Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's irresponsible journalism

Frankly, I was stunned by the irresponsible piece of journalism in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this morning.

"A Do-Over on the War"

A “do-over”? How childish is this? “Do-overs” are for children.

Seriously- I think I was in grade school the last time I heard the words “do-over”. Typically, the team that is calling for a “do-over” believes they have no chance of winning. Therefore, the losing team wants to reset the game board and start over again.

At least the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recognizes that the Democrats new Iraqi War proposal is a joke.

Instead- the MJS demands the funding for American troops be cut off without addressing the consequences.

Apparently, the Iraq war is just that simple to the MJS editorial board. Just cut the war funds and just be done with the war altogether.

Democrats are calling for a “do-over”. They have decided that they want to re-vote on the Iraqi War resolution.

Isn’t it a little late for that now?

At least the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial staff does not believe that the Democrats "do-over" will actually do anything.

This is no childhood game that is taking place in Iraq. This is real life.

We have real America soldiers fighting in Iraq. Real blood is being shed in Iraq. Real people are dying in Iraq.

The MJS editorial staff is even going so far as to demand that Congress cut off the war funds.

It would have been nice if the MJS had bothered to address the consequences for cutting of the war funds.

Most of us adults realize that all actions have consequences.

What would happen if the war funds were cut?

Here is a small list of things that will be destroyed if the Democrat de-funded the war:

The soldiers out in the field today would not receive replacement supplies.

No replacement soldiers would be on their way.

There would be no money for training Iraqi military.

There would be no money for training Iraqi police and fire fighters.

There would be no money for schools, roads, electricity or water.

There would be no money to fight Al Queda and any other terrorist groups in Iraq.

The warring factions in their country would rip the Iraqi people apart.

Iran would probably over-run Iraq, creating a terrorist nation.


Did the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial staff think about any of these things before they wrote this editorial calling for cuts in war funding?

For that matter, do the Democrats have any idea how childish they look by asking for a “do-over” on the Iraqi War resolution?

The Democrats did not like their first vote on the Iraq war, so now they want a do-over.

Good grief!

This is no time for flip and cutesy editorials from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel or the Democrats.

This is a serious time that should involve serious people who completely understand what is at stake in Iraq.

There are no do-overs when it comes to war. You either win or you lose.

Thank goodness we have 18 year olds fighting this war that are showing themselves to be more responsible than the Democrats and the MJS editorial board.

Can you imagine what would happen to any one of them if the stood up in the middle of a firefight and exclaimed “DO_OVER!”?

It is time for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Democrats to behave like big boys and girls and come up with real solutions to the real problems in Iraq. Standing up and exclaiming “Do OVER” does not fix a single problem that we are facing. Simply cutting off the war funds without facing the real problems in Iraq does nothing to move America forward in Iraq.

Really- a “do-over”?

Good grief- grow up people!

We are fighting a real war, with real guns and bullets!

If the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wants to make the argument for cutting off the war funds, then they should go ahead and do it.

However, to only state that the Democrats should only cut off the war funds, without addressing the consequences is simply irresponsible journalism.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Is it a crisis yet?

Hopefully now- Mayor Barrett and Governor Doyle realize that there is a crisis

Shootings jump in city

Gun violence surged in Milwaukee last year, as hospitals treated 26% more gunshot victims and serious shootings hit a 15-year high, according to first-ever data from hospitals, paramedics and police.

Perhaps they can send the bookmobile around for another lap to hand out Brewers tickets. That should solve the problem with violence.

VP Dick Cheney- target of suicide bomber

Say a prayer for all those families that have lost loved ones as a result of a terrorist attack in Afganistan.

A suicide bomber killed 19 people and wounded 11 outside the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney, officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility and said Cheney was the target.

The blast happened near the first security gate outside the base at Bagram, killing 19 people, said Khoja Mohammad Qasim Sayedi, chief of the province's public health department. Gov. Abdul Jabar Taqwa said "18 to 20 dead bodies" lay on the ground after the blast.


Maj. William Mitchell said it did not appear the explosion was intended as a threat to the vice president.

"He wasn't near the site of the explosion," Mitchell said. "He was safely within the base at the time of the explosion."

However, a purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, said Cheney was the target of the attack.

"We knew that Dick Cheney would be staying inside the base," Ahmadi told The Associated Press by telephone. "The attacker was trying to reach Cheney."

Monday, February 26, 2007

Documents suggest complicity by Doyle administration

The question on whether or not the Department of Transportation purposely delayed the release of a report is no longer an issue.

The Department of Transportation did delay the release of a report. They were fined $500.

Now- the question is now whether or not the Doyle administration was complicit with this action.

MJS-

Investigative records raise questions about whether Gov. Jim Doyle's administration delayed the release of a report in apparent violation of the state's open records law so a second report could be written to give Doyle political cover.

I am not sure how the Doyle administration can continue to lie about their complicity.

The Department of Transportation's April 2004 finding that state workers cost less than contractors conflicted with Doyle's goal of cutting state payrolls. The engineers union asked for the report repeatedly - first orally, then in writing - starting in August 2004. The union did not receive it until November 2004.

When the report was released to the union, the Journal Sentinel and others, it was paired with the Department of Administration's rebuttal report. No one who asked for the DOT study knew of or asked for the administration report.

The Journal Sentinel made its open records request to the Department of Transportation, but the two reports were ultimately released by the governor's office.

For Pete's sake- the open records request was made to the DOT. The DOT never actually released the information. The governor's office was the one to finally release the information. Of course, the governor's office released the information with a rebuttal attached.

The answer to the question on whether or not the administration was complicit in the release of the documents, seems to be obvious to me.

Of course the administration was complicit. They were the ones to finally release the information to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

How is it possible that the administration continues to deny they were involved with this?

The Troha/Doyle fiasco could hurt Kenosha

I have to say, I am not the least bit shocked about the news that the FBI is investigating Dennis Troha.

No one should be shocked.

The names of Governor Jim Doyle, the Troha family and the Kenosha Casino have become synonymous in Kenosha.

The campaign donations by the Troha family to Governor Jim Doyle have been well documented.

The Wisconsin Democracy campaign has been leading the charge.

All told, the Troha family members and company employees have given $236,842 in direct contributions to Doyle since 2002. In addition, Dennis Troha has contributed $50,000 to the Democratic Governors Association which plans to help Doyle’s reelection campaign in November, and three members of the family have contributed a total of $25,000 to the state Democratic Party.

The Kenosha News has gotten into the mix. Recently, the Kenosha News Opinion Editor, Steve Lund, questioned the additional $50,000 the Troha family gave to Governor Doyle for his inauguration. Steve Lund has been taking a beating by some K-News readers that were defending Dennis Troha.

Even I have had a few things to say about this issue in the past.

Still, many folks had their heads buried in the sand and refused to believe that there was anything inappropriate taking place.

I hope that these folks will now realize how serious this issue has become.

Absolutely no one walks out of a multi-million dollar deal, unless there is something shady taking place. Dennis Troha and family stood to gain millions upon millions of dollars from a Kenosha Casino. Yet, Dennis Troha and family are walking away.

Why is that?

Dennis Troha and family have spent well over a million dollars to get the referendum, approving a casino, passed in Kenosha. They then spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to get Governor Jim Doyle re-elected.

None of this happened by accident. The Troha family thru hundreds of thousands of dollars at Governor Jim Doyle for a reason. They believed they would get a casino out of this deal.
Now, as we move forward- I am very worried about my hometown. This could be painful for Kenosha and leave a serious stain on our business climate.

Let us start with the fact that Dennis Troha is a self-made Kenosha millionaire. Mr. Troha has also donated liberally too many great Kenosha causes. For instance, he has almost single handedly kept the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha operating for years.

One of the reasons Mr. Troha gave for pulling out of the Kenosha casino, were financial reasons. My prayer is that these generous donations do not stop.

Another reason that I am concerned is that Mr. Troha is not the only Kenosha businessperson involved in this mess. Many other high profile Kenosha families, with a stake in the Kenosha casino, have also donated generously to Governor Jim Doyle.

I do not believe for a second, that the Troha family is the only high profile family in Kenosha that will be investigated. I believe there will be more families caught up in this.

All a person has to do is flip thru Governor Doyle’s campaign contributions, to find out how many Kenosha contractors, holding companies, plumbers, electricians and construction companies are involved with very large donations. The numbers are staggering.

Because of all of these issues, I am concerned about the Kenosha business climate.

Kenosha businesses could end up looking like they are all dishonest.

If this FBI investigation ends up hitting more than Dennis Troha, all of the honest, hard working Kenosha businesses can get hurt also.

I do not want to see this happen.

Not to be overlooked in this entire situation is Governor Jim Doyle.

None of these business owners would have even attempted to buy off the governor, if the governor did not give the impression that he was for sale.

I am certain the Governor and his campaign were well aware of the fact that the Troha family was shelling out some serious money for his re-election.

The Governor had to have known that these campaign donations were questionable. Why would no one is his campaign question why another check for thousands of dollars was coming thru from someone named “Troha”?

The Governor and his campaign continued to accept campaign donations- even though the media was already questioning the honesty in these donations.

Governor Doyle epitomizes the notion that government is for sale to the highest bidder.

Governor Jim Doyle is for sale and Dennis Troha knew it.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Hey!

I understand the strong divide between Democrats and Republicans.

I also understand that many in the Democratic Party are furious about the war in Iraq.

However, I don't understand this-

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A Fredericksburg man is facing several assault charges after police say he hunted down a group of Republicans and confronted them in their home over their beliefs.

Police said Andrew Stone, 23, recently went to a home in Fredericksburg at around 5:30 p.m. after he saw a name and nearby address on a Republican Web site.

Stone confronted three residents about their political viewpoints, police said. When he found out the residents supported the Republican-led war effort in Iraq, police say Stone became enraged.
Stone then hit the homeowner and his roommates several times as they tried to force him out of the door, police said.


Stone faces three counts of assault and battery.

Really folks, there is no need for violence. This guy went looking for Republicans to beat up.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Kinda makes you sick, huh?

At the time the sick leave perk for legislatures was discovered, I really was not too concerned about it.

No legislature or state official had made a claim to actually collect from this benefit. I figured that legislatures could just write something simple and do away with the sick leave.

However, what has been discovered in the last several days is that some folks do not want to do away with this ridiculous benefit.

As it turns out, the Democrats, seem to be having a hard time with letting go of this excessive perk.

In the State Assembly, a Democrat blocked the measure from being voted on this week.

The State Senate, now controlled by Democrats, say the issue is dead.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel give the Democrats in the legislature an earful in today's editorial-

Democrats in the Legislature had a terrific opportunity this week to show that, despite what their critics sometimes say, they are more concerned about protecting taxpayers than protecting government excesses, such as the sick leave perk for elected officials.

This was a simple issue that could have quickly been fixed. It was an old perk, set up by a past legislature, many years ago.

There is absolutely no reason this should have become an issue. Because the Democrats are dragging their heels, this has now become a giant issue!

To the Democrats in our state government- FIX THIS NOW!

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Health Care Reform Webcast

Americans for Prosperity Foundation to Sponsor
Consumer-Driven Health Care Reform Forum Feb. 22
Groups Announces 17 Sites in Wisconsin and 17 Across America

MILWAUKEE – The Forum, Unlock Consumerism, will feature a presentation by Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer and Serigraph Inc. CEO John Torinus on the successful implementation of innovative health care reform initiatives by Manitowoc County and Serigraph Inc., respectively.

The Forum’s keynote speaker, Dr. David Gratzer, will discuss some of the topics covered in his nationally-acclaimed book The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care, which examines the U.S. health care system’s condition and prescribes a treatment regimen. Congressman Paul Ryan, and Representative Leah Vukmir in taped remarks will explain the success of Health Savings Accounts and recent legislation on Heath Vouchers.

The event is scheduled to broadcast live from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CST.

Wisconsin Locations

Appleton: Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, 125 N Superior Street

Beloit: Holiday Inn Express, 2790 Milwaukee Road

Eau Claire: Indianhead Insurance, 3744 Oakwood Hills Parkway

Fond Du Lac: R.B.Royal, 1350 S Hickory Street

Green Bay: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, 2740 West Mason Street,
Room SC229

Jackson: Rytec Corporation, One Cedar Parkway

Janesville: Forward Janesville, 51 South Jackson Street

Kenosha: Kenosha Unified School District, 3600 52nd Street
Educational Support Center,
La Crosse: Stoney Creek Inn, 3060 Kinney Coulee Rd. S., Onalaska

Madison: Baymount Inn, 8102 Excelsior Drive

Manitowoc: United One Financial Center, 1028 South 9th Street

Rhinelander: Holiday Inn, 668 W. Kemp Street

Sheboygan: United One Credit Union, 3509 Washington Ave

Spooner: Jersey's Sports Bar, 301 Walnut St

Stevens Point: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2001 Fourth Ave
Science Building Room D 279

Waukesha: Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center, 2810 Golf Road,

Wausau: Hermening Financial Group, 200 Washington St., Ste. 280

Additional Cities
Washington, DC, Cleveland, OH, Atlanta, GA, Edmund, OK, Chicago, IL, Columbia, SC, Topeka, KS, Austin, TX, Wichita, KS, Richmond, VA, Lansing, MI, Boulder, CO, Bogota, NJ, Phoenix, AZ, Raleigh, NC, Sioux Falls, SD, Bismarck,ND

Registration is at www.afpwi.org, or (414) 475-2975 or rsvpwi@afphq.org

Americans For Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFPF educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org# # #

MJS Editorial Board being humorous

This is just funny.

Not only is it funny, but they make their point, also.

Editorial: Drat. He caught us

News item: Milwaukee alderman blows the lid off "principalities of darkness" conspiracy to oust him.

Here in one of the "principalities of darkness," we were mulling what other conspiracy we might hatch with our fellow princes and princesses of darkness.

Having helped engineer the recall of Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee, we've been thinking that, next, along with our buddies at the Trilateral Commission, we might stage a coup in a mineral-rich Third World country.

(Insert evil cackle here.)

Continued...

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Primary Vote Tally

I am not sure how Judge Ziegler is doing state wide, but down here in Kenosha- she rocked.

She received more than 52% of the vote.


Annette K. Ziegler 2929 52.04%
Linda M. Clifford 1746 31.02%
Joseph Sommers 944 16.77%
Write-in 40 9 0.15%

Hopefully she is rocking across the state also.

Vote today

We have several people running in primaries that need our help-

Pleasant Prairie Village Board Trustee #3- Please support Jeff Lauer- anything can happen and we need to get Jeff thru to the April election. Jeff Lauer has been officially endorsed by the Republican Party of Kenosha County.

For more information on Jeff Lauer, please visit his website at http://www.trusteelauer.com/index.html

State Supreme Court- this one is huge. Annette Ziegler has received overwhelming support from the conservative community in Wisconsin.

She has also been officially endorsed by the majority of Sheriffs across the state. J

udge Ziegler has also been endorsed by Wisconsin's Right to Life.

For further information see Annette Ziegler's website-

http://www.judgezieglerforsupremecourt.com/index.php

You know you are having a bad day when...

You know you are having a bad day when...

You realize that even your lawyer, that you pay top dollar for, does not want to be seen with you-

At his news conference yesterday, Milwaukee Ald. Michael Mcgee slammed the city attorney's office ("They never gave me any advice, they never helped me out" for not taking his side in the recall hearings.

Of course, the city attorney's office is the attorney for the Election Commission, not for either of the parties appearing before it. In this case, McGee and recall organizer ViAnna Jordan.

In any case, McGee had his own attorney, Mike Maistelman, who he singled out at the news conference as "an angel of mercy" and "one of the only white individuals who stepped up."Maistelman represented McGee in his recall challenge.

On Monday, McGee dropped that effort and said he was not focused on the April 3 recall.

Maistelman spoke briefly, but appeared to bristle at many of the comments made by McGee and others. At various points, he physically stepped back -- out of camera range.

After the news conference was over, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett - who others had labeled a "puppetmaster" of the recall - happened to be leaving the building.

In the rotunda, a McGee supporter with a video camera began questioning a surprised Barrett. Maistelman then stepped in, urged Barrett to leave and walked out of the building with him.

Audio of the news conference, in which various supporters backed McGee, is available here.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Comment on Iraq War Resolution

I have received a couple of "not so nice" emails asking me what I thought about the Iraq War Resolution. I was tempted to return those emails with a "not so nice" response.

I could not have been more furious at this resolution and the message that it sends our soldiers. Many elected officials just told our soldiers that they do not believe that they can win this war.

Then, I read my own Congressman's view on the Iraqi War Resolution.

I support Congressman Paul Ryan 100% when he said the following:

"Although it would have been easier, politically, to vote for this resolution, I cannot in good conscience send our troops such a demoralizing message that undermines their mission," Ryan said. "

Though it may be well-intentioned, this resolution does nothing but broadcast to our brave men and women in Iraq - and their enemies - that Congress doesn't believe they can succeed at the mission they are trying to achieve. This is a dangerous message to send at this critical point. It hurts our troops' morale and gives hope to the terrorists and insurgents."

"This resolution is the wrong way of conducting the debate our country needs to have about the way forward in Iraq. It criticizes, without offering an alternative plan for winning in Iraq. And it does nothing to acknowledge the very real consequences of failure, which include the likelihood of sectarian genocide in Iraq, the creation of a safe haven for terrorists to strike at us and other free societies, and power grabs by hostile nations such as Iran and Syria."

"We can have honest disagreements about strategy in Iraq, but we should be careful not to undermine our soldiers in the process. Today's purely symbolic resolution may send a message to the President, but it sends an even louder negative message to our troops in harm's way and the deadly enemy they face, telling them that Congress has no confidence we can win. That's not a message we should be sending."

Thank you Congressman Paul Ryan for taking a stand for our American troops, who live and die for our freedom.

God Bless America!

God Bless our American Military!

God Bless Congressman Paul Ryan!

God Bless President Bush for taking a stand against the terrorists who want to kill us!

Duh...

Okay, this falls under the title of "Duh, no kidding".

Advertising and media images that encourage girls to focus on looks and sexuality are harmful to their emotional and physical health, a new report by the American Psychological Association says.

So, exactly how many of these studies do we need to tell us the same exact thing?

Apparently, even the APA recognized how many of these studies that have been done. Only their study is different, see...

Individual studies have found problems related to eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression, but Roberts says there hasn't been a body of work that illustrates how these problems are "directly linked" to sexualized images in ads and popular media. The group recommends more research on girls since the bulk of the studies reviewed dealt with teens and young women.

By the way- the APA's advice for countering these images...

The task force urges parents, school personnel and health care professionals to counter sexualization with images of girls in settings that are not viewed as sexual.

Another big "DUH" for that piece of advice.

Parents, I have some more advice for you. Turn off your kid's television. That would be a start.

Doyle/Dems budget- Did you know...

Even as Senator Robson(D) is promising broad support in the Wisconsin Senate for the new 07-09 budget, we get another glimpse at the wasteful spending out of Madison.

I have taken on the depressing task of actually reading the tax laden budget.

As the Democrats work on increasing our state taxes, here is you something all taxpayers should know:

Check out this budget for the Governor's Office:

In fiscal year ending in June of '06 the Governor's office spent:

$3,280,900

They employed: 37.25 people

Projected costs for fiscal year ending in June of '07 the Governor's office will spend:

$3,866,600

They employ: 37.25 people

The Governor's office will spend an additional $585,700 this year alone.

The Governor's office agency is requesting additional money for fiscal year's '08 and '09:

$4,087,800 for '08
$4,087,800 for '09

They will continue to employ: 37.25

Not to be outdone with additional spending, the Doyle/Dem budget is requesting even more money for '08 and '09 than the Governor's office agency is requesting:

$4,403,100 for '08
$4,403,100 for '09

They will increase the Governor's office employee to : 42.25

Basically, the Doyle/Dem budget will increase the amount of spending even higher that the Agency is requesting. The Agency did not even request new employees, but the Doyle/Dem budget will give them 4 additional employees anyway.

The proposed additional costs to taxpayers since the end of the '06 budget:

$2,244,400

Does this look like the sound fiscal budget that we were promised out of Doyle and the Democrats?

I cannot believe that Governor Doyle and the Democrats are attempting to shove this garbage budget down our throats.

The Governor and the Democrats want an extra $2,244,400 from taxpayers for the Governor's office.

What are they planning on spending the additional $2,244,400 on?

New furniture?

Friday, February 16, 2007

Important Lit Drop this Saturday and Sunday for Jeff Lauer

Jeff Lauer is running for re-election as Village Trustee #3 in Pleasant Prairie

Hello All:

This SATURDAY and SUNDAY, February 17-18 there will be a driving LIT drop for Jeff Lauer, who is running for re-election for Trustee # 3 in the Village of Pleasant Prairie.

Jeff is in a "Primary" and primary voting is next Tuesday, February 20th.

All that is needed is 1 driver and 1 in passenger side to Lit drop into K-news boxes only.

See details below on meeting location for Lit drops:

Saturday, 2/17 10AM Ruffolo's 11820 Sheridan Road (Next to Ray Radigan's)

Sunday, 2/18 1:30PM Ruffolo's 11820 Sheridan Road (Next to Ray Radigan's)

Your help is greatly appreciated.

If you can Lit drop this Saturday and/or Sunday please respond to >>>> jtiger@wi.rr.com

Thank you all. You are the best!

www.trusteelauer.com

Doyle's Excuses for Tax Increases are not good enough

For several days now, we have all been discussing the outrageous tax increases that the Governor intends to impose on Wisconsin taxpayers.

In fact, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board is backing the tax increase position on this outrageous budget.

The governor and Legislature must work together to arrive at equitable funding for necessary programs. They should operate under the basic assumption that Wisconsin must not slide or remain static in providing services, the need for which will only increase in the future.

The problem is that the Governor has to show that there is a need for these tax increases. Are these increases necessary, as MJS is stating?

They may be necessary. So far, the Governor has yet to show that there is a need for increasing taxes on any programs.

Let us take health insurance, for example. Most Wisconsinites have health insurance. The Governor has to explain to Wisconsinites why it is important for us to not only pay our own health care insurance, but we also have to buy health insurance for all those in Wisconsin that do not have health insurance.

As it is, the taxpayer’s already pay a fistful of tax dollars for Badger Care. Those of us with insurance already pay a fistful of extra money to pay for those folks walking into doctor’s offices and hospitals that do not have their own insurance. Still, to top it all off, we pay taxes to the Federal Government for all kinds of health care costs for the uninsured.

Wisconsinites, are yet again, put under an incredible amount of pressure to pay even more money out of their pockets for the uninsured.

Right at this moment, taxpayers are already paying for Badger Care, increased insurance costs, increased doctor and hospital bills, and federal taxes to help those less fortunate.

Why are we being asked to pay even more money?

The Governor needs to explain why he needs even more to pay for things that we are already paid for.

So far, we have gotten two standards excuses for the proposed tax increases.

The first standard excuse we have gotten is- “so we can collect extra federal dollars”.

Therefore, the Governor wants to charge us more taxes so he can get his hands on more of our tax dollars that we pay to the federal government.

All of these tax dollars, whether federal or state taxes, are all still coming from the same pockets- yours and mine.

The second standard excuse we have gotten from the Governor as to why he wants to charge us more in taxes is- “It’s for the children.”

When Democrats are backed into a corner on such issues as excess taxes, this is always one of their standard answers- “It’s for the children”.

If anyone ever dares to question this answer, then these folks are accused of not caring about the children.

Well, Governor, we have already paid for the children.

Taxpayer’s already pay for Badger Care, increased insurance costs, increased doctor and hospital bills, and federal taxes.

Now, if for some reason, our taxes are not helping the children and families with their health care costs, blame the Governor.

Currently, the Governor is blaming the taxpayers and punishing them for the failures in the Wisconsin health care system.

We, as taxpayers, have already paid our fair share.

When any governor decides that tax increases are necessary, they owe the public a clear message as to why these increases are necessary.

This time, Governor Doyle’s cheesy answer of “it’s for the children”, just is not good enough.

Wisconsin taxpayer should not stand for this any longer. Government’s failure should never be used as an excuse to raise our taxes.

Call your state legislators, both Democrat and Republican, and demand accountability for these unnecessary tax increases.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Governor Doyle's budget

No matter how hard one might try, it is impossible to put lipstick on Governor Doyle's piggy budget.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recognized what was going on with this budget. They even titled it:

Doyle seeks tax, fee boosts

Even something as basic as his campaign promise of only allowing vehicle registration to only go up by $10, is gone. Basically, Governor Doyle lied. Instead Governor Doyle proposed a $20 increase-

Handing the Legislature his two-year budget, the governor also called for a $20 increase in the annual car registration fee. The 36% boost would bring it from $55 to $75.


In his re-election campaign last year, he said he supported an increase of about $10.

The biggest single increase ever in vehicle registration fees, it would cost Wisconsin drivers about $170 million more over the next two years.

I have got so much to say about this Governor Doyle's piggy budget- but I will have to get to it later.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

HOUSE HEARING ON 'WARMING OF THE PLANET' CANCELED AFTER ICE STORM

Oh the IRONY!




HEARING NOTICE


Tue Feb 13 2007 19:31:25 ET




The Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building has been postponed due to inclement weather.




The hearing is entitled “Climate Change: Are Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Human Activities Contributing to a Warming of the Planet?” The hearing will be rescheduled to a date and time to be announced later.




DC WEATHER REPORT:Wednesday: Freezing rain in the morning. Total ice accumulation between one half to three quarters of an inch. Brisk with highs in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph...increasing to northwest 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.




Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 18. Northwest winds around 20 mph.




H/T Drudge




Super H/T to Free Republic !!!!




Someone on Free Republic(Thank you Tomguy) even captured the Drudge headline as a photo:




Press release from Alex Tiahnybok

My friend Alex is running for Pleasant Prairie Village President. Here is a little info on Alex...

February 13, 2007

Dear Friend,

February is nearly half over and it appears as though campaigns are actively getting underway here in Kenosha County. I trust that you are aware that I have decided to “roll-the-dice”, and risk my current seat on the Pleasant Prairie Village Board as Trustee in favor of effecting some real changes by running for Village President. I encourage you to review my website:
www.tiahnybok.us – hope you like what you see, and I am always willing to take any recommendation in making my message better and more reflective of what the people of Pleasant Prairie truly desire.

Last year the campaigns for Trustee #2 and #4 seats hit what are likely statewide records for combined spending for village races – the last Kenosha News report suggested something near $40,000 for direct candidate and political action committee spending. $40,000!

It is impossible to tell at the moment, but considering the over-the-top effort last year to preserve the incumbent lock on those 2 seats, it is not a big stretch to imagine that this might happen again this year. This is why I write to you today.
You may know that the Trustee seats have a ‘salary’ of $5000/year, and that the President is salaried at $12,000/yr. So, money is certainly not the motivator for me.

I am prepared to spend a significant amount of personal money to accomplish our goal, but out of responsibility to my family, I cannot independently chase the kind of spending that might occur this year on my own. It would be truly unfortunate if this opportunity was lost because those on the side of change were outspent by any self–serving, politically-fabricated special interest group that might surface to hijack this round of elections too. Preparation is the key.

I therefore ask for your financial support along with any other way in which you might be motivated to help. I believe Pleasant Prairie is at a crossroads of advancing from what used to be a town that could be run like a ‘town’ to a self-sufficient municipality of what planners believe could be 40,000 citizens. I am not opposed to solid, healthy residential and commercial growth, and believe the style and methods of the government today, is not what is needed to reach our goals for tomorrow. Please, join me in making that change occur!! Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Most sincerely,
Alexander Tiahnybok
Village Trustee #1


If you are interested in helping Alex, please visit his website http://www.tiahnybok.us/ and contact him.

Snow, snow, snow

I hate winter- always have, always will. (You can take the girl out of Texas, but you will never take the Texas out of the girl. Right Kate?)

I had a friend at work ask me today why I didn't like the snow. He rattled off a few of the so-called fun things you can do in the winter like snowball fights and stuff. My response, keep the snow, I would rather throw rocks anyway.

In the meantime- 2 1/2 hour road trip to work this morning(Illinois)and a two 1/2 hour road trip home. So I spent 5 hours on the road today and I only drove 100 miles.

Try to be safe today and tomorrow while driving.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Governor Doyle's new tax plan- just keep raising 'em taxes

You may want to sit down before reading this.

As you are sitting down, you may want to take your wallet out of your pocket and lay it on the table. Next, you need to remove your driver’s license, your social security card, and perhaps you health insurance card from your wallet.

Then take your wallet (including the credit cards and your debit cards), your checkbook, and your bankbook and place all of these things in a padded envelope.

After Saturday’s announcement by Governor Doyle, you can be sure the next thing you will be doing is mailing your padded envelopes directly to the governor’s office.

On Saturday, Governor Doyle announced that he would recommend that your property taxes would be increased.

After vetoing a property tax freeze on a couple of occasions, Governor Doyle created his own property tax freeze, a couple of years ago, by placing a 2% tax increase cap on county and local governments. Most local and county governments could override this by using the 2% plus adding regional growth to their taxes.

Here in Kenosha we actually had a tax increase of 3.3% on our property tax bill from our county government alone, because of growth.

There were a few problems with Governor Doyle’s so-called tax freeze. The first problem was that it only lasted for two years. This was long enough for Governor Doyle to make it thru his 2006 re-election bid.

The new tax cap that Governor Doyle is proposing is double what is was before.

Governor Doyle is raising the tax cap from 2% to 4% plus growth, whichever is greater.

That is not all, folks.

Governor Doyle wants to reward all county and local governments, who did not tax us as much as they possible could in 2006, can now add additional taxes onto this year’s tax bills to make up the difference.(and you thought you were done paying your property taxes for 2006)

Hang tight, that is still not all.

Governor Doyle also wants to eliminate the QEO. The QEO has been limiting the amount of taxes that school levies are costing us. The governor wants to eliminate this and give school boards across the state the ability to raise our taxes as high as they want to.

Bloggers, political pundits and conservative state legislatures all across Wisconsin promised us that this day was coming.

These folks warned us that the moment Governor Doyle was re-elected in 2006, he would start spending like a drunken sailor, and he would immediately raise property taxes. They were all correct in their assumptions.

I wonder if any of those folks that voted for Governor Jim Doyle in 2006, have buyer’s remorse yet.

Apparently being the sixth highest taxed state in the nation is not good enough for Governor Doyle. Governor Doyle is clearly shooting to be the number one highest taxed state in the nation.

Sometimes you gotta toot your own horn

Sometimes you gotta toot your own horn because no one else will.

Stepping Right Up! made this week's Best of Wisconsin Blogs in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=563989

Here is a link to the post that made the cut with MJS-

http://steppingrightup.blogspot.com/2007/02/priceless.html


Seriously, to those folks that have been emailing me today because you saw this in today's paper- please settle down. Even you guys have to admit that global warming is a tough sell when it is -13 degrees outside.

Congratulations to Brian Fraley from Daily Takes, Rick Esenberg from Shark and Shepherd and everyone else that made this week's list.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Go Grandpa!

What a incredible story- Grandfather saves grandson's life...

Brazilian pries grandson from anaconda death grip

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A 66-year-old Brazilian man wrestled with a 15-foot (5-metre) anaconda for nearly half an hour to free his grandson from the snake's crushing death grip, local media reported on Friday.

Matheus Pereira de Araujo, 8, would likely be dead inside the belly of the 80 pound (35 kg) anaconda if his grandfather had not heard his screams for help, zoologists said.

Anacondas, the biggest snakes in the world, live in swamps and rivers. They kill prey by asphyxiation or drowning.

When the snake struck Araujo, who lives in the world's third largest metropolis of Sao Paulo, he was playing with a cousin on Wednesday in a creek bed on his grandfather's farm 310 miles (500 km) from the city in a town called Cosmorama.

"It was very fast. I didn't have time to do anything," the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper quoted Araujo as saying. "My grandfather is a hero -- I was so afraid of dying."

Joaquim Pereira was driving home when he heard the screams of Matheus and his cousin Flavio, 8, who ran to get help.

Pereira jumped into the ravine and grappled with the snake, which started coiling around him as well.
"I started fighting the animal and tried to loosen its grip on the boy's neck but the snake was too strong," Pereira told the Bom Dia newspaper of Sao Jose do Rio Preto.


Pereira then attacked it with stones and a machete.

"I kept hitting it with the machete but it felt like a rubber tyre, it wouldn't tear," he said.

He killed it after a long struggle to free the boy, who needed 21 stitches on his chest where the snake bit him.

"It was the most terrible scene that I've seen in my life," Pereira said. "It was totally coiled around him while he was screaming that he was dying."

Senator Eduardo Suplicy said Pereira should be honoured by the Brazilian government for heroism.

Joke

This joke was sent to me via email yesterday.

Thanks RST!

I needed a giggle yesterday.

Last Tuesday, as President Bush got off the helicopter in front of the White House, he was carrying a baby piglet under each arm.

The squared away Marine guard snaps to attention, salutes, and says: "Nice pigs, sir."

The President replies "These are not pigs, these are authentic Arkansas Razorback Hogs.
I got one for Senator Hillary Clinton and I got one for Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi."


The squared away Marine again snaps to attention, salutes, and says,

"Excellent trade, sir."

Friday, February 09, 2007

A very bad idea

I have to say that I am shocked by Governor Doyle's latest proposal-

Doyle considers tax on hospitals for Medicaid

Taxing the hospitals?

You tax the hospitals, the hospitals tax me. Which drives my health care costs even higher.

This idea is so bad, even some Democrats are opposed to it-

But Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) is among those who oppose the idea.
"We're trying to drive health care costs down - not up," Plale said.


I guess I should not be shocked that Doyle is proposing this. In true democrat style, his first instinct is to raise taxes.

For more details, see the MJS article here

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Press release from Larry Matson- Candidate for Village Trustee#1

Larry Matson, fresh ideas backed by years of experience

I am delighted to run for the position of Trustee #1 in the Village of Pleasant Prairie . I have 9 years experience in municipal administration, 24 years in Public Works, served 8 years as a village trustee and have been teaching at the College of Lake County for 11 years. Now I would like to put my experience to work for you.

Our citizens have been subjected to political rhetoric, emotional outbursts, grandstanding and incendiary statements by the current administration for far too long. I will not participate in this type of behavior! I do, however, recognize the reality of holding an elected position, and sometimes unpopular decisions must be made. I will do what is right, not what is popular. I will serve using one simple principle to guide me through the complexities of governing our Village. That principle is; RIGHT IS RIGHT REGARDLESS OF WHOM IT FAVORS. I will do what is in the best interest of our community by supporting measures that will clearly benefit our Village.

Sadly, our Village's financial agenda is unclear. Within the last year we were led to believe that our Village's finances were in good order. So good, in fact, that they were talking about spending $6.4 million for a new pool, $5.7 million for Phase 1 of the planned park system. Let us not forget about the $16.9 million recently discussed for past due road repairs.

Regardless of the source of the money for these endeavors, taxes or fees, it was the administration's intention to spend millions when they already have a debt of $93.4 million. How can they talk about new ways to spend money when they are forced to go to referendum to purchase basic life saving equipment?

At $5,131.00 for every man, woman and child, our Village carries more debt per capita than any other community in the State of Wisconsin . That's a staggering $20,527.00 for a family of four! Our debt is tied up in TIF districts such as WisPark, the RecPlex, sewer bonds and general bonds. Individually, these items are good, but collectively were too much, too fast. As a result, fiscally, we are at our maximum debt load and a critical state. This is unacceptable and dangerous. Should a serious emergency arise and we need financial credit, what then?

Asking our citizens to support last fall's tax increasing referendums for basic services for an ambulance, snowplow, heart monitors and the jaws-of-life illustrate how the Village's finances have been mismanaged. This is basic equipment that should have been planned for. Certainly the administrator and village president had to know for some time that this equipment was nearing the end of its life cycle.

It is time get our priorities straight. Past administration's failure to plan has created a budget that jeopardizes our employee's safety and diminishes their capacity to serve to the best of their abilities. The first step in financial recovery is to admit that there is a problem. I will stop the practice of creating new ways to spend your money! I will use my strengths and experience to redirect our community and realize its full potential. With new leadership, our future is bright and limitless. Together we will make a difference.

For more information about my campaign please visit www.LarryMatson.org.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Integrity is still alive in America

Just in case you were worried, there are still a few folks left in this county that has some decency and integrity-

Cabbie returns 31 diamond rings to passenger


A taxi driver returned a black bag carrying 31 diamond rings to a passenger who earlier had given him a 30-cent tip on an $11 ride.

Hours after Osman Chowdhury dropped off the passenger, he tracked her down through a flurry of phone calls and returned the bag, which she had left in the taxi’s trunk.

The unidentified woman, who said she was a jeweler, offered a $100 reward.

Chowdhury accepted the money to cover the fares he lost while tracking her down.

Chowdhury, a native of Bangladesh, told the New York Daily News that he didn’t so much as consider keeping the gems.

Astronaut charged with attempted kidnap-murder

This does not look good on a resume.

A married U.S. astronaut was accused on Tuesday of trying to kidnap and kill a rival for the affections of a male astronaut after she drove 950 miles wearing adult diapers to confront the woman.

Capt. Lisa Nowak, who has three children, was released from jail in Florida after posting bail.

Nowak was initially arrested on attempted kidnapping charges on Monday in Orlando after assaulting Colleen Shipman, a U.S. Air Force captain, police said.

continued...

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Obama says- Yank 'em out now!

Senator and Presidential candidate Barack Obama has decided he wants the troops out of Iraq and he wants them to begin leaving immediately. He has proposed legislation that embraces losing in Iraq:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070207/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_149

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, a Democratic presidential hopeful, joined two House members in proposing a measure to block Bush from implementing his planned troop increase, and to begin a withdrawal by May 1, with all combat brigades out by March 31, 2008.

Not only that, but Senator John Kerry has decided that all hope is lost in Iraq. Freedom and the Iraqi people are not worth fighting for:

"The only people who believe there is a workable military solution for the conflict in Iraq is the Bush administration," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in announcing legislation that would require Bush to "complete the redeployment" of American troops within a year.

Senator Obama, Senator Kerry and the rest of the Democrats have declared the Americans to be losers and handed victory to the terrorists!

Even the media seem to be shocked by this and are stating that the Democrats are the ones attempting to undermine the war effort. (Like the media had nothing to do with it???)

Apart from legislation, Democrats have embarked on an effort to undermine public support for the war by holding numerous hearings.

Wouldn't it be great if the Democrats actually embraced winning as quickly as they embrace losing?

Careful now

Not only will we have another day of subzero temperatures, but 1 to 3 inches of snow is also expected in South central and south west Wisconsin.

Drive careful everyone. You don't want to get stuck in ditch in this cold.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Priceless

Long underwear- $25.00
Wool gloves- $24.95
Double lined winter coat- $150.00
Green Bay Packer Hood and Scarf set- $29.95

Promise of Global Warming- PRICELESS


Bring on Global Warming!!!!!

Today, when I left for work it was –13.

I demand Global Warming NOW!!!!

Oh goody, I get to work with these people

Really, I could care less who won the game last night. However, since I work in Illinois- I get to work with some very angry and depressed Chicago Bears fans today.

I am not certain Rex Grossman will survive the beating that is being laid upon him right now by the Chicago Bears fans.

Said Steve Black, 39, of Chicago: "It wasn't Manning that won this game. It was Grossman that lost it."

If truth be told, the vaunted Bears defense was full of holes. Defenses are where Super Bowls are won and lost.

Apparently, I am not the only person that believes this:

The Bears defenders failed to execute the fundamental they had learned from the first time they put on shoulder pads: making the tackle. It helped cost them the Super Bowl.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Just call her Senator Hillary "Chavez" Clinton

Senator Clinton's socialism rears its ugly head again. She has decided that she will be taking the profits from the oil companies-

"I want to take those profits, and I want to put them into a strategic energy fund."


Don't believe me? See it for yourself-

http://texasholdemblogger.wordpress.com/2007/02/02/hillary-a-socialist/

Really, the oil companies are making too much money, so Senator Clinton believes that the Democrats and the US government are entitled to that money.

This is a Hugo Chavez (Venezuelan Dictator) move. He too, is taking the profits from oil companies in Venezuela.

H/T Texas Hold 'Em Blogger

I cannot hardly believe that Clinton made this statement.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

I see a pattern here...

Anyone paying attention to the Doyle's administration releasing of records, knows that there is some deception involved.

After this past election alone, Wisconsinites were treated to more Doyle deception. Suddenly Wisconsinites were treated to the knowledge that we are in a mountain of debt.

How many times, during this past election, did we hear Jim Doyle make the claim- "I balanced the budget"?

This particular instance of deceipt by the Doyle administration, took place back in 2004-

Two of Gov. Jim Doyle's appointees told a Department of Transportation attorney to delay the release of a politically damaging 2004 report - in apparent violation of the state open records law - the attorney testified Thursday.

Attorney Jim Thiel said he was told to not release the report until after he got a copy of a Department of Administration rebuttal that questioned the DOT's finding that state engineers cost 18% less than consultants. The conclusion that state employees cost less conflicted with Doyle's platform of trimming state jobs.

Continued...

Clearly this is part of a pattern of deception brought to us by the Doyle administration.

The Doyle administration continues to try and convince people that they are really in favor of open and honest government, and yet, this type of practice continues to be their pattern.

Jim Doyle has been lying to Wisconsinites for years. For the next four years, Wisconsinites have will be treated to "more of the same" from Jim Doyle.

Friday, February 02, 2007

For the woman with everything



Anybody want a Condi dress? Check it out-



Lending a whole new meaning to the term "power dressing", you can now wear your favourite powerful woman out on the town.

The Italian label Gattinoni unveiled these "beauties" at a parade in the Auditorium in Rome on Sunday, adding the US presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton, the French presidential wannabe Segolene Royal, the British great-grandmother wannabe Queen Elizabeth and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to a long line of famous females who have been associated with the fashion house.

Its founder, Fernanda Gattinoni, designed Audrey Hepburn's costumes for the 1956 movie War and Peace, which makes the choice of at least two of these women's images somehow very appropriate.

We'd like to see Helen Mirren, who on Sunday won a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance in The Queen, wearing the QEII frock to the Oscars. Depending on political persuasion, of course, the owner of such a dress can always wear it back-to-front. Or inside out.
H/T Drudge

Brett will be back!!!

The Green Bay Packers won't have to wait until the start of free agency again to learn the future of their star quarterback.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre has decided to return to the team in 2007 and told team brass of his decision earlier today, sources close to Favre told FOXSports.com.

Favre himself ascertained as much in an interview with the Biloxi Sun Herald.

"I am so excited about coming back," Favre told the newspaper. "We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year and that's encouraging."

Favre is down in his home state of Mississippi and has had multiple talks with team officials this off-season. Unlike last year, when Favre allowed his decision to linger through rumor upon rumor, this year he's being much more team-friendly in letting his teammates know his deal.

continued...

Real Debate Wisconsin: Live from the Dooley for Alderman Kick-Off.

Real Debate Wisconsin: Live from the Dooley for Alderman Kick-Off.

Great turnout and alot of fun. No boring political speeches! Thanks Fred!

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Taxes are done!

Whoo! Hoo! My taxes are done!!!!

I just filed my taxes online. I did the same last year and got my refund in a week.

Hey everyone, don't forget about your long distance phone credit of $30.

Dooley for Alderman Kickoff

Please join us to celebrate the entry of Fred Dooley into the race for Alderman in Racine’s 7th District. Pizza and soft drinks will be served. (cash bar available)

Thursday, February 1, 2007
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Suggested donation: $25.00

Please RSVP to Dooleyforalderman@yahoo.com
or 262-681-9372 by 1-28-07

Location: DeRango’s Pizza Palace
3840 Douglas Avenue Racine, WI 53402
(Douglas Avenue, just south of 3 Mile Rd.)

Biden burned by 'clean' language

There is alot of hoopla surrounding Senator Biden's announcement that he is running for president.

Senator Biden on Barack Obama-

Mr. Biden is equally skeptical—albeit in a slightly more backhanded way—about Mr. Obama. “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

What people are saying...

"I really regret that some have taken totally out of context my use of the word 'clean,' " Biden said in an afternoon call with reporters several hours after formally joining the Democratic field.

He said he did not mean to offend the Illinois senator or other African-Americans who have sought the presidency. Obama "understood exactly what I meant, and I have no doubt that Jesse Jackson and every other black leader, Al Sharpton and the rest, will know exactly what I meant," Biden said.

Obama replied in a written statement. "I didn't take Senator Biden's comments personally," the statement said, "but obviously they were historically inaccurate. African-American presidential candidates like Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns, and no one would call them inarticulate."

Late in the day, Biden released an apology. "I deeply regret any offense my remark in the New York Observer might have caused anyone. That was not my intent and I expressed that to Sen. Obama," he said.

Biden is a 34-year veteran of the Senate whose 1988 presidential candidacy ended amid allegations that he plagiarized portions of his speeches.

Others also criticized Biden's remarks. Biden "definitely misspoke and stepped on his announcement," said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist who ran Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. Biden has a strong civil rights record, she said, but his comments "reflect some old-school thinking."

Jackson said he had called Biden to ask what he meant but had not yet spoken with him. Jackson sought the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988. He described Biden's comments as a "diversion from the substantive issues of our time" and said it could be interpreted as attempting to "diminish" the role of his campaigns in the 1980s or to cast Obama as "all style over substance."

Of course, it did not take long for the media to blame President Bush for this:

The dustup over Biden's remarks came the same day President Bush also described Obama as "articulate" in an interview on Fox News.

Asked what he thinks troops would feel about a President Obama, Bush said: " He's an attractive guy. He's articulate. I've been impressed with him when I've seen him in person, but he's got a long way to go to be president."

White House spokesman Tony Snow said, "It's silly to compare the comments. What the president said requires no apology or explanation. He issued a compliment — not in code, but in plain English."

Can you believe that?

The disease is called BDS(Bush Derangement Syndrome). The media is so chock full of the disease, BDS, that they have actually discovered a way to blame Bush for the words coming out of a Democrat's mouth.

Good Grief!!!