BRRRRRRR. 78 below 0

From NPR about a town in Alaska

"Day to Day, January 9, 2009 · Right now it's cold in Alaska. Really cold. In the town of Tok, it was 78 degrees below zero yesterday. Aliza Sherman Risdahland her family moved to Tok two weeks ago. Noah Adams talks with Sherman Risdahl about how she's coping with the extreme cold. Also read our blog entry on what to wear at 78 degrees" Life At Negative 78 Degrees In Alaska : NPR

Shocked, I Am Shocked

From the Baltimre Sun.

I am outraged! I am SHOCKED, a democrat!

How much play will this get in the MSM?

Foolish me, next to nothing.

"Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted
Counts of perjury, theft, misconduct in office among 12-count indictment

By Annie Linskey and Julie Bykowicz | annie.linskey@baltsun.com and julie.bykowicz@baltsun.com
9:01 PM EST, January 9, 2009"
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted on perjury, theft charges -- baltimoresun.com

Baltimore Mayor Sheila A. Dixon was charged today with 12 counts of felony theft, perjury, fraud and misconduct in office, becoming the city's first sitting mayor to be criminally indicted.

Niagara New Page Mill Update

From the Pestigo Times. Information about the status of the mill in Niagara.

Excuse me , where is Steve Kagen? Only $15,000.00 for the grant, come on! Sorry, he's AWOL for a while. He's off, he had knee surgery when he should be working in Washington. Congress is in session and Steve is off. What timing!

"Hearing On Grant For Niagara Mill Reuse Plan
Public hearing on an application for $15,000 to assist Marinette County in developing an adaptive reuse plan for the Niagara Mill site will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at the Niagara City Hall.

Marinette County plans to submit a Community Development Planning Grant in the amount of $15,000 to develop a plan for reuse of the closed Niagara mill owned by NewPage, Miamisburg, Ohio, according to Don Clewley, executive director of the Marinette County Association for Business and Industry, Inc.

Clewley has been working with Niagara officials, including its administrator Don Novak. The federal grant, requires a local match which can include in-kind services and not necessary cash from the City of Niagara.

The grant would help in an examination of the paper mill site for other industrial uses. The adaptive reuse study would look into which part of the mill could be kept or demolished, if NewPage would release some of the property for other uses.

Currently the closed mill has commercial and industrial assets including hundreds of acres in Niagara and Michigan, rail, turbines, water treatment facilities, wood grinders, other machinery and the former Niagara Club House.

If the county’s application for $15,000 is approved the goal would be to have the initial phase of the study completed by April.

NewPage had reported it would sell the mill to a non-competing paper company for $8 million to $10 million. Offers had been received which included Marinette County providing a loan of $4.5 million to a potential buyer. However, NewPage has rejected all offers to date.

Since rejection of potential buyers, NewPage has approached Niagara officials about developing an adaptive reuse plan in the event the mill is not sold.

Under the Community Development Grant funds would have to be used to benefit low and moderate income individuals. At the public hearing Jan. 21 in the Niagara City Hall at 1:30 p.m. discussed will be community needs especially regarding economic development, Marinette County Community Development Plans, Community Development Block Grant program including funding criteria and eligible activities and the proposed adaptive reuse plan.

Verbal comments will be taken at the hearing. Written comments will also be accepted at the hearing or mailed to the Marinette County Association for Business and Industry, Inc., (MCABI) Marinette until Jan. 22.

Marinette County residents are encouraged to attend the public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Information relating to the application can be obtained at the MCABI office at 601 Marinette Ave., Marinette.
" Peshtigo Times Wisconsin Community Newspaper

WDNR, Give Me Your Gun

Another GREAT piece of reporting from Richard Moore at the Lakeland-Times.

Every fall this discussion comes up about this issue. I ask the question, how can they do this and the answer is "no they can't. I did some highlights in bold.

Please keep the Lakeland-Times in your favorites or patronize their advertizers. Without Richard and the rest at the Lakeland-Times we would know nothing about Wisconsin Government. Where else in the MSM do you see these kind of articles?

Keep it going Lakeland-Times!

I wonder if Richard Moore gets a Christmas or birthday card from the WDNR? Likely not.

"1/9/2009 9:19:00 AM
DNR to hunters: Hand over your guns on demand
Ex-hunter ed instructor says directive unconstitutional"
DNR to hunters: Hand over your guns on demand

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a simple, blunt message for hunters in Wisconsin: When a DNR warden asks you to give up your legal firearm, do so, plain and simple, no matter what.

What's more, that goes for all citizens, the agency has asserted. Citizens with firearms, the DNR argues, should always do exactly what law enforcement officers tell them to do, regardless of the circumstances of the situation.

How can they do this?

To which one former hunter education instructor for the department has an equally simple and blunt response: The agency's directive is unconstitutional, plain and simple, and citizens don't have to hand over their firearms without any probable cause.

That viewpoint is the reason Mark Palan, the owner of Palan's Outpost Sporting Goods in Iowa County, has the word 'former' attached to his title. After 14 years as a volunteer instructor, the DNR cast him out last year for, in the agency's words, misrepresenting agency standards to hunter education students.

The issue promises to affect many more people than hunters in the coming year. In fact, the DNR's foray into gun rights issues on the Palan matter represents just one cloud in a growing storm over what authority law enforcement officers actually have to seize openly carried but legal firearms, whether it's from a hunter in the field or a citizen on the street.

Wisconsin is ostensibly an open-carry state; the media debate thus far has focused on whether to extend so-called carrying rights to concealed weapons.

But the latter could soon be yesterday's news; the DNR's excommunication of Palan, and its subsequent articulation of a broad grant of power for law enforcement to confiscate legal firearms, has suddenly called the legitimacy and reality of open carry itself into question.

Just as important, along with an ongoing non-DNR case in West Allis, the agency's expression of support for the ability of police to take away legal firearms upon simple command has in effect opened the door for a de facto state policy for all law enforcement.

The question is, is it constitutional, or, as Palan contends, does the DNR's position characterize an unconstitutional breach of a citizen's Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure?

Simply asked, can law enforcement take a person's legally carried firearm without any probable cause that a crime is being committed? Must a hunter in the field surrender his firearm just because a conservation warden tells him to?

Palan's encounter

To Palan, the answer is no.

"For 14 years, I've been teaching my students the same thing, over and over and over," Palan told The Lakeland Times.

The first thing he teaches is, he said, when a person is on private property and a warden stops and asks to see a license, the first thing to do is ask the warden for his credentials. The second thing, Palan said, is to boot the warden off the property because he's trespassing.

"And when they start throwing their weight around, you just reach in your pocket and dial 911 and have the police come out and have them removed," he said.

Being approached by a warden on public land is different, Palan said.

"If you are on public ground and a warden stops you and wants to see your license, you should ask him for his credentials, then you show him your license," he said. "And when he says, give me your gun, you show him your gun. You set it down on the ground or you can hand it to him. But your right is that you do not have to give him your gun. And if you set it down on the ground and he picks it up, now he's taken your gun without your permission. I've been teaching that for 14 years."

But, Palan said, his instruction collided with DNR attitudes last March when a local conservation warden lectured at one of his classes and discovered what Palan was teaching.

A confrontation ensued, Palan recalls, both in the class that night and a few days later in his store, and Palan says the DNR gave him a choice - either admit to the class that what he had been teaching was wrong, or get kicked out.

Palan got kicked out.

For the record

DNR documents corroborate Palan's version of events.

In an April 28, 2008, letter, DNR hunter education administrator Timothy Lawhern told Palan he was being ousted as a DNR instructor for a variety of reasons, including Palan's alleged refusal to abide by a program instructor code of conduct, his refusal to accept constructive criticism from local conservation warden Joe Frost, and his refusal to teach the program as the DNR wanted.

The removal applied to all recreational safety programs, Lawhern stated, boater education as well as snowmobile education, ATV education as well as hunter education and bow hunter education.

"You have trained many hunter education graduates contrary to our program standards of how to handle a firearm when approached by a law enforcement officer," Lawhern wrote. "This training has now placed those students in a potentially dangerous attitude which could have catastrophic results for themselves and members of the law enforcement community."

Palan certainly had the right to disagree with the DNR's approach, Law- hern added, but that did not give him any authority to teach one of their programs contrary to the agency's guidelines.

"You may disagree with our required training as you have every right to do so," Lawhern wrote. "However, you have no authority to teach our program contrary to our guidelines."

Lawhern followed his April 28 letter to Palan with a May 19, 2008, missive to Palan's former students. That letter instructed them to always follow the commands of a law enforcement officer, no matter the circumstance and even if it meant giving the officer the firearm.

"It has come to our attention that a portion of the training you received while taking the Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Course in Iowa County was not in compliance with our program policies," Lawhern began. ". . . . The portion of the training I need to clarify for you is what is expected of citizens when they are contacted by a law enforcement officer."

Lawhern didn't name Palan but said the "instructor" had misrepresented the DNR's program training standards regarding such contacts.

"What you should have been taught was to maintain good muzzle control and then follow the instructions of the law enforcement officer," Lawhern wrote. "This will vary depending on what type of contact it is, where it is taking place, the circumstances behind the contact, the officer's intuition or concern about safety and your demeanor during the contact."

What the DNR teaches in its hunter education program must carry over to everyday real-life situations, Lawhern continued.

"That is why it is important to understand that law enforcement communities, regardless of their branch of service (i.e. state trooper, county deputy, municipal police, conservation warden, etc.), have expectations that their instructions will be followed," he wrote. "This is for your safety, the safety of the officer as well as any other citizens that might be nearby."

For the most part, Lawhern wrote, wardens were simply checking for legal firearms for the game being pursued, magazine capacity (waterfowl hunting), and legal ammunition types - all the while maintaining a safe environment.

Examples of instructions a person might receive during a hunting situation might include the following, Lawhern stated: "Please open the action of your firearm"; "Would you mind safely unloading your firearm"; "You may place your firearm safely against that tree until we are finished"; "I'll hold your firearm while you check for your license"; "Allow me to check your magazine for a plug while you find your license."

Listening to law enforcement, no matter what, was the proper course of action, he wrote.

"Your cooperation with law enforcement is vital no matter what the situation is," Lawhern concluded. "To act any other way could result in a tragedy easily avoided by simply following their instructions."

The letter stunned Palan.

"They took the time and the taxpayer dollars to send a letter to every student that I've taught in 14 years, telling them that they were misrepresented by an Iowa county instructor," he said.

But the former instructor said he was more interested in what the letter did not say.

"Now what is expected of citizens?" he asked. "It doesn't say here that the law says that you will hand over your firearm."



To the next level

Even after removing Palan as an instructor, Lawhern wasn't content to leave the issue alone. He also addressed it in the April 2008 issue of the Wisconsin Hunter Education newsletter, which is distributed to hunter education instructors.

In the article, entitled "When a Warden Approaches, What Do I Do with my Gun," he expanded the scope of authority to include all law enforcement and all citizens. In so doing, he put the DNR on a collision course with the state's open-carry law.

"About 8 years ago the International Hunter Education Association raised the question about what is being taught in hunter education courses relative to how hunters should handle their firearms during license checks in the field," Lawhern wrote. "The aftermath of the debate was that a survey should be done within the law enforcement community to determine what they expected as appropriate behavior. The debate caused us to ask all manner of law enforcement since what we teach we wanted to meet every cop, state trooper, county deputy or municipal officer's expectations."

Law enforcement wanted just two things, he said of the survey's results. One was to maintain good muzzle control. The other was to "do exactly what the officer tells you to do."

"This may seem a bit odd as it's a standard that could be different from one officer to the next or different when situations are different," Lawhern wrote. "The officers instructions can and will vary depending on the situation."

Lawhern them moved on to address the likely response of law enforcement in general when officers see someone openly carrying a firearm, which, again, is not illegal per se in Wisconsin.

"Note that the officer on the street doesn't expect to see firearms openly exposed," he wrote. "In most cases when they do see a firearm, they draw theirs and tell the person 'Let me see your hands! Don't move!' In some cases they yell, 'Put the gun down,' or "Drop the gun!'"

Similarly, he stated, there would be times when a warden would ask a hunter to put down a gun or unload it or hand it to the warden.

"The point is, we must be teaching our students to follow the officer's instructions," he concluded.

To Lawhern, then, the mere presence of a firearm was reason enough for the police to give commands that must be obeyed, in addition to launching preliminary use-of-deadly force tactics such as drawing weapons.

Mystified at that reasoning, Palan sought out a legislative viewpoint, asking his state senator, Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), whether a DNR warden in fact possessed any authority to take custody of a legal firearm, absent any probable cause.

Schultz retrieved an opinion from a senior staff attorney for the Wisconsin Legislative Council. The answer was vague, at best. Still, the attorney, Mark Patronsky, could find no blanket authority, except that arising from certain specifically defined statutory reasons.

"Within the scope of the constitutional prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures, the courts have carved out authorization for law enforcement officers (such as conservation wardens) to take control of a firearm to protect the safety of the law enforcement officer," Patronsky wrote. "The officer, after further investigation and determination of a probable cause, may proceed to arrest the individual and seize the firearm."

Other situations in which a firearm might be seized included violations of various ammunitions and transporting regulations or the creation of a public nuisance.

The bottom line was, though, police needed some reason for the seizure.

"The statutes and administrative rules described in this memorandum, as well as a variety of other statutes and rules, do allow a warden to take a person's firearm for various reasons," he wrote.

Palan says that means a warden simply can't take a firearm without some probable cause.

"Nowhere in the hunters' education manual, nowhere in the instructors manual, nowhere in any state statutes that I can find, does it say you must hand over your firearm," he said. "Nowhere."



Real-life impact

One practical effect of Lawhern's expansive grant of confiscatory powers to police, not to mention their supposed prerogative to draw their weapons on gun-carrying citizens, would be a practical evisceration of Wisconsin's open carry status.

That status is already murky.

On the one hand, despite Lawhern's drawn-gun scenario, the heads of multiple Wisconsin law enforcement agencies told The Lakeland Times their officers would not act in the manner Lawhern described upon merely seeing someone with a gun. They acknowledged the legality of open carry.

In addition, the Use of Deadly Force policy of the Oneida County Sheriff's Department would seem to prohibit such conduct, without some other probable cause or suspicion.

"In any use of force decision, the officer must be certain that he or she has the right to make contact," the policy states. "The intervention must have legal beginning based upon articulable facts or circumstances. Officer presence can be based upon invitation, reasonable suspicion, community caretaker function, probable cause, exigent circumstances or other 'legal beginnings.'"

According to the policy, officer presence - which presumably could include a drawn gun - is the lowest level of use of force, but, the policy emphasizes, "an excessive or negative presence must be avoided or, if used, must be justified."

How could Lawhern's scenario be reconciled with such a policy? That could only logically occur if open-carry was by itself illegal, by definition constituting reasonable suspicion, probable cause, exigent circumstance or some other "legal beginning" that justified police contact and presence.

Then, too, both the state, under then attorney general Jim Doyle, and the Supreme Court recognized open-carry rights in State of Wisconsin v Hamdan, in which the High Court carved out a concealed weapon exemption for small storeowners.

The Department of Justice argued against the exemption, citing the ability of citizens to already possess and carry an open weapon: "The State argues that even under the strictest enforcement of the [concealed carry] statute, a person lawfully in possession of a firearm will always retain the ability to keep the firearm in the open - holding the weapon in the open, keeping the weapon in a visible holster, displaying the weapon on the wall, or otherwise placing the weapon in plain view," the court stated in summing up the DOJ's brief.

In her dissent of the final decision, chief justice Shirley Abrahamson went even further.

"That is, [the law] does not prevent anyone from carrying a firearm for security, defense, hunting, recreation, or other lawful purposes," Abrahamson wrote. "Rather, it limits the manner of carrying weapons, by requiring that a weapon that is on a person or within a person's reach not be concealed. The gist of the offense is the concealment."



Then again

On the other hand, police have increasingly begun to cite those openly carrying firearms for disorderly conduct, which a September 2000 memorandum by the Legislative Reference Bureau warned could happen.

"Wisconsin law does not specifically prohibit the open carrying of loaded or unloaded firearms in public, but a person doing so may risk being arrested, and charged with disorderly conduct, on the grounds that the display threatens the public peace or safety," the brief stated.

If that's the case, then police departments and the DNR could effectively make open carry illegal by defining it as disorderly conduct from the get-go, making an end run around both the Supreme Court and the Legislature. Using the same logic, any law enforcement commands not obeyed could result in a disorderly conduct citation.

Until recently, those charged with disorderly conduct for carrying open firearms have not fought the issue. That changed last year.

In West Allis, in August, in a scenario eerily similar to the one Lawhern outlined, West Allis police drew their weapons and arrested Bruce Krause, who was wearing a holstered legal pistol while planting trees on his own property.

In a case that could finally clarify both police authority to seize firearms and the state's open carry law, Krause is fighting back, and a landmark U.S. Court of Appeals decision last month could be decisive in the outcome.

Those cases will be discussed in the next article.

Hotty Shot

From Space for Commerce.

A hotty with a good shot! Glad she is on our side!

Thank you young lady for serving.

"He'll be taunted with 'Dude. You were shot. By a girl.'

The ex-cheerleader (age 19) and now an Air Force Security Forces Sniper in this picture was watching a road that lead to a NATO military base when she observed a man digging by the road. She engaged the target, and she shot him. Turned out he was a bomb maker for the Taliban and he was burying an IED that was to be detonated when a US patrol walked by 30 minutes later. It would have certainly killed and wounded several soldiers.

The interesting fact of this story is the shot was measured at 725 yards.. She shot him as he was bent over burying the bomb. The shot struck him in the butt blowing into the bomb which detonated. He was blown to pieces." Space For Commerce, by Brian Dunbar

Male or female, we thank God we have our troops protecting us. Don't be afraid to thank any of them for their service to our country.

Gypsy Moths

From the Shawano Leader.

Looks like more spraying and more grants from the WDNR.

"Gypsy moth population sees growth during 2008 in Wisconsin, and locally
By Nathan Falk, Leader Reporter and Associated Press

A 32 percent increase in the number of gypsy moths trapped in Wisconsin this year may mean more aerial spraying next year, the state says.

More than 385,500 male gypsy moths were caught in 2008, surpassing last year’s total of about 293,000, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported last month.

But a tough winter might cut into the pesky creature’s numbers this year, said Allan Waelchli, consulting forester for the city of Shawano.

“At this point, we’re not anticipating a major explosion, but more than likely a buildup, unless we have a real severe winter — which we have a good start at,” Waelchli said.

About 30,000 traps were set in 52 counties this summer as part of the agency’s efforts to slow the moth’s spread. The invasive pest eats many species of trees and shrubs, especially oaks, and can cause defoliation when feeding in large numbers. It has spread westward since its introduction in 1869.

“Usually in cycles of about 4 to 5 years, the population builds up — then collapses,” said Waelchli. “I’m expecting where we had isolated pockets this last summer, those will be expanding.”

Trapping data help determine potential sites for egg mass surveys and aerial spraying. Nearly 80,000 acres in 13 counties were sprayed earlier this year. Treatment sites for 2009 are yet to be determined.

The state doesn’t know the reason for the increase, but one possibility may be the natural cycle of gypsy moth populations, said Chris Whitney, gypsy moth trapping coordinator.

“We saw similar results in 2003 when we had large increases of moth populations, but in the following three years, we had declining populations,” Whitney said. “In 2007, the populations started to increase again, and we are hoping that the cycle is reaching its peak this year and will start to decline in 2009.”

Other possible explanations for the increase include favorable weather conditions, better trapping lures, the natural progression of the moths’ movement westward and larval drift.

Waelchli said some areas in the city of Shawano may show less growth than has been seen previously.

“I’ve been checking oak areas in the city, where there’s the most potential for a population explosion. The egg masses are there, but nowhere near the amount as what we had about 7 years ago when we got hit pretty hard with gypsy moths,” he said. “We did some treatment of egg masses, but it’s not half as dense of an egg mass population as what it was.”

Waelchli said the moths will defoliate just about any tree species, but he’s not expecting major problems in the area.

“The populations are up from two years ago, but still we’re not going to see a major defoliation problem,” he said. “The egg masses are already laid. At this point the population can only go down based on the severity of winter weather.”

From now until spring, people can help decrease the number of next year’s caterpillars by treating or removing egg masses. A gypsy moth egg mass is tan, oval or tear-shaped and a little bigger than a quarter. It is flat and has a velvety texture.

Egg masses can be found on trees, vehicles, fences, playground equipment, buildings and outdoor items. An egg mass can hold 500 to 1,000 eggs.

Egg masses can be scraped off with a putty knife, stiff brush or similar hand tool and dropped into a container of warm, soapy water. Let them soak for a couple of days and discard them in the trash. Horticultural oil also can be sprayed on egg masses. Crushing the egg masses will not destroy the eggs." Shawano Leader

Injured Hero

Injured Badger Blogger

"Well, don’t expect any long posts from me for a while. This morning on mt way to the garage, i hit a patch of ice and WAMMO! I knew as soon as I hit the ground that i broke my left arm. i didn’t even look at it, just dragged myself off the ground and drove to St. Joe’s.

After x-rays and stuff, they confirmed it was busted, a “left distal radius fracture,” and the broken part is sort of shoved into the wrist bones, so that means surgery on Tuesday. So, for the next few weeks, i will have lots of time on my hands… well, one hand anyway, but i don’t know how much posting the vicodin will allow. so you will all have to cut me some slack on capitalization and typos ;-)

never thought I would say this, but I would rather be at work…
" Badger Blogger

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Badger Blogger on a speedy and healthy recovery. A true hero and mentor to a lot of us in the blog world.

Please give him a get well note.

3rd Joke, Last One

From a blog I found. From Terri at "Believing in Miracles" Good job Terri, GREAT blog.

"PRICELESS

Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's party.

He didn't even remember how he got home from the party.

As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong.

Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a
couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to
them, a single red rose!!

Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed.

He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly
clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at
him in the bathroom mirror.

Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red
with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick: "Honey,
breakfast is on the stove, I left early to get groceries to make you your
favorite dinner tonight. I love you, darling! Love, Jillian"

He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming
hot coffee and the morning newspaper.

His 16 year old son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, "Son, what
happened last night?"

"Well, you came home after 3 A.M., drunk and out of your mind you fell over
the coffee table and broke it, and then you puked in the hallway, and got
that black eye when you ran into the door."

Confused, he asked his son, "So, why is everything in such perfect order and
so clean? And I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me,"

His son replies, "Oh THAT... Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she
tried to take your pants off, you screamed, 'Leave me alone I'm married!!' "

Broken Coffee Table $239.99 Hot Breakfast $4.20 Two Aspirins $.38 Saying the right thing, at the right time: PRICELESS "
Believing in Miracles

Joke Of The Day

Email from my brother.

Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease
my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully get out of the car
and open the trunk.

I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them
at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so lifelike
you wouldn't believe! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies
and private parts to the approaching drivers.

But to my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at
my lifelike men. And of course, traffic starts backing up. ;
Everybody is tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a
state trooper pulls up behind me.

He gets out of his car and starts walking towards me. I
could tell he was not a happy camper!

What's going on here?'

My car has a flat tire', I said calmly.

Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men
doing here by the road?'


I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him,

'Helloooooo, those are my emergency flashers!!

Little Johnny Jokes

Email jokes from my brother. I like the first one.

Little Johnny's at it again..... A new teacher was trying to make use of
 her psychology courses.. She started her class by saying, 'Everyone who
 thinks they're stupid, stand up!' After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood
 up. The teacher said, 'Do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?' *
'No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!'

 
Little Johnny watched, fascinated, as his mother smoothed cold cream on her
face. 'Why do you do that, mommy?' he asked. 'To make myself beautiful,'
said his mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue. *
'What's the matter?' asked Little Johnny.. 'Giving up?'


 The math teacher saw that little Johnny wasn't paying attention in class.
 She called on him and said, 'Johnny! What are 2 and 4 and 28 and 44?' Little
 Johnny quickly replied, 'NBC, FOX, ESPN and the Cartoon Network!'



 Little Johnny's kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police
 station where they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin board of the 10 most
 wanted criminals. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it
 really was the photo of a wanted person.  'Yes,' said the policeman. 'The
 detectives want very badly to capture him.'*
 *Little Johnny asked, 'Why didn't you keep him when you took his picture?'

 Little Johnny attended a horse auction with his father. He watched as his
 father moved from horse to horse, running his hands up and down the horse's
 legs and rump, and chest. After a few minutes, Johnny asked, 'Dad, why are
 you doing that?' *
 *His father replied, 'Because when I'm buying horses,I have to make sure
 that they are healthy and in good shape before I buy. Johnny, looking
 worried, said, 'Dad, I think the UPS guy wants to buy Mom.' *

Steve Kagen, Wisconsin Deserter

From the Appleton Post Crescent.

"U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, sidelined for House votes on Lilly Ledbetter legislation

By Ellyn Ferguson • Post-Crescent Washington bureau • January 9, 2009 " U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, sidelined for House votes on Lilly Ledbetter legislation | Postcrescent.com | Appleton Post-Crescent

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen missed two votes Friday as he continued to recuperate from knee surgery.

First, concerning the bill , it's a pay off for lawyers.

Second, a couple of questions on the missing deserter Steve Kagen

Wasn't Steve Kagen sworn in on Tuesday? Isn't congress in session? Are we not in a economic crises? Didn't Steve Kagen say he and congress has to fix the economy right away. Why didn't he schedule his knee surgery in December when congress was not in session? Why did Steve Kagen pick Wednesday? Didn't he promise to perform his job and duties for the people of the 8th District of Wisconsin? What if an important bill comes before congress and Steve Kagen is AWOL!

Where is Steve Kagen?

Steve Kagen is a coward for having his surgery a day after congress reconvened. Steve Kagen is staying away from important votes. He knows it! Great PR move. No matter how bad the economy gets, Steve Kagen can say he was out for surgery and couldn't vote. It's not his fault. How convenient!

It's not heart surgery. He didn't have a stroke. It's knee surgery and he should of had it done before the 111th Congress started work. Remember he pays for his own medical care. He could get any doctor any where and have surgery anytime. So now he won't be back for 10 to 14 days?

Where is Steve Kagen?

Steve Kagen is a deserter with a yellow streak. Where is the Wisconsin Press on this?

Did anyone in the MSM ask him why he chose Wednesday for surgery? Did anyone on the MSM figure this out.

If this was a republican, the press would of been all over this. Front Page headlines, "topping our news tonight"! But alas, it a democrat and they all get passes!
Here you can read the rest from Ellyn about the missing Steve Kagen.

Kagen spokesman Jake Rubin said Kagen, D-Appleton, was doing fine after Wednesday's laparoscopic procedure to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

Prior to surgery, Kagen joked that he'd be back on his feet sooner than the usual 10 to 14 days.

Good thing Kagen didn't bet with his surgeon.

The House approved legislation Friday that would change the statute of limitations governing when a worker can sue for wage discrimination and eliminate limits on compensatory and punitive damages in successful wage discrimination lawsuits.

Employers also would have to show that pay differences between men and women doing the same job were not the result of discriminatory practices. The two bills are built around Lilly Ledbetter, an Alabama woman who lost a Supreme Court fight over discriminatory pay because she had discovered the discrepancy 20 years after it started.

When the House voted on the bills in 2007 and 2008, Kagen voted for both.

Business groups and Republican allies say if the bills become law employers will be subjected to costly frivolous lawsuits.

The bills go to the Senate where GOP opposition blocked them in 2008. This year supporters hope the larger Democratic majority will overcome opposition.

Steve Kagen Wants To Throw Mothers And Grandmothers In Jail

Mothers, a call to arms.

Steve Kagen wants you to get fined $100,000 and get 5 years of imprisonment for selling your used baby cloths at your rummage sale. That's right ladies, mothers and grandmothers, off to prison for you!

No more rummage sales, no Good Will, no thrift shops, no hand made toys, no more freedom from our own country. Why would Steve Kagen vote yes on this bill and not know what was in the bill? His yes vote could mean fines and prison time. Will the people of the 8th district do anything about this? If you don't believe me , read on!

Information to CPSIA From Pheisty Blog

"Along came the CPSIA
January 8th, 2009"
PheistyBlog

What elected official wants to stand up and publicly say that they don’t want to pass legislation that supposedly protects children from lead poisoning? Of course there’s always more to it than that (such as in the case with the CPSIA), but most people don’t care to look that deeply into it. They’d much rather watch MSNBC and get pumped full of fear-mongering talking points to use at cocktail parties and the water cooler.

More information from Ladies Logic

"Have any of you heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008? If you have, you probably heard that it was passed to protect children from imported goods that may contain lead or other harmful contaminants. Well did you know that the bill also includes the government-sanctioned testing of resale children’s clothing?

That’s right. As of February 10, 2009, you will no longer be able to sell or buy children’s used clothing under the CPSIA. Not at the Goodwill, not at a consignment shop, not on eBay. Not even at a yard sale. If you do, you face a $100,000 fine and 5 years of imprisonment. That is, unless the seller can find a government-approved way to test the garments that won’t force them out of business." Ladies Logic: Hell Hath No Fury...

CPSIA 2008 House Vote See here his yes vote on CPSIA.

Mothers and grandmothers, how could Steve Kagen let this happen. If you care about CPSIA then we all need to call Steve Kagen to get this changed! Remember this law takes effect Feb 10, 2009.

Is this the congressman for the 8th district that claims to care about his constituents and now is willing to throw mothers and grandmothers in jail. The law has to be changed! Maybe Steve Kagen doesn't really care about you mom and grandma!

Tell him to change the law now!

Call or write Steve Kagen about our FREEDOM!

Washington DC Office:

Link page to e mail Steve Kagen

Honorable Steve Kagen M.D.
1232 Longworth HOB
Washington DC 20515
ph: (202) 225-5665
fx: (202) 225-5729

District Office

Honorable Steve Kagen M.D.
700 E.Walnut Street
Green Bay, WI 54301
ph: (920) 437-1954
fx: (920) 437-1978

333 West College Ave.
Radisson Paper Valley
Appleton, WI 54911
ph: (920) 380-0061
fx: (920) 380-0051

Butt Heads

From Shoe Box at No Runny Eggs

Quote From Obama.

"We could lose a generation of potential and promise, as more young Americans are forced to forgo dreams of college or the chance to train for the jobs of the future. And our nation could lose the competitive edge that has served as a foundation for our strength and standing in the world. " No Runny Eggs

You can send a trillion children to college or train them for jobs but,what good is it if there are no jobs? Screw business and you have no jobs. There seems to be a disconnect between education, job training and who will hire these educated youths.

Someone needs to get their head out of their butt and start with business and let the market dictate what educational opportunities there are for the youth!

Chunk Change

From the NY Times.

Is that all he could find?

"Obama’s Inauguration Fund-Raising Tops $24 Million
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: January 5, 2009

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has raised more than $24 million for his inauguration so far, much of it with single checks of $25,000 or $50,000 from executives from Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Hollywood as well as from former supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. " Obama’s Inauguration Fund-Raising Tops $24 Million - NYTimes.com

Come On!

The big donors include 189 bundlers, who have collected $21.6 million of the $24.8 million (many also gave $50,000 themselves). Of those, 103 bundlers, who have raised $12 million for the inauguration, also raised money for the Obama campaign, according to a review by Alexander Cohen of Public Citizen, a watchdog group that seeks to tighten the nation’s campaign finance laws.

“No one who has contributed to President-elect Obama has ever been led to believe that they’re going to have any special influence with him,” Ms. Douglass said. “He is passionately committed to changing business as usual and breaking the grip of special interests on government.”

Lie, Lie Lie!

“Even when you have an Obama administration that has taken steps beyond what other previous inaugurals have done to provide immediate transparency and limits on fund-raisers, you still inevitably wind up with larger donors and bundlers with the potential to gain access and influence,” Mr. Wertheimer said. “At a minimum, it raises appearance questions.”

Naw, you don't say!

Who Doesn't Have Their Hand Out ?

From the Green Bay Press.

Banks,big 3,porn states,counties,now home builders. Hands out and gimmee,gimmee ,gimmee.

Why not just give us $20,000.00 each and save all the paperwork!

"Homebuilders battle for bailout
Obama stressed housing heavily during campaign

By ALAN ZIBEL • The Associated Press • January 8, 2009 " Homebuilders battle for bailout | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

WASHINGTON — With lawmakers angling to pass an economic recovery package by the middle of next month, desperate homebuilders from around the country flew to Washington to spend Wednesday pushing a $150 billion plan to revive the housing market.

This is NUT'S!!!!!!!

Hans and Frans At It Again

From JSOnline.

"McCain, Feingold take aim at pork-barrel spending

By Diana Marrero of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Jan. 7, 2009"
McCain, Feingold take aim at pork-barrel spending - JSOnline

Washington - Sens. Russ Feingold and John McCain are at it again, working together to disrupt the political establishment.

One, the last time Hans and Frans got together they screwed us good, What next.

Two, Isn't it time for John McCain to retire or join the democratic party?

Menom. Casino Rejected

From JS Online. Nine miles to the west of Berry Lake is the Menominee Casino. A nice place and has a lot of my money. Lighten up,I'm not an addict but I have fun and it's my money. Looks like their plans will be delayed a couple months.

"U.S. rejects plans for Kenosha casino

By Cary Spivak of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Jan. 7, 2009"
U.S. rejects plans for Kenosha casino - JSOnline

The federal government has rejected the latest bid to open a huge Indian casino in Kenosha's Dairyland Greyhound Park, though a spokesman for the project immediately said the tribe would fight the decision in federal court.

"Our project hit another speed bump," said Evan Zeppos, spokesman for the six-year effort to open a $1 billion Menominee Indian casino at the financially ailing dog track, which loses millions of dollars a year. He said the legal challenge would attack rules issued by the Interior Department last year that made it more difficult to receive federal regulatory approval for an off-reservation casino.

"It's a standard not approved by Congress or the regulatory procedure," Zeppos said. "They can't just make up a rule and say this is the new guidance."

What? "Not approved by Congress",That's not what I heard last fall! I thought this was Bush's fault?

You know Kagen, Obama and Doyle will get this pushed through after Jan. 20th! There has to be some kind of pay back for all the votes from Menominee County.

Oh by the way, the new casino in Keshena in 09 or 10, looks like it will be a grand place.

GM And The Janesville Plant

From Rush and Dailypress.

Did GM jump the gun by closing down the Janesville G M plant? Remeber the sky was falling and GM closed the plant. Bring the Janesville workers back to work. They made the most profit per vehicle in SUV. Shut down the hybrid line instead.

"Big is back: As pump prices plunge, SUV sales surge
Buyers with short memories when it comes to gas prices find hot deals on big vehicles.

By Adrianne Jeffries | Special to the Daily Press
December 30, 2008

NEWPORT NEWS - It looks like the Highlander is in and the Prius is out — for now at least.

Trucks and sport utility vehicles will outsell cars for the first time since February, according to a December report by Edmunds.com, which tracks industry statistics.

"Despite all the public discussion of fuel efficiency, SUVs and trucks are the industry's biggest sellers right now as a remarkable number of buyers seem to be compelled by three factors: great deals, low gas prices and winter weather," said Michelle Krebs of AutoObserver.com, a division of Edmunds.com, in a prepared statement." Big is back: As pump prices plunge, SUV sales surge -- dailypress.com

Let the people buy what they want, not what Washington thinks people should drive.

Less Horses For the Same Price

From JSOnline.

I'll still buy a Briggs any day.

Briggs and Simplicity is the only way to go for a lawn tractor.

"Briggs, others face new lawsuits
Engine makers misled consumers, plaintiffs allege

By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Jan. 6, 2009"
Briggs, others face new lawsuits - JSOnline

Briggs & Stratton Corp. and other small-engine makers are facing a new round of lawsuits that claim the companies lied about horsepower ratings and misled consumers.

The cases allege that small-engine manufacturers and companies selling outdoor power equipment misrepresented and overstated horsepower ratings in advertising and marketing.

Identical engines were labeled with different horsepower ratings, misleading consumers into believing they were getting more power by purchasing more expensive models, according to one of the lawsuits.

"You had people buying a certain horsepower engine when, in fact, it wasn't as powerful as they thought," said Edward Kirk Wood, one of the plaintiff attorneys from Birmingham, Ala.

Briggs & Stratton, the world's largest manufacturer of small gasoline engines, declined to comment on the lawsuits.

Hugo, Lays Off Joe

From AP.

Looks like Joe Kennedy is out of work for a while.

"Citgo suspends low-income heating oil program

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS – 1 day ago

BOSTON (AP) — Citgo, the Venezuelan government's Texas-based oil subsidiary, has suspended shipments of heating oil for poor families in the United States, citing falling oil prices and the world economic crisis, the nonprofit organization that distributes the fuel said Monday.

The controversial program gave fuel from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's government to 200,000 households in 23 states through Citizens Energy, a charity organization run by Joseph Kennedy, the eldest son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Started as a discount oil program in 2005, beginning in 2006 the program sent 100 gallons of free oil a year to eligible households. It drew fire from critics who called it a ploy by Chavez to undermine the Bush administration.

Citgo donated $100 million worth of heating oil last year, according to Citizens Energy." The Associated Press: Citgo suspends low-income heating oil program

Shouldn't these people get some bailout money? Come on Joe, go talk to Barack!

Kagen P R

From WBAY.

This will probably be on every MSM outlet today and tomorrow.

"Kagen Donates Pay Raise to Medical Clinics

Posted: Jan 6, 2009 04:15 PM "
WGBA -Kagen Donates Pay Raise to Medical Clinics

Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. will be sworn in for his second term representing Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District demonstrating his continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and guaranteeing access to affordable health care for all of us.  Kagen will again refuse the raise in his Congressional salary and instead donate the money equally to the N.E.W. Community Clinic in Green Bay and Fox Cities Community Health Center.

This month, Members of Congress will begin receiving the first portion of their 2009 pay raise. By the end of the year, this will amount to a $4,700 increase over last year's salary, bringing their annual pay to $174,000.  Members have their pay raised automatically and at a rate that far exceeds Cost Of Living Adjustments in other federal programs like Social Security or veteran benefits. Kagen voted against the automatic pay raise for Members of Congress and is a cosponsor of a bill which would deny Members of Congress an automatic pay raise in the future.

Must give credit where credit is due to Congressman Kagen. What about the rest and how many others from Wisconsin gave their raise back?

We shall see how his votes affect the people of his district. Those that voted for him will get everything they didn't want!

Ice Fisherman Urged To Follow Rules

From BLPOA

Ice anglers urged to follow VHS rules

With a new statewide poll showing that some anglers aren't taking all needed steps to prevent spreading VHS fish disease, state fisheries officials are asking anglers to redouble efforts year-round, including during winter when water temperatures are the coldest and the disease is most active in fish.

VHS, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia, is not a threat to people or pets but it's a significant fish disease and can cause fish to bleed to death. VHS can infect 37 different species of fish, including game fish and panfish favorites including walleye, bluegill, trout and muskellunge. The disease has demonstrated in other countries and Great Lakes states the potential to cause large fish kills, long-term reductions in wild fish populations, and severe economic impacts.

VHS was first detected in Wisconsin in fish from the Lake Winnebago System in early May 2007. Sampling in 2008 showed that VHS hadn't spread beyond Lake Winnebago and Lake Michigan; a credit to all anglers who followed the VHS rules.

A full listing of permanent VHS rules approved earlier this year can be found online. Printed copies of "Minnows as Bait," (pdf) a brochure explaining the rules are available in DNR service centers and regional offices

Link to WDNR on VHS

Hazardous Material

From a new blog I ran across. Welcome Pheisty Blog.

First this is crazy and second how did this happen>

"Used clothing and other hazards
January 4th, 2009

I am absolutely livid right now. I hardly know where to begin I’m so stinking angry.

Have any of you heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008? If you have, you probably heard that it was passed to protect children from imported goods that may contain lead or other harmful contaminants. Well did you know that the bill also includes the government-sanctioned testing of resale children’s clothing?

That’s right. As of February 10, 2009, you will no longer be able to sell or buy children’s used clothing under the CPSIA. Not at the Goodwill, not at a consignment shop, not on eBay. Not even at a yard sale. If you do, you face a $100,000 fine and 5 years of imprisonment. That is, unless the seller can find a government-approved way to test the garments that won’t force them out of business.

You think I’m joking?" PheistyBlog

Local Area Liar, Oconto Falls

From JSOnline

"Grandson's diapers inspire winning lie

By Associated Press

Posted: Jan. 5, 2009 7:48 p.m.

A line about a sneaky baby and dirty diapers has been named the top lie of 2008.

The Burlington Liars Club bestowed its top award Monday for this line: "My grandson is the most persuasive liar I have ever met. By the time he was 2 years old he could dirty his diaper and make his mother believe someone else had done it."

Garth Seehawer, 71, of Oconto Falls, said he took immense pride in having crafted the 2008 Champion Lie.

"When you're the best in the world at something, sure, that's an honor," said Seehawer, who jokingly denied that his background as a retired business lawyer gave him any edge.

Four judges picked Seehawer's lie out of about 160 entries.

The six runners-up included a fib about air passengers watching the movie "Cocoon" when turbulence hits, causing water from the movie to splash out and inflate the onboard life raft.

The Burlington Liars Club got its start in 1929 when local journalists Otis Hulett and Mannel Hahn fabricated a news story about a lying contest between the Burlington police and fire departments. The police chief won after he said he'd never be good at lying because he never told a lie." Grandson's diapers inspire winning lie - JSOnline

Brown County, Northeastern Wisconsin, Your Next

This could be the Bay of Green Bay.

"Brown Co. graded below soot standards
Air quality impacting health,

By Tony Walter • twalter@greenbaypressgazette.com •
January 5, 2009 "
Brown Co. graded below soot standards | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

The health of the air in Brown County ranks among the worst in the United States, according to a recently released study of fine particle pollution by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Brown County, you had to know your turn was coming.

Brown County is one of 54 new counties that received a negative designation based on three successive years of being graded below the federal government's soot standards. In all, 211 counties did not meet the EPA's standards.

The sky is falling, maybe soot.

"It's no surprise to us," said Richard Wulk, air management supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Northeast Region. "It's from fuel combustion, cars, diesel trucks and power plants that burn coal. They produce small particles that can create deep lung irritants and that can cause problems."

Sure some fruit cake (nut) from the WDNR says it's bad. You mean like the number of deer that was supposed to be in Wisconsin in 08? And we are to believe his numbers?

It's a health issue that has continued to fly under the radar in the county, according to Dr. Manar Alshahrouri, a pulmonologist with the Sleep & Respiratory Care Department at the Prevea Allouez Health Center.

Oh my GOD, where is our free health care?

"Absolutely, it's a problem," Alshahrouri said. "There is medical data that supports the fact that across the board there is an increase in incidence of problems and a significant reduction in lung function (in counties graded poorly) compared to people in less polluted areas."

Again, show us your data! You mean like global warming this past fall was the hottest month in history?

Alshahrouri said medical studies of asthma patients, healthy patients and children between 10 and 18 have all concluded that there is damage to the lungs when exposed to the particles.

"They essentially are carbon molecules surrounded by other things that induce inflammation within the lungs," Alshahrouri said. "We see a lot of patients who relocated from someplace else who have problems here."

I bet these problems started when he started his practice in the area. $ $ $ $

There's a cost factor, Alshahrouri said. "People are missing work."

Oh yes, if you can't breathe, come see me, I will help you.

Alshahrouri said there also is data to indicate that when there is a spike in air pollution here, there also is an increase in heart attacks and strokes because inflammation in the lungs can increase the possibility of blood clotting.

Brown County's status as a nonattainment county can have an economic impact, Wulk said.

"When you're deemed a nonattainment county, there can be significant restrictions on new industry expansion or sitings," Wulk said.

That EEEEVVVVIIIILLL Brown County. DIRTY,STINKY,HARD TO BREATHE Brown County, EEEEEEVVVVVIIIIILLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

What new business will move to Wisconsin anyway? He has to know the TAX HELL it is.

Weather can be a major factor, he said.

Some of the highest noncompliance readings come when temperatures are between 30 and 35 degrees, producing moisture in the air that prevents the soot particles from getting into the atmosphere.

Ok, call off all school between November and December and February and March. We need to go to a six months a year work schedule for all workers!

The same problem exists during high ozone level days in the summer, he said.

Keep the children inside June July and August!

Residents can cut pollution by driving less during days when weather conditions indicate a likely pollution problem, Wulk said.

Alshahrouri said residents also should pay closer attention to the daily air quality indicators that are available through media Web sites.

Does he know where the WDNR gets its air quality reading from? From a station on the Illinois and Wisconsin boarder. So air quality from Chicago is making northeastern Wisconsin air sooty? Come on, wake up man!

"You need to listen to the news," Alshahrouri said.

You sure this wasn't a paid advertisement for this guys clinic?

Pending changes through the state and federal governments also would reduce emissions from power plants, Alshahrouri and Wulk said.

Yep, shut that coal plant down and put ten thousand windmills in the Bay of Green Bay!

And I forgot to mention you will get your very own Vehicle Emissions testing station. That is right. For a small fee, oh, no fee but, "Motorists do not pay a fee for testing, but they are responsible for the cost of repairs if their vehicles do not meet emissions standards".

Wulk said the county could return to good attainment status once the 2008 data is available.

And when will that be?

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, said cutting emissions likely will be addressed in the 111th Congress, hopefully as part of a national energy policy based on energy conservation, efficiency, and investment in renewable energy resources.

Oh, great, the data for 08 is not in and our (I didn't vote for him ) Congressman Kagen wants to, no will change laws and put people out of work.

Lets see,when will James River and P&G close from Kagen's change in laws. Sorry, I forgot some of those jobs are union.

When will the power plant shut down because of air pollution? Light rail to a town near you.

I will go on record as saying a study is probably already done on putting a light rail system in the Fox Valley to Green Bay. Doyle and Kagen will announce it this summer.

Oh, did Mr. Kagen tell you how high he will raise the gasoline tax? Did he tell you how high your electric bills are going to go up? Go ahead ask him! O golly will you be surprised.


And I might end up living in Brown County this spring. Oh Joy!

Speaking of light rail. I can see it now. Every Packer game you will have to commute to the game on light rail from Suamico, Pulaski, Seymour, Denmark, Chilton maybe Kaukauna.

Oh Joy! We are truly blessed to have all these good things happen to us.

Higher gasoline taxes.
Higher electric bills,
Light rail.
Windmills on the bay.
Vehicle emission stations.
Electric shortages.
Did I say light rail.

Oh Joy.

Barbed Business

"Jan 4, 1:16 PM EST

Critics say Newark barbed wire ban helps criminals

By DAVID PORTER
Associated Press Writer" The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Some business owners in this crime-plagued city say recent enforcement of a decades-old ordinance prohibiting some types of barbed wire and razor wire is making Newark more attractive - to thieves.

Burglaries are up 17 percent from 2007 through November in Newark, which has a young, charismatic mayor who has vowed to help the city rebound from decades of official inaction, incompetence and outright criminality.

The city is aggressively courting new investment and development, but people who have been ordered to downgrade their fences say officials are worried more about aesthetics than security.

So when will barbed wire in agriculture be banned.

It's in humane to hurt those poor animals.

"The bottom line was, they said, 'It doesn't look good and we want to create a new image for the city of Newark,'" DeSantis said.

Typical liberal view!

The Rev. C.H. Thomas of the Church of Christ, which sits across the street from DeSantis' lot, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that thieves have broken into several cars in the church's lot since barbed wire was removed from a fence over the summer at the city's behest.

Even church's aren't safe!

Crime remains the broad brush that colors perceptions of the city: Despite a steep drop in homicides in the last year, robberies and aggravated assaults rose along with burglaries in 2008.

Really?

Mayor Cory A. Booker said, through a spokeswoman: "We understand the concerns of local business owners and will continue to work with property owners to resolve this matter. The city will be reviewing the ordinance to come up with a solution that addresses all concerns."

When will they come up with a solution? When everything is destroyed, everyone moves out, and the city stops getting revenue? Why not address the problem with crime? Put the wire back up and protect the people and their proprty.

You can read the whole article by going to the link above.

Sorry to the people of Sheboygan, this made me think of Sheboygan when I read this. What a reputation She...... , oh I will try to be nice. At least we all know Sheboygan Shenanigans will keep us posted on that town.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

Billy, Billy, Billy, What Have You Done Now

From Drudge and Breitbart.com

"Richardson withdraws bid to be commerce secretary
Jan 4 04:15 PM US/Eastern
By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer"
Richardson withdraws bid to be commerce secretary

Football Weekend

Ravens won, Flaco was my FF QB. Good for them.



Vikings / Philly.

No matter how much I hate the Vikings,

It would be nice to see McNabb get burned!

Two picks and a loss would be nice.

Update: 5:06 central, McNabb pick by the vikes, oh yea!

Half time, igles 16 , vik'e 14


Iggles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!