Saturday, December 12, 2009

He's A Democrat?

From Burt Angeli and the Iron Mountain Daily News about Bart Stupak.
"Stupak tackles another football problem
Thu, December 10, 2009 @ 5:25PM Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) has weighed in on another football matter — Bowl Championship Series (BCS). House Energy and Commerce subcommittee passed a bill to sack the BCS, which is supposed to determine a college football champion but more often than not causes controversy. For example, Alabama and Texas will put their unbeaten records on the line next month for the BCS national championship. But that system leaves out unbeaten Cincinnati, TCU and Boise State for the top prize. That’s where the politicians get involved. Some state representatives seem more concerned with college football than some of the country’s major issues. U.S. Rep. Stupak, according to the Dallas Morning News, says “Congress has no business delving into the matter.” “BCS, to me, means business, consumers and seniors,” Stupak said. “That’s what I think we should be focusing on — not college football. "
IronMountainDailyNews.com | news, sports, business, jobs - The Daily News


Buy Danica Gear Now

With Danica Patrick driving for Junior next year you got to go out and buy some NASCAR gear.
From NASCAR.com


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A Nevada RINO

"RINO's", there all over the place. Commentary from the Nevada Appeal.
"What exactly is a RINO? RINO stands for “Republican In Name Only,” a derogatory term used by conservatives to describe Republican elected officials who vote like, well, Democrats. And to ascertain whether or not some Nevada Republican state legislators are RINOs, let's take a Jeff Foxworthy-like look at the 2009 Legislature:

If you're a Republican who voted for Democrat Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley to be Speaker of the Assembly for the 2009 legislative session, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a $292 million tax hike on the state's lifeblood, tourism, as a payoff to the teachers' union, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill to increase the cost of obtaining a government-issued marriage license, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a nanny-state bill that allows the government to tell you how long your dog leash has to be, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill to increase fuel taxes, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill to require government registration for off-road vehicles, including a hefty new government registration fee, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill in which the government tells private hospitals how many nurses they have to hire, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill to require that all cigarettes sold in Nevada be self-extinguishing, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill forcing employers to give workers time off to go to school plays and sporting events, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill making the taxpayer-funded position of Ombudsman of Consumer Affairs for Minorities permanent, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a nanny-state bill that expands police powers by making failure to wear a seatbelt a “primary” offense, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a bill that raids local governments and shifts local money into the state government's coffers, you might be a RINO.

If you voted for a spending bill that increased government spending by about $800 million over and above the governor's proposed budget, you might be a RINO.

Now, if you're a Republican legislator and you voted for all of these bills in the 2009 legislative session, it's not that you “might” be a RINO, you are a RINO.

The above, by the way, is the voting record of Republican state Assemblyman Tom Grady. If it walks like a RINO and votes like a RINO….



• Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, a non-profit public policy grassroots advocacy organization. "
Commentary: You might be a RINO if… | NevadaAppeal.com


Nygren Notes

I receive the Nygren Notes via e mail from
"John Nygren
State Representative
89th Assembly District"
State Representative John Nygren


Topics of the week:
Jobs on the Mind
DNR Drops 16 Day Hunt

Jobs on the Mind

Earlier this month, Georgia Pacific announced it would be cutting 158 jobs at its plant in Green Bay. Around the same time, JT Packard of Verona announced it would be cutting 300 jobs. These job cuts will add to the over 130,000 continuing unemployment claims in Wisconsin.

There are over 232,300 people seeking employment in Wisconsin and thousands of jobs continue to be lost each month. Thus far in 2009, job loss claims are over 90 percent higher than in 2008 according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Most of the recent and ongoing job losses are in construction and manufacturing. These are sectors that are heavily regulated, heavily taxed by both state and federal governments, and very sensitive to fluctuations in energy costs. We should not be surprised that these job sectors are being hit hard in the current economic downturn.

Earlier this year, the Democrat majority passed $5 billion in job killing tax and fee increases. They added numerous detrimental government regulations and made it much more difficult to start and operate a business in our state.

Actions like these did not help to retain companies like Briggs and Stratton who shut down a factory in Jefferson and is sending those jobs to Georgia and Alabama. These actions hurt Wisconsin's chances of keeping Thomas Industries. Thomas shut down a Sheboygan plant and is sending those jobs to Louisiana. Harley Davidson cut hundreds of jobs in part due to a new combined reporting tax passed by Democrats earlier this year.

Republicans warned Democrat leaders that if they raise taxes and increase government regulation they will kill jobs and force employers to seek more employer friendly states. Now, months after passage of budgets that do both, employers continue to flee our state and cut jobs.

In response to this, Democrats now claim to care about job creation and are touting new "business friendly" plans. These plans may be positive, but they are too limited and will have too small an impact on Wisconsin's job market.

As well, job plans that include government spending do create temporary jobs while the spending is in effect. However, when the spending concludes, the jobs will be less profitable to keep and more likely to be lost. To make matters worse, taxpayers will then be left with the debt which will have to be paid by future generations through increased taxation.

Private sector growth and investment is the type of growth which results in long term job creation and the revenue needed to pay for social services and government spending. This is the type of growth we need and can only occur when employers have a clear and fair tax structure. Employers also need to be free of a future full of tax increases that inevitably follow large amounts of government spending and debt.

To add to the problems with Wisconsin's job market, just this week Democrats introduced their version of a "Global Warming Bill." In it are numerous new regulations imposed on everyone from home builders and utilities to motorists and homeowners.

This type of legislation is estimated to kill over 43,000 jobs, raise gas prices, and increase energy costs for the average homeowner by thousands of dollars per year. This type of legislation is not a good idea in healthy economic times and borders on the reckless during our current economic downturn.

The problem with our state's economy now is not whether our banking system is going to collapse or whether stocks are going to continue to fall, but are jobs going to be created? So how do we as a legislature create an environment where jobs can and are again being created?

First, we need to do no harm. Don't add to the tax burden our employers have that is already among the top in the nation. Don't increase energy costs that will kill thousands of jobs and force employers to seek states with less costs and regulation.

If we want to encourage employers to hire more people, we need to reduce the costs of employing someone and make the potential benefits of being in business in Wisconsin more attractive.

How do we do this? Let's start by repealing things like the unneeded and costly automobile insurance mandates. These changes are not only increasing your family car insurance premiums, but employers with fleets of company vehicles as well. After all, these changes were only included in the budget because of the Trial Lawyer lobby who will benefit from larger court settlements and fund Democrat campaigns.

The legislature also needs to repeal the damaging combined reporting tax that has already cost Wisconsin hundreds if not thousands of jobs and deterred employers from locating in our state. There are many things that can be done, but I have no faith that our current Democrat leaders will do any of them.

I don't know if our current legislative leaders have the will or the courage to say no to their special interest allies and do what is in the best interests of Wisconsin workers and families. If they did and stopped listening to their campaign donors and started listening to the job creators of our state we would be much better off.

DNR Drops 16 Day Hunt

As an update to my Nygren's Notes from last week, the DNR dropped their plans to extend the gun deer season and to create numerous other deer hunting seasons. This was a direct result of the lower than expected deer kill numbers reported throughout the state. Hunter outrage at the prospect of these extended hunts considering the low number of deer registered also had an effect.

I am encouraged that the DNR dropped their plans and hopefully they will now listen to hunters in order to ensure the deer population continues for future generations of hunters to enjoy.

Hunters need real answers and realistic plans from the DNR. They don't need proposals cooked up by bureaucrats in Madison with little input from the hunters that pay their salaries.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Time To Get Your Butts Out There

It's time to enjoy the GREAT outdoors and group parties and banquets.
From the Green Bay Press.

"Upcoming events

Thursday: Northeast Chapter of Wings Over Wisconsin annual banquet, Swan Club at Legends, 875 Heritage Road, De Pere. Amy Leiterman, 336-2588.

Friday: Whitetails Unlimited Title Town Gun Fest & Sidewalk Sale, 6-10 p.m., Stadium View Bar & Grill, 1963 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon. Free admission. Shop for your favorite hunter or take part in numerous raffles. Jamie Merckx, 687-1099.

Thursday, Dec. 17: NWTF See-More Longbeards Christmas party and banquet, Doxbee's Supper Club, County C, Seymour. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m. Individuals, $50; couples, $90; tables of eight, $720, includes $360 table gun; corporate sponsors w/guest $300. Gun door prizes, raffles, live & silent auctions. Ken Jaworski, 544-5070.

Saturday, Dec. 26: Bonduel Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Shawano Lake. Headquarters at Sunset Grill, off Wisconsin 22 (just north of County BE). Cash prizes for heaviest fish. Tickets, $5 or 3 for $10, includes raffles. Tickets available at Sunset Grill, Bonduel businesses, and Shawano area bait shops. (715) 758-2135.

Saturday, Jan. 9: Kelly Lake Sportsman's Club Ice Fishing Derby, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Kelly Lake, Oconto County. Tickets $1 or six for $5. Cash prizes for three heaviest fish in six species. Raffles, refreshments. 609-5861.

Camps, classes and leagues



Ice fishing workshop: Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-noon, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, 1660 East Shore Drive, Green Bay. Introduces children 8 to 12 to ice fishing. Participants will learn how to make their own pole, the equipment needed and safety precautions. Must be accompanied by an adult. $5, Green Bay residents; $7.50 others. Register at 391-3671." Outdoors calendar | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette


Thursday, December 10, 2009

What's Wrong In Washington

From Owen at B & S
"A Day with Baldwin

This story about Rep. Baldwin made me chuckle.

Even with ubiquitous BlackBerrys, her staff sometimes struggles to stay in the loop.

“I just ran into her. She was all scattered, she didn’t know where she was,” one of her staff members said, who was trying to keep her on schedule after she “disappeared” from committee.

“She said she was going to get some soup and come up,” press secretary Jerilyn Goodman said.

Shortly after, Baldwin arrived, soup in hand, and proceeded to meet with lobbyists in her office, 20 minutes late."
Boots and Sabers - The blogging will continue until morale improves...


Golf Ratings To Plummet

From the Sun
"From ALEX PEAKE
in Orlando, Florida

Published: Today
TIGER Woods is ready to quit golf in a desperate bid to save his shattered marriage.

The 33-year-old world Number One told wife Elin he "will do anything" after being linked with a string of women. " Wife's quit call to Tiger Woods | The Sun |News


Another Broken Promise By Congressman Kagen

A letter to Congressman Steve Kagen. He must be too busy raising campaign money.


"Subject:
unemployment extended benefits

To:
Rep. Steve Kagen

December 2, 2009

Rep. Kagan, I am writing in regard to the recent federal unemployment extension that President Obama signed on Nov. 6th. It is now December 2nd and the State of Wisconsin has not updated their website with any recent information nor have they began issueing these benefits!!! We are desperate people out here who have lost theirs jobs due to no fault of our own!! I personally ran out of benefits on September 14th, that is almost 3 months with absolutely no income what-so-ever. Within the week my phone and internet will be shut off, and there is no fuel in my vehichle. How is a person suppose to continue looking for employment? I did call the madison office and explained to them that many states have started issuing these benefits, why cant Wisconsin??? Is it a interest thing where the state is sitting on the money??? If it is, that's terribley wrong!!! How many people have to lose everything they've worked their entire lives for only to become homeless??? Please help the thousands of unemployed Wisconsin workers who need these benefits desperately until the job market becomes stronger and we can get our lives back and get back to work!

manitowoc , WI"
Congress.org - : Letter to Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wisconsin): unemployment extended benefits


Seems Mr Kagen forgets his constituents.

Berry Laker Son's 1 and 2

From JSOnline.
"51% of students UW System survey report binge drinking

By Sharif Durhams of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Dec. 10, 2009 4:16 p.m.

Madison — Fifty one percent of students in a UW System survey told researchers that they had a binge drinking episode within the two previous weeks, a number that gives the researchers "guarded optimism" that efforts to stem dangerous drinking and drug use might be working.

The researchers warn that part of the change might be because they tweaked the wording of the questions they asked students this year. Most notably, they used to define a drinking binge as having five drinks "in one sitting." This year, they defined a binge as having the drinks in a two-hour period.

Also for female students, they reduced the number of drinks that they considered as a binge. They kept it as five in the two-hour period for men, but dropped it to four for women."
51% of students UW System survey report binge drinking - JSOnline

So what are my boys doing after school and on the weekends?

Not Yet

From the Shawano Leader
"Snowmobile trails not open yet
By Nathan Falk, Leader Reporter

There may be a foot of snow on the ground, but snowmobilers will have to wait to hit the trails.

“There isn’t sufficient frost in the ground or ice on the water bodies yet,” said Pat Trinko of the Thornton Trailriders. “Until we have frozen ground and ice on the water, the trails won’t open. Crews may be out conditioning, so if people see groomers out, it doesn’t mean the trails are open.”

Another problem is the insulating quality of the snow, which could complicate ice formation.

“It will be interesting to see when we get enough ice. The lake is treacherous, we don’t want to see anyone get hurt,” Trinko said.

Navarino Nature Center is planning on packing cross country ski trails on Thursday, and possibly grooming them as well.

“The county might be able to start grooming their ski trails on Friday, depending on how much plowing they have to do,” said Navarino Nature Center naturalist Tim Ewing.

Ewing said the Navarino sledding hill is also ready to go at the north end of the Nature Center, and they also will have snowshoes for rent.

“This is good for anyone who wants to get the ski season under way this weekend,” he said.

Lisa Schultz, manager of the Backdraft Bar and Grill in Shawano, welcomed the big snowfall as a sign the snowmobile season could arrive soon. The trail comes by the bar, inside Comfort Inn at the south edge of Shawano.

“It will boost business in the long run and get the snowmobile trails open sooner and that will help the area businesses,” Schultz said.

To find out the trail conditions in Shawano County, call the pre-recorded hotline anytime at 715-524-4349."


Bucky Badger, What Happen

From JSOnline
"Green Bay — Bo Ryan's basketball team got what it deserved Wednesday night - a loss to unranked UW-Green Bay.

Coming off two impressive home victories, No. 20 Wisconsin appeared disjointed early, particularly on defense.

Led by junior guard Bryquis Perine, unranked UW-Green Bay got off to a fast start, got into the lane often against UW's soft defense and beat the Badgers for the first time in program history, 88-84, in overtime at the Resch Center."
Green Bay beats Badgers for first time - JSOnline


The Winner

From the Sheboygan Spirit.
"Finally, THE WINNER!!!: (Arkansas Democrat Gazette):

Two local men were injured when their pickup truck left the road and struck a tree near Cotton Patch on State Highway 38 early Monday. Woodruff County deputy Dovey Snyder reported the accident shortly after midnight Monday. Thurston Poole, 33, of Des Arc, and Billy Ray Wallis,38, of Little Rock, were returning to Des Arc after a frog catching trip." Sheboygan Spirit


You need to read the rest of the story and also the other candidates.

Running Against Baby Face Nelson

From the Appleton Post Crescent
"Hobart's Craig Fletcher challenges Kaukauna Democrat Tom Nelson for 5th Assembly District seat
The Post-Crescent • December 9, 2009

A Hobart real estate agent in the homebuilding industry plans to challenge Kaukauna Democrat Tom Nelson for the 5th Assembly District seat.

Craig Fletcher, who describes himself as a conservative Republican and an unhappy taxpayer who has nothing personal against Nelson, says he launched the bid because the Legislature needs fewer politicians and more regular people to review the budget line by line.

Fletcher, 49, said he will kick off a campaign after he gets connected with the right people and builds an organization. The election is Nov. 2.

His top priority, he said, is job creation, an issue Nelson, 33, who is completing his third term in office, also has said is paramount to him as Majority Leader.

Nelson has not formally announced that he will seek re-election.

"I was content with listening and voting and letting people know my thoughts on how the state and federal government should run things," Fletcher said. "The last year, two years, with what's happening to our state, along with federal government, it's time I feel we need to try to bring Wisconsin back under the control of a conservative government."

Fletcher said he is alarmed by recent reports showing Wisconsin is among the top 10 states with the worst fiscal conditions. State officials have disputed the report.

He said he would favor axing redundant programs and containing those that take the "onus on individuals to do things on their own."

He said the state needs to be on the same page as the private sector for benefits.

Fletcher said he would support proposals to foster a "business-friendly environment" to recruit or retain corporations in the state."
Hobart's Craig Fletcher challenges Kaukauna Democrat Tom Nelson for 5th Assembly District seat | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post-Crescent


Now who is running against Penny Bernard Schaber in the 57th Assembly District and who is running against David Hansen in the 30th Senate District?

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Huh, Crude Oil

From Yahoo Finance.

Oil prices fall as America's petroleum consumption slumps
* By Chris Kahn, AP Energy Writer
* On 4:48 pm EST, Wednesday December 9, 2009

Benchmark crude for January delivery gave up $1.95 to settle at $70.67 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices dropped as low as $70.13 a barrel earlier in the day.

The Energy Information Administration said the nation's consumption of petroleum products fell to its lowest level since the week of July 10. Demand for gasoline in the U.S. has been hit so hard by the economic downturn, imports are falling away and helping to drive up the amount of unused fuel in storage."
Oil prices fall on poor demand - Yahoo! Finance


Dec 5th Marinette Tea Party Recap

From the Peshtigo Times.
"ACE Gets Enthusiastic Start At Dec. 5 Tea Party
The UW-Marinette Herbert Williams Theatre was the setting on Saturday, Dec. 5 for what seemed a strong grassroots movement to oppose what is going on in Washington, D.C. today. Sponsored by Americans For Constitutional Enforcement (ACE), this first-ever “tea party” in Marinette County drew over 300 participants.

Many of the speakers expressed concern over departure from Constitutional government in America, with the repeated theme that the original ideals of the Republic can still be saved, but time is drawing dangerously short.

Master of Ceremonies Jim Hafeman, an ACE member from Negaunee, Mich., opened his comments by stating, “This is a nonpartisan event”, and proceeded with a list of severe denunciations of current events, including such accusations as that the elderly and disabled will be “killed”, policy decisions are being turned over to the UN, America is $12 trillion dollars in debt, the federal government has refused to let American businesses drill for oil, chief executive officers have been fired and replaced with cronies, and 30 federal “czars” have been appointed without Congressional oversight.
" Peshtigo Times Wisconsin Community Newspaper

You can go to the Peshtigo Times for full report. Because of personnel commitment I did not get to Marinette till 2:15 and was able to only hear the last hour. The following is just a couple of comments of mine on what I seen and heard.



First time I heard John Nygren of Marinette speak. Can Mr Nygren run against Dave Hansen. Great speaker. Glad he is my representative.



8th District candidate Terry McCormick was there. No, I did not hear her speak. During questions from the crowd Terry made a comment to the effect (paraphrasing) "I can play intellectual football" with the other candidates. Can someone explain that to me? Hang on, let me get my tin hat on first. I am not looking for an intellectual candidate, I'm looking for a conservative. Let's put our tin hat on and think about it. Lot's of Pro Ron Paul backers in the crowd.


8th District candidate Marc Savard was there but I am not sure if he was able to participate in the forum. Looked like a pro McCormick afternoon was planned.




Most people in the crowd were mad as heck of government today. They want change now!

A conspiracy theorist gentleman a couple rows behind me stood and explained he has video of the government planned demolition of the building in New York on 911. He said he voted for Bush but wanted Bush prosecuted for 911. I guess it fits with having Terry McCormick at the tea party forum.
It was time to leave.

Steve Kagen, A Fraud And Hyprocrite

.
Let's just call it like we see it. Every word from Thesaurus.com fits what Congressman Steve Kagen is doing to the the people of the 8th district. A fraud and a hypocrite.


"Main Entry: fraud

Definition: trickery, deception
Synonyms:
artifice, bamboozlement, barratry, blackmail, cheat, chicane, chicanery, con, craft*, deceit, double-dealing, dupery, duping, duplicity, extortion, fake, fast one, fast shuffle, flimflam, fourberie, fraudulence, graft, guile, hanky-panky, hoax, hocus-pocus, hoodwinking, hustle*, imposture, line, misrepresentation, racket, scam, sell, shakedown, sham*, sharp practice, skunk, smoke*, song and dance, song*, spuriousness, sting, string, swindle, swindling, treachery"
 Fraud Synonym | Synonym of Fraud and Antonym of Fraud at Thesaurus.com


"Main Entry: hypocrite

Definition: person who pretends, is deceitful
Synonyms:
Pharisee, actor, attitudinizer, backslider, bigot, bluffer, casuist, charlatan, cheat, con artist, crook, deceiver, decoy, dissembler, dissimulator, fake, faker, four-flusher, fraud, hook*, humbug, impostor, informer, lip server, malingerer, masquerader, mountebank, phony, playactor, poser, pretender, quack, smoothie, sophist, swindler, trickster, two-face, two-timer, wolf in sheep's clothing "
Hypocrite Synonym | Synonym of Hypocrite and Antonym of Hypocrite at Thesaurus.com



Now to some great reporting from Try 2 Focus via Lakeshore Laments.

For the first time ever, you can now find out how much your individual Congressman is spending in his Congressional office without making a special trip to Washington. So, with that weapons cache in tow, bloggers and journalists have been pouring over the report available either at the Office of the House’s Chief Administrative Officer or the Sunlight Foundation. Some of them — like this one in New Mexico – have begun compiling lists of the biggest Congressional spenders for the third quarter of 2009.

At the top: Appleton’s own Steve Kagen.

In actuality, Kagen’s office spent $452,596. Congressional offices get a total of $1.5 million to spend for the entire fiscal year.

Steve Kagen put out this press release in July regarding fiscal responsibility.
Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. today voted to enforce fiscal responsibility. Kagen supported the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act which requires Congress to write into each piece of legislation how they will pay for it.
“The federal government must live within its means just as we do around our kitchen tables in Wisconsin,” said Kagen. “This legislation is a necessary step to prevent our deficit from getting deeper.”

"Doesn’t that make Congressman Kagen a hypocrite? Where’s the fiscal responsibility in spending all the money allotted to you instead of only spending what is needed and returning the rest? I mean wouldn’t that make sense in light of the excessive debt that Kagen & his buddies have racked up in the last year? Debt that will be a burden for future generations.

Remember this next year voters in the 8th when Congressman Kagen starts making those claims of being a fiscal conservative. It’s hypocritical to make such a claim when your office spending is out-of-control." Try 2 Focus
You need to go to Try 2 Focus for the whole story. Also, Kevin comments on only one 8th district candidate that put out a PR on this. What's going on here ?

Doyle Looking For Fed Bucks

.
From Fox 6.
"Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issues State of Emergency declaration



December 8, 2009
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issues State of Emergency declaration
MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle has declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties as a major winter storm hits Wisconsin. The Governor's State of Emergency calls to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as deemed necessary by Brigadier General Don Dunbar to assist authorities where needed. The declaration instructs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts that may be encountered.

"We are expecting blizzard-like conditions for much of the state over the next 24 to 36 hours," Governor Doyle said. "As a precautionary measure, I have declared a State of Emergency in order for state resources and National Guard assets to be available to respond as needed.""
State of Emergency: Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issues State of Emergency declaration - WITI

How amusing Diamond Jim will ask Obama for federal dollars and spend it on something else besides the snow emergency.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Our Mother Mary

"Luke 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her."
Luke 1:26-38 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com




Let us all be God's servant.

Saint Bernadette

Went to church and Father Jim talked about St. Bernadette.

"Our Lady of Lourdes
In 1858, in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl.

She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto.

No fountain was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify.

Lourdes has become the most famous modern shrine of Our Lady.
" Catholic Online - Mary, Mother of God



Here's My Recommendation

To all those with a cub toy tractor and those who may be looking for top quality snow equipment.





"Two-Stage Snowthrower Recommendation
Make heavy-duty snow removal easy with a two-stage snowthrower.
Available in 42" and 47"."
 Attachments / Products / Simplicity


Just kidding Owen

Here Comes Winter


"Tuesday, Dec 8
High: 32 °F RealFeel®: 26 °F
Snow at times, accumulating 1-3 inches
*
Tuesday Night, Dec 8
Low: 27 °F RealFeel®: 3 °F
Blizzard conditions with strong winds, low visibility and heavy snow, accumulating 4-8"
*
Wednesday, Dec 9
High: 28 °F RealFeel®: 6 °F
Very windy; blowing snow with snow much of the time, accumulating 2-4"; near blizzard conditions" AccuWeather.com - Pulaski 5 Day Weather Forecast: WI


Monday, December 07, 2009

Joke Of The Day To My Three Children in College

.
From an E mail. To all those SMART ASS students in college who think they know more then us 50+ old guys with only a high school education.
And they wonder why there are SO many aggie jokes...

First-year students at Texas A&M's Vet school were attending their first
anatomy class, with a real dead cow.

They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a
white sheet.

The professor started the class by telling them,

"In Veterinary Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as
a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the
animal body".

For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the
butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth.

"Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.

The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took
turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead cow and sucking on it.

When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said,

"The second most important quality is observation..

I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay
attention. Life's tough, but it's even tougher if you're stupid."


Have You Received Yours Yet?

.
From an E Mail
HAVE YOU RECEIVED YOURS YET?

Have You received Your Spread The Wealth Pencil Sharpener?

President Barack Obama's new "Spread  the Wealth" pencil sharpener is now out. Every U.S. taxpayer will be mailed one of these with the new 2009 IRS tax forms.
                           
Be watching for yours in your mail box, SOON!




A Little Old But Makes A Point

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From WRAL.com and  what's Up blog. A little old and dated but still good. Got a tip about this from a e mail from  Golden Colorado.
"shotgun preteen vs. illegal alien home invaders
Published Dec 19, 2007
Views: 676

I am all for allowing people in our country as long as the do it legally! I am not sure if this story has been posted here but I saw it on the NRA site the other day and wanted to share it. This may be old news for some of you. Sorry if it is.alien Home Invaders
Butte, Montana, November 5, 2006.
Two illegal aliens, Ralphel Resindez, 23, and Enrico Garza, 26, probably believed they would easily overpower home-alone 11 year old Patricia Harrington after her father had left their two-story home.
It seems the two crooks never learned two things: they were in Montana and Patricia had been a clay shooting champion since she was nine.
Patricia was in her upstairs room when the two men broke through the front door of the house. She quickly ran to her father's room and grabbed his 12 gauge Mossberg 500 shotgun.
Resindez was the first to get up to the second floor only to be the first to catch a near point blank blast of buckshot from the 11-year-old's knee crouch aim. He suffered fatal wounds to his abdomen and genitals.
When Garza ran to the foot of the stairs, he took a blast to the left shoulder and staggered out into the street where he bled to death before medical help could arrive.
It was found out later that Resindez was armed with a stolen 45 caliber handgun he took from another home invasion robbery. That victim, 50-year-old David Burien, was not so lucky. He died from stab wounds to the chest.
Ever wonder why good stuff never makes NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, or ABC news....
Thought for the day:
Calling an illegal alien an 'undocumented immigrant' is like calling a drug dealer an 'unlicensed pharmacist' "
Shotgun preteen vs. Illegal alien Home Invaders :: WRAL.com


Never Forget

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From Badger Blogger.
"We will always remember
Posted on Monday, 7th December 2009 by Patrick Dorwin"
Badger Blogger » Blog Archive » We will always remember


Let us never forget our past.



State Dems Telling You To Stick It

Try 2 Focus gives the low down on local Democrats sticking it again to the people of Wisconsin. From a letter from Karl Van Roy
"State Dems refuse to repeal auto insurance mandate
Posted by brvanlanen on December 7, 2009


Little Tommy Nelson, Dave Hansen and other Dems in the state legislature apparently don’t care how it affects Wisconsin residents.

From the Dec. 4th Van Roy’s Views:

In the March 6 and October 9 editions of Van Roy’s Views, I thoroughly explained the costly auto insurance mandates that were passed by Democrats in the legislature and signed into law by Governor Doyle. (If this issue doesn’t sound familiar to you, please click the links above.) These changes were approved in June without any public hearings and without any justification for why the changes were necessary. Most of the mandates went into effect on November 1, so customers are now receiving notices about the mandates and the premium increases caused by them as their policies come up for renewal."

I have co-sponsored Rep. John Nygren's stand-alone legislation, Assembly Bill 525, that would repeal most of these mandates. Enough public pressure was brought to bear that the Democratic Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Insurance finally agreed to hold a public hearing on the bill. A four hour public hearing was held on November 22, and despite all the testimony showing how the mandates are hurting Wisconsin families, the Chairman made it clear that the hearing was for informational purposes only and the bill would never receive a vote.
State Dems refuse to repeal auto insurance mandate « Try 2 Focus

Will anyone run against Nelson or Hansen? How much more will the people of Wisconsin take? Why do people vote for these people? Can anyone tell me if the republican party of Wisconsin is getting their act together here? Looks like a golden opportunity for a state wide election run. How about
"TAKE BACK WISCONSIN" or
" WISCONSIN, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH" or
" WISCONSIN,TAXES ENOUGH ALREADY" or
" A NEW START FOR WISCONSIN"
or
" WISCONSIN, A RUN TO PROSPERITY" or
" WISCONSIN, IT'S YOUR STATE"or "TAKE BACK WISCONSIN"

I don't know, but is every republican group in every county in Wisconsin laying down plans to take every democratic seat in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly in the next election? Who's in charge here?

Maybe Scott Walker should tie something into his race. If Mr Walker is a leader he ought to take the bull by the horns and make his campaign a state wide referendum. He will need a lot of help in Madison and if he get's conservative republicans on his train it would sure get this state back on track!


Is there any leadership in Wisconsin?

Sunday, December 06, 2009

First Hand Testimonial

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We thank the Pine River World News for saving us the hassle of trying short cuts to keeping our windshields clean this winter. He also gives you a tip on squeaky truck tailgate problems.
"I would rather scrape ice by hand (regardless of how long it takes in combination with the vehicle's defroster system) than use Prestone Ice & Frost Shield. I have set aside extra time tomorrow morning to wash my truck's side windows with cold soapy water before driving it. Hopefully this will do the trick.

In my opinion the label should contain a warning to consumers that the driver's vision may be limited when using the product as directed."
Pine River World News


Christmas Tree Shopping

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The do's and don'ts of getting your Christmas tree from the Iron Mountain Daily News. For the greenies out there, shouldn't we ban cutting down any tree's, even for Christmas?
"IRON MOUNTAIN - The turkey leftovers are gone, and it's time to start looking for a Christmas tree.

There are several different Christmas tree retailers in the area.

Santa's Christmas Tree Farm off U.S. 141 in Niagara, Todd's Christmas Trees of U.S. 8 in Niagara, Juneau's Christmas Trees & Reindeer Farm in Foster City, Christmas Trees by Wallace on U.S. 141 in Amberg, Wis., and North Countree Christmas at N10965 Schlies Road in Wausaukee, Wis., are all close by, or shoppers can find trees at many local businesses including Midtown Mall, Storheim's, Lori's Greenhouse, and Econo Foods in Iron Mountain, Off the Wall Video in Niagara, and at Birchwood Mall in Kingsford.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture

when shopping for a tree, customers should look for a well-shaped tree with few bare spots, and the tree should be fragrant not musty.

The needles should be green and have good retention; shake the tree to allow brown interior needles to fall out, green needles should not fall off a healthy tree; store the tree in a cool, sheltered area to protect it from the elements until it is brought inside and decorated, Michigan Department of Agriculture officials say.

There are many family secrets people use to keep trees fresh such as adding aspirin or sugar to the water, but Pete Swanson of Santa's Christmas Tree Farm in Niagara says those tricks are not necessary.

"Cut one-half inch off the trunk before putting it into the stand and keep it full of water," he said. "That is all you need to do to keep it fresh."

Michigan Department of Agriculture experts have the same advice and offers these fire safe tips.

"To help keep trees fresh throughout the holiday season and prevent Christmas tree-related fires make a straight cut across the trunk base and place the tree in a stand filled with at least one gallon of fresh water," officials said.

"Expect a freshly-cut Christmas tree to absorb up to one gallon of water the first day. Keep trees watered with at least one quart of water daily to maintain fragrance and beauty," they said.

"A watered tree not only looks better but also is more fire resistant. If the water level in the tree stand drops below the end of the tree stump, a layer of sap can form over the cut stump in just a few hours, making it impossible for the tree to absorb water," officials said.

"Place trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces, televisions and radiators. Check tree lights to ensure they are consumer-inspected (UL-listed or Factory Mutual-approved). Inspect lights and cords before hanging them to ensure they are in good working order and fault-free. Remember to unplug tree lights before going to bed or leaving the house," officials said.

After the holidays, most communities, including Kingsford, recycle their trees.

"We chip and stock pile the trees," said Tony Edlebeck, director of the Kingsford Public Works Department.

The pick up usually begins the week after the new year begins.

"We ask that anything non-compostable such as bases or ornaments be removed from the tree," said Edlebeck.

"The wood chips are then stored and used for future projects, and are also available free to residents for landscaping," he said.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year.

The top selling Christmas trees are balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.

Theresa Peterson's e-mail address is tpeterson@ironmountaindailynews.com."
Time to choose a tree - IronMountainDailyNews.com | news, sports, business, jobs - The Daily News


Owen Employee's Holiday Surprise

It's hard for a lot of us to understand what is going through the minds of the employees at Owens of Shawano and their plight of lost employment last week. Government is supposed to be there to lend a hand in time of need. Will the employee's who are laid off really see the ineptness of the state of Wisconsin, Jim Doyle and the democrats that run this state. Will they be told it is a holiday surprise? From the Shawano Leader
"Meeting scheduled to assist displaced workers
By Donna Hobscheid, Leader Reporter

In the wake of Thursday’s announcement of Owens Inc. closing, resources are being galvanized to assist the 160-plus workers on the street.
Forward Service Shawano program coordinator Robyn Shingler said Owens employees will be invited to attend worker orientation sessions Wednesday, Dec. 16 in the Lundmark Room at the Fellman Center, 607 E. Elizabeth St., Shawano. Sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Workers will receive information on services at the local, county and state level. Representatives from the Job Center, Shawano County, unemployment, state of Wisconsin and the local veterans office will be invited.

They will cover what’s available at the Job Center, which is in the same building where the meeting will be held, and other economic support resources.

Here's where Owen employee's will be surprised through no fault of their own but because of Doyle and the democrats that run the state.

Shingler said access.wi.gov will connect the newly unemployed workers to many options. It’s a one-stop site to apply for FoodShare (formerly known as food stamps), BadgerCare Plus for children and families, BadgerCare Core Plan for adults with no children, Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, Wisconsin Works (W2) and Wisconsin Shares.

Let's first look at FoodShare, ie food stamps. From JSOnline,
By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Nov. 17, 2009
"Thousands of poor people in Wisconsin have waited months for food stamp benefits because of a backlog of applications at a state processing center.


The Hunger Task Force of Wisconsin estimated that the federal FoodShare benefits left undelivered totaled more than $11.7 million from May to October, while nearly two-thirds of applications filed since mid-June were not processed within the 30-day time requirement. FoodShare is the name for the old food stamps program." FoodShare still dysfunctional in state hands - JSOnline
They will call for assistance and no one will answer, they will need food and the state will leave them hanging. Isn't it GREAT! Let's look at BadgerCare Plus Core for their health care.

"BadgerCare Plus Core has huge enrollment backlog
By Diana Montaño
Posted: Aug. 14, 2009

The overwhelming demand for BadgerCare Plus Core, the new Medicaid-funded insurance program for low-income childless adults, has the state struggling to process the large number of applications filed in the program's first two months.

The lag is frustrating applicants, community health workers and health officials alike." BadgerCare Plus Core has huge enrollment backlog - JSOnline
How many times have you heard politicians say, "we care , we're here to help you." So the people of Owen's will be looking for help and will someone tell them they may have to wait for assistance? Maybe Jimbo from Workforce Development will get involved and train them for jobs they will never get. All this government bureaucracy will just line the pockets of beaurocrats and hang the people of Shawano out to dry.
“It’s one application for everything,” Shingler said.

Great promise to people who are down, “It’s one application for everything,”, wow, they will be taken care of all in one place. Sounds like a Kwik Trip commercial. The poor people who lost their jobs do not know what will hit them. They will get plenty of surprises this holiday season. I thank all of you who voted for Jim Doyle, democrats and RINO's back into office. You got what you voted for!

Happy Holidays from the State of Wisconsin.