Hidden Badgers

Those ever-clever Wisconsin badger state senators off hiding in Chicago. If they don't like the way the game is being played, all 14 democrat state senators sneak off into a series of secret tunnels in Illinois. Badgers do, in fact, burrow underground, living in clans of 2-15. They are known for being very fierce and they will protect themselves and their cubs at all costs. Their jaws are designed to maintain their hold with the utmost tenacity. Unfortunately, being elected to the Wisconsin legislative body means you need to show up for work at the capitol in Madison, Wisconsin and do your job by being present. What if fire fighters couldn't stand the heat and decided to leave their post and head to Illinois?

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said it best: "Out of respect for the institution of the Legislature and the democratic process, I am calling on Senate Democrats to show up to work today, debate legislation and cast their vote. Their actions by leaving the state and hiding from voting are disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of public employees who showed up to work today and the millions of taxpayers they represent."

The 14 democrat badger senators hiding in a hole:
CARPENTER, TIM - Sen.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov
COGGS, SPENCER - Sen.Coggs@legis.wisconsin.gov
CULLEN, TIMOTHY - Sen.Cullen@legis.wisconsin.gov
ERPENBACH, JON - Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov
HANSEN, DAVE - Sen.Hansen@legis.wisconsin.gov
HOLPERIN, JIM - Sen.Holperin@legis.wisconsin.gov
JAUCH, ROBERT - Sen.Jauch@legis.wisconsin.gov
LARSON, CHRIS - Sen.Larson@legis.wisconsin.gov
LASSA, JULIE - Sen.Lassa@legis.wisconsin.gov
MILLER, MARK - Sen.Miller@legis.wisconsin.gov
RISSER, FRED - Sen.Risser@legis.wisconsin.gov
TAYLOR, LENA - Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov
VINEHOUT, KATHLEEN - Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov
WIRCH, ROBERT - Sen.Wirch@legis.wisconsin.gov

President Reagan

President Ronald Reagan
Date of Birth: February 6, 1911
Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

Some quotations from President Ronald Reagan:

Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement. * Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying. * How can a president not be an actor? * Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, coast for a while, and then have a hell of a close. * Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book. * I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting. * I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon.

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' * I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves. * The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. * The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much. * We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added. * Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence. * Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. * Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse. * Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them. * No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. * Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! * Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty. * How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin. * Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong. * Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. * When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat. * To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last--but eat you he will. * Don't be afraid to see what you see. * Trust, but verify. * Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They're just braver five minutes longer. * I have wondered at times what the 10 Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress. * I've never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a 'fat cat' and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a 'public-spirited philanthropist'. * Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15. * We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone. * Going to college offered me the chance to play football for four more years. * Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.

President Ronald Reagan
Date of Death: June 5, 2004

On The Lamb

Happy New Year to everyone.
Y2010 gave birth to Y2011.
Hopefully the new year will be gentle as a lamb.
Hopefully it won't be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
In either case, the new year is upon us.

Shock And Awesome

President Obama recently signed a law repealing the ban on gay men and women openly serving in the military. He told a crowd: "This is a good day. This is a very good day." Military officials and gay rights groups warn gay troops not to "come out" yet since the law won't be effective until 60 days after its certification. An excited Barney Frank is ostensibly in charge of deciding upon their new uniforms. The word is they're leaning toward a stylish and attractive look best described as "Shock & Awesome". There's also talk of a possible new "Barney Frank" award, to be given to the most fashionably dressed troops, which would be awarded at the Shock & Awesome Gala Event. Regarding further details about these new developments, don't ask, and don't tell.

Pair Of Blizzards

Just for the record: On this day in Fargo (North Dakota), we got hit by a Blizzard #1. Fargo made the national news for the 100-car (and truck) pile-up, on east-bound I-94, just west of West Fargo. The most oft-heard phrase on the radio call-ins: White Out. Tomorrow is to bring (stronger) Blizzard #2 blowing in, in the wake of (nasty) Blizzard #1. What a way to end Y-2010. Maybe we'all should pray for some Global Warming.

Decemberry

Joseph & Mary Christmas

Super Hero Convention

The 2011 Super Hero Convention will be held in (where else) Cape Town (again). Cape Town, South Africa will once again play host to the Super Hero International Team. Super Heros will be flying in from all over the world. SuperMan and WonderWoman will host the event, while The BatMan and Robin will be general event co-coordinators. Formal attire is being requested by The Hulk. Don't forget to put this on your calendar! The date is: 2011. The place is: Cape Town!

Person Of The Week

Miles Brothers Corp person-of-the-week:
Judge Henry E. Hudson
First judge to rule against the healthcare law passed during the Obamadministration.
Washington Post
Wikipedia

Lame Duck Congress

LAME DUCK
LED AMUCK
MUCK DEAL
Fiscal Year 2011 Omnibus Pork Bill

Collapsible Roof

The much anticipated showdown between the Minnesoda Vikings and NYGiants which was originally scheduled for Sunday noon, then Monday night, is most likely: "On Hold". Metrodome officials confirm the roof collapsed in the wake of a "major" winter storm to hit the region. Some locals describe the Home of the Vikings as looking like "a large bowl of sugar". (Maybe the Sugar Bowl can be played here?) Because of the blizzard, the NYGiants ended up "visiting" the Kansas City Chiefs for the evening. Perhaps the Vikings' new stadium should not opt for a "collapsible roof". If roof workers can simply remove the damaged roof, the Vikings/Giants match-up could be played as an old-fashioned outdoor game. Just remember to bring a "flask of hot cocoa".

American Hero

Miles Brothers Corp person-of-the-week:
Luke Scott

Monkey Wisdom

It seems The Government is trying to incorporate some famous monkey maxims into its ruling guidelines.

See No Evil has been modified into: Don't Look, Don't Read (regarding the WikiLeaks documents).

Hear No Evil has become: Don't Ask, Don't Tell (dealing with military homosexuality).

Speak No Evil has been reverse-morphed into: If You See Something, Say Something (coming soon to a Wal-Mart near you).

Show Of Strength

One of the oldest strength competitions in the world is the Tug-Of-War. It is often used these daze as a metaphor phor a battle between two opposing groups of people. As a serious sporting event, it has probably been around since the invention of rope. This 1888 Harvard Tug-O-War team is shown practicing their art, which was actually an Olympic event back in the early 1900's. Most male tug-o-warriors do admit that the main reason for engaging in this archaic activity is to woo women.

Read It Yourself

President Obama is quite good at reading his speeches off of his teleprompters. The way he smoothly looks back and forth from teleprompter to teleprompter can be quite mesmerizing. Idea: Why not free him up to do more important things (like play basketball) and let us read the speeches directly? Simply turn the cameras to the teleprompter and let it roll. If you would like to practice, go to cueprompter.com. Here you can copy and paste any script that you want to read off of a real teleprompter, and then simply press START PROMPTER! You will have the option of white text with black background or black text with white background. There are variable speed settings from 1-9. You can also control the size of the text, and have normal text or reverse image. Now you can read presidential speeches off of a teleprompter just like a real president!

Discovery Problems Discovered

The NASA space shuttle Discovery sits upon its launch pad waiting for countdown to begin. Unfortunately, Discovery is currently powered down due to problems discovered involving the external fuel tanks. Discovery is suffering from external tank bracket crackage. The earliest possible date for blast-off is December 17, but more engineering evaluations, tests, and repairs are needed. Some casual observers are also commenting that the shuttle seems to be leaning a bit to the left (possibly to reflect the inclinations of the Obama administration).