Obama Plan

From Politico

"Obama unveils 21st Century New Deal
By MIKE ALLEN & JONATHAN MARTIN | 12/6/08 9:30 AM EST
" Obama unveils 21st Century New Deal - Mike Allen and Jonathan Martin - Politico.com

President-elect Barack Obama added sweep and meat to his economic agenda on Saturday, pledging the largest new investment in roads and bridges since President Dwight D. Eisenhower built the Interstate system in the late 1950s, and tying his key initiatives – education, energy, health care –back to jobs in a package that has the makings of a smaller and modern version of FDR's New Deal marriage of job creation with infrastructure upgrades.

Let's take these one at a time.

Investment in roads and bridges -if we can't drive cars, why build roads?

Repair broken schools - Shouldn't we fix teaching first and then the buildings?

New computers in the schools - can you tell me what schools do not have computers today. Why are we getting charged on our phone bills for the internet at schools?

Investing in electronic information technology systems in medicine - I was just at my doctor this past week and they have my files on the computer. What technology is he talking about?

Will create 2.5 million jobs - What new jobs will he create?

I see a lot of money going to road construction and bridge building companies. I know of only a couple in Wisconsin. Will he create new companies? Will the few companies now in Wisconsin let that happen, No !

Computer companies - Buy stock in Dell, Apple and Microsoft. they will be the few to get all the government business.

Energy savings for schools will go to GE. Yea, I can see windmills at every school corner.

This is all smoke and mirrors and fluff.

Only a few will become bigger billionaires and we the tax payers will pay the bill!

It sounds so nice that O will take care of us, Who will really get taken care of?

Will They Move To Wisconsin And Michigan

"Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes

Dec 6, 9:34 AM (ET)

By TOBY STERLING

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Amsterdam unveiled plans Saturday to close brothels, sex shops and marijuana cafes in its ancient city center as part of a major effort to drive organized crime out of the tourist haven."
My Way News - Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes

Since the liberals in Wisconsin and Michigan need more revenue, will they relocate? I wonder if Jim Doyle and Jennifer M. Granholm know about this.

What A Champion, What A Putz

From NASCAR.com

Ok, so what is wrong with this picture?

"Yarborough passes torch to Johnson at Cup banquet" NASCAR.COM - Yarborough passes torch to Johnson at Cup banquet - Dec 6, 2008

The Obama White House?

From the Washington Post

Hillary has to work with these DORKS!

Is this what we are in for?

"Updated 9:22 p.m.
By Al Kamen
Question No. 58 in the transition team vetting document for the Obama White House asks that applicants: "Please provide the URL address of any websites that feature you in either a personal or professional capacity (e.g. Facebook, My Space, etc.)"

Question No. 63 asks that applicants "please provide any other information ... that could ... be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-Elect."

For a while there this afternoon, President-elect Barack Obama's immensely talented chief speechwriter, 27-year-old Jon Favreau, might have been pondering how to address that question." One More Question... | 44 | washingtonpost.com

Joke Of The Day

From an E Mail


Tickle Me Elmo :

There is a factory in Northern Minnesota which makes the Tickle Me Elmo toys.
The toy laughs when you tickle it under the arms.

Well, Lena is hired at The Tickle Me Elmo factory and she reports for her first
day promptly at 8:00 am.

The next day at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel Manager's door. The
Foreman throws open the door and begins to rant about the new
Employee.

He complains that she is incredibly slow and the whole line is backing up,
putting the entire production line behind schedule.



The Personnel Manager decides he should see this for himself, so the 2 men march
down to the factory floor. When they get there the line is so backed up that
there are Tickle Me Elmo's all over the factory floor and they're really
beginning to pile up.

At the end of the line stands Lena surrounded by mountains of Tickle Me Elmo's.
She has a roll of plush Red fabric and a huge bag of small marbles.

The 2 men watch in amazement as she cuts a little piece of fabric, wraps it
around two marbles and begins to carefully sew the little package between Elmo
's legs.

The Personnel Manager bursts into laughter. After several minutes of hysterics
he pulls himself together and approaches Lena .

'I'm sorry,' he says to her, barely able to keep a straight face, 'but I think
you misunderstood the instructions I gave you yesterday...'

'Your job is to give Elmo two test tickles.

Snowmobile Time

With Gasoline at 1.69 gal in Green Bay, I would think anything relating to snow and sleds will be prime this year as long as we get snow.

I had a Polaris 600 XC and sold it years ago.

These are the times I surly miss that sled.

Here is some links and pictures.

Hit the trails kids!

"Wisconsin snowmobile trails listed by county, county trail report links and official Wisconsin DNR snowmobile trail reports" Wisconsin snowmobile trails listed by county, county trail report links and official Wisconsin DNR snowmobile trail reports

"Welcome to U.P. Snowmobiling!
Upper Peninsula Snowmobiling Website will connect you with important information and links.
Snowmobiling has never been more exciting and fun! When planning your snowmobile vacation - plan with a website that you can trust! " Snowmobiling - Upper Michigan Snowmobiling

"" Link to Polaris Snowmobiles : Home

""Link To Ski Doo Home - BRP Ski-Doo


Link to Artic Cat- Home Page

Gingerbread House Competition, Milwaukee

From OnMilwaukee.com.

If you have the chance, please stop by.

"Gingerbread House Competition/Display

Milwaukee Public Market ( map )
400 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI. 53202
Phone: 414-336-1111
Dec 05 to Dec 11

Event Description

More than 35 elaborate and fanciful gingerbread houses created by Baking Production students at Milwaukee Area Technical College will be on display. Proceeds from silent auctions for each house will go toward baking production student scholarships through the MATC Foundation, Inc. The public is encouraged to view and bid on the houses. Industry professionals will judge the houses for design and quality. Visitors are also invited to vote for the “people’s choice” scholarship winner. Scholarship awards will be presented to the winners at a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Results of the silent auctions also will be announced at the ceremony, and auction winners may take the houses with them that evening.

Holiday baking demonstrations by Deb Socha, Certified Master Baker and MATC baking production instructor, also will be held at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 preceding the ceremony. The contest and auction are sponsored by the Wisconsin Bakers Association and The Milwaukee Public Market.

For more information, call Rich Busalacchi at (414) 297-6969. " OnMilwaukee.com - Milwaukee's Daily Magazine

Related article from JSOnline.

"Gingerbread houses on "tour"
By Nancy Stohs of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 5, 2008

Shop at the Milwaukee Public Market and check out more than 30 fanciful gingerbread houses created by baking production students at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Then bid on the house you'd like to take home. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward student scholarships through the MATC Foundation. Visitors also can vote for a "People's Choice" scholarship, to be awarded along with scholarships for winners selected in earlier judging.

Holiday baking demonstrations by MATC baking instructor Deb Socha will be held at the market at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, preceding a 6:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The houses are on display through Thursday. For more information, call Rich Busalacchi at (414) 297-6969.

Meanwhile, here's a sneak peek at just a few of the student-crafted houses. (Winners as yet are unknown, even to judges.)" Gingerbread houses on "tour" - JSOnline

10 Best Whitetail Rifles

From Field and Stream.

"The 10 Best Whitetail Rifles Ever Made "
The 10 Best Whitetail Rifles Ever Made - Field & Stream

By David E. Petzal

Let us all praise the whitetail deer: eater of shrubs, wrecker of cars, biological miracle, inhabitant of dreams. I know men who can kill a charging Cape buffalo without a change of pulse rate but who become undone at the sight of a big whitetail buck. He is our national big-game animal, and as such he has had a lot of guns dedicated to his untimely demise. Some of them, over time, have become standouts. The best ones, traditionally, are light and handy and chambered for cartridges that do not cause seismometer needles to jump when you pull the trigger. The other kind, used for keeping vigil in tree stands, are long, heavy, and superaccurate. Here are the 10 deer rifles that I favor above all others. The Savage is my favorite; after that, it all depends on my mood.

Shawano Wis. Still In The News.

From The Shawano Leader.

From the bizarre file from Shawano Wisconsin.

"Man arrested on unrelated warrant after videotaping outside mayor’s home
By Leader Staff

A man believed to be affiliated with the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology was arrested on an outstanding warrant Wednesday shortly after being seen videotaping outside the mayor’s home.

Zechariah G. Sindt, 34, was confronted by Donald Marquardt, husband of Mayor Lorna Marquardt, during the videotaping, the mayor said.

Marquardt said she then contacted police because the incident further concerned her in the wake of statements Sindt has made recently on the Internet.

Sindt can be seen in several You Tube videos in which he accuses Mar-quardt of running a “Christian cult” dedicated to the elimination of SIST.

Though Sindt was not breaking the law by videotaping, Marquardt said, “I certainly felt some intimidation given the fact he’s on the Internet accusing me of instigating racial genocide, of having a criminal record and being part of a SWAT team training to decimate and eradicate them.”

Marquardt said anyone would have had reason to be concerned about Sindt’s presence in the wake of those videos.

“I viewed it as another means to intimidate and harass me,” she said.

According to the Shawano Police Department report, Sindt was later located at the People’s Express gas station on Green Bay St. and Airport Rd., which is owned by SIST subsidiary Midwest Oil of Shawano.

A routine check on Sindt turned up an outstanding arrest warrant issued in St. Croix County.

According to the state’s circuit court access web site, the arrest warrant was issued July 22 because of Sindt’s failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge of issuing worthless checks.

According to the Shawano County Jail, Sindt posted bond and was released shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday." Shawano Leader

Mills Fleet Farm

Just want to thank the good folks at Mills Fleet Farm in Northeastern Wisconsin.

First, I paid 1.69 gal for gas.

Second, where else can you get real gasoline .

Gasoline with no ethanol in it.

That is correct. N O E T H A N O L !

So far I see REAL gasoline at the Fleet Farm in Clintonville, Green Bay and Antigo.


THANK YOU Mills Fleet Farm.

Please pass this info to anyone looking for real gasoline.

"Rusty Chevrolet" by Da Yoopers

Enjoy.

New Blogger

From Try 2 Focus,

a new blog from a city where we used to live, Sussex Wisconsin

"I Think Too Much

I've got a mind that seems to run at top speed 24/7. Constantly thinking. Now you poor saps will get a look at the product of that mind."

I Think Too Much

Welcome Jim Zeirke.

Please give him a read.

Stinken Farmers

Heard it on Rush, in print from Drudge and Yahoo.

"Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers

By BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Bob Johnson, Associated Press Writer – Fri Dec 5, 4:43 am E" Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers - Yahoo! News

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – For farmers, this stinks: Belching and gaseous cows and hogs could start costing them money if a federal proposal to charge fees for air-polluting animals becomes law.

Farmers so far are turning their noses up at the notion, which is one of several put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that greenhouse gases emitted by belching and flatulence amounts to air pollution.

"This is one of the most ridiculous things the federal government has tried to do," said Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, an outspoken opponent of the proposal.

I know this stinks to high heaven but farmers can't have it both ways. If farmers accept farm subsidies and other handouts, then they have to suffer the consequences.

You get government handouts they are going have strings attached.

Is anyone surprised.

Christmas Movie Night

Mrs Berry Laker, Son # 2 and Penelope and I are watching our favorite holiday movie.


A Christmas Story.

Please watch and enjoy.

Sorry, I didn't listen to the audio and it was taken down for bad rapper language.

Sorry, need to screen my you tubes better.

O.J. Simpson Question

From ReviewJournal.com.

I was on the road since 10:00 this morning.

Can anyone tell me what sentence he got?

Can someone please tell me!

"O.J. Simpson sentencing in Las Vegas

By CARRI GEER THEVENOT
REVIEW-JOURNAL " ReviewJournal.com - News - O.J. Simpson sentencing in Las Vegas

Glass sentenced Stewart this morning to between 7 1/2 and 27 years.

Wake Up People, December 2007 Recession

Do people actually believe everything they hear from the MSM?

The following is a post I did on December 2nd on the media sucking up, believing and spreading the so called news on the recession starting in December 2007.

"The nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday it pegged the start of the recession to a year ago, which already makes it longer than the 10-month average of recessions since the end of World War II." Berry Laker: Green Bay Packers Will Win Super Bowl

The big problem is all that heard of the 2007 recession now believe it and don't know the real truth. Didn't happen in 2007.

Shame on all the Wisconsin talking heads for spreading this CRAP!

Here we see a GREAT Blogger who is getting the truth out about the so called recession of 2007.

Please link to SBVOR and read all the information.

Thank God we have people shining the light of truth on the MSM.

Here is just one comment from a Great American.

The latest update:

12/4/08 - In my previous update, I cited another who, like me, questioned whether December of 2007 was the start date for a recession. Today, more voices are added to the list:

Thank You again SBVOR

Hey Vinnie, Joke Of The Day

E mail joke from a friend.

An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very
difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:


Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over.
I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.


Love, Papa


A few days later he received a letter from his son.


Dear Pop,
Don't dig up that garden.
That's where the bodies are buried.
Love, Vinnie


At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived
and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies.
They apologized to the old man and left.
Later,That same day the old man received a telegram from his son.


Dear Pop,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now.
That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you, Vinnie

Christmas Cookies, Mrs Berry Laker Style

From JSOnline.

A video on the art of making Christmas cookies.

Green Christmas Trees, Snow Flakes. Yum, yum!

Oh by the way, hoping to get a date with the instructor from MATC, oops, that's Mrs Berry Laker showing off her expertise in baking.

The link should be up through 12/9/08. Off to the right under "Counter Points Video"

If you can pass it along to anyone looking to make Christmas cookies , please do.

I am one lucky guy. You should try her pecan finger and spritz cookie recipes.

"Short-order lessons in the art of cooking.
" Features - Food and Cooking - JSOnline

Love You Dear!

Sad Story

From a friend from a e mail.

Sad, sad, sad, sad, sad, sad, sad.

Subject: sad story

John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN)
While his coffee pot (MADE IN CHINA )
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG ).
He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ),
designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE )
and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA )
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA )
he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO )
to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN )
to the radio(MADE IN INDIA )
he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY )
filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his
Computer (Made In Malaysia ),
John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL )
poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE )
and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA ),
and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA .

Wisconsin, Slow News Day

From the Green Bay Press.

It must be a slow news cycle. "Holidays distract students". Really, my God, these poor children. Is there any real news going on in Wisconsin. Really?

"Holiday distractions can affect area students' grades
End of semester is time to buckle down, teachers say

By Kelly McBride • kmcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com • December 3, 2008 " Holiday distractions can affect area students' grades | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

For many area students, the holiday season — complete with days off school and other distractions — can serve as an easy diversion from concerns about the upcoming end of the semester.

Maybe I can help the news department with some future headlines to look into for the next news cycle.

One Inch of Snow, Bing's "White Christmas", Should I Shovel? Decision Leads To Depression

Forgot To Load Dishwasher, While Watching "Grinch Stole Christmas", Wife Goes Insane

Watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Leads To Obesity

Home Alone, Two Beers Left in Fridge

"It's A Wonderful Life" Not for Those Who Didn't Get Wii For Christmas

Santa Claus Is "Not" Coming To Town, In Florida, No Snow

"A Christmas Story" Went To The Casino and Lost 40 bucks

What will the next "slow news day" article be from the MSM?

Wisconsin Deer Herd, Wisconsin Budget, What Can You Believe

From the Green Bay Press.
Deer estimates were 1.7 million. Wisconsin budget short fall 5.4 billion. Can you believe anything from the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin deer kill down 20%, DNR says

By Robert Imrie • The Associated Press • December 2, 2008

"The DNR estimated up to 1.7 million whitetail deer roamed the fields and woods this fall — some 100,000 fewer than a year ago.

Warnke said the preliminary registration figures suggest two things:

—The preseason herd estimates in some areas of the state were too high. Perhaps more deer died during a harsher winter and fewer healthy fawns were born.

—The earn-a-buck regulation in major portions of the state requiring hunters to kill an antlerless deer to qualify to shoot the more coveted buck are working in lowering deer numbers.

“Think about it from the upside. We still have a very high harvest in Wisconsin and very strong deer hunting opportunity when you look around,” he said.

None of the typical variables in the annual hunt can account for the drop in deer killed, Warnke said.

“The weather this year was pretty good,” he said. “There is nothing that is glaring to me about weather, the late season or Packers games that can be accountable for all of the preliminary decline. Licenses were stable.”

In fact, the DNR sold about 1,000 more hunting licenses this season, putting 642,419 hunters into the field." Wisconsin deer kill down 20%, DNR says | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Maybe they knew the deer herd numbers were less than 1.7 mil. and didn't tell the truth. They got at least an extra $24,000.00 in extra license fee's from the 1000 extra licenses. Is the state budget really 5.4 billion? When will people in Wisconsin wake up?

Hear anyone question any part of the state of Wisconsin? Guess not.

Chicken Little, Pilgrim Pride Problems

From Chron.com

"Texas-based Pilgrim’s Pride seeks bankruptcy protection
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 1, 2008, 10:22PM" Texas-based Pilgrim’s Pride declares bankruptcy | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN — Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., which became the nation’s largest poultry producer under the leadership of one of Texas’ most controversial political donors, filed for federal bankruptcy protection Monday.

The company said it employs about 48,000 people and operates 35 chicken processing plants and 11 prepared-food facilities.

According to its Web site, Pilgrim’s Pride is the largest chicken company in the U.S. and the second-largest in Mexico, with net sales of $7.6 billion last year.

Time will tell on what this will do to chicken prices.

Green Bay Packers Will Win Super Bowl

From JSOnline and every other media outlet.

"Official news of recession sends markets reeling

By Paul Gores of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Dec. 1, 2008" Official news of recession sends markets reeling - JSOnline

A recession that a panel of experts now agrees started last December showed no signs of loosening its choke-hold Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average on a nearly 700-point skid - the index's fourth-worst point drop in history.

The nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday it pegged the start of the recession to a year ago, which already makes it longer than the 10-month average of recessions since the end of World War II.

Since when do we believe all NONPROFIT groups.

Hey, I'm a nonprofit group and I say the Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl this year.

Come on get real here.

Huh, Back To Fundamentals

From the Green Bay Press

"McCarthy also said he will devote extra practice time this week to the fundamentals of spacing and getting off blocks on kickoff coverage.

“That’s two weeks in a row,” McCarthy said. “We need to fix that.”" Packers finally give up on Frost | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Sorry, this is getting funny!

Packers Conservative Atmosphere

A good read from Marketplace of Ideas.

"12/01/08
Postgame analysis, written before the game
Issue time08:00:00 am, by Steve Prestegard Email 15 views
Categories: Primary

Sunday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel featured an unusual diagnosis from Packer writer Bob McGinn (link available only for Journal Sentinel Packer Insider subscribers):

The Green Bay Packers appear to have a void in energy and leadership due in part to the controlled, conservative atmosphere favored by general manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy and president Mark Murphy. ...

The Packers now find themselves with a 5–6 record. They also lack personality. They don't have much fire. In sort, they're pretty blah." Marketplace of Ideas Blog

2010, It's Bush's Fault

From the New York Post and Rich Lowry.

"Obama has selected a former Marine commandant close to John McCain, Gen. Jim Jones, as his national-security adviser; asked President George W. Bush's defense secretary, Bob Gates, to stay on; and selected Hillary Clinton, a relative centrist who denounced Obama's naivete in the primaries, as secretary of state. " BARACK THE REALIST - New York Post

My thought if Bob Gates stays on as the defense secretary. Some Abu Ghraib moment happens and you can blame Gates and throw the name of George Bush out their for another year or two. It's bushs guy and it's Bush's fault.

Gates should turn it down!

Bill, Giant or Jet Fan

From the New York Post.

Hard to tell if New York Mayor Bloomberg is a New York Giant, Jet or maybe a Buffalo Bills fan.

"The Giants, the NFL and the prestigious New York-Cornell Hospital shamefully shielded Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress from cops after he shot himself in the leg with an illegal handgun at a nightclub, Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD fumed yesterday. " PLAX IN COURT AS MIKE TAKES SHOTS - New York Post

"Our children are getting killed with guns in the street. Our police are getting killed," the furious mayor said in demanding Burress get no special treatment for his alleged crime and coverup.

"I think it would be an outrage if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

We Are Such Simple Folks

From Drudge and Mail Online

Is this out of his own pocket ? Did someone give him the money? Is the money from campaign funds?

Just asking since my stocks are down and the economy is in the crapper!
Hope and change, hope and change.

"Barack Obama to buy rare £20,000 gold ring for his wife to say 'thanks for your support'
By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 1:31 AM on 02nd December 2008" Barack Obama to buy rare £20,000 gold ring for his wife to say 'thanks for your support' | Mail Online
Michelle Obama is to receive this £20,000 thank you from her husband for her support during the election.

The Harmony ring is made of rhodium - the world's most expensive metal --and encrusted with diamonds. It is being hastily made by Italian designer Giovanni Bosco in time for January's inauguration ceremony.

Only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, mostly in South Africa, and as a result its price is typically around £5,000 an ounce.

Update - the ring is worth $30,000.00 U S dollors.

Packers, What Is This

From the Green Bay press.

"In relief of Ryan Grant, who didn’t return after spraining his thumb in the second quarter," Insider: Thumbs up to Jackson, down to field position | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

It's gut check time,

a sprained thumb?

Get your butt out there and play to win!

Sorry, a sprained thumb should not take a player out of the game!

These high paid players must be getting soft!

Carolina 35 - Green Bay 31

Please go to Badger Blogger for the

DAGGER!

Link

"The First Week of Advent"

To my family. As Catholics you should now begin the season of advent. A reminder and web site to help you through the season of Advent. As my son so noted, the candles are lit in the order of Purple, Purple Pink and Purple. Proud of son # 2.

"The First Week of Advent"
First Week of Advent 2008

As we begin Advent, we light one candle in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and in the world. It symbolizes our longing, our desire, our hope. Three "advents" or "comings" shape our desire. We want to be renewed in a sense that Jesus came to save us from our sin and death. We want to experience his coming to us now, in our everyday lives, to help us live our lives with meaning and purpose. And we want to prepare for his coming to meet us at the end of our lives on this earth.

So, we begin with our longing, our desire and our hope.

When we wake up, each day this week, we could light that candle, just by taking a few moments to focus. We could pause for a minute at the side of our bed, or while putting on our slippers or our robe, and light an inner candle. Who among us doesn't have time to pause for a moment? We could each find our own way to pray something like this:

"Lord, the light I choose to let into my life today is based on my trust in you. It is a weak flame, but I so much desire that it dispel a bit more darkness today. Today, I just want to taste the longing I have for you as I go to the meeting this morning, carry out the responsibilities of my work, face the frustration of some difficult relationships. Let this candle be my reminder today of my hope in your coming.

"

Breaking Law?, Will Dems Get A Pass?

From the New York Post.

Looks like the same old same old and most voters yawn, and ignore it.

"SHADY ISLAND 'HOUSE' PARTY POLS' TRIP TO CARIBBEAN SKIRTED RULES" SHADY ISLAND 'HOUSE' PARTY - New York Post

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS in St. Maarten and ISABEL VINCENT in New York

Last updated: 4:01 am
November 30, 2008
Posted: 2:24 am
November 30, 2008

High-ranking members of Congress were flown to a lush Caribbean resort this month for a three-day conference planned and paid for by several of the country's most powerful corporations - a violation of federal ethics rules, critics say.

Six members of the Congressional Black Caucus attended the 13th annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in sun-drenched St. Maarten, including embattled Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel and New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne.

Three New York City officials attended, including Comptroller William Thompson and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr., as well as Gov. Paterson, who was the keynote speaker at a luncheon on the second day of the gathering.

The politicians were seen by The Post during the Nov. 6-9 conference, walking among the palm trees on the breezy grounds of the sprawling, terra cotta Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino.

Paterson's office said he'd paid for his own travel and lodging during his visit. But other legislators enjoyed free airfare, meals and hotel rooms covered by the trip's organizer - and paid for by donations from corporations such as IBM, AT&T, Verizon, Citigroup, Pfizer, Macy's and American Airlines, a Post investigation discovered.

Officials with those companies were observed at the conference - sometimes acting as featured speakers at daily seminars and freely mingling among the pols at social events. Citigroup - which just last week received a massive bailout from the federal government - was one of the conference's biggest sponsors, ponying up $100,000 to help finance the event, according to one of the lobbyists at the gathering.

A spokesman for Citigroup told The Post the company has financially supported the conference for several years, but would not reveal an amount.

Phone giant Verizon gave $35,000, according to spokesman Brian Malina. The yearly event - always held in a Caribbean country - is a big draw for black politicians, as well as for community activists, lobbyists and special-interest groups looking to promote their agendas.

According to conference organizers, the main goal is "promoting business relationships between some of America's largest firms and the Caribbean's most successful enterprises."

To read on go to New York Post link above.

Bush Through The Obama Prism

From Ann Althouse,

Victor Davis Hanson makes some interesting points

"Saturday, November 29, 2008

Bush Through the Obama Prism [Victor Davis Hanson]

I think Obama may do more for George Bush's reputation than anyone thinks." Bush Through the Obama Prism - Victor Davis Hanson - The Corner on National Review Online

I've collated the dozens of articles from liberal thinkers that explain why so far Obama—the candidate of hope and change, and cleaning out the entrenched status quo that so warps our D.C. politics and ensures stasis in our policies—has surrounded himself either with Clintonites, outright Bush people or those who worked closely with them, and centrists of ambiguous politics. The explanations are quite creative and run the gamut:

WDNR Needs More Money, Really

From Richard Moore and The Lakeland-Times

"11/28/2008 5:41:00 PM
Amid $5.4 billion deficit, DNR asking for more
Wants more than $2 million increase for vehicle fleet" Amid $5.4 billion deficit, DNR asking for more

Richard Moore
Investigative Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking for a $27.3 million increase in its 2009-11 biennial budget, according to Department of Administration documents released this past week.

The Natural Resources Board approved the proposed budget in September.

In a memo to the board, DNR secretary Matthew Frank outlined the details of a proposed bottom line of $596.5 million for 2009-10 and $596.7 million for 2010-11, for a total of $1,193.2 billion agency budget.

That's $27.3 million more than in 2007-09, of which Frank said $18.7 million represented the cost to continue current items.

"Of these amounts, about $231.6 million annually, or 39 percent, represents local assistance and debt service costs," Frank wrote. "The remaining $365.1 million reflects department costs to provide services."

Frank told board members it was a restrained budget, reflecting both the state's current fiscal climate and the Department of Administration's budget instructions.

"When cost to continue is excluded, this budget reflects a 0.7 percent growth over base," he wrote. "Even if standard cost to continue items are included, there is still only a 2.3 percent rate of growth over the 2008-09 base budget."

Frank said the DNR was continuing to reduce staffing levels. The new budget would cut agency personnel by 3.36 full-time equivalent positions, reducing total staffing to 2,742.17 full-time equivalent positions.

Even within the context of self-control, Frank told the board the agency could still make progress on some of its most important environmental initiatives, particularly in trying to stem the spread of invasive species on land and water, in dealing with Wisconsin's water quality and water quantity issues, in providing grants for dam repair and removal, in supporting conservation wardens' efforts pertaining to snowmobile safety and education, in maintaining department properties, and in operating state parks and trails.