Best Wishes

I was at the Lakeview Surgery Center this morning, when I heard a familiar name called out -- Don Stanley.

I noticed a man in Drake University sweats and ball cap.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was the Big Lug Nut's Donn (the second N is silent) Stanley.

If so, the Liter wishes him well and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Probably nothing serious, maybe just a LUG-ectomy.

Buckaroo

This week we've had the President telling people to "buck up" and yesterday, in the backyard, WHO HD had video of him saying to "buckle down".

That's probably the best you can expect from someone always passing the buck by blaming Bush.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Even the buck is down.

Buckin' A.

Smoke On The Water?

An odd statement stuck out for more in this story

Des Moines Water Works expected to increase rates

Des Moines Water Works CEO and general manager, Randy Beavers, seems to be blaming the increase, in part, on a Wetter than average summers over the past three to four years has led to decreased demand and relatively flat water sales.

That's irrigating, err irritating because for decades we've been deluged with the need to cut back on water use and the scientific community is united in that fact.

My water association, which buys its supply from Des Moines Water Works, has no incentive to use less.

Since I've lived on the Not So Vast Right Wing Ranch, I'm charged the same whether I use one gallon or 3,000 gallons in a month.

I think that philosophy is all wet and should be all washed up.

With This Ring?

I couldn't help but notice on video WHO HD ran last night, of President Obama's visit, that the Big Lug Nut wasn't wearing a wedding ring.

It's also apparent in this Des Moines Register photo as well.

I'm thinking fat fingers and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Speculation will run rampant, register your vote at 1-866-DIVORCE.

I Want Your Money

With the President in town, I thought it's a perfect time to plug a screening of the new movie I Want Your Money.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Craig Robinson at the Iowa Republican, Art Smith of the Conservative Reader and the Polk County Republicans will have a free screening of the movie on Sunday, October 3 at 3:45 p.m.), at the Varsity Theater in Des Moines.

"This movie is sparking a valuable debate about our national priorities in government spending, personal responsibility and liberty," said Will Rogers, Polk County Republican Co-chair. "We hope that showing this movie in Des Moines will help promote that debate here in Central Iowa!"

I WANT YOUR MONEY is an engaging, controversial new documentary film from Director Ray Griggs about the competing economic visions championed by Presidents Reagan and Obama - a duel of speeches, wit, animation and narrative that has audiences laughing, cheering, yelling . . . leaving them in the middle of the national conversation about mounting government debt and deficits, and why it matters. Screenings to date have been described as "raucus" with an atypical amount of audience participation.

"The immense amount of support we have been receiving from organizations across the country and the attention that I WANT YOUR MONEY has been receiving is showing that this film is hitting a nerve for a lot of Americans," says film director and producer Ray Griggs. "We hope that those attending these screenings will share the central message of the film 'to limit government spending' and have a great impact on this election season. After all, it's our money they are spending."

By utilizing interviews with key leaders of America's conservative movement - Newt Gingrich, Steve Forbes, Mike Huckabee - movie clips, dramatic portrayals, music, archival footage, graphics and even comedic animation, I WANT YOUR MONEY tells the story in the plainest terms that big government programs have been tried in the past at great moral and financial cost to the nation. California is offered as a case study of the perils America will face should there be no change to our government's current policies.

WHEN: Sunday, October 3, 2010
TIME: 3:45 PM
LOCATION: The Varsity Theatre, 1207 25th Street, Des Moines, Iowa
TICKET PRICE: FREE. Register online at www.polkgop.com

Event Contact: Art Smith, 515-491-8747, arthursmith@polkgop.com

A Free Will Offering Will Be Taken At The Event To Benefit Polk County Republicans.

There Goes The Neighborhood

The Big Lug Nut is the only other politician I've heard who's willing to appear in public at President Obama's backyard bull session.

Several Dummycrats, including Leonard BOZO-well, Tom Miller and Michael Fitzgerald, were with him in private last night.

BOZO-well doesn't have it on his public calendar at either his government website, his schedule hasn't been updated since July 29, or campaign site and Roxanne Conlin's next public event is listed as October 1.

The President will be in the Beaverdale neighborhood, which sounds more like a place you'd find Bill Clinton and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The topic of discussion reportedly will be challenges faced by middle class families.

Numerous in the Obama economy.

Not so much for the owner's of the property where the President will park, they paid $298,500 just last year for the residence.

What comes after recovery summer?

The fall

The People's Court

The powers that be are feeling threatened by the power of the people and that is why they don't want you to vote no on the retention of judges.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

They've made out so well and are so comfortable with the status quo that they don't want you tipping the scales back to balanced.

They want, and need, you to be ignorant and apathetic about voting further down the ballot, or even turning it over.

Since 1962, Iowa voters have voted to remove four judges.

Is it because they're so wonderful?

More likely is that most people have no interaction with the court system.

Iowa Code 602.1218 covers the Judicial Branch and cites Removal For Cause --

Inefficiency, Insubordination, Failure to perform assigned duties, Inadequacy in performance of assigned duties, Narcotics addiction, Dishonesty, Unrehabilitated alcoholism, Negligence, Conduct which adversely affects the performance of the individual or of the judicial branch, Conduct unbecoming a public employee, Misconduct, or any other just and good cause constitutes cause for removal.

I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me that if you disagree with the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, that is a just and good cause for removal.

The Ragister ran an opinion piece from Dean's and former Dean's of Drake Law School and the U of I College of Law and these legal eagles were less than honest when they wrote --

The retention vote was designed for a very limited purpose, to provide a mechanism to remove a judge who was unfit for office, for example, because of corruption such as bribery, other unlawful conduct, or misconduct.

Here's where I need a Dean scream

Section 46.16 covers Terms Of Judges --

1. Subject to sections 602.1610 (Mandatory retirement) and 602.1612 (Temporary service by retired judges) and to removal of cause.

The people don't have to wait up to eight years to remove a justice for corruption, unlawful conduct or misconduct, that's what Impeachment is for.

602.2201 Impeachment --

Judicial officers may be removed from office by impeachment pursuant to Chapter 68.

Chapter 68 is entitled Impeachment and 68.1 Impeachment Defined --

An impeachment is a written accusation against the governor, or a judicial officer, or other state officer, by the house of representatives before the senate of a misdemeanor or malfeasance in office.

For me this has never been about one ruling, I've been voting NO on judges since I first voted in 1976.

Most judges I've encountered come across as pompous asses who believe they are the law, or above the law.

For me it is part of the checks of the system and utilizing the no retention may keep the scales of justice balanced and the judges centered in reality.

It's Over Now

In the wake of polling that shows her being trounced by Senator Grassley, Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin held a wake to proclaim -- ‘It’s not over’.

Officially it may not be over, but Conlin can see it from her nearly $2 Million dollar mansion.



















Ed Fallon sees it too, “Yup. The proverbial fat lady is singing, if not bellowing.”

Conlin has a new TV ad that is hitting the airwaves, called “Disappearing” just like her campaign and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Old "whatever her name is" is under some delusion she's ahead because -- “We’re leading in the only poll that counts: ballots.”

That only works when all the ballots have been counted.

As noted yesterday (Whatshername), not all Democrats are voting for her.

Why can't you just get it through your head
It's over, it's over now
Yes, you heard me clearly now I said
It's over, it's over now

A Hunting We Will Go

The NRA has endorsed the Big Lug Nut for reelection.

It's probably because they like BIG game and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I'm thinking the outdoorsman probably gets a little gamey too after trudging through fields searching for his prey.












Heheheheheh

It was reported Culver appeared in a camouflage jacket, but it didn't work as everyone could still see how large he is.

The real hunting Culver is doing is for a mid-level government job in Washington, DC.

Whatshername

It was at the end of last September that then Iowa Dummycrat Chair Michael Kiernan announced -- "Maybe it’s time to get a first-round draft pick” that could give Chuck Grassley "the race of his life.”

That candidate turned out to be Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin.

Or, as a Chet Culver Democrat, who said she's voting for Grassley, told the Des Moines Register -- "whatever her name is."

The race of Grassley's life isn't turning out so, as Grassley has a commanding lead (61-30) heading into the final lap, according to the Iowa Poll.

Looks like the Dummycrats wasted a first round draft pick, with Conlin wasting $500,000 of her own money and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Although, that's pennies to the multimillionaire trial lawyer.

SCTV

Once again Chris and I Sat Comfortably To Vote (SCTV) as we cast our ballots from the Not So Vast Right Wing Ranch.

That's a clue as to what candidates we bubbled in on our absentee ballots and the scientific community is united in that fact.

As tradition we penned ourselves in for uncontested races, as well as our friend Cal (Freedom's pal).

Despite the warnings from the powers that be, we voted NO on every judge up for retention.

It's what I've been doing since I cast my first vote in 1976 and if we weren't supposed to, it wouldn't be an option.

Bring on the results!

Corn Flakes

Although funnier than his 2006 White House Correspondent's Dinner appearance, Stephen Colbert engaged in an almost bizarre Abbot and Costello Who's On First? type routine with Congressman Steve King during his CONgressional testimony.

The process of packing corn seemed to confuse everyone, and the scientific community is united in that fact, Colbert then turned "corn packer" into a derogatory term for a Gay Iowan.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, just as long as they're practicing safe corn packing

























Dummycrat Zoe Lofgren looked like the Great Cornholio for inviting Colbert's testimony(?).

POW!

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be in Iowa for Terry Branstad on October 4.

I'm thinking after this smack down of a heckler in California, during a Meg Whitman event, his star power continues to rise with Conservatives.

Don't fuhgeddaboudit and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Don't

I couldn't help but click on this story link from the online Des Moines Register.

DO NOT PUBLISH

If only they'd follow their own advice and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The article they didn't want published was a story, from John Jennings of the Newton Daily News, about Army Corps of Engineers trying for three years to draw down the water levels at Lake Red Rock.

Taxanne's Plan

Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin has a plan to reduce the federal deficit.

She would have announced it sooner, but she was delayed debating a chair, took her an hour to do it, and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Conlin's plan includes collecting the $300 billion to $400 billion in uncollected taxes each year.

Wait, that's part of her "Job Creation for the 21st Century" plan.

If they're not paying now, what is the trial lawyer going to do differently -- sue them?

In addition, Conlin would support pay-go.

President Obama signed the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 into law on February 12, 2010.

Also, Conlin "...can’t wait to get my hands on the tax code.”

That means more tax credits and tax shelters for her.

Cop Out

Who's the bigger swine, Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw or Des Moines City Manager Rick Clark?

Bradshaw stated yesterday that there were enough officers this year to handle the problems at this year's Iowa State Fair, but announced there will be more police officers and a stronger presence at next year's Fair.

HUH?

WHO HD's Aaron Brilbeck didn't buy the adequate staffing explanation and asked why were there so few arrests after the attacks? "I can't tell you why there weren't more arrests," Bradshaw replied.

Bradshaw also could not elaborate on how many more officers that would include, yet the Chief of the Iowa State Patrol knew he would likely increase his staff's presence by 15 to 20 troopers.

Clark comes into this because in April he gave Bradshaw a $13,000 a year raise, on her $133,580 salary, to keep her in Des Moines because she was one of 11 semifinalists for the top cop job in Seattle.

According to Clark, "She's really good at what she does and it's not easy to find people of that caliber to fill these kinds of positions."

Bradshaw was firing blanks, and the scientific community is united in that fact, if she can't handle a little fair fracas there's no way she could settle down Seattle.

Looking For The Summer

The Weather Channel might have got this right

Iowa's summer weather was nation's third-worst, Weather Channel says

Probably because it wasn't a forecast, and the scientific community is united in that fact, or didn't have anything to do with global warming.

I think this might be the first summer I didn't eat any corn on the cob.

Mainly, because all anyone sells anymore is that peaches and cream crap, instead of real, yellow. Iowa sweet corn.

Dream On

Steven Tyler, Aeromsith, has become one of the new judges on American Idol.

Ironically, and the scientific community is united in that fact, someone put the graphic "fresh faces" in the corner of the video announcement.

Amazing, I don't want to come across as jaded, but I was laughing so hard I was cryin'.

That was some sweet emotion.

Dude still looks like a lady.

The Recession Is Over

CommieTommie Harkin is proof that the recession ended last year as he added $2 Million to his net worth.

Harkin comes in as the 25th richest member of CONgress with a minimum value of total assets equalling $10.45 Million.

Since I started this blog in 2006, Harkin's minimum assets, $1.9 Million then, have increased every year and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Times were tough, Harkin actually had to rent out his tar papered chicken shack in the Bahamas for the first time.

Same As It Ever Was

On the exact day it was announced, "Governor Culver to Roll Out Plan to Create 21st Century Jobs in Iowa in his Second Term", it continues to look like the 16,000 new jobs figure (created since December) that the Big Lug Nut gave during the first gubernatorial debate were made up.

I received another e-mail from Iowa Work Force Development, one of two state agencies I originally queried about the 16,000 figure, with links to two websites where I could "possibly obtain that information".

The first link was to a press release Governor Culver's office issued August 19, announcing more than 260 new jobs.

The second link was to the I-JOBS website that showed the cumulative allocations of $871,669,048.

So what is Culver's second term plan?

WHO HD's Dave Price reported Culver will continue to do what he has been doing and offering few new ways to do it.

He's got nothing and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Not quite "Choosing a Brighter Future".

Hey Grandma

From the looks of it, Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin has a history with empty chairs.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate candidate held a one hour debate with an empty chair.

One Hour?

That explains why the Des Moines Register felt that Conlin was not an especially impressive choice for the job of U.S. senator.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

It probably took that long because Conlin and the chair hold several similar positions.

Neither wants to do anything about the unsustainability of Social Security and both can be found in various tax shelters.

Maybe next time she can debate CommieTommie Harkin about his same yes vote on the Wall Street Bailout (vote 213, 10/1/08) that she's attacking Charles Grassley for.

So Proud

With his fist pump, the Big Lug Nut thinks he's scored the most memorable line from the first debate.











"Brain Suck" was that line














PRICELESS!

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Yah Mo B There?

Obama plans Sept. 29 visit to Des Moines

Dummycrat CONgressmen (Leonard BOZO-well, Dave No Sack...err Loebsack, Bruce Braley) will all probably be busy that day and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Culver's Job Numbers

I've documented numerous times about the considerable math skills of the Big Lug Nut and the Lug-ettes (Mathletes).

The number he gave, during Tuesday night's debate, for new job creation in Iowa since December -16,000 - called those skills into question for me again.

At first it seemed high, but when you take into consideration that I-JOBS has allegedly created 7,000 new jobs (apparently in July alone) that doesn't really seem like a lot and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I can't help but wonder why Culver can create 16,000 jobs in a matter of months, but it will take two more years for that total to possibly top 23,000.

Why has it taken three years for the state Economic Development Board and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) to create nearly 21,000 jobs in Iowa?

Why will it take Terry Branstad five years to create nearly 13,000 jobs?

I thought I'd ask the experts, so I e-mailed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) for more information about the 16,000 new jobs.

IWD responded that they are only able to track new jobs after they are created and individuals have begun working.

But, these 16,000 jobs have been created since December.

They also referred me to the Governor's Office as they have a tracking mechanism for the jobs created through I-JOBS.

I haven't done that because, Culver never claimed them to be I-JOBS and his office doesn't have the best history in responding to people.

We'll have a new Governor before they'd get back to me, which would make the query moot, as I believe Culver makes up numbers to try and make himself look good.

I contacted IDED and was told my request was forwarded to two other people and I have yet to hear back from either of them.

To be continued?

How Can That Be?

A little over a month ago the Ragister linked to this propaganda, from the New York Times, about the expiration of the Bush tax cuts --

Taxes would not rise for 98 percent of American households

I noted then that the federal tax bill of the average middle-income family in Iowa will go up over $1,600 if the Bush-era tax cuts expire as scheduled December 31.

The AP now reports -- A typical family of four with a household income of $50,000 a year would have to pay $2,900 more in taxes in 2011.

The same family making $100,000 a year would see its taxes rise by $4,500.

Odd how I haven't read that in the Ragister and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Also, reported is how the Bush tax cuts reduced taxes for the working poor, the middle class, and just about everyone in between and how they provided tax breaks for education, families with children and married couples.

If Congress fails to act, to extend the cuts, families at every income level will see more taxes being withheld from their paychecks come January.

It will then become the Obama - Democrat tax increase.

I-JOBS?

Iowa has been bonded, by the Big Lug Nut, into debt for the next 20 plus years, at a cost of $875 million (plus interest), so the state can --

create/retain jobs

rebuild communities impacted by the natural disasters of 2008

invest in Iowa’s infrastructure

promote long-term economic growth

There are now concerns in Fort Madison because an Illinois contractor has submitted the lowest base bid to build a new state maximum-security prison and that is raising questions about how many construction jobs will be held by out-of-state workers.

Technically, Illinois jobs are still "I" jobs and the scientific community is united in that fact.

How is it that work on the prison can be ahead of schedule despite all the year’s rain when Culver blamed the rain as the reason construction jobs fell to the lowest number in Iowa in 10 years?

Yesterday, The I-JOBS Board awarded Cedar Rapids $1.075 million to help build a floodable outdoor riverfront amphitheater that last month the city listed as disaster-prevention.

Again Roxanne?

Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin continues to out do herself and the scientific community is united in that fact.

First, it was not paying state income taxes for 1981, in part because she and her husband took advantage of tax shelters that she had denounced.

Then came news that she collected $20 million in tax credits, ($64.2 Million over 19 years) and also selling $6 million of the tax credits for cash, all the while claiming to be fed up with tax breaks for the very wealthy.

Now we learn she's received $1.28 million in federal stimulus money to purchase an apartment building from its previous owners, who were Roxanne and her husband James Conlin.

Three strikes and you're out CONlin!

Ain't no hypocrisy like rich Dummycrat hypocrisy.

More Brain Suck

Eddie Haskell nice is how I'd have to describe the Big Lug Nut's politeness to each questioner during his debate encounter with Terry Branstad.

Other things that I took away from the evening --










I've never been a fan of the Bill Clinton thumbs up











Culver seems to have got it down pat.

Branstad should have been more clear on the debate format, wanting response time, especially after the moderators had just gone over it with the viewers.

Culver stumbled over Sioux City seeming to call it Sewer Water City.

Back to the bake sale analogy as Culver defends I-JOBS.

I love how Branstad shot down Culver's AAA bond rating by noting how Enron and Lehman Brothers both received the same rating from Moody's.

Culver used a majority of his time regarding the judicial selection process to go back to a previous question about bonding.

Culver seemed to be bragging about the 30,000 Iowans collecting extended unemployment benefits, but because Culver did not seek a change in the state's unemployment law roughly 18,000 Iowans have missed out on an 13 weeks of benefits paid for by the federal government.

Also, for the second straight year Iowa employers will be taxed more to support the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

Back to the debate --

Culver claimed 16,000 jobs (?) have been created since December.

He must be counting the turnover in his official and campaign offices and the scientific community is united in that fact.

When questioned by Branstad, Culver could not name one (let alone the three asked for) of his biggest mistakes, yet said he takes full responsibility for his mistakes.

That lends credence to the belief that the mistakes he's admitting to making are just an insincere campaign ploy.

When Culver was given a chance to question Branstad he just talked and talked before finally asking him to admit I-JOBS was being funded with gaming revenue.

Those revenues continue to fall and I-JOBS could end up being paid back from the state's general fund.

Branstad scored with the 300,000 jobs he created as Governor versus the 50,000 jobs Culver has lost.

Education came up and Culver brought up his two "amazing" children.

Those kids have made a commercial for him, Clare seems to take after her dad and John after his mom, Mari.

Culver also claims preschool could be the defining issue in the campaign, which makes me wonder what happened to embryonic stem cell research?

Just last week it was to be a key to Culver winning re-election.

Branstad pointed out that preschool should not be an entitlement, funded by taxpayers for everyone, but should be paid for on the basis of need.

Congratulations to Culver on not breaking out Sweaty Chetty until roughly half way through the debate.

When questioned about what he would have done different about the floods of 2008, Culver started off his response about the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch and then mentioned being to Cedar Rapids 100 times.

When asked again what he would have done different, his response was nothing.

I loved how Branstad tied Jack DeCoster to the Dymmycrats with his $10,000 campaign contribution to Attorney General Tom Miller and to Culver via a $400,000 donation to the Democratic Governors ASSociation, which has funded Culver's campaign.

Thankfully nobody called Decoster a bad egg or a rotten egg.

I'm not sure what to make of Culver's claim that the "facts are getting in the way of the truth".

On the topic of economic development, Culver's plan to end brain drain in Iowa is with BRAIN SUCK.

As my lovely and talented wife pointed out to me, brain gain would have been more appropriate.

In his closing statement, Culver claimed Terry Branstad is against civil rights?

I've had personal encounters with both debate moderators, Larry Wentz and Amanda Krenz.

Larry is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and when you say that about someone in broadcasting it is quite a statement.

Larry and I worked for the same company when he was in news at WHO TV and I was at KLYF Radio.

Larry organized the company basketball team and just a couple years ago organized a successful (and fun) reunion of onetime WHO TV/Radio and KLYF employees, where I reminded him that my grandmother (98 this month) was the house mother at his Iowa State fraternity and Larry shared nice memories of that experience.

Brain Suck

That's what the Big Lug Nut called his attempt to end brain drain in Iowa in tonight's gubernatorial debate.

That explains how Culver's remained large, but it won't keep him in charge and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Brain Suck, it's enough to give one nightmares and make you sleep with one eye open.

Axe That

Whoever authorized this should be sacked.

Feds Spent $800,000 of Economic Stimulus on African Genital-Washing Program

They're nuts and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I apologize for being testy.

It would be much less expensive to just watch this video with Jaime Pressley

Axe Detailer Cleans Your Balls

Buck Dodgers InThe 21st & 1/2 Century

In this AP photo Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin looks stunned that she has an economic policy and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Others are just stunned by the plan called, "Job Creation for the 21st Century."

One of the main parts of Conlin's plan would allow families to defer up to $5,000 they owe in federal taxes in 2011 to be paid back over a five-year period.

Conlin proposed this temporary tax break of up to $5,000 for families making less than $150,000 and individuals making less than $100,000, saying the money used to purchase a car, fix up a home or start a small business would bolster the economy.

Her campaign didn't have a cost estimate for the tax cut deferment plan. However, they say it eventually would be deficit neutral since the taxes would eventually be paid.

Eventually?

Conlin would also require that corporations pay the estimated $300 billion to $400 billion a year in taxes Conlin said they owe but fail to pay to the federal government.

Conlin will "require" corporations to pay the taxes they already owe, but don't pay?

Conlin also said she'd consider imposing tariffs on foreign products that compete with domestic producers. She acknowledged that likely would lead to retaliation.

William Boal, an economics professor at Drake University, said, "We should be alarmed, because we're trying to grow our exports, and anything we do that would interfere with international trade is likely to come back at us and make it difficult" to do that.

In addition, Conlin wants to preserve public-sector jobs.

That's the only sector of the economy that has seen an increase in employment since the recession began under the Dummycrat controlled CONgress.

Conlin believes her plan wouldn't add a dime to the debt.

I'm sure it will be considerably more than that, maybe even Millions and Billions and Trillions.

Axel Rod

I like how WHO HD spelled David Axelrod's name as two words in one of their graphics this past weekend.

The Presidential adviser spoke at CommieTommie Harkin's annual steak fry on Sunday.

Here's a sampling of what he said...

``For the last 20 months the Republican Party has made a choice to sit on the sidelines and give us the entire responsibility and root for failure, because they though that was a prescription for a successful election. I think they'll be disabused of that.''

WHAT?!?!?!

Axelrod continued...

``I know what the conventional wisdom is today. We've made a good living betting against the conventional wisdom.''

Yes you have and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Axelrod sold his stake in two firms for $3 million before he moved to the White House, collected a salary of roughly $1.5 million from his two firms and in 2009 had investments with a valuation of at least $3.8 million.

Add in his White House salary and he could afford a decent haircut, instead of that bad comb over.

CONtest

I clicked on a web ad touting a ”Create Our Contest Contest” for Amtrak earlier today, but it turns out the contest deadline was August 2.

Timely, like an Amtrak train and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I've got a contest for Amtrak, it's called -- get your hands out of the taxpayers pocket and exist without the public funding of the last 40 years.

Even more so in lieu of an Inspector General's findings of wrongdoing, mismanagement and criminal activity.

In spite of this, there remain fools in federal and state government who want to waste more taxpayer dollars, $310 Million total - $20.6 Million from Iowa, on rail service from Chicago to Des Moines.

Take the MegaBus it's faster, cheaper and already running at no significant cost to taxpayers.

Process This

There's something wrong in football when a receiver, in the end zone, jumps up and catches the ball and comes down with both feet inbounds; gets knocked on his rear inbounds in the end zone; has his free hand touch inbounds in the end zone; rolls over and the hand with the ball touches down inbounds in the end zone and it's called an incomplete pass(?) -- because the ball comes out of his hand as he starts to get up.

Then I'm told by the announcers and the former head of NFL officials that it's a process?

The "process" screwed the Detroit Lions out of the game winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

When the term "process" comes into football, the fun goes out and the scientific community is united in that fact.

As long as I'm processing yesterday's game on FOX, I have to note that I hate their new letterbox look.

Joe Buck called it widescreen and alluded to it being more lifelike, I believe he said something like it's how we see the world.

If I see the world with black bars at the top and bottom of my vision, I'm going to a doctor ASAP.

If it's so wonderful, why doesn't FOX show the commercials and their promos in widescreen?

Can we chip in and get the FOX affiliate, KDSM, color bars so the uniforms won't look so washed out?

I saw the start of the Packers-Eagles game on NFL Sunday Ticket, while KDSM was wrapping up the Lions-Bears game, and the Eagles uniforms were actually Kelly green.

They turned putrid when I tuned to FOX 17.