Global Warming, 2008 Coolest in 11 Years

NOAA: 2008 Temperature for U.S. Near Average, was Coldest Since 1997; Below Average for December

Ooops! There goes our Global Warming argument for a while. Hope this Summer gets REALLY HOT!!!!


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Obama Calls for Delay of DTV Switch

Obama officials are also concerned that the government is not doing enough to help Americans — particularly those in rural, poor or minority communities — prepare for and navigate the transition.

Are you kidding me? We already put aside more than a Billion Dollars to help them. How else do you prepare? You buy a box that was subsidized with our money and hook it up!!!

I must be totally out of touch, or there are some real idiots out there!!!!

"Congress would need to step in with more money or new accounting rules to get the program back on track, and is currently working on a bill to address the problem."

OK, I get the more money part. Your out of money, Congress gives you more. Got that. Explain to me the "new accounting rules" part!? If you have run out of money then you are out of money, RIGHT!!!! Is this an ENRON trick?

Burris Appointment Legal, Dems say No Way

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that Burris' appointment is legal without the Secretary of State's Signature.

"The ruling says no Illinois official has to do anything further to validate the appointment made by Gov. Rod Blagojevich." - FOX News

"But Democratic leaders on Friday maintained that Burris still cannot take President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat without White's signature. And White says he still won't sign the document. " - FOX News

Democrats still say they will not seat him as a US Senator. The Democrats are obviously above the law. They don't have to follow it?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was banking on the Illinois court to resolve the matter after turning away Burris earlier in the week because his paperwork was not signed. They have, just not to his liking.

This is an insight check on who is running Congress.

Government has no idea what banks are using bailout $ for

A congressional panel overseeing the $700 billion bailout program says "it has no idea" what banks are doing with the money lawmakers approved last fall to stave off a looming financial crisis. - FOX News

Well there you go. I thought the big thing with this bailout was Transparency and Oversight?

Well I am sure that they have fixed it with the bailout money for the Automakers.

Illinois Governor has been Impeached

"The 114-1 vote came exactly one month to the day after he was arrested on charges of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat." - FOX News Story

Now this big mess goes to the Senate of Illinois to decide on whether or not to remove him from office.

"It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Rep. Jack D. Franks, a Democrat.

Governor Palin on the Media

Hardin done as MPS Board Member?

"The Milwaukee Election Commission today knocked controversial School Board member Charlene Hardin off the ballot for the spring elections.

Hardin didn't submit enough valid signatures on her nominating petitions to win a spot on the Feb. 17 primary ballot, said Neil Albrecht, the commission's deputy director.

Barring a successful challenge or a write-in campaign, that ruling could end Hardin's re-election quest." - JS Online

I can't imagine how she wouldn't have been able to get enough support to get her on the ballot. This woman has done everything possible to show she doesn't deserve to be on the board. Now we only have to get the rest of them out of there. They may not have done as much as Charlene Hardin, but they didn't hold her accountable either.

Democrats & Citigroup to start Operation "Cramdown"

Citigroup and Democrats have come to an agreement that would allow Bankruptcy judges to rewrite the terms of Mortgages. This would undoubtedly allow people to avoid being foreclosed on.

What is the benefit? Is there any?

The only benefit is that people who bought a house and could not afford it will now be allowed to keep it. That is the only benefit.

The drawbacks are huge! Banks and investors that hold these mortgages will be losing money. When banks and Investors lose money, they don't really. It will drive up the interest rates on us who pay our bills to offset the losses. It will also tighten the lending market. It will be much harder to get loans unless the bank is close to 100% sure you can pay for it.

Sounds like a great move to get the economy back on track. Where does Obama Stand on this one?

It is also worthwhile to note, this is not law yet. It is only Citi agreeing to it, but there has not been a law passed forcing this to happen. Not a real good business move, but what the hell, we just gave them a big bailout of our money.

Ooops!! Dumb Criminals in Kenosha

Two people living in a house in Kenosha County now find themselves behind bars after their house caught fire.

Police noticed that they were acting strangely as firefighters fought the blaze and upon investigating they found close to 3 pounds of heroin inside with an estimated street value of $200,000.

Can you say ooops.

Obama's Economic Plan, A Snow Job?

"What a difference a year makes. President-elect Barack Obama hasn’t even taken office and we’re experiencing “climate change.” No, not the global warming variety that keeps bypassing the bone-chilling American winter, it’s the “climate change” in Washington. I’m talking about Obama, who promised a government of “change” and then unveiled a switcheroo in his January 2 radio address, also available on the Change.gov Web site." - FOX Forum

Obama ran for the Presidency to bring change to Washington. He was the "One" that was going to make everything right for all of us. Now he his laying out his agenda, and things aren't looking so good for the "One".

“The No. 1 goal of my plan, which is to create 3 million new jobs, more than 80 percent of them in the private sector,” - Obama

If that is true, then he plans to add about 600,000 new jobs in the Government. My guess would be IRS agents, but I don't really know.

Obama has even ran into resistance from his own party.

"Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.

They were especially critical of a proposed $3,000 tax credit for companies that hire or retrain workers." - FOX News Story

Adult Industry inline for Bailout

The Federal Government may very well find themselves in quite a legal mess over the bailouts that they have provided. Many have said that it is against the law for the Government to bailout companies as it is showing favoritism to one company over another and interferes with the free market system.

Now it appears that the Adult Industry is going to test them on this.

"Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis and “Hustler” magazine publisher Larry Flynt have said they will petition Congress for financial aid along the lines of what the Big Three auto makers are getting. Francis said that he and Flynt are asking for $5 billion, and that they have sent letters to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Congress and their local Congressman, Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)" - FOX Business Story

Although I think this is utterly ridiculous, it does bring to light the underlying question that many have been asking, "Can the Government pick and choose what companies it wants to save and what companies it will let fail?"

Stay tuned, this will be quite interesting to watch unfold!!!!

Drunk Driving law would cost to much?

"Making first offense drunken driving a crime in Wisconsin will cost at least another $8.3 million a year." - WTMJ Story.

"Another proposal being discussed would make third and fourth offense drunken driving a felony. Another legislative fiscal bureau memo shows that would cost more than $100 million a year, mostly because more people would be imprisoned." - WTMJ

"Tavern League lobby opposes tougher penalties for first offenses." - WTMJ

This appears to be a conflict within the State of Wisconsin. There is a big marketing campaign going on from the DOT here in Wisconsin on Zero Traffic related fatalities. I wonder how much that is costing? Couldn't we use some of that money to fund this? They say with the deficits that we are facing here in Wisconsin that either one of the proposals would have a hard time passing. I am sure that there is money that we are wasting on stupid things like the DOT Campaign that could be used to get this going.

Brewers Sign Trevor Hoffman

WTMJ is reporting that sources have said that the Milwaukee Brewers have signed Trevor Hoffman as their closer for 2009. Hoffman, a former Padre, is the Career saves leader and converted 30 of 34 save opportunities last year for the Padres.

After Solomon Torres retired and the struggling Gagne went for free agency, Yankees signed Sabathia, the Brewers have been in search of pitching for their 2009 Campaign.

Help Wanted - Unemployment on the Rise

It is funny how I was talking to some friends yesterday and we were discussing the state of the economy. I asked them, "Other than all of the News Reports have you noticed anything in the community that would indicate the bad economy?" Everyone of them said that no, not really they wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for the news.

Gas prices are down and it seems that many places are still hiring help. With the unemployment numbers on the rise, you would think that these jobs would be getting snapped up faster than they could post them.

Take a look at the job postings, there are many places still hiring. Heck there is a big headline in the paper today that the FBI is doing it's biggest hiring since 9/11.

Don't let the News dictate what is happening in your life. Go out and live it. The companies that are failing are failing because of their own lack of business sense, I don't think that it is the economy to blame. I have seen companies laying off up to 50% of their staff, yet if you go back 12 months you would read about them doing a massive hire. Now that is just poor management.

Trillion Dollar Deficits for Years!!!

Barack Obama predicted that the nation could see Trillion dollar deficits for years to come. He also said that the Country needs to continue spending taxpayer dollars to get the economy back on track.

I have a couple of questions concerning this.

First of all, how are we paying for this? If it is a deficit, then we are burrowing the money, right? Who are we burrowing from?

Did I totally miss something, or wasn't part of the run for the White House about the over spending that we were doing and the money that we were burrowing? Wasn't the "Great One" going to get us out of this burrowing for today mentality?

Wasn't it John McCain who was the one that didn't have any idea on how to balance the budget and cut spending?

Well, now we know. It looks like Obama has every expectation of putting this Country further and further into debt over the next 4 years, and it appears a Congress which is willing to help him do it. Thanks Obama for spending my money plus some of my kids, why shouldn't they pay for part of it anyway.

I guess if you have a spread the Wealth Mentality, Why not spread the debt as well. Novel Idea!

DTV Coupon Program out of Money

Wow, put that one in the memory banks. I guess I never really though about it over the last several months when I heard that you could get a coupon to help pay for this box.

I didn't realize that we as taxpayers are subsidizing $1.3 billion for this program. We as taxpayers are paying for people to get to watch TV. How many of us paid our taxes last year just so someone else would be allowed to watch TV?

And who was the hair brained idiot who thought that it was the Government, or our responsibility to make sure that people would be able to watch TV?

Wisconsin has lowest Traffic Fatalities since 1944

It appears that the super high gas prices and the poor economy may be helping to keep people alive. In 2008 Wisconsin reported the fewest Traffic Related fatalities since 1944. Much of this is attributed to the decline in travelers due to the high gas prices and the weak economy.

In Close Elections there is no Winner

Minnesota is in the midst of still trying to figure out who won the Senate seat there. After a questionable recount they want to Certify Al Franken as the winner by 225 votes.

It is far from over with several legal issues yet to be resolved. With a Democratic Elections official leading the way and questions galore over unresolved issues this will most likely end up in the Supreme Court.

No matter who eventually wins, are they truly the winner? At this point wouldn't it just be better to have another election and get this over? There will always be questions about the legitimacy of the winner no matter who eventually wins. There is not true standard to counting this vote, not counting that vote.

Brett the Jet not as loved as Brett the Packer

Brett Favre must really miss Green Bay and the Packers about now. He sure isn't use to the criticism he is receiving from the Fans and Teammates.

Brett is used to everyone waiting desperately for him to decide what he is going to do. Holding the team and state hostage. Larger than life a whole state wanted to hear what he had to say.


Well life isn't like that in New York. With Headlines that read "Fire the Quarterback", and his teammates criticizing him Brett probably wonders what happened?

"I think Brett Favre basically is a selfish guy," Atlas said. "Brett Favre goes out there with his gray hair, his Wranglers and gets up when he gets hit. I understand why people like that. But there's another side. He's a selfish guy." - Teddy Atlas

"If somebody is not playing well, they need to come out of the game ... You're jeopardizing the whole team because you're having a bad day. To me, that's not fair to everybody else. You're not the only one on the team." ...

"You're playing to win, you're playing for the Super Bowl. That's what you do all this work for ... So when you get to the wire and somebody is just giving the game up, I mean, it's just not (fair)." - Thomas Jones

"The 39-year-old quarterback is not as welcome with his teammates, according to this veteran. After the Jets traded for Favre Aug. 6, the sure Hall of Famer made no effort to ingratiate himself with the already assembled team, the veteran said. He said Favre spent most of his down time at the practice facility in an office specially designated for him near the equipment room, not with teammates in the locker room, even after the media departed.

"He never socialized with us, never went to dinner with anyone," the player said. Asked to describe Favre in a word, he said: "Distant." - New York Daily News

"So, unofficially, Favre has exactly one supporter in the organization: the owner. I have no idea how this ends up, but given that guys are turning down the chance to interview for the vacant head coaching position because of a certain 39-year-old quarterback, I'd think that Favre wouldn't be back in '09." - Fanhouse

Final Stats Favre vs. Rodgers 2008

Total Passing Touchdowns, Favre: 22
Total Passing Touchdowns, Rodgers: 28

Total Passing Yards, Favre: 3,472
Total Passing Yards, Rodgers: 4,038

Average Passing Yards-per-Game, Favre: 217.0
Average Passing Yards-per-Game, Rodgers: 252.4

Total Interceptions, Favre: 22
Total Interceptions, Rodgers: 13

Total Pass Completions, Favre: 343
Total Pass Completions, Rodgers: 341

Pass Completion Percentage, Favre: 65.7
Pass Completion Percentage, Rodgers: 63.6

Average Yards-per-Completion, Favre: 6.7
Average Yards-per-Completion, Rodgers: 7.5

Quarterback Rating, Favre: 81.0
Quarterback Rating, Rodgers: 93.8

A look back at Hurricane Katrina

As I sit here and reflect on the Bush Presidency and the things that shaped it, I find myself not so much drawn into the Iraq Conflict or even Afghanistan, but the events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina will go down as one of the most devastating storms to hit the mainland of US. The pictures where blanketed on every channel, every day for days on end. The devastation and the people who where in need. How Bush had failed.

My question is, did Bush Fail? Yes there was quite a mess with FEMA, but was this the President's fault? Was it even FEMA's fault?

I believe first and foremost the people who where stuck on their roofs should take a long look at themselves. There was plenty of warning from many sources to get out, go for safety. There was also many, many stories of rescuers going in early to try and get them out and many of the same people refused to leave. You live in an area that is shored up with levies, much of it is under sea level, you should know in an event like this you need to get out of harms way. If not, you are just plain stupid!

In a natural disaster, it is the responsibility of the Local Government, then the State Government, all with the support of the Federal Government. I believe the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana are the ones to blame for the events that surrounded the city of New Orleans. Not the Federal Government and Not the President.

During the Tornado outbreaks, you don't hear Oklahoma or Texas crying for FEMA or the President! During the Flooding in Iowa and Wisconsin there was no screaming for FEMA and the President. During the Earthquake in San Francisco it wasn't FEMA and the President who rushed in! But during Katrina, those poor leaders in Louisiana cried like little babis for FEMA and the President.