On Vicki McKenna's afternoon talk radio show on WIBA AM 1310 today, I learned about a liberal dog whistle. It works like a real one in that only certian ears are able to hear it.
The example given was in regard to, of course, the gubinatorial recall. It appears that, because Governor Walker is involved in a recall election not of his doing and his opponent was duly chosen by the very party loyalists demanding the recall, he is a racist. Why, because Mayor Barrett of Milwaukee is the mayor of the largest black population in Wisconsin. Yep, Governor Walker is a racist for simply running against Barrett, let alone actually pointing out the Mayor's record.
So, who hears this whistle? Why, the liberals in charge - of EVERYTHING! They are judge, jury and executioner in all things. They are the smart people. They are the elite class. Without them, we cannot possibly live our meager, meaningless day-to-day lives.
I wonder what would happen if these omnicient racist whisperers found out that blacks live everywhere in this state, not only in Milwaukee, and, that many actually do not walk in lockstep as massa liberals insist "they" all do.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
AN ACTUAL MEANINGLESS AMERICAN ELECTION
I never thought that, in the United States of America, I would participate in an absolutely meaningless election. Yet, that is exactly what happened yesterday, May 8, 2012 in this state of Wisconsin.
Some recent history is necessary here. In the 2010 Wisconsin gubinatorial election, there was a distinct difference in governance philosophies. On the one hand, let's call it the left, there is a tax and spend and steal philosophy that is still prevalent at the federal level. That is, spend money that we do not have, tax all exhorbitantly to the point where businesses fled the state and unemployment soared. Stealing occurred from itself by taking from funds moneies constitutionally intended for other specific purposes, thereby ignoring their own rules.
On the other hand, the right, was a unique concept of lowering taxes, eliminating imposed fees and, the unholies of the unholies, rescinding public unionized collective bargaining that was costing the state and other governmental bodies billions of dollars in unnecessary over paying.
The voters decided on the right hand. So, the losers, those preferring the left hand, decided that it was their responsibility to make sure that a do-over was to be forthcoming. So, after months of making complete horses asses of themselves by screaming and yelling at any and all events at which prominent conservatives appeared, occupying the state Capitol 24-hours a day for months with paid protestors and, ulimately, waiting an entire year to collect signautres on recall petitions, we came to yesterday.
A primary election was necessary to cull the herd of Demokrats for the purpose of having a do-over for a duly elected Governor, Lt. Governor and four state Senators because, god forbid, they did exactly what they promised they would do, specifically, clean up a democrat mess of eight years in the matter of six months.
The good thing is that, even though the sitting Governor had a faux candidate to force a primary, he still garnered more votes than the two top vote-getters on the othe side combined! And it was "their" election to boot. Payback is a hard lesson.
Some recent history is necessary here. In the 2010 Wisconsin gubinatorial election, there was a distinct difference in governance philosophies. On the one hand, let's call it the left, there is a tax and spend and steal philosophy that is still prevalent at the federal level. That is, spend money that we do not have, tax all exhorbitantly to the point where businesses fled the state and unemployment soared. Stealing occurred from itself by taking from funds moneies constitutionally intended for other specific purposes, thereby ignoring their own rules.
On the other hand, the right, was a unique concept of lowering taxes, eliminating imposed fees and, the unholies of the unholies, rescinding public unionized collective bargaining that was costing the state and other governmental bodies billions of dollars in unnecessary over paying.
The voters decided on the right hand. So, the losers, those preferring the left hand, decided that it was their responsibility to make sure that a do-over was to be forthcoming. So, after months of making complete horses asses of themselves by screaming and yelling at any and all events at which prominent conservatives appeared, occupying the state Capitol 24-hours a day for months with paid protestors and, ulimately, waiting an entire year to collect signautres on recall petitions, we came to yesterday.
A primary election was necessary to cull the herd of Demokrats for the purpose of having a do-over for a duly elected Governor, Lt. Governor and four state Senators because, god forbid, they did exactly what they promised they would do, specifically, clean up a democrat mess of eight years in the matter of six months.
The good thing is that, even though the sitting Governor had a faux candidate to force a primary, he still garnered more votes than the two top vote-getters on the othe side combined! And it was "their" election to boot. Payback is a hard lesson.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
SEEMS LIKE FOREVER - LIFE AND DEATH
It's been over four moths since I guess I've found it necessary to, or, that I have had interest in "blogging". My wife made a commitment to blog once every day for a year. I am not that ambitious nor prolific. But, I have things to say, but, mostly, they are yelled at the TV.
Let's start with ends. The Brewer season ended with a flutter, being beaten in the NLCS. The Badgers, under "coach" Beilema, lost in the Rose Bowl - AGAIN. The Packers laid an egg in the Conference championship, so, no Superbowl repeat. The worst end came just after New Year when my older daughter and husband traveled to Ethiopia to meet and adopt their son, my grandson. That's not the "bad", please keep reading. All went well. He was officially adopted, according to Ethiopian law, according to that same law, was not allowed to travel home at that time. Natnael Mebrat, it was learned a week after their return, was called to his eternal home from "complications of pneumonia". While we never met him, the remainder of the family will remember him as our son/nephew/grandson/great grandson nonetheless. "God bless you, sweet boy" as his father wrote in his obituary. We will cherish the day we unite in His presence.
As for the beginnings, we have news of a second granddaughter form Ethiopia. The same daughter and husband, and, this time with their daughter in tow, as I type, are traveling from Ethiopia after having met and officially adopted Soliana according to Ethiopian law, but, as was the case with Nati, according to that same law, was not allowed to travel home at that time. Another trip is being planned in four months to retrieve Soli. God, please keep her safe and well, if it be your will, in Jesus' name, so that we can revel in your mercy and kindness as always.
Let's start with ends. The Brewer season ended with a flutter, being beaten in the NLCS. The Badgers, under "coach" Beilema, lost in the Rose Bowl - AGAIN. The Packers laid an egg in the Conference championship, so, no Superbowl repeat. The worst end came just after New Year when my older daughter and husband traveled to Ethiopia to meet and adopt their son, my grandson. That's not the "bad", please keep reading. All went well. He was officially adopted, according to Ethiopian law, according to that same law, was not allowed to travel home at that time. Natnael Mebrat, it was learned a week after their return, was called to his eternal home from "complications of pneumonia". While we never met him, the remainder of the family will remember him as our son/nephew/grandson/great grandson nonetheless. "God bless you, sweet boy" as his father wrote in his obituary. We will cherish the day we unite in His presence.
As for the beginnings, we have news of a second granddaughter form Ethiopia. The same daughter and husband, and, this time with their daughter in tow, as I type, are traveling from Ethiopia after having met and officially adopted Soliana according to Ethiopian law, but, as was the case with Nati, according to that same law, was not allowed to travel home at that time. Another trip is being planned in four months to retrieve Soli. God, please keep her safe and well, if it be your will, in Jesus' name, so that we can revel in your mercy and kindness as always.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN
This 2011 Christmas will be my first without both of my parents. I know, I know, I'm almost fifty-seven years old, so what's the big deal? The big deal is that "this 2011 Christmas will be my first without both of my parents", especially with my mom's passing in September. By Christmas, it will have been very close to three months to the day. She liked Christmas. She especially liked the commercialization of it, the giving of gifts and the over eating. She insisted on having her Christmas on Christmas Day, even when our daughters were in school, had a large Christmas Eve religious service on that night and a family Christmas that same night, it was expected that we get to her house before mid afternoon in Christmas Day.
Mom always thought herself the "fun" grandma, the gregarious grandma, the generous grandma. She gave numerous, unusual, often meaningless gifts, but almost all of these had some sort of monetary reward in them, so one had to open the entire gift. She also gave "group gifts. All the "boys" received "like" gifts, the "girls as well and the two groups of gifts were completely different and unrelated. We had to sit in those groups and open the gifts together in the order determined by the hostess. I. of course, had to add a wrinkle by handing a gift given to me to someone else and saying that I believed I received that particular gift in error and insisted on a trade. We all, then, "traded" the gifts seeminly endlessly. That, then, had to be included in every Christmas thereafter. Tradition.
So, in wondering how Mom was going to manipulate this Christmas, she left us a pre-wrapped gift purchased five years ago in anticipation of her passing. Below is are photos I took of the gift.
Mom always thought herself the "fun" grandma, the gregarious grandma, the generous grandma. She gave numerous, unusual, often meaningless gifts, but almost all of these had some sort of monetary reward in them, so one had to open the entire gift. She also gave "group gifts. All the "boys" received "like" gifts, the "girls as well and the two groups of gifts were completely different and unrelated. We had to sit in those groups and open the gifts together in the order determined by the hostess. I. of course, had to add a wrinkle by handing a gift given to me to someone else and saying that I believed I received that particular gift in error and insisted on a trade. We all, then, "traded" the gifts seeminly endlessly. That, then, had to be included in every Christmas thereafter. Tradition.
So, in wondering how Mom was going to manipulate this Christmas, she left us a pre-wrapped gift purchased five years ago in anticipation of her passing. Below is are photos I took of the gift.
Ornament from Mom
Accompanying poem
It is a really nice gesture and I'm glad she did this for us all, but I am happier that she had the reassurance that she would be in heaven. We will speak of her frequently during the holidays. She will be with us still. Thanks, Mom.
Friday, November 25, 2011
2011 BEST FALL EVER UPDATE
Well, it's after Thanksgiving (more on that later) and some things have changed. The Brewers never made it to the World Series. The Badgers fell from grace after two straight Big Ten losses, one to MSU, the other to OSU, both in the last second. They deserved to lose the OSU game as they gave up a lead. Tomorrow is the last regular season game vs Penn State. If the Badgers are triumphant, they get a whack at the Big Ten Championship, if they fail, it's to some crappy non-News-Years-Day bowl game. The Packers, on the other hand, have remained solid and lossless at 11-0, seventeen straight including last season. It must be my special underpants. I still worry, but not quite so much.
Thanksgiving has come and gone for this year and, as usual, it was filled with family and food and good humor. We actually celebrated twice. Once in Oshkosh with daughter 1 and her family and daughter 2 and mate last weekend. While daughter 1 tended to her craft booth at a local event, we got to tend the meal, turkey and all the fixin's. The second was here and the same people, but different food and conversation Wednesday night and yesterday. Today was our traditional outside decorating day. We bought new lights for the gutters. We had to give up our swags for icicles . Icicles are packed in a box all scrunched up and tied in three bunches. the do not hang all nice and straight. They are very ugly when first hung. We'll see how they look after a few days of hanging.
Also while in Oshkosh last weekend, my wife suggested that I spend some of the gifted money from my Dad earlier this fall, before my Mom passed away. She remembered that we had an SLR camera when we were first married and the girls were small, but we had to sell it as it needed repair. Since then, technology has made everyday photography very easy and reproduction even easier. So, at her suggestion, I purchased a decent digital SLR, a Canon, Rebel EOS Ti2 with image stabilizing lenses. It was a great idea. I already like it. The photos are on my laptop and I currently do not have access to them, so samples of my work will have to wait.
Here is an update to this update. First, UW will play in the first Big Ten Football Championship game (vs MSU). Second, I have added two photos taken with my new camera. Niether was with the built-in flash.
The outside decor is a combination effort of both of us. Sherri did all the indoor herself. I carry the tree up from the basement entombment and assemble it. Sherri decorates it. She does much better than I do. I lose interest very quickly and my frustation level is high.
So, Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good night!
Thanksgiving has come and gone for this year and, as usual, it was filled with family and food and good humor. We actually celebrated twice. Once in Oshkosh with daughter 1 and her family and daughter 2 and mate last weekend. While daughter 1 tended to her craft booth at a local event, we got to tend the meal, turkey and all the fixin's. The second was here and the same people, but different food and conversation Wednesday night and yesterday. Today was our traditional outside decorating day. We bought new lights for the gutters. We had to give up our swags for icicles . Icicles are packed in a box all scrunched up and tied in three bunches. the do not hang all nice and straight. They are very ugly when first hung. We'll see how they look after a few days of hanging.
Also while in Oshkosh last weekend, my wife suggested that I spend some of the gifted money from my Dad earlier this fall, before my Mom passed away. She remembered that we had an SLR camera when we were first married and the girls were small, but we had to sell it as it needed repair. Since then, technology has made everyday photography very easy and reproduction even easier. So, at her suggestion, I purchased a decent digital SLR, a Canon, Rebel EOS Ti2 with image stabilizing lenses. It was a great idea. I already like it. The photos are on my laptop and I currently do not have access to them, so samples of my work will have to wait.
Here is an update to this update. First, UW will play in the first Big Ten Football Championship game (vs MSU). Second, I have added two photos taken with my new camera. Niether was with the built-in flash.
Outside Decorations - 2011
The outside decor is a combination effort of both of us. Sherri did all the indoor herself. I carry the tree up from the basement entombment and assemble it. Sherri decorates it. She does much better than I do. I lose interest very quickly and my frustation level is high.
Christmas Tree - 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
WISCONSIN'S GREAT FALL OF 2011
(Note: See update at end of post)
As in my last post, I want to say how good a run of sports we here in Wisconsin, USA - for my international reader(s) - thus far this fall. The Badgers rolled over Nebraska, a powerhouse in their own right, in their Big Ten (+2) opener. The Packers have a ten game winning streak all the way back to last season and they still have lots of work to do to get as good as they were last year. Then there are the Brewers. Just last week they looked unstoppable as they were up two games to none in their divisional playoff. Then they had to travel to Phoenix.
Before they left Milwaukee, I stated that all the Brewers had to do was win one lousy game. Well, instead they lost two. A train wreak ensued where their fortunes reversed and the series was tied. I figured their season, though very successful and exciting, was over. Their mettle was tested and was lacking. They choked. Still, all they needed was to win one lousy game today; just one lousy game. They've already won over ninety, what's one more. Well, it was a good ride while it lasted and we will, as all real fans do, "wait until next season".
Long story short, yaddah, yaddah, yadda, wonder of wonders, the Brewers WON their fifth in the series in the tenth! On to the League Championship Series against....well we don't know yet. the other series, also taken to five games, was played after the Brewers-Diamondback series.
Still, a great time to be a sports fan in Wisconsin this fall of 2011.
Update: This just in: The St. Louis Cardinals defeated "the best team in baseball", The Philadelphia Phillies, 1-0. This means the Brewers get home field advantage through the NLCS vs the Cards beginning Sunday. Go, Brewers!
As in my last post, I want to say how good a run of sports we here in Wisconsin, USA - for my international reader(s) - thus far this fall. The Badgers rolled over Nebraska, a powerhouse in their own right, in their Big Ten (+2) opener. The Packers have a ten game winning streak all the way back to last season and they still have lots of work to do to get as good as they were last year. Then there are the Brewers. Just last week they looked unstoppable as they were up two games to none in their divisional playoff. Then they had to travel to Phoenix.
Before they left Milwaukee, I stated that all the Brewers had to do was win one lousy game. Well, instead they lost two. A train wreak ensued where their fortunes reversed and the series was tied. I figured their season, though very successful and exciting, was over. Their mettle was tested and was lacking. They choked. Still, all they needed was to win one lousy game today; just one lousy game. They've already won over ninety, what's one more. Well, it was a good ride while it lasted and we will, as all real fans do, "wait until next season".
Long story short, yaddah, yaddah, yadda, wonder of wonders, the Brewers WON their fifth in the series in the tenth! On to the League Championship Series against....well we don't know yet. the other series, also taken to five games, was played after the Brewers-Diamondback series.
Still, a great time to be a sports fan in Wisconsin this fall of 2011.
Update: This just in: The St. Louis Cardinals defeated "the best team in baseball", The Philadelphia Phillies, 1-0. This means the Brewers get home field advantage through the NLCS vs the Cards beginning Sunday. Go, Brewers!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
A BLOG UPDATE
A lot has occurred since my last entry.
I've learned of a future grandson to be in our arms by Easter (hopefully). Tiz cannot wait to be a big sister. A boy will be a new adventure for me (us) as all other offspring of our generation have been female - my two girls, my brother's three and my brother-in-law with one. Even my son-in-law as three nieces.
Then, we've reconnected with two separate old friend couples. One, Sherri and Jeff, form college whose wedding we attended and Sherri wore my wife's dress of the year before. The other, Patti and Tom who shared our apartment building with us in our first as a married couple on our own away from familiarity.
I've also been reminded of the circle of life. Just as I learned of the joy of hearing of a grandson, I learned of the fate of my mother as cancer biopsies were undertaken. She failed the tests. That is, she was given six to nine months remaining with chemotherapy helping relieve her discomfort. Then as the first chemo was given, more tests, of course, and the prognosis not only changed, it worsened. The original was revised to two weeks and heavy pain relievers and the ceasing of chemo. Even more tests, with revised prognosis to maybe the weekend. As my mother was being transferred form the hospital of the testing to the hospice, the weekend prognosis proved incorrect as well. She barely made it to the next morning. On our way to our reunion with Patti and Tom mentioned above, we received the call from my sister, the P.O.A. and first contact, that Mom had passed. My wife and I stopped by to console my sister and discuss the next step(s). It was decided that nothing would be done over the weekend and postponing our trip would not prove anything.
The weekend proved cathartic and very therapeutic as both Patti and Tom have lost. parents as well as my wife.
Also, within this time frame, the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their division title and home field advantage in round one, the Wisconsin Badger football team beat Nebraska, an annual powerhouse, handily after four straight weeks of inferior opponents and my beloved Green Bay Packers have dominated their first four (this season) to begin 4-0, and extended their winning streak to ten, including last season and the Superbowl.
All-in-all, it is a great time to be alive in Wisconsin right now, though, I know that my heavenly home is to be far more glorious and joy-filled.
I've learned of a future grandson to be in our arms by Easter (hopefully). Tiz cannot wait to be a big sister. A boy will be a new adventure for me (us) as all other offspring of our generation have been female - my two girls, my brother's three and my brother-in-law with one. Even my son-in-law as three nieces.
Then, we've reconnected with two separate old friend couples. One, Sherri and Jeff, form college whose wedding we attended and Sherri wore my wife's dress of the year before. The other, Patti and Tom who shared our apartment building with us in our first as a married couple on our own away from familiarity.
I've also been reminded of the circle of life. Just as I learned of the joy of hearing of a grandson, I learned of the fate of my mother as cancer biopsies were undertaken. She failed the tests. That is, she was given six to nine months remaining with chemotherapy helping relieve her discomfort. Then as the first chemo was given, more tests, of course, and the prognosis not only changed, it worsened. The original was revised to two weeks and heavy pain relievers and the ceasing of chemo. Even more tests, with revised prognosis to maybe the weekend. As my mother was being transferred form the hospital of the testing to the hospice, the weekend prognosis proved incorrect as well. She barely made it to the next morning. On our way to our reunion with Patti and Tom mentioned above, we received the call from my sister, the P.O.A. and first contact, that Mom had passed. My wife and I stopped by to console my sister and discuss the next step(s). It was decided that nothing would be done over the weekend and postponing our trip would not prove anything.
The weekend proved cathartic and very therapeutic as both Patti and Tom have lost. parents as well as my wife.
Also, within this time frame, the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their division title and home field advantage in round one, the Wisconsin Badger football team beat Nebraska, an annual powerhouse, handily after four straight weeks of inferior opponents and my beloved Green Bay Packers have dominated their first four (this season) to begin 4-0, and extended their winning streak to ten, including last season and the Superbowl.
All-in-all, it is a great time to be alive in Wisconsin right now, though, I know that my heavenly home is to be far more glorious and joy-filled.
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