Ha! Ha! Said The Clown

It's a Friday Funny and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie confirmed to the Iowa Watchdog website that he is considering a run for governor.

Frank Clownie...err Cownie

Jack ASS...err, Hatch

Bob Krause

With these back benchers, way back, Iowa Dummycrats are going to be pressuring The Pickle to try for a comeback.

wHATCHa Gonna Do?

It took State Senator Jack ASS...err, Hatch less than 12 hours to go from really likely running for Governor to officially announcing an intention to explore a campaign for governor.

That's not the kind of decisiveness one wants in a leader and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Hatch is hedging because he doesn't want to lose another primary race, like his failed 1992 effort to unseat Senator Elaine Szymoniak, and that's what would happen if The Pickle or The Big Lug Nut decide to run.

I’m not interested in taking on quality candidates that I think that have really proven to be a successful governor. That does for Governor Culver, too.

But then Hatch, later in Cedar Rapids, said -- No other Democrat who chooses to run for governor will have the depth of experience in challenging Branstad than I do.

It was two weeks ago that Jack ASS, according to John Deeth, took a swipe at the BLN saying --  For the first time in 8 years, we'll have a governor who won't make decisions based on polls

Hatch will have a lot to answer for, as he said he supported an increase in the fuel tax.

In addition, Hatch has personally benefited from tax credits ala Rozanne, err Taxanne Conlin and will continue to do so thanks to a new law that expands the amount of Historic Rehab Credits

The Warmth?

Iowans worried about Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change made the Ragister and the Cedar Rapids Gazette in the last couple of days.

In the Capitol of the People's Republic, Iowa City, 100 Grannies are working to ban plastic bags, but their campaign has stalled.

If you can't get something banned in Iowa City, how bad could it be?

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

A co-founder of the group says -- “Many, many cities worldwide have banned single-use plastic bags. The entire country of Rwanda has banned plastic bags.”

It's a sad state of affairs if we're following Rwanda, should we implement genocide too?  

The other group founder says -- “Carbon dioxide levels have passed 390 parts per million in our atmosphere — this is the highest level in human history.”

It's not the highest it has ever been on the planet -- Levels were 3,000 ppm, or more, until the Paleogene period (beginning about 65 million years ago).

Contrary to what some would have us believe, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will benefit the increasing population on the planet by increasing agricultural productivity.

Lastly, we learn that 100 Grannies don't number 100 as only 75 women have joined the Grannies.

Plus, if you look at the picture that accompanies the article, at least one man is identified as a member.

Ed Fallon and his Great March for Climate Action, reminds us of Mao's Long March, received more Ragister publicity for unveiling their route.

Fallon claims to have raised $60,000 so far to help bankroll the effort.

Will Ed be paying himself from those funds too (Here We Go Again)?

Also backing Fallon are MiniCommie CONgressman Bruce Braley and Rob "Boss" Hogg, with the Hogg saying -- In the past, you would have an occasional flood. Now we just have one flood after another.

Unless you count last year's drought.

Watching And Waiting

I thought I was doing the smart thing when I bought a weather radio, last year, but the National Weather Service is making me wonder.

Their shrill blaring of an alarm for a severe thunderstorm watch is rude, and the scientific community is united in that fact, especially at 2:54 a.m. for a watch that is in effect until 10 a.m.

It's akin to me getting all worked up about a fart, when I may, or may not, crap hours later.

Watching is what the NWS is paid to do, when the situation warrants, then warn me and I'll act.

Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a watch means I should go about my normal activities.

That's damn difficult to do after being startled awake by the horrendous honking of an alarm whose volume cannot be turned down.

Cape Of Our Hero

Solemnly, humbly, remembering those who have served.

We Thank You!

Change In The Weather

Out of the online Cedar Rapids Gazette comes this article. 

ISU climatologist predicts volatile weather, crop yields

Odd, but refreshing, that there was not one mention of Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

And the scientific community is united in that fact. 

What is mentioned is El Nino and La Nina patterns which are a naturally occurring climate cycle.

According to the climatologist, the way the weather has behaved since Oct. 1, the beginning of the climate year, parallels the weather during the same period in 1947

Look what occurred in this time period in 1947

The Nearly Forgotten Snow Storm of May 27-29, 1947

And I thought the snow in the early part of May was bad.

Discovering Japan?

According to an article in the Daily Mail, John F. Kennedy (JFK), secretly admired Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

The Daily Mail notes -- The future president's praise is now embarrassing in hindsight - a few years later he fought in War War Two against the Nazis. 

BUZZ--WRONG!

They must have learned their history from Bluto in Animal House, and the scientific community is united in that fact, when he orated on how the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.

Kennedy commanded the PT109 in the Pacific and it was sunk by a Japanese destroyer.

The error is not surprising when you consider the Daily Mail doesn't even know British history (Island Girl).

Whoa Mule

I'm not a fan of public opinion polling, but I suppose they can be useful at times.

I love how Iowa Dummycrats are giddy about a Quinnipiac University Poll showing 43 percent of 1,411 registered voters don't think Terry Branstad deserves a sixth term in office.

Dummycrats need to worry about the 53 percent in their own party that approve of the job that Branstad is doing and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Quinnipiac also found that 57 percent of registered voters don’t know enough about Bruce Braley to form an opinion.

Let me help, he's a CONgressman and an attorney.

That will drive help drive his negative numbers.

Iowa Stubborn

All kinds of agreements helped the Iowa Legislature come to an end for 2013, including slams of Washington D.C.

According to Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal -- We really accomplished great things. We are not Washington, D.C. We are not gridlock. We are people of good faith that worked together and solved problems

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen -- We are not Washington, D.C. We do not offer ultimatums, push things off until they are nearing a cliff or wait for a crisis to react. We’re Iowans and I believe once again this General Assembly…has proved that we have come together to accomplish serious and meaningful work

Paulsen also stated -- If Washington operated more like Iowa, America would be much better off.

House Republican Leader Linda Upmeyer -- Washington, D.C.’s divisive politics have no place here

House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy -- Unlike the gridlock that has paralyzed Washington, D.C., the unwillingness to compromise…we chose to behave like adults, to find common ground and to govern.

Legislators please!

If it was that much of a love fest, you could have gotten your work done in 110 days or less and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Whether in Des Moines or D.C., you put the FUN in dysfunctional for bloggers like me.

Tuff Enuff?

The Fabulous Thunderbirds tune came on the radio while I was doing my work out, and it inspired me to come up with a parody that "Weird Al" Yankovic needs to record.

I smell comeback and the scientific community is united in that fact.

"Weird Al" will be performing in Des Moines, at Hoyt Sherman, on August 4 and I might just have to arrange to get him this idea.

None of that Ted Mosby stuff, from How I Met Your Mother, for me because I'll want my cut.

I'm Talking About You

Giving a commencement talk recently, Michelle Obama criticized the worship of sports stars and celebrities.

Addressing the graduates of a historically black college, the First Lady criticized black youth -- Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper.

This country has too many lawyers, especially ones like Michelle and Barack, and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Michelle continued --

Take a stand against the media that elevates today’s celebrity gossip instead of the serious issues of our time. Take a stand against the culture that glorifies instant gratification instead of hard work and lasting success.

If more people in this country did that, we'd have less people like Michelle and Barack.

In another address, before a graduating high school class, Mrs. Obama said --

I could take up a whole afternoon talking about his (Barack's) failures.

Honey, it would take well longer than an afternoon.

Slave To The Wage?

Already counting on being re-elected, and hoping for a raise, is Treasurer Michael "Ponzi" Fitzgerald.

The "Ponz", pictured, said he was disappointed a proposal by Governor Branstad to give statewide elected officials a pay raise apparently has been torpedoed by the chairman of his political party.

The proposal would have raised the pay of Iowa's next Treasurer from $103,212 to $112,510.

It's a shame that one hundred grand doesn't buy what it once did and the scientific community is united in that fact. 

Fitzgerald thanked the governor for seeking a pay raise on their behalf that he and Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, also a Democrat, supported.  

The next Attorney General's salary would rise from $123,669 to $134,800.  

The last time these two's salaries came up was in 2010, when the Big Lug Nut took a 10 percent pay cut and Fitzgerald (Ten Percent?) and Miller (Miller Lite) refused to do the same.

Voluntary Sacrifice?

On Friday, former acting IRS Commissioner Steve Miller, testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, said that America’s tax system is “voluntary.”

During the hearing, Rep. Devin Nunes (D-CA) said in passing that the U.S. tax code is a "voluntary system." Miller simply responded, "Agreed."

Damn, then I want a refund because I've been forcefully volunteered and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Then why did Wesley Snipes go to jail and these other celebrities(?) pay fines and have assets seized?

Dirty Harry Reid has tried that "voluntary" spiel before too.

This will probably get me audited by the IRS.

I Gotsta Get Paid

A staff writer at WHO TV HD authored this online story

THIRD WEEK: Unpaid Legislators Continue

Only their per diem has ended and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Legislators are paid an annual salary of $25,000.

Also, lawmakers receive $300 a month for expenses related to reaching out to the people they represent, regardless of how much they actually spend and mileage for one round trip home each week the General Assembly is in session.

If they truly were not getting paid, they wouldn't be there.

Knife?

I find this online Ragister story somewhat confusing

Police: Popeyes Chicken robbed by man with knife

However, the story reads -- 

An unknown man reportedly leaped over the counter at a Popeyes Chicken restaurant and held the cashier at gunpoint while demanding money.

That's not a knife.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

It had to be

That's the only possible explanation, especially if you consider the story continued with this information from witnesses -- He knocked down the cashier and when the suspect and cashier stood back up the suspect held a knife to the cashier’s side and demanded money

The Dreg

After touring the Ellicott Dredges’ factory, President Obama said he couldn’t wait to have a dredge named after him.

Obama explained that a customer of the factory once named a dredge after former President Bill Clinton.

It seems like a logical next step for two Presidents that have been the dregs of society and the scientific community is united in that fact.

In other Obama news, he took two Cabinet secretaries out for a round of golf — in the rain.

Pictured are a small sampling of the Marines it took to keep them all dry during their 18 holes.

The Nameless?

Ragister report-err Daniel Finney filed a report, for the online edition, about a Boone fire that had a fatality.

According to Finney -- Authorities had not released the woman’s name and age late Friday.

It appears Finney failed to do his job and the scientific community is united in that fact. 

KCCI filed an updated story online, Firefighters find woman dead inside home, with the victim's name, at 3:13 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

WHO TV HD updated their original online story, FATAL FIRE: Teen Dies In Boone House Fire, with the victim's name at 5:22 p.m. Friday.

It appears Daniel didn't want to do the leg work, and by that we mean make a call.

Don't?

Late last month the Iowa Senate defeated a bill to give landowners new protection against liability lawsuits that was taken away by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Opposing the bill was Rob "Boss" Hogg.

The Cedar Rapids lawyer told the body --  Don’t buy into the hysteria about this decision

Hogg continued -- the kind of “absolute immunity” from lawsuits outlined in the proposal was “nonsense” and We do not have to immunize anything any farmer, any landowner anywhere in the state ever does.

Last night the Iowa Senate, 48 to 0, voted to fix farm liability issue and voting with the majority was "Boss" Hogg.

Not that's hysterical and the scientific community is united in that fact.

What's The Difference?

I found the juxtaposition of these two articles, at the online Ragister, to be quite telling.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

College fellowship for white Iowans challenged

Drake University starts new effort to retain minority students

Both are awarding money on the basis of race.

The Brothers Johnson?

I wanted to share these HIGHlights, of the recent Johnson County Democrats Hall of Fame dinner, thanks to John Deeth and his blog.

According to State Senator Jack ASS...err, Hatch -- "Iowa has highest percentage of children with health insurance in the country"

Really?

As of 2011, the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families found Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois and New Hampshire had the lowest rates of uninsured children.

Jack Ass comes across as a little less than truthful with the press in his run for Governor, telling them --

I’m thinking about it.  I wish I could say more, but until the session is over, I’m going to be focused on that. I don’t want any of my colleagues to be diverted from working with me on legislation that’s real important to the state.

To JoCo Dems, Hatch acknowledged that recently leaked news that he'd formed an exploratory committee for governor, and he pledges to stand on principle. "For the first time in 8 years, we'll have a governor who won't make decisions based on polls," he said, in an implied shot at Chet Culver. "Democrats win when we vote with our heart."

A blast to the bow of Big Lug Butt...err Nut!

From CONgressman Dave No Sack...err Loebsack -- Our future is at stake. When I was a political science professor I used to hate when politicians said things like 'our future is at stake,' but this time it's really true

In 2007 No Sack used a similar line, but it was the future of our children that was at stake.

One speaker shared -- "I'm a product of a broken home... politically, My mother was a Democrat and my father was a Republican. Dad always said 'know something about the person before you vote.' Mom, not so much." 

That explains Barack Obama and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Finally, we came across this Deeth wannabe in the guise of one Dwayne Johnson.

Running?

Cedar Rapids City Council person Monica Vernon said she is nearly ready to announce a run to become the Democratic candidate to replace CONgressman Bruce Braley.

According to Vernon --

“I’ve talked to my family, and my family is extremely supportive. And my three daughters are extremely supportive. And my friends are very … I’ve just gotten a lot of support from more places than I anticipated.”

That says a lot about the candidate when she didn't anticipate support from her family, including her three daughters, or friends and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Vernon last made this blog in December, (All Over The Road) because she couldn't figure out why she was stuck six hours on I-80 during the worst winter storm to hit the state in at least three years.

That was after being warned by the Iowa D.O.T. to stay off the roads.

Suffice to say, that's not the kind of thinking we need more of in Washington D.C.

Help Yourself

Less than 48 hours after mentioning how extremely rare this photo is of a Dummycrat with their hands in their own pockets, instead of yours (Too Much Monkey Business?), State Senator Jack ASS...err, Hatch is reaching for your wallet and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Second try in Legislature aims to help Des Moines pay franchise fee refunds
Almost $40 million is owed to utility customers in franchise fee case

Hatch and Dummycrat Des Moines Mayor Frank Clownie...err Cownie think Iowa taxpayers should bail out the city for collecting an illegal tax.

Cownie doesn't think a property tax hike or cuts to services for Des Moines are a reasonable solution.

You collected the illegal tax and now you must suffer the price.

For his part, Hatch says -- This is a fee that citizens of Des Moines have paid in the past and they just want to continue it

Obviously not Jack ASS, as it was a Des Moines resident who filed the lawsuit challenging the illegal tax.

And this idiot wants to be Governor.

The Electric Co.

On the same day our friend Cal (Freedom's pal) called to see if we had power, because he and 4,200 others went a few hours without, MidAmerican Energy had a rate increase brochure in our mailbox.

The company claims this is the first base rate increase they have requested since 1995.

Semantics and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Just last fall they were awarded a rate increase by the Iowa Utilities Board because -- Higher rates were warranted to cover increased environmental costs, increased costs of coal to fuel MidAmerican power plants, and increased coal transportation costs.

According to MidAmerican's President and CEO, this increase is because the "day-to-day operations and maintenance costs, such as materials, supplies, and the labor associated with generating and delivering electricity, have continued to rise tremendously. In addition, the projected cost of fuel and evolving environmental standards significantly impact our business."

The same reasons for the rate hike last year.

We know one guy is happy about the increase

electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket…even regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad, because I’m capping greenhouse gasses, coal power plants, natural gas…you name it…whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retro-fit their operations. That will cost money…they will pass that money on to the consumers

Obama's buddy, Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, should just suck it up and take a hit in their bottom line since neither one is good about paying their fare share of taxes. 

Mother's Day

The geniuses in the Obama administration have a couple of ways to celebrate this Mother's Day.

"Thanks to the #ACA, 1 in 3 women under 65 gained access to preventive care—like birth control—with no out-of-pocket costs. #HappyMothersDay"

This regime is full of oxymorons and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Another idea comes from the USDA’s Forest Service -- Looking for a Mother’s Day Gift? Take Her into the Woods.

Obamacare death panels?

It's not as ominous as it sounds -- The Forest Service wants you to give mom the gift of nature in all its innate perfection.

Although, with sequestration the agency has had to cut its budget 5.2 percent and Wildland Fire Management cuts total $125 million which will increase the probability of larger, costlier fires with fewer firefighters and available engines to fight them.

Wait, that does sound death panel-esque, especially since the sequestration was President Obama’s plan.

Luckily there are no national forests in Iowa.

Happy Mother's Day.

Immigrant Song

Cedar Rapids was the site of a march/walk commemorating a 2008 illegal immigrant raid in Postville.

At the end of the march/walk, the Cedar Rapids Gazette estimated 250 or Ragister guestimated more than 250 participants heard from Archbishop Jerome Hanus --

We wear like a shroud the shock, the fear, the shame, the crushing injustices of Postville. We stand as witnesses to a rush of events that shattered lives, crushed hopes and scattered families.

Excuse me your (H)anus, and the scientific community is united in that fact, the crushing injustice comes from the 11 to 11.5 million illegal immigrants and a government that refuses to follow its own rule of law.

Representatives of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Bruce Braley, both Democrats, read statements denouncing the raid and calling it a symbol of the nation’s broken immigration system.

CommieTommie and MiniCommie, both lawyers, are merely sucking up to a core Dummycrat constituency.

Too Much Monkey Business?

Pictured in this extremely rare photo is a Dummycrat with their hands in their own pockets, instead of yours and the scientific community is united in that fact.

That Dummycrat is State Senator Jack ASS...err, Hatch and he has formed a gubernatorial campaign committee.

The Treasurer of this committee lists her work e-mail (@hatchdevelopment.com) in the disclosure summary page.

I'm not sure how that is not a corporate in-kind contribution and therefore illegal under Iowa Code Chapter 68a.

Then again, last year Hatch received a $50 monetary contribution in the form of a check, from the account of Byerly, LLC/DBA Me 'n Mommy To Be, which should also be illegal.

Tier

I came across this slam of CONgressman Bruce Braley

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee must be in a panic.  They’ve got nobody.  If anything, Rep. Gary Peters in Michigan and Rep. Bruce Braley in Iowa, who are third- tier at best, are the cream of the Democratic Senate crop in 2014 – and that’s not a good sign.

Ouch!

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Let's hope Iowans buy into that rank and tire of the type of representation from MiniCommie that brought us the CARS Act, better known as Cash for Clunkers, and Obamacare.

Love And Marriage

Davenport man charged with bigamy

It's 2013, why is bigamy still illegal?

Especially in Iowa and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Legalizing same-sex marriage creates a legal precedent where there can be no valid legal premise for denying marriage to more than two people who wish to marry each other

Iowa has a long history of progressive thought on civil rights and it is time to stop denying people those civil rights.

They would definitely have to be validated by the Iowa Supreme Court  --

Our responsibility, however, is to protect constitutional rights of individuals from legislative enactments that have denied those rights, even when the rights have not yet been broadly accepted, were at one time unimagined, or challenge a deeply ingrained practice or law viewed to be impervious to the passage of time.

Unbalanced Pieces

Here's some significant more information about the Ragister report regarding gender balance on county boards and commissions in Iowa (Just The Two Of Us).

The state law that mandated gender equity on all county boards and commissions was enacted last year.

The mandate does, however, offer some flexibility.

The law requires counties to make “a good faith effort” to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy on any board, commission, committee or council while maintaining gender balance. If a suitable candidate of the appropriate gender can’t be found after three months, the law allows officials to appoint a qualified applicant of the majority gender.

Every county that submitted data for the study had at least one gender-balanced board or commission with just a single exception, rural Hamilton County, which had none.

While much of the focus has been on the under representation of women, the Catt Center also highlighted examples where municipal boards, such as public libraries, include too few men.

It seems a wee bit silly to worry about gender specific when the issue is public service period and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Focus on upping citizen participation, when that happens and if balance becomes an issue, then it may be worth studying.

Corn Star

Here are two takes on the same story

Sweet corn for July 4 tradition in peril

So much for knee high by the fourth of July and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Then we have

SWEET CORN: Relax Everyone…Crop Is Okay

Not if it's that peaches and cream crap, err sweet(?) corn.

Dine-err

In Ohio for his commencement speech at Ohio State University, President Obama tried to add some local flavor by mentioning a popular Ohio State eatery.

One time, I stopped at Sloppy’s to grab some lunch

Hang on, it's Sloopy’s Diner and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Sloppy is the job you're doing in running the Country.

Here's what happened the last time Barack tried to blend in with the locals in Oiho, err Ohio.