Jumping The Gun

The Mayors of two of Iowa's major cities called upon the states congressional delegation to support President-Elect Barack Obama’s economic recovery plans.

DUH Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said...

“I want to see Senator Grassley be a part of the process and work with the Obama administration..”

Thankfully Grassley showed he's smarter by telling reporters...

he had not seen any specifics on Obama’s plan. He said he is interested in a plan that would provide short-term stimulus and tax incentives to create private-sector jobs.

“It’s only private investment that creates jobs long-term,” Grassley said. “We’re interested in the long-term as well as the short-term...I would vote for some money for stimulus, but I need to know what is in the package.”

Cownie is a climatard, who should just stick to handing out keys to the city and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Who woke Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran from her long winter's nap?

She blames the floods for it, but there were no floods in March in the city of five smells.

Au Contraire

U.S. Senate wannabe Roland Burris said upon his appointment...

"I am not a tool of the governor. I'm a tool of the people of Illinois."

Burris continued...

he thought Blagojevich picked "the most qualified person in the state of Illinois to . . . serve out the term of Barack Obama."

Thereby proving that he is a tool and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I'm sure his more than $20,000 in contributions to Blagojevich's campaign fund on his own as well as through his consulting and law firms didn't hurt.

Guess Who's Charged

By his own admission the Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, Eugene Gessow, (pictured) is currently registered to vote in Iowa and Rhode Island...

"I'm registered to vote there, and I'm also registered to vote here," he said. "But, of course, I only vote in one place."

The Liter has confirmed his dual registration with the Secretary of State's office in both states.

As I noted on November 24, Gessow has committed perjury and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Now comes word that a Clinton parolee has been charged with election misconduct for registering to vote on election day and subsequently voting.

David T. Borgman had yet to have his voting rights restored.

When Borgman registered to vote, he signed the section in which the registrant affirms that he or she meets the criteria for being a registered voter, the same section signed by Gessow.

WARNING:
If you sign this
form and you know
it is not true, you
can be convicted
of perjury and
fined up to $7,500
and/or jailed for up
to 5 years.

Borgman is being charged with a Class D felony and Gessow faces no penalty as he continues to draw his over $100,000 taxpayer paid salary.

Justice is blind!

Manning Up

As Sunday's NFL action was coming to a close, Chris asked me who I was picking to play in the Super Bowl.

Without much thought I offered up the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants in a battle of the brothers (Peyton & Eli Manning), and I'll stick with it.

That'll give the whole family a chance to milk more endorsement money and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I asked my sporto wife who she was picking and she took the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots.

That was after we watched the Miami Dolphins beat her New York Bretts, eliminating them and the Patriots from the playoffs.

Seriously?

As a native Iowan, and a sports fan, I want all Iowa colleges and universities to represent this state well.

I can't help but shudder when I see a commercial for Iowa State's Choose Your Adventure.

A young girl tells viewers what she's looking for in her school selection.

One of her criteria is, "I want some serious football!".

Iowa State?

Really?

The Cyclones haven't had a serious football season since they went 9-3 in 2000, their record the last eight seasons is 39-59 and they haven't won on the road since 2005.

That must be why they whisper at the end of the spot, "Enjoy your adventure at Iowa State" and the scientific community is united in that fact.

That Doesn't Register

After reading this story, I can't help but wonder how Tom Barton survived the recent layoffs at the Ragister.

Warmer weather following deep freeze

Chris pointed out this paragraph...

December 2008 will be one for the record books. Wednesday was the only dry day this month. The statewide average snowfall this month is 13.7 inches, not counting Wednesday's storm, said Harry Hillaker, the state climatologist.

If there was a storm on Wednesday, it couldn't have been the only dry day and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Coaching Combo

In passing glances at the Hawaii Bowl the other night, it was hard to tell the difference between Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis and Hawaii Coach Greg McMackin.

The similarities weighed heavily on me and I decided that maybe it was the hair, or lack of it and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Who, When?

I set the satellite coordinates for BBC America last night.

WHY?

They were airing, My Favorite Year and I enjoy the movie.

During the commercial breaks they ran a promo for a new Doctor Who episode that stated it would air Saturday night at 9 p.m. with an encore presentation at 8 p.m.

WHAT?

Makes one wonder HOW and the scientific community is united in that fact.

A Kwanzaa Klassic

This year's theme from their official web site...

"Kwanzaa and the Seven Principles :
Repairing and Renewing the World"

That certainly sounds Obama-esque and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Enjoy my annual Kwanzaa Klassic!

Can one dream of a white Kwanzaa?

So this is Kwanzaa

With apologies to the "Twelve Days of Christmas".

"Seven days of a made up Holiday"

On the first day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Umoja(Unity), as in his group United Slaves.

On the second day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Kujichagulia(Self Determination), as in two dead Black Panthers killed by United Slaves.

On the third day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), as in the time Karenga served for the torture of women members of United Slaves.

On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), as in the commercialization of a phony holiday.

On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Nia (Purpose), as in the words of Al Sharpton, "De-Whitizing" Christmas. It's put there so the brotha's would par-tay.

On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Kuumba (Creativity), as in the seven headed hydra symbol of the Symbionese Liberation Army.

On the seventh day of Kwanzaa, Founder Ron Karenga gave to me...

Imani (Faith), as in "People think it's African, but it's not. I came up with Kwanzaa because black people in this country wouldn't celebrate it if they knew it was American...". a 1978 Washington Post quote from Ron Everett now known as Maulana Karenga.


HAPPY KWANZAA!

Merry Christmas

God Bless Us Everyone!

Sowell Man

Here's some good Thomas Sowell Random thoughts on the passing scene...

A reader suggests that members of Congress should wear uniforms, like NASCAR drivers, so that we will know who their corporate sponsors are. Many of those in Congress should also wear logos representing the teachers' unions, environmentalist extremists and other special interests.

People who are impressed by how many of Barack Obama's advisors have Ivy League degrees seem not to remember how many people with Ivy League degrees mismanaged the Vietnam war and how many people with Ivy League degrees mismanaged economic policy during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The fact that sales at Starbucks are going down, while sales at McDonald's are going up, shows that people are adjusting to economic adversity by cutting back their spending. Only in Congress do people adjust to economic adversity and growing deficits by spending more money.

It is fascinating to see that politicians whose interventions in mortgage lending have created a disaster in financial institutions are now moving on to intervene in the automobile industry.

Wal-Mart has done more for poor people than any ten liberals, at least nine of whom are almost guaranteed to hate Wal-Mart.

Ronald Reagan had a vision of America. Barack Obama has a vision of Barack Obama.

As American incomes have risen over the years, liberals have kept changing the definition of "poverty." Otherwise, the dwindling numbers of people who could be called "poor" would take away the liberals' main claim to influence and power.

I thought they were good and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Embraceable You

Old Man Winter has decided to give us at least another inch, I'll let you figure out where.

The weather wienies tell us to expect another one to three inches today, with a wintry mix for Friday.

I see recently that Libby Jacobs (pictured) told the Ragister that Des Moines should...

Embrace winter: "Let's embrace the cold and snow and celebrate it like other communities do with winter festivals and seasonal activities."

Love ya Libby, but why would I want to embrace something that keeps kneeing me in the 'nads?

If I get close enough for an embrace, it would be around the throat and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Were you outside Sunday?

Many activities were canceled, even church, because Christ it was cold.

If Iowans want to act like Minnesotans or Canadians, that's OK-EH!

Keep in mind how silly it sounds calling off a winter festival because of the weather...

GILFORD, N.H. (AP) - Much of this week’s winter carnival in Gilford has been canceled, due to too much winter.

Parks and Recreation Director Herb Greene notes that the cancellation of 2 events was due to poor road conditions and snow-filled parking lots.

Chris' sister did a Polar Plunge one year that was called off because it was too cold...A POLAR PLUNGE!

We've all heard how the "CLIMATARDS" have had to call off their Gore-BULL warming conferences because of cold and snow.

I can't wait for Hawaii, see ya in the Spring!

What's My Name?

Chris was watching America's Funniest Home Videos and during a commercial break WOI TV inserted a short Happy Holidays type promo.

It featured Anchor Chris Flanagan, except the chyron read Chris FLANGAN.

He's only worked there four years, so that should tell you a lot and the scientific community is united in that fact.

It reminded me of a Yogi Berra witticism from his playing days.

Yogi had been the hero of a game and was asked to appear on a radio post game show and he was rewarded with a check.

Since the check was made up in advance of the game, without knowing who would be the honoree, it was made out "Payable to Bearer".

Yogi looked at the check and asked the interviewer how long they had known each other, the host said maybe twelve years.

Yogi replied, "Twelve years and you still don't know how to spell my name?"

Welcome to Winter

As I'm writing this, Weather.com says the temperature is -4 with a feels like temp of -28.

Local forecasters say today's High will be -1.

Should any temperature of zero, or below, be considered a High?

The headline on Drudge...

Winter Blows In

They could have, and should have, stopped after the first two words and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I recently received a PowerPoint e-mail (courtesy of Chris' aunt in Naples, Florida) titled "Let It Snow".

It advised me to sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy pictures all the while Dean Martin crooned.

I deleted it without opening because I don't want someone in Naples extolling me on the virtues of snow, I wouldn't send them something about the joys of heat and humidity.

Although it is easier to shovel.

Tuned In?

On WHO's 5 p.m. newscast Co-Anchors Erin Kiernan & Sonya Heitshusen both talked about President Bush's bailout of the "The Big Three" automakers.

Except, Ford bailed on the bailout and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Three minus one equals two uninformed anchors.

This morning TV8's 8 a.m. newscast lead with breaking news that Iowa State had a new Head Football Coach (Auburn Defensive Coordinator Paul Rhoads) and that their sports guy John Meyer would have all the details in twenty minutes.

At 8:25 Anchor Amanda Lewis teased their breaking news and mentioned that their morning sports segment was taped last night so it wouldn't have the latest information.

They then ran a sports promo where Andy Garman had a rumor of ISU possibly hiring Arizona Coach Mike Stoops.

When they came back from break someone was at least smart enough to cue up Garman's tape past the Stoops story.

Meyer later came on and gave the scoop, that Rhoads was an Ankeny native and had been on the ISU staff from 1995-1999.

Although they couldn't find any file footage from those years, or even Google a picture to let viewers know what the new coach looks like.

She Is Qualified

Senator to be named later, Caroline Kennedy, says she wants the job because this is not the time to "sit out", but that's exactly what she's done.

Records show Caroline Kennedy failed to cast her vote many times since 1988

Oh what the hell, it's almost like voting present and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Does she have a little Clinton in her too?

NY lawmaker questions Kennedy charity's exemption

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen?

From one of our Illinois correspondents comes this holiday hit...

Get packin', Rod Blagojevich
The state's in disarray
The Tribune wants you unemployed
At least by Christmas Day.
The TV pundits want your head
Could there be pay to play?
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois !
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good riddance Rod Blagojevich
Your Elvis look's inane,
The Senate's mad, so's Lisa's dad.
You drive us all insane.
Our transit's broke, the state's a joke,
The Tollway's one big pain.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois !
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good luck old Rod Blagojevich
The feds have quite a place.
Fitzgerald's poked his nosearound
And if he has a case,
George Ryan's moving stuff around
Creating extra space.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois !

Here's a more accurate hit and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Drive My Car

Now is the time to buy a new car, per TV ads being run by the National Automobile Dealers Association.

However, as Chris pointed out, now can't be a good time to have NADA as you acronym (or logo) and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Pickle Power

Shame on David Yepsen and those that POOH POOH Tom "Vlassic" Vilsack's lack of experience to be Secretary of Agriculture.

You can't expect experience in an Obama administration and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Besides, he knows how to dress the part(s) [see below].

Maybe as Ag Secretary we'll get the real dirt, or the scoop, on what really happened to his kid's car.

I find it interesting that the Ragister refers to Henry A. Wallace as Iowa's last ag secretary.

Mike Johann's was born in Iowa, and served from 2005-2007.

































































Here's an Obama salute for him.

The Twelve Days of Global Warming

Sunday sees Winter officially start, the snow at the Not So Vast Right wing Ranch says otherwise (with more to come).

This week the AP reported...

2008 is on pace to be a slightly cooler year in a steadily rising temperature trend line. Experts say it's thanks to a La Nina weather variation. While skeptics are already using it as evidence of some kind of cooling trend, it actually illustrates how fast the world is warming.

WE ARE COLDER BECAUSE OF THE WARMING?

SOME KIND OF COOLING TREND?

There has been no statistically significant rise in (mean global temperature: MGT) since 1995 and MGT has fallen since 1998.

The MGT is the same as it was in 1980.

Scientists Denounce AP For Hysterical Global Warming Article

UN Blowback: More Than 650 International Scientists Dissent Over Man-Made Global Warming Claims

That's an increase of 250 scientists since last year and more than 12 times the number of scientists (52) who authored the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 Summary for Policymakers.

There's growing disunity in the ranks and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I'll leave you with this Minnesotans 4 Global Warming seasonal video...



Cafe Press has the line of Support Global Warming gear.

Because I Said So

Obama team clears itself on Blagojevich

President-elect Barack Obama said Monday that his transition team has completed its review of contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and has found itself blameless

In a related development Governor Blagojevich reviewed his workings and declared...

"I don't believe there's any cloud that hangs over me, I think there's nothing but sunshine hanging over me."

Thereby immediately ending any and all investigations.

Look for Team Obama, later this week, to declare its first term the most successful in American history and announce their re-election efforts will begin on January 1st.

They're already putting out the calendar.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

PACKing it in

With two games left, the season is over for the Green Bay Packers.

While I wasn't expecting last season's 13-3 record, and NFC title game, likewise I wasn't ready for the second losing season of the young millennium.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Detroit Lions will be able to claim their only win of the season against us.

In 2005 you could blame the 4-12 record on the incredible amount of injured players, this season it's the incredible injured feelings of Brett Favre.

Moving forward, this season was supposed to be about the Defense, Special Teams and then the Offense...

"...But the football team has moved forward with the emphasis on defense, because that's what I believe in, and that's what the philosophy as we move forward will be. Defense will be our starting point. That will be the common thread that runs through the football team. Now this is nothing new, as far as our approach, but we've always had the veteran quarterback there, so I look for our defense to do bigger things, the individuals on that defense to step forward. And that carries over right into the special teams". --Packer Head Coach Mike McCarthy on July 26, 2008.

The Packer defense is currently rated 25th overall (out of 32 teams), 26th against the run and 13th against the pass.

The New York Bretts...er, Jets have proven to be a better team with Favre (9-5 so far) than without him (4-12 last season) and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Sing it Don Meredith...

Turn out the lights
The party's over
They say that
All good things must end...

It's time to drown my sorrows with Willie...

FREEPy

Gannett is coming up with unique ways to provide must-have news and information on demand across all media, ever mindful of our journalistic responsibilities.

Report: Detroit papers likely to cut delivery

Their paper in Detroit (FREEP) is leaning toward cutting home delivery to three days a week (Thursday, Friday and Sunday).

I wonder how that would Register in Des Moines?

The picture shows how any newspaper can up their circulation, in more ways than one, and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Gannett newspapers aren't the only entities seeing crewcuts...

WUSA Moves to One-Person News Crews

WUSA is a Gannett owned TV station in D.C. and is also cutting salaries while increasing responsibilities.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

I'm sure with RekHA it's a sisterhood thing as she writes to the defense of Mrs. Big Lug Nut (Mari Culver) and an adoration thing for defending Obama...

Basu: Taking anti-smoking crusade too far

Amazingly in one sentence Basu states...

OK, she broke a law that others are required to follow. I suspect she won't make that mistake again. Culver admitted to the infraction and requested a ticket.

Then in the very next sentence said...

But really. Some letters to the paper have cast the first lady as a criminal.

Breaking the law, admitting one's guilt and being fined for it is the definition of criminal!

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

As for Obama, I believe that was a promise he made to his wife when he decided to run for President.

Of course we know how Obama is with promises.

In what feels like a bit of hypocrisy, Basu writes...

Lest we forget, it's still legal to buy and smoke cigarettes...

Fiberals never chastise those engaged in legal activity.

At best this is an asinine argument, alcohol is perfectly legal and the last time I checked individuals are not allowed to drink & drive, or consume alcohol while walking down the street.

Basu bloviates...

Bad for health as smoking is, it's not a crime of moral turpitude, like illicit sex or drug use. In fact, it wasn't long ago there was status associated with smoking. At fancy dinner parties, men wore smoking jackets and women used cigarette holders. Cigarettes were served with the coffee. You can change the laws, but you can't overturn a culture overnight.

Maybe during fancy dinner parties for a U.N. diplomat, but I'd venture to guess that hasn't happened in America in fifty or sixty years.

How's That Again?

Word has it that he's much better than this headline...

Three-team blockbuster nets Mets Putz

J.J. Putz was acquired from Seattle and the story offers better detail.

Putz is a marquee addition, given his ninth-inning pedigree. He took over the Mariners' closing duties in 2006 and saved 76 games between '06 and '07. But this past season, injuries limited him to 47 appearances. He went 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA and 15 saves.

Although the Mets have choked the last two seasons and missed the playoffs, making them the real putzes and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I'll Be Riding To CC You?

The New York Yankees have added some luster to their storied franchise with the agreement to sign coveted pitcher CC Sabathia.

Other big names could still be added, such as A.J. Burnett.

Chris asked me if it was a good thing and I responded it has the potential.

In the back of my mind I think of pitchers like Don Gullett, Ed Whitson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright who never lived up to their potential.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

The Yanks are in Kansas City April 10, 11 & 12 for the Royals home opener.

I'm not sure if my friend Cal and I will resume our baseball pilgrimage and eating of "puffy tacos" at Dos Hombres.

Bailout Da Judges?

Harry Reid has tinkered with the Auto Bailout and inserted a measure to increase Federal Judges pay 2.8 percent to nearly $175,000 a year.

Sort of reminds me of the Little Arrows in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act and the scientific community is united in that fact.

You Be The Judge!

Media Movement

KCCI TV8 has made some cutbacks and it includes on air staff.

That now makes them Iowa's News Lighter and the scientific community is united in that fact.

After 10 years, Meteorologist Jason Parkin was let go.

That's too bad, he was very smooth and had a sense of humor.

13 or 5 should snatch him up and can their lightweights.

For my money they could have let the morning guy, Bryan Karrick, go or Me Twinkie Slater.

Both must do their dirty deeds dirt cheap.

That leaves TV8 with only four weather wienies and means John McLaughlin may actually have to work.

The other on air casualty was Ryan Luby, LOOOBEE, no loss there as he was a weak presence (other than his Eddie Munster widows peak).

Boycott-Girlcott

I'm doing my part...

Calling in 'gay' to work is latest form of protest

I am, afterall, a lesbian in a man's body and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Ironic Twist

Illinois' top three politicians (Rod Blagojevich, Barack Obama, Richard Daley) are laughing at the irony of Blagojevich being arrested on International Anti-Corruption Day.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

You Better Watch Out

Election brings increase in gun sales

I had know idea, until know, how serious an issue this is and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Oh, you better watch out!
You better not cry.
Better not pout,
I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is packing heat so be good for goodness sake!

Clever

From The Wall Street Journal's Best of the Web...

The Courthouse Has Very Thin Walls

"Iowa Supreme Court to Hear Gay Marriage Arguments"--headline, Associated Press, Dec. 7

Oral arguments begin today...I heard that.

There's a mental picture for you and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

"A date which will live in infamy."