that he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with predominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering.”
Charles Bolden, head of NASA.
"These so-called 'public safety' laws only put decent law-abiding citizens at a dangerous disadvantage when it comes to their personal safety, and I for one am glad that this decades-long era of defective thinking on gun issues is over. Let Freedom Ring."
Jackson County District Attorney Gerald R. Fox said in a statement he will no longer prosecute Wisconsin's prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons, transporting uncased or loaded guns in vehicles, carrying guns in public buildings and taverns and carrying switchblades and butterfly knives. He said the Supreme Court's ruling this week that Americans have a right to own a gun for self-defense renders those statutes unconstitutional.
“We have the votes for concealed carry now, but we can't get past (Democratic Gov. Jim) Doyle's veto."
William Schmitz, chairman of the
“This really comes down to who wins the next election. If the Republicans take control of the Legislature and the governor's office, then concealed carry will pass."
Sen. Alan Lasee, R-DePere.
"These targets are necessary to ensure that state government lives within its means. We have begun to emerge from the global and national recession and the challenges it has brought to
In a letter to department heads, Governor Jim Doyle called for agencies to hold their budget requests to 2010-11 fiscal year levels.
"The smoking ban to me is a local issue, and it's about personal responsibility and personal freedoms. It's certainly not on my agenda as the first 25 or 30 things I'll be doing as governor."
“Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:
"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on
The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by
Just watch.
Sleep well,
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
Illegal immigrant thieves could go free while victim faces jail time.
One penny holds up insurance benefits.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Obama's Justice Department soft on voter fraud.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
LeBron James
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Naked man on highway set on fire.
"Negotiations over sex for money broke down when the woman's (blank) did not meet his standards"
Woman avoids jail for being too noisy.
Jam made from Princess Di's hair.
REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.
Recommended Reading (07/11/10)
Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).
The Massachusetts Health-Care “Train Wreck”
“President Obama said earlier this year that the health-care bill that Congress passed three months ago is ‘essentially identical’ to the Massachusetts universal coverage plan that then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed into law in 2006. No one but Mr. Romney disagrees. As events are now unfolding, the
Whitewashing Black Racism
“If a tea-party activist threatened to kill the babies of his political opponents, it wouldn’t just be front-page news. It would be the subject of Democrat-led congressional investigations, a series of terrified New York Times columns about the perilous “climate of hate,” a Justice Department probe by Attorney General Eric Holder, a domestic terror alert from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and another Important Teachable Moment Speech/Summit from Healer-in-Chief Barack Obama. But with the racism shoe on the other foot, Team Obama and its media water-carriers are exhibiting the very racial cowardice Holder once purported to condemn.”
Ringo and the Politics of ‘Hope’
“What with Democrats unable thus far to deliver job growth, assertion becomes the White House's mode of discourse: first, that Democratic recovery strategies ‘are working’; second that we're in charge of this show -- we, your government.”
Illegal Immigration Costs US $113 Billion a Year
“The single largest cost to the government of illegal immigration, according to the report, is an estimated $52 billion spent on schooling the children of illegals. ‘Nearly all those costs are absorbed by state and local governments,’ the report states. Moreover, the study’s breakdown of costs on a state-by-state basis shows that in states with the largest number of illegals, the costs of illegal immigration are often greater than current, crippling budget deficits.”
The new frontier: ‘Covering’ conservatives
“For a few days at the end of June, Beltway pundits were consumed with the ballad of David Weigel, a blogger for The Washington Post, briefly assigned to cover the ‘conservative beat.’
And just what is the conservative beat?
Well, according to many of the nation's leading editors, it's that shadowy, often-sinister world where carbon based-life forms of a generally humanoid appearance say and do things relating to, and supportive of, conservative causes and the Republican Party. These strange creatures have been observed using complex tools, caring and nurturing their young and even participating in complex social rituals. Most worship an unseen sky god that traces its roots back to the ancient
And that is why many of our leading journalistic enterprises have found it worthwhile to assign full-time reporters to the task of spelunking through the dark caves of conservatism to better understand these fascinating, if vaguely worrisome, beings.”
The Whoreification of Miley Cyrus
“What has happened to the little ‘Hannah Montana’ star? What is it about young female Disney stars whoring themselves out in order to prove they’ve reached adulthood? Since when does having sex or being sexy qualify one as an adult? And, where is Billy Ray Cyrus? Too busy whoring out his daughter in order to rejuvenate and advance his own long-forgotten career?”
A Modest Proposal for Improving a Dull Game
“Use your hands, dummies. Also, add body slams, get rid of useless nil-nil ties and play on an extremely steep slope. With a few modifications, soccer could become hugely popular world-wide.”
My Most Popular Blogs (07/11/10)
As I post every Sunday, here are the five most read blog entries of mine from the previous week. NOTE: some entries may have been posted prior to the past week.
1) TIE
Photos of the Week (07/04/10)
The
2) The Year of My Mother: Don't worry about me, just get the groom to the church!
3) WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT
4) TIE
The Year of My Mother: The charming July 4th police officer
How low can Democrats go?
5) The Barking
Photos of the Week (07/11/10)
Discarded cigarette butts huddle near the bottom of a curb outside of Landmark Lanes on the corner of East North and Farwell Avenue in Milwaukee. Wisconsin's indoor smoking ban took effect on Monday. Journal Sentinel photo: Brad Vest
Congratulations, Ricky Franklin!
Former UWM star Ricky Franklin has been chosen to be a member of the Milwaukee Bucks summer team that will play this week in the
Ricky Franklin, left, celebrates with Lonnie Boga after Franklin sank the winning three-point basket with 2.4 seconds left to break a tie against Valparaiso on January 29, 2010. UWM beat Valpo, 85-82. Journal Sentinel photos: Benny Sieu
Spain needs a one-man advantage to beat the Netherlands for the World Cup
Is it just me or does Spain's coach, Vicente del Bosque.....
Resemble....
"Feingold is only Democrat against financial reform bill"
It's called, job preservation.
The bill's in trouble, probably going nowhere, so Feingold takes a symbolic stand in an attempt to fool more people into thin king that he’s nobody's Senator but yours. Oh, wait. That's our other tax and spend liberal Senator in
Feingold must think Wisconsinites are pretty stupid as he pulls out one of the oldest tricks in the Democrat playbook: When it comes down to crunch time in an election, move to the right. Listen to this laughable ad he's released.
"If the business climate does not improve, I will not expand this (WI) facility"
I never miss John Torinus’ Sunday column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s business section. Today’s piece was exceptional, one that should be read and heeded by every
Torinus quotes Jerry Ryder, president of InSinkErator from a WisconsinEye interview:
"If the business climate does not improve, I will not expand this facility.”
The author makes this critical observation:
“Most CEOs are reluctant to speak out about their disgust with government policy, but several have let it be known in business circles that they have no intention of expanding their operations in this state.”
Many business leaders have spoken out. The problem is, no one in power in
Torinus also writes:
“Several CEOs are downright sulfurous in their private assessments about doing business in
Call them crybabies if you like. But these are the guys making the decisions about where jobs are retained, reduced or added.
And, not so incidentally, they are human beings. They want to be liked and appreciated. They look for signals, and if they don't like what they see and hear, they go elsewhere.”
Among the states,
Culinary no-no #174
Regions of
New England clam chowder.
Manhattan clam chowder.
Philly cheesesteak.
Deep fried pickles in the south.
Delicious dishes, to be sure. But healthy?
My guess is that anyone ordering mouth-watering ribs slathered in sauce with sides of baked beans, cole slaw and corn bread topped off with pecan pie isn’t exactly counting calories.
No matter how health conscious we’ve become, no matter how much the federal government threatens to dictate our own diets, we belly up for gut-busting entrees that tantalize, rendering us spellbound. And you know what? Thank goodness. Seriously, would we ever want to see the banana split go extinct?
The serious, sad truth is that far too many concoctions push way, way, way over the edge. One man’s culinary nirvana is another’s cardiac arrest.
Health.com, God love them, utilizing the ultimate research techniques, has broken down the heart attacks waiting to strike geographically. That’s right. Health.com has deemed that in each and every state in our great country, there is one fatty food that stands out as the fattiest.
So, do as I did. Put your thinking caps on and try to predict what Health.com designated as the fattiest food in BadgerLand.
Could it be.....
Now you put one, or as they do in Sheboygan, TWO of those suckers after being boiled in beer in a chewy roll and pour on the sauerkraut and onions and mustard (never, ever ketchup unless you're a Communist) and it ain't exactly a veggie burger.
Show me.......
BRATS!
BUZZ!
DA finds evidence of extensive political blogging on Liebenthal computer
CRG Network
PO Box 371086
Milwaukee , WI 53237
414-801-0800
www.crgnetwork.com
crg@crgnetwork.com
Did you know that polls can be "bended?"
I’ve been involved in politics for years and years, and I had no idea that polls could be “bended.”
Ace Franklin blogger Greg Kowalski who has never met a big tax or spending plan he didn’t love to death because, after all, he doesn’t have to pay for it, penned another one of his gems without utilizing spell check. This time, sly ol’ Greg was writing about tornado sirens. He wants them installed in Franklin even though there are many solid reasons not to. And oh, yes, Greg loves to spend everybody else’s money.
Let’s see what the
“By the way, the Franklin Today poll on the sirens is pretty close. 47% of those who voted said YES for sirens, 53% said NO. Given the notion that polls can be bended depending on which side is more passionate, I'd give the sway at least 2-3%, leaving the poll at 50-50. No surprise there for me.”
I challenge our tax and spend liberal to:
1) Define “bended”
2) Define how polls can be “bended”
3) Find “bended” in a dictionary
4) Explain how a poll that has a percentage margin of 6 points is really a dead even poll.
I generally don’t write about Greg. His ineptness and political naivete is extremely obvious, and every blogger makes a typo now and then. Greg…..he thrives on butchering the English language. This one was a gift.
“Bended.”
Your public school dollars at work.
"If we can't cut four and a half cents on the buck, then what the hell are we doing here?"
It is impossible to meet and know state Senator Michael Ellis (R-Neenah) as I have for many, many years and not love the guy.
No one captivates the listening audience when the state Senate is on the floor than Ellis who is so persuasive he even gets the liberal Capitol press corp and Senate Democrats chuckling and fighting nodding in agreement. I always try to pay attention as to which Senate Democrat will foolishly rise after Ellis is through speaking and try to follow. More often than not, it’s Robert Wirch from
No one, I mean absolutely no one other than possibly Bob Lang of the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau knows the state budget inside out as well as Ellis. The senator from time to time will invite the media into his office and dissect the budget on his office blackboard. It’s the truest picture of the numbers they’ll get anywhere because trust me, the Capitol press corps, unless it’s spoon fed to them, won’t write about it.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Ellis is proposing the Legislature make across the board cuts of 4.5% to address the state’s $2.5 billion structural deficit.
"If we can't cut four and a half cents on the buck, then what the hell are we doing here?" said Ellis.
BINGO!
More from the Journal Sentinel:
“His plan would include reductions to aid for public schools and local governments. He said lawmakers should bar local officials from making up the cuts with increased property taxes.”
DOUBLE BINGO!
The state has been generous year after year after year. Well guess what? The state is broke to the tune of $2.5 billion. Yet some will scream for more state aid. It ain’t there, folks.
Unless you want big fat tax increase, Ellis’ way is the way to go.
"Kill some crackers...kill some of their babies"
The liberal press has virtually ignored the story of the Black Panther group standing outside a
Then In January 2009, one of their leaders made inflammatory racist remarks, again, ignored by the guilt white liberal press.
Watch….
The 5 greatest threats to America's future success
John Hawkins is back with another great list.
All indications are Brett will return
He looks healthy.
He’s working out.
He’s surrounded by a team loaded with young talent.
His teammates want him back.
How much hassle is $4 worth?
It appears MillerCoors gave Jon Merritt of
Maybe the giant firm thought Merritt, like most, would eventually throw up his hands in disgust and just forget the whole deal. He didn’t.
In this particular incident, MillerCoors flunked PR101.
They’re not alone, as David Lazarus of the LA Times tells us.
It's time to play FINAL JEOPARDY!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, yes it's that time.....time once again for another This Just In edition of:
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Are you ready?
Well then, let’s play!
Today’s Final Jeopardy category is:
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME
Now, you know how this works.
In a moment, I’ll give you the Final Jeopardy clue.
You will have 30 seconds (if you play fair, that will be when the music runs out) to come up with an answer and remember, players……… your answer must be in the form of a question.
Ready.
Here’s your clue.
HE HIT THE ONLY GRAND SLAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE ALL-STAR GAME.
Good luck.
Alright players, time's up.
Again, today’s Final Jeopardy category is:
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME
The Final Jeopardy answer was:
HE HIT THE ONLY GRAND SLAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE ALL-STAR GAME.
The correct question is:
Who is Fred Lynn?
Fred Lynn of the California Angels belts a grand slam in the 1983 All-Star Game at Comiskey Park in Chicago off of Atlee Hammaker. Lynn's American League team beat the National League, 13-3, and Lynn was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Lynn's 1983 baseball card.
Photos: nowbatting19.com
UPDATE: Air conditioning: A liberal nightmare
Last week, I featured a review written by Salon’s Ryan Brown about Stan Cox’s book, "Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World (and
Brown writes, “Stan Cox argues in his new book, the dizzying rise of air conditioning comes at a steep personal and societal price……providing a clear explanation of how A.C. made the leap from luxury to necessity in the
AC.
We’ve paid “a steep personal and societal price” for not sweating to death.
AC will cause us to “refrigerate ourselves into the apocalypse.”
This week, the kooky flako author speaks out on his own in the Washington Post. Wacko Stan Cox says cranking up the ACs duirng intense heat and humidity “isn’t smart.” You hear that. If you turned on your air the past week, you’re stupid.
AC, you idiots, is evil.
“A
Cue the kumbaya music…
“Saying goodbye to A.C. means saying hello to the world. With more people spending more time outdoors -- particularly in the late afternoon and evening, when temperatures fall more quickly outside than they do inside -- neighborhoods see a boom in spontaneous summertime socializing. Rather than cowering alone in chilly home-entertainment rooms, neighbors get to know one another. Because there are more people outside, streets in high-crime areas become safer.”
Most outrageous is Cox’s diminishing of the jeopardy living without AC brings. According to the National
Slate (Another source I’m sure Stan Cox is aware of) reports, “Heat waves kill more people in the
That’s small potatoes according to Cox:
“A.C.'s obvious public-health benefits during severe heat waves do not justify its lavish use in everyday life for months on end.”
Without supporting data, Cox makes the ridiculous claim that turning off the AC reduces heat deaths.
G-O-O-F-B-A-L-L.
I just love the thought processes of liberals. Hope Cox has stocked up mightily on Right Guard.
Will somebody ask a critical question at tonight's Franklin Common Council meeting?
Tonight, the spend-happy and increasingly disappointing Franklin Common Council considers a resolution awarding a bid to the lowest bidder for furnishing and installing tornado warning sirens.
When the city is in a serious deficit, just how are we going to pay for them?
Hey Franklin, did you get your assessment notice in the mail?
What did it say?
Did the value of your property DECREASE?
If you’re not planning to sell in the near future, you probably breathed a sigh of relief.
So, your assessment went DOWN. You’re probably thinking, your property taxes are going DOWN, right?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Check your zip code, folks! You reside in Tax Hell
It is the most serious highway robbery for tax levies to go up when property values go down.
But that’s what’s going to happen come December.
These people and especially these stick up artists CANNOT WAIT to raise your taxes,
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but at least you can do something about it, right now, by contacting the local people in charge of your tax bill before they start working on their budgets. When they ignore you, and ultimately, they will, boot them out of office.
By the way, this goes for all Wisconsin taxpayers, whether you live in
UPDATE: Declining property values put pressure on property taxes- The Lakeland Times.
Kyla's Korner- Musings of a Mother (07/14/10)
By Jennifer Fischer
Mother of beautiful angel, Kyla
Like fellow FranklinNOW blogger Debbie Maley, I enjoy walking down memory lane about our dear sweet Kyla. Mark and Debbie have been blessed a few months longer with Kobi than we have with our daughter, but so many things in her recent blog had me smiling and shaking my head in agreement.
Time has been going by so quickly in the life of our little angel. This week was a first for our family, as we went to the Franklin Public Library to enjoy a Summer Rhyme Time class with Kyla. With the silly songs, splashing in tubs filled with water, and making new friends, I’m not sure who enjoyed the morning more: Mommy & Daddy, or Baby. This will definitely be one of those precious memories like Debbie enjoys remembering.
Obama lied about federal funding of abortions
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