Thursday, May 20, 2010

PSA, DO NOT.........

Do not under any circumstances look at your 401 K, or any retirement investments you may have for at least a couple days.

From Yahoo finance.
"NEW YORK (AP) -- A sell-off in stock futures accelerated Thursday as the euro resumed its fall.

The drop in futures comes ahead of the Labor Department's weekly unemployment report that is expected to show initial claims for jobless benefits dipped modestly last week." Stock futures extend retreat as euro resumes drop - Yahoo! Finance

Greece, Euro and U S stock futures going down.

Gasoline Wholesale Under $2.00

"Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 197.40 -4.12 -2.04 07:43"
Bloomberg.com: Energy Prices

Bowyer, Probation

Clint Bowyer dodged a bullet in not getting a fine. Then again, what he did was just fine with me. You can go to NASCAR to see a replay of the infraction. The PR from NASCAR.
"Bowyer placed on probation after Dover retaliation
By
Official Release
May 19, 2010
03:38 PM EDT

NASCAR has placed Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 21 car in the Nationwide Series, on probation until June 16 for a rule violation he committed during the race at Dover International Speedway on May 15. Bowyer was found to have violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing -- aggressive driving) of the 2010 Nationwide Series Rule Book.

On the next-to-last restart at Dover, Denny Hamlin bumped Bowyer out of second place as the green flag waved. The collision triggered a nine-car accident and dropped Bowyer from second to 19th.

After the red flag was lifted, Bowyer drove from pit road and slammed into the side of Hamlin's car under caution, causing it to spin. NASCAR immediately parked Bowyer and sent him to the garage "
Bowyer placed on probation after Dover retaliation | NASCAR Nationwide Series

My question to NASCAR.

When will you park Denny Hamlin for his aggressive driving?

Hamlin punting cars out of races is not over. Every driver seeing Hamlin will always have in the back of their mind. Is it my turn for Hamlin to spin me out?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Heating Oil, Gasoline and Crude Dropping

From Bloomberg.
"PETROLEUM ($/bbl)
PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME
Nymex Crude Future 68.33 -1.08 -1.56 06:13
Dated Brent Spot 72.70 -.14 -.19 06:23
WTI Cushing Spot 69.41 -.67 -.96 05/18


PETROLEUM (¢/gal)
PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME
Nymex Heating Oil Future 194.85 -1.30 -.66 06:08
Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 202.63 -1.68 -.82 06:10"
Bloomberg.com: Energy Prices

Looking good for the holiday drive time. Link to Gas Buddy Wisconsin for your local prices.

Remember, Mills Fleet Farm north of West Bend and Meatski's have real non ethanol gasoline.

Maybe I should look into filling the 500 gal LP tank for next winter.

Libs Fear Of Palin

Tony Lee via Market Place of Ideas.


"The contempt with which Democrats and liberals, and some non-Democrats and non-liberals, hold Palin oozes across your monitor. Lee has a potential reason:

First, these critics probably have never fully listened to any of her speeches. Rather, like Attorney General Eric Holder, who recently admitted that he went on Meet The Press to criticize a law — Arizona’s recently passed immigration laws — that he has not even read or been briefed about, these critics are merely parroting popular misconceptions about Palin and thinking they are original and smart in doing so.

But I think there’s something else at work here. I think liberals and those in the mainstream media fear her. Sure, they openly say she has no chance of beating President Obama — if she even runs, that is; but, inside, they must fear that she could very well beat President Obama in a one-on-one match-up. And unlike previous Republicans whose conservatism has been diluted once they got to Washington, Palin does not seem to care in the least what the establishment class — on both sides of the aisle — thinks of her. If she does come to Washington, her conservatism and convictions won’t get watered down. She’ll come to Washington to change it and not let Washington change her. In the end, this, more than anything, is what scares the left-leaning members of the establishment and chattering class. And also why conservatives gravitate towards and are willing to fight harder for her. "
Marketplace of Ideas Blog

YOU GO GAL!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Kagen (Bill) Going No Where

A good read from Lakeshore Laments about Steve Kagen's push on Health Care Transparency. Seems democrats are not helping or backing the Pelosi puppet from Wisconsin's 8th district.


"So what of the Kagen bill? Why does he keep pushing it if everyone in DC knows it's going no where? Again, he needs it, thinking it can help his re-election chances. But those who've actually read the bill; or have one of its similar bills, say something completely different than what "the good doctor's" prescribing for the rest of us with his diagnosis..."
Lakeshore Laments » A political weblog specializing in Wisconsin politics and culture

Gypsy's On Berry Lake

From WBAY. Looks like gypsy moths were sprayed on my old stomping grounds Berry Lake.
"Gypsy Moth Spraying Begins Sunday in Northeast Wisconsin
Updated: May 16, 2010 9:55 AM CDT

The Department of Natural Resources plans to start spraying to control gypsy moths in Northeast Wisconsin beginning Sunday.

The DNR says if the weather cooperates -- no rain and light winds -- their planes will start just after dawn Sunday. They say they'll be spraying either a bacterial or viral insecticide that is not harmful to people or pets. The DNR uses yellow planes, which fly close to the ground to apply insecticide.

Sunday's targeted areas include parts of Hobart and De Pere in Brown County, Legend Lake in Menominee County, Berry Lake and Stiles in Oconto County And parts of Little Chute and Kaukauna in Outagmie County."
Gypsy Moth Spraying Begins Sunday in Northeast Wisconsin - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News

The scuddle butt I heard was a lot of Berry Lake residents didn't want the spraying and now have to pay for it whether they like it or not, whether they wanted it or not.

Who's in charge at Berry Lake Wisconsin?

Education investment

From the Escanaba Daily Press about investing in early education.

"Wise investment

Speaker says early childhood education essential for business, economy to thrive

By Dionna Harris
POSTED: May 15, 2010
Save | Print | Email
Email: "Wise investment"

ESCANABA - If America has any chance of regaining its advantage as a global leader, changes in education perceptions must be made.

That was the message delivered Friday by Bill Millett during a presentation held at the House of Ludington. Millett is the founder of the Charlotte, N.C.-based Scope View Strategic Advantage. Millett's firm deals primarily with business and economic development. However, Millett has an intense personal interest in children's issues dealing with quality early education.

Millett's presentation, "Early Childhood Education; A Competitive Necessity in a Global Economy" was sponsored by the Delta-Schoolcraft Great Start Collaborative.

"Currently one third of all college students are taking remedial classes," said Millett. "Among high school students, the dropout rate is 30 percent."

Millett said, during the past 25 years, Americans have become complacent about early childhood education. This complacency has led to other countries surpassing the U.S. in the global market.

"Children today are facing a much more competitive world than it was 25 years ago. There is a finite number of jobs and more and more people are chasing those job opportunities," said Millett.

He said children today are living in a global and cognitive age.

One problem, he explained, is too much of education today is dedicated to memorization. There is a lack of practical application and collaboration for problem solving.

The solution, said Millett, is to invest time and resources to improve kindergarten through 12th grade education in the United States.

Millett added the economic and social costs not only to individuals, but communities, are too great to ignore.

Research revealed the capacity for developmental skills begins within the first five years of life, said Millett. Creativity, communication, team working, problem solving and critical thinking skills are beginning.

"These studies reflect the need for children to enter kindergarten prepared to learn. Unfortunately, too few young children today are prepared with these tools when they enter kindergarten," said Millett.

"A study was conducted between 1962 and 1967, where preschool teachers worked extensively with children from low-income families," said Millett.

The results reflected that after 40-years, almost one-half of the preschool children performed at grade level by age 14, with 60-percent earning nearly $20,000 per year.

"When the higher number of school grades completed was factored in, along with lower rates of criminal activity, reduced time spent in prison and other factors, the benefit to cost ratio was approximately $17 for every $1 invested," said Millett.

He said early childhood education offers greater potential returns with less risk. Unfortunately, early childhood development programs are rarely portrayed as economic development initiatives, which is a mistake, according to Millett.

Millett said for companies to become more competitive, an educated workforce is necessary. Aggressive preschool training for children, especially those from troubled homes, can yield extraordinary results for families and society.

"If early childhood education programs appear at all, they are at the bottom of the economic development lists for state and local governments. They should be at the top," said Millett. "America's continuing efforts to improve education and develop a world-class workforce will be hampered without federal and state commitments to early childhood education."

The plight of education regarding early childhood education is not only being seen in the global market, but also in America's military strength.

Research indicates 72 percent of 17 to 24-year-olds do not meet the basic minimum standards required for military service.

"We must invest now in the next generation to preserve our nation's security, freedom and opportunity. This includes fully funding early childhood education programs," said Millett."
Wise investment - DailyPress.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Escanaba Information | The Daily Press

Mr Millett may be right on his assumptions but I have something to ask. Aren't we already investing plenty of money in education per student? Could it be we are not getting a good return from what we are paying? While most people were living with less during this recession, how many teachers voted for a wage freeze? How many teachers asked for a pay cut? How many school boards threatened to take away sports, band, busing, etc., etc., to increase taxes to increase teachers salaries? Do the leaders of teachers unions and their rank and file really care about the children or is it all a show to get more money?

Maybe if the union leaders would expect more from their people we would not be in this mess like "72 percent of 17 to 24-year-olds do not meet the basic minimum standards
required for military service."

To keep throwing money at teachers or throw more money at early childhood education will not solve the problems we have today.


What juniors and seniors in high school are taught money education? How to balance a check book. How to read the fine print on a credit card statement. How much interest you pay on loans? The amount of taxes taken out of a pay check by federal, state and local government. How much local sales taxes do you pay that most people don't even think about?

But no, they teach our children how to find their inner self. They play games and don't keep score. They can't where shirts with the American flag on it. They are taught how to overthrow the US government! They know more about face book or twitter then what is in the US constitution!

Yes we need better early education for children but why don't we hold our teachers accountable for what they teach now? Maybe if we see progress we can take the next step. 

More money in early child education will not solve the problems we have with education.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Line up at Dover

From NASCAR.com
"
POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND
1 56 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 157.315 22.884 Leader
2 9 Kasey Kahne Ford Budweiser 157.274 22.890 -0.006


3 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet GoDaddy.com 157.198 22.901 -0.017



4 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M's 157.006 22.929 -0.045
5 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 156.904 22.944 -0.060
6 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet U.S. Army 156.849 22.952 -0.068
7 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios / Hamburger Helper 156.829 22.955 -0.071
8 43 A.J. Allmendinger Ford Richard Petty / NASCAR Hall of Fame 156.706 22.973 -0.089
9 99 Carl Edwards Ford Aflac 156.678 22.977 -0.093
10 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 156.597 22.989 -0.105
11 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker 156.576 22.992 -0.108
12 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 156.426 23.014 -0.130
13 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine 156.406 23.017 -0.133
14 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Freight 156.331 23.028 -0.144
15 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 156.250 23.040 -0.156
16 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Office Depot / Old Spice 156.236 23.042 -0.158
17 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar 156.223 23.044 -0.160
18 20 Joey Logano Toyota The Home Depot 156.216 23.045 -0.161
19 19 Elliott Sadler Ford Stanley 156.074 23.066 -0.182
20 12 Brad Keselowski Dodge Penske Racing 155.871 23.096 -0.212
21 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Crown Royal Black 155.730 23.117 -0.233
22 6 David Ragan Ford UPS 155.615 23.134 -0.250
23 98 Paul Menard Ford Zecol / Menards 155.534 23.146 -0.262
24 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M 155.092 23.212 -0.328
25 46 J.J. Yeley Dodge Whitney Motorsports 155.005 23.225 -0.341
26 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota A&P / MDA 154.999 23.226 -0.342
27 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Amp Energy / National Guard 154.779 23.259 -0.375
28 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target 154.652 23.278 -0.394
29 82 Scott Speed Toyota Red Bull 154.573 23.290 -0.406
30 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 154.486 23.303 -0.419
31 26 David Stremme Ford Air National Guard 154.361 23.322 -0.438
32 09 Mike Bliss Chevrolet Phoenix Construction / GracewayPharmaceuticals 154.182 23.349 -0.465
33 71 Bobby Labonte Chevrolet TRG Motorsports 154.011 23.375 -0.491
34 55 Michael McDowell Toyota Prism Motorsports 153.892 23.393 -0.509
35 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports 153.807 23.406 -0.522
36 87 Joe Nemechek Toyota FrontRowJoe.com 153.787 23.409 -0.525
37 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies 153.734 23.417 -0.533
38 34 Travis Kvapil Ford Long John Silver's Baja Fish Tacos 153.721 23.419 -0.535
39 83 Casey Mears Toyota Red Bull 153.564 23.443 -0.559
40 38 David Gilliland Ford Taco Bell 153.094 23.515 -0.631
41 37 Kevin Conway+* Ford Extenze 151.777 23.719 -0.835
42 7 Robby Gordon+ Toyota BAMVIP.com / James Otto - Whitney Duncan 151.598 23.747 -0.863
43 36 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Tommy Baldwin Racing 152.795 23.561 -0.677" NASCAR.COM

Hamlin In The Wall Where He Belongs

Nationwide race at Dover Saturday.

You have to give Denny Hamlin credit for having I think knee surgery and driving with pain. With that being said, let's give Clint Boyer an ata boy for putting Hamlin in the wall where he belongs. I seen it all unfold and what Boyer did was good to see.


From NASCAR .com

"After the red was lifted, Bowyer drove from pit road and slammed into the side of Hamlin's car, causing it to spin. NASCAR immediately parked Bowyer and sent him to the garage." Busch coasts to win at Dover despite late-race excitement | NASCAR Nationwide Series

Boyer may get a fine from this but NASCAR needs to call baby face Hamlin to the hauler and tell him to stop wrecking anyone in front of him on the track. It's been biulding where Hamlin with snot running down his face needed to learn a lesson.