"To assume that it is a problem is to assume that the state of Earth's climate today is the optimal climate, the best climate that we could have or ever have had and that we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn't change. I guess I would ask which human beings — where and when — are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that's a rather arrogant position for people to take."

NASA administrator Michael Griffin

Racine County is doing a survey on Smart Growth...while the main survey numbers will be computed based on mailed surveys to random individuals on the voter roles there is an on-line survey. The numbers for the online survey will be reported with the results...but only as a foot note.

Please take the time to fill out the survey:

SMART GROWTH PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY

AP: Many Katrina evacuees are still jobless

You can read the story for yourself but I think the numbers speak for them selves:

“About 12,000 families are still getting federal aid for housing, the city said. Of that group, about 5,500 heads of households are unemployed, not counting those who are elderly and disabled, city officials said.”

“Houston's economy is hot because of the booming oil and gas industry. City officials say there are 2 million job openings, 59,000 of which require only a high school education.”

I would have to agree with Rep John Culberson (R-TX):

"We're a charitable nation and Houston in particular has a big heart, and we have already gone way above and beyond the call of duty to help our neighbors," Culberson said. "It's time for everyone who can work to get to work."

He further stated that “evacuees should have benefits cut off if they don't get a job.”

Politicians like Obama and Hilary are bantering about the “45 million uninsured” in America and they are misleading the American people down a road that will mean more government intervention.

Do you have a health plan or health insurance?

Do you know the difference?

Do you pay for your annual checkups or do you just pay the co-pay and “insurance” takes care of the rest?

Do you have auto insurance?

Does it pay for your oil change, fix your flat tire, or fill up your empty gas tank?


Health insurance is no longer what most Americans have we have health plans and that is why rates are going through the roof.

If you had the ability to purchase an auto plan which had an annual co-pay but paid for all of your maintenance and upkeep like oil changes, washer fluid, new tires, etc and included major issues such as accidents what would that be worth to you?

In an auto plan people would start to have their oil changed regularly. People would be sure to have their brakes and tires checked. All of this maintenance would begin to add up. The “insurer” would have to start charging more for two reasons: 1. just to cover the costs of all the maintenance and to have enough in case of a catastrophic accident. 2. so that the business could continue to make a profit.

Do we really want the government to take over our heath plans? Do you really think that they know how to run a business better than business owners? Will health care be simpler or will you have more red tape to deal with? For those black helicopter types out there…do you really want the government to have complete access to your medical records?

AP: New limbless lizard species discovered

Wouldn’t that be called a snake?

This holiday weekend people are hitting the road and news stories abound with segments discussing how much it will cost to travel due to the high price of gas.

But I noticed an interesting item through everyone of the segments…almost all of the people they feature are driving big “gas guzzling” vehicles.

So here is my question: are you traveling this weekend and if so what vehicle are you taking?

As was reported on Caledonia Unplugged today the Caledonia Village Board voted last night to appoint a member of the Caledonia Conservancy and an individual that was indorsed by the same special interest group as the majority!!

Ron Coutts – member of Caledonia Conservancy; endorsed by Save don’t Pave
Howard Stacey – member of Caledonia Conservancy; endorsed by Save don’t Pave
Wendy McCalvy – founder of Caledonia Conservancy; endorsed by Save don’t Pave
Bob Bradley – endorsed by Save don’t Pave
Kevin Wanggaard – no special interest affiliation known
Lee Wishau – endorsed by Save don’t Pave
Gayle Morgan – Treasurer of Caledonia Conservancy; endorsed by Save don’t Pave

more...

Mr. Morgan was elected by a vote of 4-2 (Coutts, Stacey, McCalvy, Bradley voting in favor.)

I wonder how much business Caledonia will see in the near future.

Doyle and 16 other Democrat Governors are calling for the President to pressure “big oil” to reinvest their “enormous profits” into lowering gas prices. (link)

Well here is some quick math for you:

$3.59 – Current price of Gallon of gas
$0.33 - Wisconsin MANDITORY Markup 9.18%
$0.32 - Wisconsin gas tax $0.32 (or 8.9%)
$0.14 - Federal gas tax $0.14 (or 3.9%)

$2.80 - Wholesale price of gas (Current price minus taxes and markup)

$0.26 – Exxon’s HUGE profit per gallon of gas (9.7%)


Doyle is proposing to raise the tax on gas an additional $0.07 per gallon (to $0.39) meaning that Wisconsin will make more money per gallon than ANYONE ELSE!!!!

Every time you fill your tank, repeat this until your tank is full:

Wisconsin is making more money per gallon than the oil company!
Wisconsin is making more money per gallon than the oil company!
Wisconsin is making more money per gallon than the oil company!
Wisconsin is making more money per gallon than the oil company!

A piece in today’s JT and JS states that Milwaukee wants the choo-choo to go even further.

Caledonia Unplugged blogged it today and does a great job with it…I don’t think I need to add anymore at this point:

Caledonia Unplugged: Milwaukee Wants KRM Extended to County Line

I’m not referring to what the future holds for the Presidential hopefuls, I’m talking about ‘investing’ futures.

I found this article on Slate: Why Vote When You Can Bet?

This is both intreguing and disturbing at the same time. It would be cool to back up my presidential predictions with cold hard cash but what does this do to us as a society? Are we sullying the office and the election by doing this? I mean this really isn’t investing in a ‘future’ it is placing a bet with the ability to trade that same bet.

Here is how things are stacked at this point for an Individual Winner Contract:

Real Debate Wisconsin: Breaking News: Stick $200,000 to the taxpayers, they won't mind.

I don't even know where to begin.

I think our school board has to do what they can to ensure that Mr. Hicks NEVER does this to another school district.

Mr. Hicks will be getting walking papers real soon!

First I have to tip my hat to Fred at RealDebateWisconsin…he has done a great job investigating Hicks and this latest blow is enough to call for termination of his contract for misuse of his expense account:

From RDW:

One thing is certain, Tom Hicks does not skimp at the taxpayers expense in exercising his duties as Superintendent.

In no particular order:

Greystone San Diego - $130.14 ($75 for the Mrs)
Commander's Palace - $160.65 ($81.00 for the Mrs)
The Waves - $133.56.
Figs Cucina - San Diego - $100.25
Ray's in the City - Atlanta - $276.79
Mia Bella Bistro - Lake Geneva - $155.31
The Red Snapper - Atlanta - $196.45
Houlihan's - $62.44
Bentley's - $98.76

These are just a few of the example I have. One thing is certain, Dr. Tom Hicks eats very well on the taxpayer dime, and he clearly does not feel he needs to follow district policy.

More: Breaking News: Hicks is Apparently Imune to District Policy

Keep up the great work Fred!!!

What has become of our society?!?

We have come so far yet we allow social programs to hold us and an entire population back. Civil rights leaders are coveting their careers and not the goals their organizations are set up to achieve. Black “leaders” are nothing but the slave owners of old and are working to keep a new generation of blacks in shackles so that the “leaders” can get a few minutes of fame by forming coalitions or filing law suits while ignoring the true ills of those that they “lead.”

This article ran in today’s Washington Post On-line: Who Exiled New Orleans' Poor?

I do not know Ms. Judith Browne-Dianis but based on this article I would have to put her in the category of those that are willing to keep their jobs at all costs.

Why would any person want to return people to a welfare system that only encourages further welfare? Why would we call public housing someone’s home? Shouldn’t the purpose of public housing be to allow people to get on their feet and establish a life for themselves and not become their permanent home? Why would anyone equate public housing and being black as being one in the same? Is there some underpinning of society that says that blacks can do no better than public housing in New Orleans? Is Judith Browne-Dianis only trying to maintain her position at the Advancement Project by keeping people, primarily black people, in public housing and under the hand of government?

I believe that there is a time and place for welfare programs but we have gone too far. We have spent the better part of a generation showing them that government control of your housing, your money, and your healthcare are good things when in reality they are more damaging than anything this country has ever seen. We are indoctrinating many of our black citizens that government support is the best that they can expect in this country and this attitude is deplorable!

The aftermath of hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans but at the end of every dark day comes a new day. We have seen a remarkable recovery in an area that many, including myself, talked about completely abandoning. It proves that hard work pays for itself.

Look at the areas that have seen the largest comeback and you will see people that rely on themselves not the government as their primary means of support. Why would anyone be surprised that those that are dependant on the government would be the last to receive help? Those that do for themselves and others are the ones we want to reward. Dependence only breeds ignorance and does little to sustain our society.

We as Americans, black, white, red, yellow, green, and orange, can not stand by while people like Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, and Judith Browne-Dianis tell our children that the government knows best. We can not allow them to taint the minds of our children by telling them that this country only cares what color their skin is. We can not allow these people to destroy our children’s minds with continued hatred of this country and all that it has to offer. We can not allow them to brainwash our children into thinking that this country somehow owes them something.

We must make it clear that our country was founded on principles that include hard work, sacrifice, and the kindness of strangers. We must teach our children that this country is a melting pot of people all who yearn to be free from the control of any government. We must stress that there are always tough times. We will all need a hand once in while but government “hand-outs” are not the way to a better society. Look to your neighbor when they are in need and you will be rewarded when you are in need.

We must not cling to the socialistic mentality of the current generation. We must look to the future and see a society that does not rely on the government as our way out. We must show that we can hold on to our cultural identities while not wearing it on our sleeve. We must endeavor to do better than those that came before and prove to the world and ourselves that we are all Americans and that we have left no one behind.

A free society is built by those that are independent not those that are dependant.

The Assault on Reason by Al Gore

Now I’m not the biggest Al Gore fan in the world and even in this excerpt I found a few things a little out of whack but overall I’d have to say…I’ll probably read this one.

Excerpts:

In practice, what television's dominance has come to mean is that the inherent value of political propositions put forward by candidates is now largely irrelevant compared with the image-based ad campaigns they use to shape the perceptions of voters. The high cost of these commercials has radically increased the role of money in politics—and the influence of those who contribute it. That is why campaign finance reform, however well drafted, often misses the main point: so long as the dominant means of engaging in political dialogue is through purchasing expensive television advertising, money will continue in one way or another to dominate American politics. And as a result, ideas will continue to play a diminished role. That is also why the House and Senate campaign committees in both parties now search for candidates who are multimillionaires and can buy the ads with their own personal resources.

As a result, our democracy is in danger of being hollowed out. In order to reclaim our birthright, we Americans must resolve to repair the systemic decay of the public forum. We must create new ways to engage in a genuine and not manipulative conversation about our future. We must stop tolerating the rejection and distortion of science. We must insist on an end to the cynical use of pseudo-studies known to be false for the purpose of intentionally clouding the public's ability to discern the truth. Americans in both parties should insist on the re-establishment of respect for the rule of reason.

I found it funny that Algore would talk about the distortion of science since he has become the number one distorter of science in the world…he replaced those cold fusion guys right about the time he won an Oscar for “An Inconvenient Truth”…but he does make a great point. Carl Sagan warned about the road we were heading down pointing out that we are focused more on pseudo-science instead of science.

The words Al Gore writes here are true but my question is does he truly believe them or is this just another way to manipulate society into seeing his way?

Under the law and as a common practice people who have been convicted of a crime and have paid for their wrongful action have a right to work with out being discriminated because of their criminal background.

However the level of discrimination is subject to what field the person wishes to work: for instance a convicted felon convicted of embezzling as a CFO or accountant for a company can be subject to discrimination if he/she applies for an accounting or CFO Job.

In the school districts we run into a problem…under the law if a convicted pedophile were to apply to be a janitor…well you can not discriminate based on his/her prior conviction since it may not be in the same background. What are we to do?

AB 30 addresses this issue and allows the “educational agency to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an individual who has been convicted of a felony and who has not been pardoned for that felony, whether or not the circumstances of the felony substantially relate to the circumstances of the particular job.”

I think that Turner and Mason should have to explain why it would be okay for criminals to work closely with our children.

Representative Robert Turner
Rep.turner@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0731 Capitol 212 North

Representative Cory Mason
Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0634 Capitol 8 North

This quote has been haunting me for the past week.

“I would spend $1.3 million any day to get $78 million and to right the financial ship of the district so we could be talking about real improvements. So I don’t regret it for one moment,” Hicks said.

As I read more and more about the RUSD and the consultants I just keep wondering why Hicks would have thrown out that number and why the JT has not followed up on it? Every article since then has said $20 million…why the different numbers?

Remember this on June 12th and vote NO on the referendum!!

If PBCG didn’t overcharge…then why would they waive 68% of their billable charges?


JT: Financial firm denies overcharging Unified

JT: Schools consultant answers questions, defends incentives in detail

I am proud to announce that for the second straight year the State Republicans in Convention passed the following resolution without a single dissenting vote:

2007-29 Light Rail and KRM

WHEREAS, various proposals for light and commuter (KRM) rail systems in the Milwaukee-Kenosha corridor have been made in recent years, almost invariably at frightful cost to the taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, Southeastern Wisconsin does not have the density of population necessary for the economical operation of such a system; and
WHEREAS, the voters have demonstrated their opposition to light rail in referendum after referendum; and
WHEREAS, the voters have not been able to vote on the proposed KRM line; and
WHEREAS, most supporters of light and commuter rail do not intend to ride the rails themselves but just want to get the other guys off the road, whether they like it or not:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, in convention
assembled, that no public funds be expended on light or commuter (KRM) rail in Wisconsin.

This weekend as many of you know was the Republican State Convention. While I had a splendid time I came away from the event with a simple regret.

During the discussion of Resolutions, of which I was on the committee, there came an argument from Perfecto Rivera related to Immigration. The resolution states in part that:

WHEREAS, current laws and their enforcement at the federal level have not succeeded in preventing the massive movement of illegal aliens across our borders; and
WHEREAS, this situation has resulted in unsecured borders, opportunities for terrorists, and a large underground economy that is reliant on the labor of illegal aliens; and
WHEREAS, the illegal alien population in the United States is estimated at over 12 million; and

Perfecto’s comments were that Hispanics would take offense to the use of “alien” and that it would be best for us to change it to immigrant. If that would have been the end of it I might have let the issue die but he then stated that the “use of alien is kin to the use on the “n” word!” WHAT!?!?!

There was consensus that we should be “a big tent” and change the language to ensure tranquility for the party…I however was outraged and herein lies my regret.

In talking with those around me who thought that changing “alien” to “immigrant” was a good thing I asked if they would be opposed to “illegal foreigner?”

They of course responded “no.”

Then I pointed out that alien is a synonym for foreigner so “illegal alien” is the right term!

I did not get up and fight for the term alien and regret this decision; in retrospect I would not have been able to change the minds of those in the hall but I would at least have a clear conscience.

This week, May 14-18, is National Bike-to-Work Week.

For all my “green” friends out there…did you bike to work this morning?

I did! I won’t be able to do it all week due to my schedule but I will get to do it at least 3 times.

I challenge all of you to try to replace your car for your bike once this week. It doesn’t have to be to get to work but why not take your bike to Timmy’s soccer game or to visit a friend. You will be sweaty and sore but if we try to do this regularly we will be better for it!

Now before my friends think that I’ve been brainwashed by Algore’s “documentary” let me say that this encouragement is meant to make us all a bit healthier not some feeble attempt to change the climate.

That is my PSA for the week I will return you now to your regular blogging!

I decided to head home for lunch today and saw a very unique sight:

I guess there are some people who will never be satisfied…I mean there are still those with whacked out theories about the moon landing, the Kennedy assassination, and Elvis’s death so I shouldn’t be surprised that there are still those that think that…shhh…“the government” is involved.

Here is my question then…who should investigate 9/11? The government? I thought they didn’t trust these people to tell us the truth?

Scientists have reviewed the data and found nothing out of the ordinary…watch the Discovery channel sometime guys!

Citizen Against Government Waste (CAGW) called for transparency on earmark (Link) requests and asked our US Representatives to provide their requests to the public (all requests were to be submitted to the House Appropriations Committee by April 27.) Here is the letter that was sent – Letter to House.

Additionally they asked our Senators to do the same thing – Senators have until May 15th to submit their requests.

Here is what our Wisconsin Delegation said to CAGW:

Baldwin, Tammy (D-WI, 2nd) NO

Kagen, Steven L. (R-WI, 8th) NO

Kind, Ron (D-WI, 3rd) NO

Moore, Gwendolynne S. (D-WI, 4th) NO

Obey, David (D-WI, 7th) NO

Petri, Thomas E. (R-WI, 6th) NO

Ryan, Paul (R-WI, 1st) YES

Sensenbrenner, Jim Jr. (R-WI, 5th) YES

Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI) Does not request earmarks

Kohl, Herb (D-WI) NO

The Green Bay Press Gazette did an article on April 30th on this issue (how I missed it I don’t know): House lawmakers reluctant to divulge funding requests

We as humans try to justify things in our lives.

We make excuses for eating that extra piece of cake…”it was just a sliver.”

While Ann Coulter may not always be at the top of my hit parade she does make some great points.

Last nights op-ed was superb!

Here is a couple of excerpts from C'EST SI BON

"It looks like the Democrats are going to have to drop their talking point about Bush irritating the rest of the world. Evidently not as much as Muslim terrorists irritate the rest of the world. The politicians who hate Bush keep being dumped by their own voters. "

"Those foreign leaders so admired by Democrats for hating George and loving Saddam are being replaced by rulers who pledge their friendship to the United States. American celebrities who threaten to move out of the country every election rather than live under a conservative leader are running out of countries to move to."

Wow, what a week! I nearly forgot today is Thursday!

Last week’s country was hard but if you understood any of the comments by still unreal and me you could have guessed that the country was Serbia!

This week’s country is not as hard. I give it 7 out of 10.

Does this:

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that”

Mean this:

"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican, A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."

Theses words were uttered by the Reverend Al Sharpton in an attempt to belittle Romney and his faith.

Can you say bigotry?

Firm's billing of Racine Unified questioned


Only the RUSD would do something like this!

According to the article above Public Business Consulting Group is allowed to collect a percentage of any savings that they bring to the district. This alone I have no trouble with. Lets be honest if thy can save us a million dollars I’m willing to pay them 5-10% of the savings.

What chafes me is that they can collect on savings that have not been made!!!

There is the possibility for them to collect money on “savings” that the district will never act on!

There needs to be some accountability…I think there needs to be an audit.



Notice that the article comes from the Milwaukee JS? Good thing someone is paying attention to Racine…God forbid our own JT print such a story!!



***UPDATE From the Racine JT site: 05/08/2007: BREAKING NEWS: School Board to consider audit of consulting firm ***

I have spent too much time replying to friends and family members that send me stupid garbage like this May 15th “gas out” that I have had enough.

In today’s postcrescent.com editorial, Long-term conservation the real answer to gas prices, they put it all out there. For all of you that think this is “gas out” is a good idea, read this editorial carefully:

Avoiding gas stations next Tuesday is just a silly idea with no real common sense behind it.

American consumers have been buzzing about this so-called "gas out" on May 15, with rampant e-mails and Internet posts championing the cause.

The theory is that if everyone boycotts gasoline purchases that day, it will play havoc with the economic principle of supply and demand and make Big Oil rethink high gas prices.

We'll take some pleasure in bursting that bubble.

People buying gasoline is not nearly as important to oil companies — and the "demand" half of the equation — as people using gasoline. In other words, if you fill the tank the day before or the day after the "gas out," the oil companies have still sold you a tank of gas and earned a profit. Whether it happens on Tuesday or Wednesday is largely irrelevant to them.

Stunts like this are an impediment to progress on the energy debate. If you really want to perturb oil companies, try not driving at all on May 15. Or the day after.

As a matter of fact, start biking to work daily. And the next time you purchase a vehicle, buy a hybrid or a "flex fuel" car that burns ethanol.

We have to fundamentally change our dependence on oil to have a tangible, long-term effect on gas prices.

Anything else is driving in circles.

I can't believe this but I agree 100% with this editorial!!!

I’m not talking about the retail store here I’m talking about the Great Ape Project. An article on Drudge lead me to an unusual site www.greatapeproject.org. At first glance I was admittedly curious to help. I, for one, do not believe that it is okay to tear the wings off flies or kill animals just for the fun of killing them.

My attitude toward this organization changed when I read there Declaration on Great Apes:

We demand the extension of the community of equals to include all great apes: human beings, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang-utans.

The community of equals is the moral community within which we accept certain basic moral principles or rights as governing our relations with each other and enforceable at law. Among these principles or rights are the following:

1. The Right to Life
The lives of members of the community of equals are to be protected. Members of the community of equals may not be killed except in very strictly defined circumstances, for example, self-defense.

2. The Protection of Individual Liberty
Members of the community of equals are not to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty; if they should be imprisoned without due legal process, they have the right to immediate release. The detention of those who havenot been convicted of any crime, or of those who are not criminally liable, should be allowed only where it can be shown to be for their own good, or necessary to protect the public from a member of the community who wouldclearly be a danger to others if at liberty. In such cases, members of the community of equals must have the right to appeal, either directly or, if they lack the relevant capacity, through an advocate, to a judicial tribunal.

3. The Prohibition of Torture
The deliberate infliction of severe pain on a member of the community of equals, either wantonly or for an alleged benefit to others, is regarded as torture, and is wrong.

I agree with #1 and #3 but #2 is off the charts odd to me.

So what they are saying is that we must release all of the apes from zoos unless we provide for them some legal process. If an Ape has not been convicted of a crime we, humans, have no right to detain them in any fashion. Then if we do detain an Ape “to protect the public” they “must have the right to appeal” the decision!

Is this nuts or what?!?!

I just love it when Republicans speak their mind because when we speak from the heart we always hit a homerun.

Letter from State Representative Steve Nass (R - 31st Assembly):

May 4, 2007

Speaker Mike Huebsch
Room 211 West
State
Capitol

Representative Kitty Rhoades
Co-Chair, Joint Finance
Committee
Room 309 East

Dear Speaker Huebsch and Co-Chair
Rhoades:

The Joint Finance Committee is nearly two weeks into acting on the Governor’s proposed 2007-2009 Biennial Budget. The net result to-date is horrible for taxpayers and fantastic for big spenders in the Capitol. The committee evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats has failed to remove any major tax and fee increases, but has reached some compromises on how to spend money.

The current process, negotiated between the Co-Chairs, clearly favors the Senate Democrats in preserving Governor Doyle’s $1.7 billion in tax and fee increases. It’s painfully obvious that Senate Democrats won’t agree to any changes in tax and fee increases, but will accept changes to promote spending and buy friends through expanded government programs.

The delusional rants in defense of higher taxes and fees from Senators Russ Decker (Senate Co-Chair), Bob Jauch and Lena Taylor offer proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the Joint Finance Committee process is hopelessly broken and a tremendous waste of resources. It’s certain that the end product in the Joint Finance Committee will dramatically raise taxes and fees.

It is unimaginable that any Republican on the Joint Finance Committee can vote in favor of the final package, thus guaranteeing an 8-8 vote. Why waste the time and limited resources of the Legislature so the Joint Finance Committee can do nothing more than rearrange the deck chairs just prior to hitting the iceberg?

I am requesting the Assembly Republican leadership cease our participation in the process of anointing the Governor’s $1.7 billion tax and fee increases in the Joint Finance Committee. The two houses can better use the month of May to prepare starkly differing versions of the 2007-2009 Biennial Budget and move more efficiently towards a Conference Committee showdown over the future of Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Steve Nass
State Representative
31st Assembly District

My hats go off to those of you that have been calling around trying to get the whole McGee Sr. thing out in the public.

I saw this on the Drudge Report this morning!

For more on the issue see any one of these blogs:

Badger Blogger – Patrick

RDW – Fred

Stepping Right Up! – K Carpenter

Pete Republic – Pete Fanning

Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) uttered these word related to the current tax code.

See the full story and podcast here from our friends at the Tax Foundation.

Senator Bennett suggests a dual tax structure consisting of consumption tax and a flat tax.

Would a 30% reduction in CO2 levels help stem Global Warming? Algore would think so but history proves him wrong.

There really are no words that can express how deeply saddened we are for the Sykes family. Our only hope is that all of our thoughts and prayers will help to lift the family up during this tough time.

To the entire Sykes family, you have our sincerest condolences.


Deadly Fire in Mequon Hits Close to Home at WTMJ

This is my blog post from May 1, 2006: Profit Margins

Here is a press release from Senator Decker May 1, 2007



I’ll reply to this crap soon…still looking up the data.

An AP story today highlights some curious questions regarding space travel: On trip to Mars, NASA must rethink death

• Should NASA genetically test their astronauts?
• Would preventative surgery help limit sick astronauts?
• How much radiation should an astronaut be exposed to?
• Should astronauts be allowed to have sex on long missions?
• How long should a work week be?
• What are they to do on their “free time” since sex is out of the question? (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist!)

I find the whole concept of protesting for illegal immigration kind of odd.

The JT has an article today which states that there will be around 500 students and family members that will be attending the protests in Racine and Milwaukee. It goes on further to state that the students did need permission slips to attend but that it is “not an official school trip.”

Question: Did this organization, Students United for Immigrant Rights, pay for the use of the 10 buses? I truly hope that this is not being put on the taxpayer’s dime!!

Many of the protests we will see in the news today are organized by the National Immigrant Solidarity Network. This organization has this catchy little slogan on their website:

Then they go further and layout their “ten points of unity” which are further detailed in a letter sent to Speaker Pelosi in January (Jan 29, 2007 open letter to the Congress)

1) No to anti-immigrant legislation, and the criminalization of the immigrant communities.

2) No to militarization of the border.

3) No to the immigrant detention and deportation.

4) No to the guest worker program.

5) No to employer sanction and "no match" letters.

6) Yes to a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

7) Yes to speedy family reunification.

8) Yes to civil rights and humane immigration law.

9) Yes to labor rights and living wages for all workers.

10) Yes to the education and LGBT immigrant legislation.

I find it sad that in this day and age we have a segment of people who think that illegal aliens and immigration equate to the same thing!

I was unable to attend last nights Caledonia Board meeting but thankfully Caledonia Unplugged was there and had this to say about this year’s final decision on Tabor Woods:

Common Sense Prevails in Tabor Woods Land Proposal

More accurately, common sense prevailed by default! The final vote on a motion to apply for a DNR grant to fund ½ the purchase price of Tabor Woods died on a 3-3 tie this evening.

Voting for the motion: McCalvy, Stacey and Coutts; voting against the motion: Wanggaard, Bradley and Wishau

TOP TEN REASONS THIS LAND DEAL DOESN'T MAKE SENSE:

10) The grant would pay for ½ of the purchase of 34.25 acres, of which only 11.25 acres is usable land;

Countinued…

Thank you Caledonia Unplugged for your insightful commentary…I am curious why McCalvy voted on this issue? Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest on her part?