State Rep. Spencer Black is going to once again try to introduce legislation that he claims will help schools become “a safe place to teach.”

His bill would allow school districts to disregard the state imposed spending cap if the upgrades are deemed by the school district to be necessary for school security.

While this seems like a noble cause let us be realistic, in all of the school shootings that have taken place there was no cause for an increased level of security until the day of the incident!

If there is one thing that we can take from all of the acts of violence in schools is that it will occur in schools you would least like to expect it.

Do you think there could be any connection between the timing of these two events?

North Korea conducts first nuclear test

U.N. taps South Korean as next leader

Congratulations, another Nobel Prize to an American!!


Economics: Edmund S. Phelps for his analysis of intertemporal tradeoffs in macroeconomic policy.

In an interesting news story from the Journal Times this afternoon, “Police responded an estimated 650 feet to the City Haul Lounge, 835 Washington Ave. at 12:27 a.m. Thursday to perform an alcohol compliance check upon receiving the complaint.”

What I found most fascinating about this article was the following:

“In addition to issuing citations and making arrests, authorities also recovered one handgun in the bar’s bathroom and two other handguns that had been abandoned in the bar area.”

I’ll be curious to see if there is any follow up on this part of the story.

The Journal Times has been very vocal in there opposition to conceal carry in Wisconsin but when people have guns illegally or simply abandon them when the police arive, it becomes nothing more than a footnote in their story.

Where is their cry that there are too many guns out there? Where is the explanation for the guns? Did the reporter just decide that this was ok?

“Should the death penalty be enacted in the state of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?”

This wording will be on the November 7th ballot throughout Wisconsin and is NOT a binding referendum. What this means is that even if 100% of the people support or reject the referendum it will NOT change the current law of the State. The purpose of this is to determine if there is any support for this penalty…if there is the legislature MAY try to reinstate the death penalty in Wisconsin.

I broached this topic a week ago and said that I would weigh in on the debate. In light of the recent press release from No Death Penalty Wisconsin I thought it might be time to state my opinion on the subject.

I’ll start by saying I will be voting ‘Yes’ for this referendum.

Here is why:

• The death penalty is an effective deterrent is used and promoted.
• First-degree intentional homicide is meant for people that meant to kill someone and therefore the most heinous.
• (The Left hates this one…) If it is legal to kill an innocent child before he/she has a chance at a life…why isn’t it legal to kill a guilty person who has intentionally taken the life of another?
• DNA evidence is conclusive.

There are many people who like to say that the death penalty dose not deter crime…I disagree. What doesn’t deter crime is allowing the dregs of society to live in lavish conditions. If we actually treated these ‘people’ like criminals not like people at a resort then the level of recidivism and desire to go to prison would be decreased.

If this does move forward I would like to see the wording changed to “first-degree intentional homicide” since under the current wording reckless homicide would be included. I’m not as comfortable having people put to death for acts that unintentionally caused a death whether reckless or not.

The pro-abortion crowd always tries to turn this on its ear and say that if we are pro-life then we can’t be pro-death penalty. I say BS! The taking of an innocent life is far different from taking a guilty one. I have no moral reservations or consider my opinion hypocritical if you do that is your moral dilemma, not mine.

Lastly the “No Penalty” group is currently going around the state with at least on person who has been exonerated due to the DNA evidence that proved he did not commit murder! So DNA works…both ways!! If we can set people free based on DNA why can we not punish them for the same evidence?


Vote “Yes.”

Well it looks like everyone got last weeks country right…it was…Germany!

Great job everyone!

This weeks should be a little harder…but not much harder!

Nobel Prizes are awarded this time of year and here are the current outcomes:

Physiology & Medicine: ANDREW Z. FIRE, and CRAIG C. MELLO for their discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by double-stranded RNA.

Physics: JOHN C. MATHER and GEORGE C. SMOOT for their discovery of the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation.

Chemistry: ROGER D. KORNBERG for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription.

Literature: TBA

Economics: October 9th

Peace: October 13th

Congratulations to all!

Once again we have a Democratic Press Release that politicizes a terrible event, ignores the facts (Congressman resigned & Republicans call for investigation of illegal acts), and ignores their own track record!

You can read their release here.

Here is what I believe it should say.

Racine Wisconsin – Revelations continue to surface that Democratic leaders, including Democrat House Leader Nancy Pelosi, have known for months about the Jefferson scandal, yet chose to ignore it.

Today, while the FBI continue to search records relating to an investigation which alleges that Congressman Jefferson (D-LA) took money to help a firm called iGate win contracts with an Africa, Pelosi and other Democratic Leaders opt to turn a blind eye to illegal activities of “one of their own” and instead charge the Republican Leadership of failing to investigate a Congressman who has in recent days resigned in disgrace for activities that are abhorrent to most of America.

“Congressman Foley acted disgracefully and I am glad to see that the Republican Leadership is pursuing an investigation into his acts but I am troubled that Democrats are casting stones all the while protecting and endorsing Congressman Jefferson who according to an FBI investigation accepted bribes,” said Gopfolk, a blogger in Wisconsin.

The People of Wisconsin today called on Congressman Obey, Moore, Baldwin, and Petri to join the voices around the country who have demanded that Pelosi resign her leadership post.

“Nancy Pelosi chose to protect Democrats because of their minority role in the House instead of protecting the values of Congress and the Government of the United States,” said Gopfolk. “It is appalling that Pelosi and other House minority leaders would choose to ignore this scandal to protect their own. Congressman Obey, Moore, Baldwin, and Petri should buck party leaders for once and call for Nancy Pelosi’s immediate resignation.”

Finally beat the old record set January 14th 2000!

Congressman Mark Green, Candidate for Governor, put out a press release today, Higher Education Day, touting his “Wisconsin First” plan for the UW system.

On Higher Education Day, Green Again Calls for “Wisconsin First” Plan at UW

Here is a portion of the release:

(In) a recent analysis of UW-Madison’s admissions process that found that the percentage of UW-Madison freshmen from Wisconsin has dropped from 65 percent to 59 percent, while the percentage of non-resident freshmen has risen from 21.5 percent to 25.9 percent. The analysis goes on to point out that UW-Madison freshmen from Wisconsin had an average high school rank at the 91st percentile and an average GPA of 3.8, while non-resident UW-Madison freshmen had an average high school rank at the 87th percentile and an average GPA of 3.5.

“UW administrators are picking out-of-state students with lower grades than Wisconsin kids to attend the UW. That should never happen,” said Green. “As I travel our state, I have heard from far too many parents that their son or daughter is not getting into the UW school of their choice, even though their grades and ACT scores are very good. I’ll put Wisconsin’s young people at the front of the line.”

Not to be out done Governor Jim Doyle also put out a press release on Higher Education Day and he chose to attack Congressman Green’s plan.

On Higher Education Day, Congressman Green Again Calls for $100 Million Cut to UW System

Here is a portion of the release:

Today, on what Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed “Higher Education Day” in the state of Wisconsin, Congressman Mark Green again called for a higher education plan that would cut the University of Wisconsin System by at least $100 million and continue to put college education out of reach for thousands of Wisconsin families.

So lets just get to the heart of the issue here…under the current Governor there are fewer qualified Wisconsin students getting into the UW system. Governor Doyle thinks that is OK because to allow these students in versus out of state students would be a difference of $100 million.

I guess that the almighty dollar is more important to “Diamond” Jim Doyle than educating the children of this state.

How many of us have said that our elected officials are nothing but a bunch of clowns?

Doubt that he’ll win but who knows.


Clown is Running for Mayor of Alameda

"This year's extreme loss of ozone can be explained by the temperatures above Antarctica reaching the lowest recorded in the area since 1979," European Space Agency Atmospheric Engineer Claus Zehner said.

I thought that Algore said we were experiencing the highest temperatures ever and that the ice caps are melting?

Last weeks country was: Greenland!


Here is this weeks country:



Good luck!!

11,722 is a number that the stock market has only seen once as a closing number and that was back in January of 2000. We have come close in recent days but can not seem to muster the strength to get past it. One begins to wonder if this barrier is nothing but a psychological one.

Since 2000 we have seen our world change before our eyes.

We saw a weakening economy in 2000. The tech bubble burst in 2000-2001. Scandals plague top companies like Worldcom, Enron, and Tyco. The change in how business report to their share holders.

Then 9/11.

We faced a recession on top of the terrorist attacks. Republicans swiftly passed across the board income tax cuts, elimination of the marriage tax penalty, and a phase out of the estate tax. We saw unemployment rates reach levels that hadn’t been seen in decades. Government spending at unprecedented levels. Oil prices, and by default gas prices, at all time highs here at home.

All of this has happened in just 6 short years. America did not fall but we did take a step back. Our economy has gained its momentum back. Now we are growing again but the market seems stalled at the precipice…do we take that next step?

America is resilient. Our markets are strong. We are back.

But can we over come the mental barrier and bust through 11,722?

I think we will find out by the end of the month…if not the end of the week.

The media and political pundits have had a field day over the classified memo that was leaked the other day. Their reasons are obvious; they hate that we are in Iraq. So they have clung on to that one sentence and, just like President Bush’s 16 little words, it will be proven in the end to be only half of the story.

Here is the sentence that has all of the anti-war nuts in a frenzy:

The Iraq conflict has become the “cause celebre” for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters forthe global jihadist movement.

That sentence alone could be damaging to our efforts to root out the terrorists throughout the world because in effect it states that by our own actions we are encouraging the behavior we are trying to stop.

But you have to remember the people that analyze this type of stuff don’t just stop at the simple answer they probe deeper…our reporters and Democrats stop when they see what they want.

The very next sentence…not the next paragraph but the next sentence states:

Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.

While I do not believe the President should declassify memos to prove the media right or wrong, I think that this was the right move. People need to understand that our fight with terrorism is not over until these people are more than demoralized; it ends when they are dead.

Here is more of the declassified memo that defends the “staying the course” strategy:

Al-Qa’ida, now merged with Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi’s network, is exploiting the situation in Iraq to attract new recruits and donors and to maintain its leadership role.

• The loss of key leaders, particularly Usama Bin Ladin, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and al-Zarqawi, in rapid succession, probably would cause the group to fracture into smaller groups. Although like-minded individuals would endeavor to carry on the mission, the loss of these key leaders would exacerbate strains and disagreements. We assess that the resulting splinter groups would, at least for a time, pose a less serious threat to US interests than does al-Qa’ida.
• Should al-Zarqawi continue to evade capture and scale back attacks against
  Muslims, we assess he could broaden his popular appeal and present a global threat.
• The increased role of Iraqis in managing the operations of al-Qa’ida in Iraq might lead veteran foreign jihadists to focus their efforts on external operations.

A number States have enacted parental notification laws for abortions preformed on minors. As with any law people find ways around them. In this case, since not all states have parental notification, some minors will cross state lines and have abortions preformed in states without notification.

Senate Bill 403 would make it a crime for someone to transport a minor over state lines to “abridge the right of the parent under the law.” Additionally this bill would make it a crime for a Doctor to perform an abortion on a minor from a state with parental notification without proper notification.

In what I would consider a stunningly big mistake 153 congressmen decided that interstate trafficking of minors for the purpose of obtaining abortions without parental consent is OK!

The 4 Democratic congressmen from Wisconsin (Baldwin, Moore, Obey, & Petri) all feel that parent’s rights are nullified when it comes to the right of a minor to seek an abortion.

So why is the supposed “leaking” of a name of an agent, which was not in harms way, a bad thing and leaking classified intelligence reports ok?

Where is the media’s outrage that people are not being charged for leaking National Intelligence Estimates?

Will the media call for the termination of the person or persons that leaked this information the same way the demanded Bush fire Rove when they thought he had leaked the information on Valerie Plame?

My guess is no.


Great article relating to this:

Secrets for Sale – Cheap
By Ralph Peters

Here is a list of recent “news” reports that I just could not care about:

Tall Women More Likely to Have Twins

Settlement reached on Dr. Phil diet plan

Artwork said to be done by Hitler sold

Paris Hilton charged with DUI in Calif.

This November we here in Wisconsin will face 2 referendums, one is advisory only while the other will amend the State constitution.

I thought that I’d post the wording here so that we can discuss this in the near future.

The Marriage Amendment will amend the state of Wisconsin’s constitution:

Shall section 12 of article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?

The Death Penalty has been banned in Wisconsin since 1853…this is an advisory referendum only, which means that even if the state approves or denies this 100% the legislature can act as they see fit.

Should the death penalty be enacted in the State of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?

You can post what you want on these…I’ll express my opinion later.

This is a great opinion piece by Deroy Murdock:

Throwing olive branches at Islamofascists is beyond futile. This is the war on terror, not the Summer Olympics on terror. If America won't fight this like a war — and win — we might as well cut our losses, hand out the Qurans, and start the mass conversions.

Here is an opinion piece by Ann Coulter: Are Videotaped Beheadings Covered by Geneva?

She takes aim at McCain and crew as well as the Democratic Party since they wish to baby the enemy that isn’t even willing to fight a proper war. She points out that maybe we should throw away the Geneva Convention and “adopt Sharia law.”

Why is everyone upset with us and not those people…they are the ones torturing people that don’t conform?

H.R. 4844

Our Wisconsin Delegation broke down like this:

4-4 right on party lines!

I guess it is true; most Democrats just don’t want clean elections.

The roll call.

No surprises here Congressman Gwen Moore has entrenched herself in the FAR LEFT wing of the Democratic party hoping that illegal voting for Democrats will keep her in office.

You all know Gwen Moore she is the mother of the son who was a willing participant in the biggest attempt at voter intimidation in Wisconsin’s recent history. Unlike the Democratic Party I understand the word disenfranchisement and voter ID does not fit the bill. Disenfranchise means to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity…requiring ID DOES not deprive someone of a right but preserves the rights of those that vote!!!

Congressman Moore is upset by H.R. 4844 which would require people to prove who they say they are. Somehow she feels that this would dissuade people from voting…and in a true Lefty style she claims fear that the “elderly, disabled, poor, students, and ethnic minorities” would be unlikely to vote!

She further goes on to point to Georgia’s Voter ID Law has just been deemed unconstitutional…you know she’s right!! But I guess just like most Lefties that don’t want to make things better she failed to read why the Georgia Law was deemed unconstitutional. You see Georgia’s Law required all citizens to get a State ID card at a cost. This is being considered a ‘poll tax’ and is not right.

H.R. 4844, and by the way a similar bill here in Wisconsin, has been amended with the following provision that allows people unable to pay for the ID to still receive the ID…again I guess she just doesn’t read the bills before spouting off.

Sec. 3 (a)(4)(B)(ii) the State may not charge a fee to any individual who provides an attestation that the individual is unable to afford the fee.

So here a few questions:

When will Democrats learn what words mean?

Why are the Democrats so afraid of having to show photo ID?

Do all Democrats fail to read the Bill’s they are going to vote on?

Today’s Opinion Journal had the following article written by Cyrus Nowrasteh screen writer of “The Path to 9/11.”

The Path to Hysteria

I thought that “The Path to 9/11” was a very well done movie…it is amazing to me that we can not call this a documentary but “Fahrenheit 9/11” is considered one!!!

Below is an e-mail that I (and many others) recently received from my friend Pam…I know that you will think her comments insightful. Thank you Pam for allowing me to post your comments!

An Idea Whose Time Has Come

I think we're going about this GTMO situation all wrong. Many of you know that little old me (when I was about 30 pounds littler and a couple of years younger) used to run and provide prisoner medical care to those residing in the International Detention facilities in GTMO. Now granted we didn't have the mid-easterners but we did have some arsonists, rapists, murderers, drug dealers (from other countries who got to close to our little base and got to stay for a visit) as well as political prisoners awaiting repatriation to their home country and Haitians. BTW, they received a medical visit seven days a week and not only did they have emergency room access 24/7 (on the taxpayers dime) I was on call for them 24/7, in addition to my other duties at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Cuba (which trust me, there were many others that took up more time than my work at the brig).

Now that I have established my self proclaimed expertise in the facilities at "Club Gitmo" I have some viable suggestions to help the situation with the detainees that would be beneficial to them as well as to the American taxpayers.

Eliminate the trained military police guards and interrogators. Replace them with Americans who understand what it is to be a freedom fighter. My recommendations for these positions are:

For Leadership:

Senator McCain -- who was shot down because he decided to take a plane that was not combat ready into combat, cause he was cool enough to work around the deficiencies.

Senator Kerry -- who, a very decorated war hero who put himself in for each and every medal he received (gosh...I'd have more than I do now if I had done that) and of course made it a point to look after his fellow veterans remaining on the battle front and even better care of those prisoners of the NVA.

Senator Kennedy -- although he's never done time in the military, nor been to Iraq to visit our trips--he likes to champion causes for the those who are like himself whether they have money or not.

Senator Cleland -- a triple amputee (friendly grenade that he tried to pick up that went off) who was the Head of the Veterans Administration under Jimmy Carter.

President Carter -- yes the man who once commanded a sub (on it's way to dry dock-the sub garage for over-haul) and worked diligently to keep our hostages in Iran safe until Ronald Regan could negotiate their release (the night Ron took office for the first time--amazing what had been set up for that to happen). and remember he negotiated a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel that got the Egyptian PM killed and never did provide safety for the Jewish people, but it did help him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

The Reverend Jessie Jackson -- Although he is not of the same denomination as the prisoners...he has tremendous expertise at compromising Christian Values and the Jewish/Christian Scriptures, and should be able to learn enough of the Islamic Religion to provide adequate spiritual guidance to the detainees. (Shucks, he may even just convert over when he finds out that many of the things he supports, such as mistresses, are encouraged in the Koran)

Mrs. Ted Turner (aka: Jane Fonda) -- This woman knows what it means to loose a loved one simply for attaining some unpopular spiritual beliefs, not sure where she's put them these days.

Cindy Sheehan -- Another empathic individual who believes in loving her enemies and doing harm to those who love and protect you.

Mikie Moore -- Insightful and creative, is able to take truth, build a story around it so unusually that the truth simply disappears.

General Powell -- Probably the best man on the planet to handle the daily and special Public Affairs needs of the "Club" Has worn a Soldiers uniform, has decades of political experience, and is a native of NYC.

For the Daily scutt work:

The Socialist Hollywood Elite -- to do the daily guarding and caring for the poor mistreated detainees at my former home. Hope they don't mind being surrounded by mine fields on one side and shark infested water on the other three.

These folks can make up their own rules as they go along until they arrive at a combination that works for their value set. They can even have that entire side of GTMO and allow the prisoners to roam about and get out of those air conditioned cells and play in the tropical sun.

Well that's my dime.

Pamela A. Mundling
Chief Independent Duty Corpsman-Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
United States Navy, Retired
( Former Pentagon Staffer and Vet of our First Middle East Visit in the 90's)
family of Most High God
community of evolved embryo's
republican party of kenosha county
kenosha county republican women
kenosha chamber of commerce
kenosha womens network
pre-paid legal casualty, incus coast guard auxiliary
and several other great organizations
*=*=*=*
authorization pending, but not hopeful
=*=*=*=
prepaidlegal.com/hub/pamelamundling

We have been hearing a lot of “facts” about what the President would like to see as far as Congress’ review of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. What has been missing in all of the news coverage is the actual wording of Article 3.

Here is the unedited version of Article 3:

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

1. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of the armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all cases be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth of wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

(b) taking of hostages;

(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;

(d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.

2. The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for.

An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, may offer its services to the Parties to the conflict.The Parties to the conflict should further endeavor to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of the present Convention.

The application of the preceding provisions shall not affect the legal status of the Parties to the conflict.

So what is it that the President wants?

Well you just read Article 3; did anything jump out to you?

The President would like a clearer definition of “(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;” This wording is very vague.

This section is so vague that no al Qaeda could be questioned by a female…this would be “humiliating and degrading” to them because of their religious belief.

What are we to do? We are facing an enemy that would do anything to destroy us and we have people that are more concerned about what others think of us than in stopping the enemy. The President is not asking Congress to completely throw out the convention just to define the vague statements within it.

We are not going to become a nation of terrorists, beheading those that disagree with us or bombing children in the name of our God, by defining our treatment of the enemy. This will give us the ability to show the whole world that the preservation of life as well as the protection of our country can co-exist.

We must urge Congress to detail out what Article 3 means.

AP: Immigration raid cripples Ga. town

WOW!!! Our INS does its job down in GA and the politicians are complaining!!!

"This reminds me of what I read about Nazi Germany, the Gestapo coming in and yanking people up," Mayor Marilyn Slater said.

According to the article 120 illegal aliens were bussed out of the city and others ran away…and now the “Georgia community of about 1,000 people has become little more than a ghost town”

My favorite part was the idiot, Dave Robinson, who runs the trailer park said the following:

"These people might not have American rights, but they've damn sure got human rights," Robinson said. "There ain't no reason to treat them like animals."

Excuse me???

These illegals were handcuffed and placed on a bus headed for Atlanta…how is that being treated like and animal? Besides wouldn’t being used for labor with no laws protecting you since you are not a legal citizen worse!?!?!?

Next time you hear about the “torture” being done to the detainees in Gitmo and our “secret prisons” think about this article. The incidents done at places like Abu Ghraib are exceptions to the rule not the status quo. Besides we could always treat these detainees that same way the radical Islamic Fascists do…place them in front of a camera and chop their heads off so their families can see.

I just could not do this article any justice by simply trying to rewrite it…you have to read it for your self. (Link) I found this at the NY Post online site.

From the Daily Mail: Men are more intelligent than women, claims new study.

Last weeks answer was of course Mexico…I still like angel-m-t’s thought though…Texas Junior!!

Here is this week’s country:

Still should be pretty easy…DON’T FORGET TO POST YOUR ANSWER!!!!

After Hiroshima and Nagasaki there was quite a debate about the building and use of nuclear weapons. But as they say once the genie is out of the bottle there is very little you can do to put it back!

We were the first to create such a massive and devastating weapon and the only one to ever have used it. Since its development in the States many counties have followed…most using their own resources and knowledge to make these devices. A few have obtained the technology through less than intelligent ways just as any thug can find a cheap weapon of choice on the street corner.

Nuclear weapons in their current form can do more damage than anything we have ever seen. We developed and weaponized nuclear material and stockpiled them to defeat the USSR and in the process have become the sole super power in the world. While we are no longer in the production of these weapons we still have enough to ‘do in’ most of the world.

The question at hand though is who should have the ability to develop and have these powerful weapons?

Many, mainly those here in the states, claim that the US is being hypocritical by having these weapons and not allowing other countries to develop similar armaments. Others claim that while we posses these weapons we are monitored by self regulated non-proliferation treaties and we do allow countries to develop this technology just look at India and Pakistan. The real issue at hand is the US stepping in to prevent an extremist country like Iran/Korea from obtaining these weapons.

Here is my opinion: I have no doubt that if Iran weaponizes nuclear material, based on information that they have obtained, not developed, they will use their new weapon as they have others (look up their use of chemical weapons during the Iran/Iraq war) and in the process kill millions.

I believe that the US should not stand in the way of Iran developing nuclear technology. If they use said technology, as I’m sure they will they must understand that the US will have no choice but to use the same weapon to eliminate their entire country and all of its contents without any second chances or remorse.

Nuclear weapons are here to stay and until all countries (and people) are able to understand the effect of ‘mutual annihilation’ there will always be a threat to our safety.

“I call on the President to stop using the phrase “Islamic fascists”, a label that doesn’t make any sense, and certainly doesn’t help our effort to build a coalition of societies to fight terrorism,” Feingold said.

So what would you like us to call them?

Non-Christian retro-religious zealots?

Anti-Jewish non-Muslim fanatics?

How about people-of-Earth-with-a-mind-set-to-destroy-those-that-are-not-Muslim-but-who-are-not-true-Muslims-themselves?

Would any of those work for you Mr. Feingold?

These TERRORISTS are what they are…they are Muslims who believe that their God has instructed them to either convert or kill all non-believers and to use all means necessary to achieve this goal. This group is not just limited to al Qaeda; it has roots in Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PLO, just to name a few.

If Muslims would like us to stop calling these terrorists Islamic Fascists then it is up to the Islamic nations to clearly separate themselves from these radicals and for them, NOT some Jewish white guy from Wisconsin, denounce the use of this term.

Mr. Feingold, I am appalled that you represent me and the great state of Wisconsin. You are a shameful representation of what Wisconsin has to offer this country and the world. We live in a melting pot called America and you are suffering from the worst case of “White Guilt” I have ever seen.

Mr. Feingold, I’m waiting for you to tell us what we should call Muslims that are hell bent on conquering or destroying the world.

From the AP “Mayor vetoes Chicago 'living wage' bill”

Liberals forget that they hate these big-box retailers…imagine if this would have been passed…Walmart and Home Depot like stores now offer $10/hr and a minimum of $3/hr in benefits…what do you think would happen to the ‘mom & pop’ stores?

There would be no way for them to compete…basic economics once again has blinded the left.

Just because it sounds like a good idea doesn’t make it so.

On this day we remember those we have lost, friends, co-workers, family, and fellow Americans. Let us remember them and not lose sight of what was done to them.

Why I refuse to forget:

The US is close to getting a deal in the Security Council of the UN that would put place sanctions on Iran unless they stop enriching uranium. (Link)

The question is: do sanctions work?

If we start by looking at this question from what effect it had on Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan one can not honestly say that sanctions work!

What happens is simple those in power continue to wield their power by usurping those that are less fortunate in the country. While these powerful men are riding the backs of the downtrodden they continually point out that the UN (or in most cases the US) is primarily responsible for their pain since we are the ones who imposed the sanctions. This causes hatred. Of the UN, the US, and anyone else that agrees with the policy.

Then once the sanctions are lifted the powerful continue to steal from those that need the help so that the hatred grows because we have now said we would help but no help comes to them; they blame us.

However if we look at sanctions as a military move then sanctions work…sort of.

From a strategic point of view sanctions weaken a county by deflating the people of the county. Without outside assistance very few counties, especially developing counties, could sustain itself with food and materials for defense. This weakened country would be primed for attack.

This strategy can backfire though. Weakened people filled with hate can and many times do fight to their ultimate death to defend what they believe. Their deaths then become war cries for those that follow their same cause…kind of sound like what we have right now in the Middle East doesn’t it?

Iran is a problem for the world…but sanctions are not the answer.


…Next topic is “who should have nuclear weapons?”…

I’m thinking this will become a weekly puzzle…but for now here is an easy one.



Don’t forget to post your answer!!

In the latest attempt to prove that the world is truly coming to an end due to “global warming” Chris Thomas of the University of York is actually claiming, and the dutiful news media is reporting, that "If the most extreme warming predicted takes place we will be going back to global temperatures not seen since the age of the dinosaur." He continues by stating that we may be on the “edge of a wave of mass extinctions.”

Here is the problem with his argument and the many like his that come forward every few years…Could Mr. Thomas tell us what the average temperature was in 9,998,000 BC? How about in 1,000 BC? 1130 AD? 1492 AD? What about 1776? Could he explain what appears to have been a warming trend in the mid-thirteenth century?

See, the problem with the “scientific facts” that he is scaring people with is that we have only been recording temperatures for about 100+ years!!!

Last week Thursday Fred from Real Debate Wisconsin had a great poem on taxes (Link: Real Debate Wisconsin: Taxes) and it really stirred up some strong emotions.

Well I always like to challenge people to put their thoughts into some sort of action so here is a link to the National Budget Simulator. If you are a novice to governmental budgeting you may wish to try your hand at the short version but for all of you die-hards out there try the long version and see how good you are at balancing the budget.

I’ve got nothing…

AP news article

While perusing the political sites I always find time to read some of the items on RealClearPolicitcs.com and today was no exception. Now I know that all of these items are not going to have my point of view on the world and I also know that there are a few writers that I really should stay away from but I just can’t seem to help myself!!

Today in the Guardian Noam Chomsky has an article titled “Their View of the World is Through a Bombsite” and I of course had to read this drivel.

Noam, who I do believe is intelligent, is quite mad! He states that the latest Israel – Hezbollah conflict was a “US-Israeli invasion of Lebanon, with only a cynical pretence to legitimacy.” He completely ignores that fact the Hezbollah actually started the conflict and Israel retaliated…not the US!

He continues to do what all good liberals do tie this conflict to something different and states that the real reason for this recent “assault is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” ASSAULT?!?! Excuse me Mr. Chomsky? I do believe that if Hezbollah would have not bombed Israel there would not have been an “assault” on them. The only people that were assaulted here was the Israelis! And what does any of this have to do with the Palestinians? Are you implying that they are complicit with Hezbollah? Should there be another attack on Israel from Hezbollah should the Israelis “assault” Palestine as well as Lebanon?

Finally Noam puts it all out there:

“It is no secret that Israel has helped to destroy secular Arab nationalism and to create Hizbullah and Hamas, just as US violence has expedited the rise of extremist Islamic fundamentalism and jihadi terror.”

It’s no secret huh? Well I would beg to differ. The only people that believe this crap are the same people that believe if they die with a bomb strapped to their chest and kill innocent civilians, including women and children, that God will grant them 72 virgins for doing this “holy act.” This statement is nothing but garbage meant to drive reasonably sane people like me nuts!

“US violence has expedited the rise of extremist Islamic…” What violence would that be Mr. Chomsky? In your article you point to the invasion of Iraq but that is a bogus example since these “terrorists” have been around longer than this. Remember 9/11, USS Cole, the attacks on the US embassies…the list goes on. The only thing that “US violence” will create is a safer world for everyone but terrorists in the end.

WHAT?!?!

Here is the comment (link):

"We share the position of (the International Atomic Energy Agency) and express our regret that Iran has not fulfilled Resolution 1696 by the designated date and refused to stop work on uranium enrichment," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by the Interfax and RIA-Novosti news agencies.

What really chafes me is that these people are still willing to coddle this country!!! The US and the rest of the UN agreed that this diplomatic solution would end with the following outcomes; Iran stopping the enrichment of nuclear material or sanctions.

While I am not always the largest supporter of sanctions, primarily because they don’t work, this was the agreed to terms of the UN. The Russians are doing a disservice to the world in allowing this crap to go on.

To further my out rage the Russian spokesman continued with:

"We take past experience into account and we cannot join ultimatums that only lead everyone to a dead end," he told reporters. "There are many countries whose policies raise questions and provoke concern but we live in one world and we need to search for solution through dialogue, involve them in dialogue, and not through isolation."

I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again…WHAT HAS TALKING EVER GOT US FROM A NATION HELL BENT ON DOMINATION NOT PEACE?!?!

This is the headline I was greeted with when I went to the Journal Sentinel Editorial webpage today.

Could this be true?!?!

I read it twice and I’d encourage all to read it as well. (Link)

The facts in the Green PAC money case are simple. Mark Green transferred money from his federal campaign to his state campaign before the state elections board made a ruling that such transfers were inappropriate.

This type of transfer has been allowed before; when Doyle brought up similar accusations of Tom Barrett the SEB acknowledged that this was allowable. Now with Doyle’s cronies on the SEB they decide to rewrite the ruling they made to make it retroactive!! This is simply WRONG!

I am glad to see that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is willing to acknowledge that this is just a case of Doyle cronyism and not a real ruling from the SEB.

Once again the media is in trouble for altering photos. Here is an article from the New York Post exposing the amazing weight loss of Katie Couric in this photo.


How many times do they have to get in trouble for doing this before they realize that falsifying photos to deceive is wrong…and they’ll get caught!?!?!?

Rumsfeld, like him or hate him, knows what he is talking about.

From the AP today: Rumsfeld Warns Against Appeasement

Speaking to several thousand veterans at the American Legion's national convention, Rumsfeld said that as fascism and Nazism took hold in Europe, those who warned of a coming crisis were ridiculed or ignored. He quoted Winston Churchill as observing that trying to accommodate Hitler was "a bit like feeding a crocodile, hoping it would eat you last."

"I recount this history because once again we face similar challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism," he said.

"Can we truly afford to believe that somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased?" he asked.

"Can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America — not the enemy — is the real source of the world's troubles?"

Drudge headline, SADDAM MADE TO WATCH 'SOUTH PARK' MOVIE REPEATEDLY....


I hope it’s true!!!

With all the media hype of the one year anniversary of Katrina I thought this comic was perfect.

Louisiana failed to help its people. New Orleans failed to help its people. Mayor Nagin failed to help his people.

Yet the people of Louisiana and the news media find comfort in blaming those farthest removed from the ability to help.

Where is the outcry that Mayor Nagin didn’t call for a mandatory evacuation? Where is the outcry that Mayor Nagin failed to utilize the busses at his disposal to remove people from the city? Where is the outrage that Governor Blanco didn’t request federal assistance for days and admitted it in an on camera flub all while blaming the Bush administration for not helping?

I’m truly saddened that New Orleans is still in ruin but when you elect Democrats that only know how to blame others for their suffering, expect others to do things for them, and gloat that things aren’t progressing as quickly as they should, you got what you deserve.

Maybe the Iranian President is right (link). Maybe President Bush should invite President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the floor of the UN and the two should go toe-to-toe in front of the Security Council.

No mediators.

Just two leaders defending their position on Iranian uranium enrichment and what it means to the region. Then we let the UN Security Council vote again.

Ahmadinejad does not stand a chance of winning. He has made it very clear that he wants to wipe “Israel off the map” and has a deep hatred of the US. Other than that what other argument could he have for the enrichment of uranium?

The US must continue to take a stand against those that only wish to do harm.

"Our objective is clear, to disarm Hezbollah," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said, but added that military force was not the answer. "The only solution is to have a political solution."

Mr. Douste-Blazy, when was the last time a terrorist faction or any enemy disarmed due to political or diplomatic pressure? What should I expect from the French!

Well Donovan Riley is out of the race…sort of. Acording to this JSOnline article by Spivak & Bice (link here) Donovan Riley’s attorney issued a statement that Donovan would be pulling out of the race. Unfortunately Donovan Riley’s website hasn’t been updated recently. Since this withdrawal is coming so late, Donovan’s name will still appear on the ballot in the September primary.

Yesterday this item (link) appeared on www.wheelerreport.com. State Senator Carpenter (D), State Representative Sinicki (D), and Zepnick (D) all asked for Donovan to pull out of the race but I still want to point out that the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Joe Wineke STILL HAS NOT condemned Donovan or what he did!!!

In a press release put out today by the Ross for Secretary of State, this lying Democrat (two words that fit together so perfectly) is trying to smear a respectable candidate for the Governorship.

Ross states the following: "Mark Green and Republican legislators are trying to keep people who earn less than $35,000 from voting,” once again lying to make people scared. This comes on the heels of a press release from Mark Green’s campaign which lays out his support for voter ID. (Release here)

Ross continues his smear of Green by stating: "Mark Green's voter ID bill is nothing more than a modern-day poll tax." He cites the Georgia case where Harold L. Murphy, U.S. District Judge in Georgia ruled that Georgia’s Voter ID law, which required all residents to obtaining a special digital identification card, which costs $20 for five years, was unconstitutional and likened the law to a Jim Crow-era poll tax. The Green plan includes “funding to cover the cost of a $9 state identification card for those eligible voters who are unable to afford this cost” there is no poll tax here!

The Green plan can be found here.

Ross continues his lies by stating that “Republican voter suppression is a longtime nemesis of the Democratic process” and that “the only thing that concerns me more is any eligible voter being denied his or her Constitutional right to vote." Yet we have not seen or heard Ross’s thoughts on Donovan Riley!!

The truth is the Republicans are not trying to suppress voters we are trying to enforce the law to protect each persons vote. We consider double voting, felons voting, and voting after polls close to be tactics used by Democrats to cancel out someone else’s Constitutional right to vote and is wrong.

With all the news about the Israel, the Middle East, and Muslim Countries when a friend sent this link to me I thought it was best to have everyone see how well they know their geography!

I in no way endorse or support the organization that supports this puzzle but it is unique enough for me to share:

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html

Doyle’s campaign released a statement today about President Clinton’s visit on October 24th.

“President Clinton is an extraordinary leader, a great American, and a champion for middle class and working families,” said Governor Doyle. “I am honored to have his support, and delighted that he is coming to our great state. His visit will be an exciting day for Wisconsin and for my campaign.”

What is should have read:

“President Clinton is an extraordinary leader when it comes to showing how one should seduce young impressionable interns, a great American that gives our missile secrets to the Chinese, bombs civilian targets (aspirin factories), and ignores terrorist attacks on Americans (embassy bombings, Trade Center bombing, USS Cole bombing, etc.) and a champion for middle class and working families by telling them that the government can spend their money better than they can,” said Governor Dolittle. “I am honored to have the support of someone who cares as little for Wisconsin as I do, and delighted that he is coming to our great (Indian casino) state. His visit will be an exciting day for me and for my campaign since he has a check from a few of his foreign monk friends.”

In today’s Journal Sentinel there is the following editorial: A vital link in the region

Once again this mentality has my blood boiling!

Here are the reasons why they feel we need the METRA extended to Milwaukee:

• We're part of Chicago
• There is a Metra stop in Kenosha now
• Some Illinois folks are even buying condos in downtown Milwaukee
• A rail link could create economic development opportunities
• Kenosha shows how a rail link can help spur growth
• Could help reduced traffic congestion on I-94

I’ll take these points one at a time.

“We’re part of Chicago” is the worst reason to fight for a METRA line I have ever heard. Yes, there are a lot of people from Illinois moving to Wisconsin but as they move here why are we encouraging them to continue to work and play in Chicago. Wouldn’t it make more economic sense for Wisconsin to encourage businesses to move north across the border than for us to continually send our work force south of the border?

To further illustrate this point of our workforce heading south if we take a look at recent Census data we find that the daytime population change in most of the communities with a METRA station to be negative: Kenosha losses 8.9% of their population; Winthrop Harbor -41.6%; Zion -22.1%; Waukegan -5.3%; Glencoe -3.5%; Winnetka -0.9%; Wilmette -13.2%. The populations are headed to Chicago, which sees a daytime population increase of 4.9%, and the Naval Base, which sees a daytime increase of 30.3%. Where do you think people in Racine, Caledonia, Oak Creek, Bay View, etc. are going to go?

“There is a METRA stop in Kenosha now.” Yes there is, but there is also an Amtrak stop in Kenosha, Sturtevant, and Milwaukee. So what is your point? If this discussion was about brining economic development to the community by way of jobs and additional businesses we might be on to something but the facts are far from it. METRA is not a net positive gain to the community. Has METRA brought in the businesses or has proper planning and development of Kenosha done that?

“Some Illinois folks are even buying condos in downtown Milwaukee.” People from Illinois have been buying property in Wisconsin for decades now. Head out to Lake Geneva and take a look at who owns most of the city! Should we extend the METRA service out there too? These folks have chosen to live here so why would we try to convince them that it is better to work in Illinois? Should we not be trying to encourage their business to move here as well? Think of the boom Milwaukee and the surrounding communities could have if we spent our vital resources on trying to find a way to move businesses here instead of trying to make it easier for employees to commute south!

“A rail link could create economic development opportunities.” Well let’s take a look at a true test of this: Amtrak. Has there been economic development in areas where Amtrak has stations? Sometimes there has and sometimes there hasn’t been growth. I think Milwaukee is fooling themselves and the surrounding communities by dangling this carrot out there. Yes there is a potential for development but the development is not directly tied to the METRA just as there is no direct tie to Amtrak.

“Kenosha shows how a rail link can help spur growth.” Really and how is that? Kenosha has had the METRA line for a very long time. In fact the METRA line was there when Chrysler went out of business. The METRA was there when, to be very blunt, Kenosha was nothing but a dried up old factory town. So how can one say the METRA was the key factor in spurring growth? I could just as well say that the METRA line was the reason for Kenosha being what it once was. Kenosha’s redevelopment is due in large part to the people of Kenosha and their elected officials who saw that there lake front was a place that people would like to live, work, and play. They are working hard to create this environment and I feel that giving credit to the METRA for this growth is misplaced.

“Could help reduced traffic congestion on I-94.” You bet! Just look at how well the trains system has helped Chicago! This is a non-starter. You will be hard pressed to prove that there would be any significant reduction in traffic on I-94. Based on current projected estimates of rider-ship none of us will notice any difference in traffic.

Now there are a couple of issues that the JS editorial staff did not deal with.

1. There already is a commuter rail system that connects Milwaukee and Chicago...it’s called Amtrak. Amtrak has a number of stops between these two large cities and has done little to increase economic development. But it continues to bleed the taxpayers of our hard earned money.
2. Stemming from my first point the “new” METRA line would come into Milwaukee and end at the Amtrak station! So what would the benefit be to Milwaukee? Amtrak currently isn’t running anywhere near 100% capacity so why would we want an additional train coming into Milwaukee? The proponents point out that METRA is cheaper! So once again we need a little common sense…if METRA and Amtrak are both doing the same thing and the costs are about the same but METRA is cheaper; THAN THAT MEANS IT WILL COST THE TAXPAYERS MORE TO RUN!!!!!

The Journal Sentinel editorial staff missed the mark on commuter rail but I am afraid that many people including our elected officials think this is a good idea. Do us all a favor call your elected officials, tell them that we have a commuter rail system that is bleeding us dry, and that we do not need another.

If the Democrats want to argue US security they are going to have a hell of a fight…what are they going to do talk about their record?

"Still, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said she was encouraged. "Many states took this very seriously, recognizing that good teachers make all the difference in whether or not our children succeed in their studies," she said in a statement."

"Four states failed altogether: Hawaii, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin. They must submit new plans and undergo monthly auditing of their teacher quality data, the department says."

Here is what was submitted and the response to the plan…Definitely READ the response and notes!!

The DPI cover letter

The DPI Equity Plan


The US Department of Education’s Cover Letter

The Reviewers Notes for the DPI Plan

DONOVAN RILEY - potential felon

Over the weekend Spivack and Bice broke the news that a Donovan Riley, Democratic candidate for the State Senate, had voted twice in the 2000 Presidential election (article here) once here in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Hmm, I wonder who he voted for.

Today is Wednesday August 16, 2006 and here is what State Democratic Chair Joe “anything to win” Wineke had to say:

“…………………………………………………………………………………..”

That’s right ladies and gentleman, NOTHING!

There has been a lot of talk from the Left about getting tough on vote fraud but Doyle has vetoed every attempt to strengthen our elections and when faced with proof that one of their own has committed this felony they do not even call for him to step aside.

JOE IT IS TIME TO SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP AND DISTANCE YOUR PARTY FROM THIS GUY…if not then the Democratic Party must condone this behavior and that will be good for the conservative agenda.

We’re waiting Joe…and waiting and waiting and waiting…

JOE WINEKE

In today’s Post Crescent there is an editorial that believes that the “back to school tax holiday” that Mark Green called for is nothing but “an election-year mirage.”

They had the courage, as foolish as it was, to state the following:

“The reality is that the benefit any family sees isn't nearly worth the dent in the state's wallet.”

Hmm, sounds to me like they are saying that the State knows how to spend our money better than we do and that our pain is less important than that of the State!!

Green has the right idea. A tax holiday may make it harder on our politicians but it is better than making it harder on us.

GO GREEN GO!!!!

Was this headline and article necessary?

X-rays won't detect liquid or gel bombs

In the time of war it is not the best idea to advertise where you are weakest!!

I saw this headline on Yahoo a little while ago:

U.S., France agree on Mideast resolution

Last I looked we (US and France) weren’t the ones fighting there, it’s Israel and Hezbollah. So who cares that the US and France agree on a Mid-east Resolution? Shouldn’t the resolution be between Israel and Hezbollah? And what about that last sentence:

The two sides sent the new text to the governments of Israel and Lebanon, but a French diplomat said the vote would go ahead whatever the response.

If the countries don’t agree isn’t the resolution worthless?

I’m sure that I am just giving Scot the advertisement that he was looking for but I just can’t hold my tongue.

Scot is a Democrat that is running for Secretary of State (Wisconsin) and yesterday he put out a “report” about same day registration. The “report” is nothing more than a recap of how many people registered on Election Day in each municipality.

In this so called “report” he claims the following:

“The Republicans want to keep people who earn less than $35,000 from voting,” said Ross. “They will go to any lengths to win elections.”

His only proof of this is that last year the Republican lead legislature tried to pass Assembly Bill 782 which would have eliminated same day registration and brought us on par with the rest of the country. This claim is nothing but a blatant LIE and meant to MISLEAD the people of Wisconsin.

He further insults every Wisconsinite by stating that pre-registration would have caused 435,000 not to vote…the insinuation here is that we are not smart enough to figure out how to register 14 days in advance of an election.

Scot do you really think that Wisconsinites are dumber than 44 other states?

Hey, hey, hey, GOOD BYE!!!"


Losing by over 11,000 votes (59% to 41%) Cynthia McKinney has lost her House seat to Attorney Hank Johnson.


Way to go Hank…Let’s see if you can do a better job representing GA than your predecessor!

AP Article

I’ve spent quite a bit of time considering the Lieberman primary (which is taking place today) and what impact it would have on the Democratic party, then it dawned on me this his loss would help the GOP!

Lieberman, who has a record of voting for most (90%) Democrat bills, is for the most part a “centrist” when it comes to foreign affairs. Lieberman speaks what he believes and votes the same way, in this manner he is a very respectable politician.

While he votes for most liberal legislation he has parted company with the Democrats when it has come to the war in Iraq and the handling of the Middle East. On these topics he sides closer, but not with, the President. For this reason the Democrats found someone to run against him and it looks like Lieberman might loose his seat.

For the Democrats this will be a victory. They will have removed a “conservative democrat” and replaced him with a liberal one. This should solidify the anti-war base and move the voting record in this district to 100%. The thought is that a true democrat is better for the party and will propel the democrats to power. But is this reality?

Most of America is slightly right of center. While there has been an erosion of this core to one side or the other it is well known in politics that you win elections by winning the center. The Lieberman primary will shift the Democratic Party farther left if he looses. This will alienate much of the center, maybe not in that district but in the rest of America.

If the Democratic Party is hell bent on moving farther to the left then by all means I support them. Their movement will make it harder for them to win the precious center and will mean less control for them and greater control for the GOP.

I know that this posting will be hypocritical but just enjoy the irony.


WHY is the media giving Cindy Sheehan any air time?!?! She is just nuts, crazy, bonkers, a few quarts low, wacko, and just plain DUMB!!!!!

"My name is Cindy and Bush killed my son." Cindy Sheehan

Um, someone should tell Cindy that the people that killed her son are the same ones she is trying to protect by having us withdraw from Iraq before the job is done!

While I dislike the concept of a federally imposed minimum wage it is something that exists and therefore must be looked after. The Republicans have now come up with a win-win solution for America but not for the Democratic Party.

Senator Frist has moved to attach the minimum wage increase of over $2.00 to a bill that would extend tax cuts! This is a brilliant move on the part of Frist and the Senate Republicans.

The three bills that this encompasses includes: an increase to the federal minimum wage of $2.10 over the next 3 years, elimination of the estate tax for estates up to $10,000,000 and a reduction of the estate tax from 46% to 30% by 2015, and would reinstate the tax cuts that expired last year.

The Democrats are crying foul!! They believe that the minimum wage bill has been attached to a “poison pill” and will surely fail.

But therein lies the rub…would any upstanding Democrat vote against a minimum wage increase when it is attached a bill that would reinstate tax deductions for college tuition, state taxes, and classroom supplies purchased by teachers?

Frist has a winner. If a Democrat votes against these bills not only have they voted against the “top 1%” but they have also voted against the working class that needs the deductions for tuition and supplies. The Republicans have an opportunity to turn this one vote into a campaign promise for this election season and a sure way to unseat any Democrat that votes nay.

AP Article: Frist links wage hike to estate tax cut

I read this news article this morning and was glad to hear that our legislators are moving in the right direction for a change.

If we start drilling for oil and are able to draw a significant amount from them we could see the price per barrel begin to decrease.

However the real concern and the biggest item that have gas prices so high is capacity. Capacity is the amount of space a refiner has to convert crude oil into other products, most importantly gas!

Unfortunately most refineries are working well beyond their capacity and are in need of expansion. If they are unable to expand their ability to convert crude to gas then we will continue to see gas prices at high levels.

Economics tells us the best way to lower prices is to increase supply…but if there is a constraint to the flow of the supply the prices will remain high until the flow can be increased.