Outbound Plane

The Liter has learned of a Facebook post from a self professed liberal.

She wanted all her friends to know the Big Lug Nut was on her plane as she was returning from Florida last week.

Comments from her friends included --

Be careful, he sweats a lot.

Hope he wasn't in the emergency exit!!

And the Liter's personal favorite

oh my, i hope there is extra fuel......

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

We'll add an editorial comment of our own

Prominent?

Dave Price posted on Gay Republicans at his blog.

The post deals with Fred Karger's recent hissy fit over not being invited to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Spring Kickoff Event.

Price questions whether Republicans want a prominent gay person in their race?

Now that's funny and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Karger is hardly widely and popularly known.

I bet that holds true in the gay community too.


















But I could be wrong.

Misinformation

Eastern Iowa Government, a website of the Cedar Rapids Gazette and KCRG TV, ran this story

Eastern Iowa Offices Plan for Government Shutdown

It contained this erroneous information --

Military benefit checks and social security would be effected as well, if a resolution is not reached in time.

The President and fellow Dummycrats believe this, but the press should know better and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Psst. No shutdown during a 'government shutdown'

Social Security checks would still go out. Troops would remain at their posts.

And virtually every essential government agency, like the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, would remain open.

The air traffic control system, food inspection, Medicare, veterans' health care and many other essential government programs would run as usual. The Social Security Administration would not only send out benefits but would continue to take applications. The Postal Service, which is self-funded, would keep delivering the mail. Federal courts would remain open.

I Volunteer?

I'm thoroughly confused by this story

Flash Mob Grabs Lunch Crowd's Attention

People were protesting federal budget cuts, KCCI interviewed a participant who said...

"We're making a statement service is important in the state of Iowa. Iowa is second in the nation for volunteering across all demographics. We need to continue that service in the state."

Budget cuts at the federal level, or any level, shouldn't hurt volunteering and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The story included an interview with someone paid to help the sick and elderly.

Then you're not a VOLUNTEER!

Lay Your Hands On Me?

Parents and public invited to Iowa Capitol for event on preschool

A hands-on demonstration of what Iowa’s state-funded preschool program is all about will take place...

That seems like an odd way to describe an event involving children and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Mary Jane

Jimmy Morrison, leader of Iowa Patients for Medical Marijuana, lit my fire when he told an Iowa Senate legislative panel --

“I’m not a criminal. I’m not a drug user. I’ve been turned into a criminal by our laws.”

So are all criminals and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The best part is this marijuana users disorder would not be covered by the legislation he was there to support, so he'd still be a criminal.

It looks like someone at the Cedar Rapids Gazette was high on something when they put this paragraph together...

Jeff Elton of Altoona told the two subcommittee members that he has run out of patient with the legislative inaction at the Statehouse and plans to move to Colorado or Oregon where he would be able to use medical marijuana inhaled through the help of a vaporizer to get relief from the nausea, vomiting, shakes and tremors associated with a paralyzed stomach condition.

Jeff's PATIENCE must have gone up in smoke.

State Senator Joe Bolkcom, Dummycrat/People's Republic of Johnson County, believes Iowans are ahead of lawmakers in supporting limited access to marijuana for therapeutic purposes but not recreational uses.

I'm not getting that from these head shop cases.

Do It For The Kids?

A group called Iowa Kids First presented a petition, to the legislature, supporting fair and adequate funding for the education of Iowa's children.

WHO HD interviewed a parent who said,

"I do think that people are concerned about you know making sure funding for education is strong and that the programs that maybe we enjoyed as kids when we were in school continue for our children. Concerned about class sizes and all of those things that are going to make our kids education experience better".

Well said and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Here's a list of the groups that make up Iowa Kids First;

Iowa Area Education Agencies

Iowa Association of School Boards

Iowa Parent-Teacher Association

Iowa State Education Association

School Administrators of Iowa

Urban Education Network

It looks like these organizations are just about protecting their turf, because I'm sure there is no wasteful spending here.

Legend In His Own Mind

John Legend made news(?) when he stated prior, to an appearance at the White House, "People fought to give me — a millionaire — a tax cut this year. I didn't need it. And all the other millionaires didn't need it either."


Who the hell is John Legend?

And the scientific community is united in that fact!

He appears to be some sort of singer who's won 9 Grammy awards.

Milli Vanilli got a Grammy, so I'm unimpressed.

Great gosh A'Mighty, Y'all never gave Little Richard a Grammy.

It just goes to show what a great country this is when any idiot can become a millionaire.

Say Legend, you can send your money to the Treasury Department's "Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt", they take credit cards.

He's probably all talk, like Warren Buffett.

Collective Soul?

I'm going out on a limb knowing there will be those sawing it off behind me, and the scientific community is united in that fact, but I don't believe Republicans are completely right on their collective bargaining stance.

ASSME and the Big Lug Nut are to blame for this with their bargaining (?) deal immediately following the election.

As a taxpayer, I appreciate that Republicans want to have us better represented at the table, but there are other ways to do it than removing the right to bargain for wages, hours and and working conditions (health insurance and retirement).

I'm no lawyer, although I play one on this blog, but it seems that the current law regarding collective bargaining gives the state an avenue to address cost issues...

20.17.6 No collective bargaining agreement or arbitrators' decision shall be valid or enforceable if its implementation would be inconsistent with any statutory limitation on the public employer's funds, spending or budget or would substantially impair or limit the performance of any statutory duty by the public employer. A collective bargaining agreement or arbitrators' award may provide for benefits conditional upon specified funds to be obtained by the public employer, but the agreement shall provide either for automatic reduction of such conditional benefits or for additional bargaining if the funds are not obtained or if a lesser amount is obtained.

If that's not adequate, then change the statute.

I'm not happy with what seems to be an immediate and easy leap to binding arbitration and feel this could be tweaked by not waiving the fact finder step.

Also, drop the "free agent" idea because if you are having trouble negotiating with just three unions, you're not going to be able to fairly negotiate with thousands of individual employees.

The Final Countdown?

The numbers of attendees at dueling (Terry Branstad's last name was on a sign in cross hairs, misspelled), err dualing statehouse rallies were across the spectrum.

For the Tea Party types, the count was 50, 60, 100 and 120.

Union supporter counts ranged from 500, 800 and 1,000.

Some in the media went with the safe, generic count of hundreds for both sides.

The head of ASSME, Danny Homan, made me laugh when he stated, Iowa activists organized Tuesday's rally at the last moment and didn't expect a huge turnout.

You try to lower expectations prior to the event.

Oh Danny Boy, the Iowa Fed sent out its press release (maybe Thursday) on the rally and the media went with on Friday February 18 for a Tuesday February 22 event.

That's not last moment and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Then to say you didn't expect a huge turnout after busing people in, and probably paying some, is sad.

I Smell Smoke

Dave Price, who the Liter likes, had this story on WHO HD.

It's Your Money: Lawmakers Disagree on Whether Iowa Taxpayers Should Pay to Help Smokers Quit Their Habit

Price related the story of Charles Abell, a long-time smoker, who became hooked at the age of 11.

Abell utilized the taxpayer funded Quitline to quit smoking with Chantix, $150 a pack, provided to him at no cost.

Abell wasn't able to afford that cost, but had no trouble burning through 5 packs of smokes per day at $7 per pack.

I'm no mathematician, and the scientific community is united in that fact, but Abell screwed himself and taxpayers.

Chantrix is taken, at the most, twice per day and comes in a pack of 56 tablets for a cost of $150 (actually less) which would last 28 days.

Abell said he smoked 5 packs per day at a cost of $7 per pack for a 28 day total of $980.

In most people a bell would go off to ring in the savings of $830, but Abell's thoughts were too clouded and now more tax dollars have gone up in smoke.

Madness?

In an effort to "stop the madness" of "right wing fanatics", the Iowa Federation of Labor has organized a statehouse rally at 1 this afternoon.

During a work day?

Could your neighbors afford to do that?

Labor leaders say they have no idea how many people will show up.

That's not altogether true, and the scientific community is united in that fact, I know one union that has previously paid members to attend these types of rallies.

UA, for union activities, was how it was coded for payroll purposes.

Union leaders said they don't know how public employees will account for the work time they miss during the rally, but added that members are not being encouraged to call in sick.

That's called covering your ass, because if an employee called in sick and attended that rally, it would be immediate grounds for termination and possible legal action against the union.

Bad (Baudler) To The Bone?

It's interesting that State Representative Clel Baudler keeps coming under fire for obtaining a medical marijuana prescription in California.

LYING POLITICIANS: Is it okay for Politicians to tell "Little white lies"?

Most of the criticism is coming from those who are breaking the law using marijuana and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I'd be interested to know what charges the California Doctor(?) faces for writing a script for hemorrhoids.

I don't have a problem with what Baudler did, maybe the journalists should just think of it as investigative reporting.

Serious Journalism?

I was a little stunned by this Ragister article...

Branstad won't cut his salary to help balance state's budget

They're ragging on Governor Branstad for not cutting his salary like Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's $1 pledge.

Snyder is a millionaire who had the resources to spend nearly $6 million of his own money for the job.

Iowa's budget deficit isn't nearly as bad as Michigan's and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Did this journalist cut his salary to $1 to help bail out the Ragister and save jobs there?

Why didn't the Ragister make a stink over the Dummycrats who never took a 10% cut in their state salaries when other state workers did?

Bus Wreck

I documented how 100.3 The Bus, has a tendency to repeat songs often (Short Bus).

They continued in that vain last week by playing Land of Confusion by Genesis on Wednesday, during morning drive, and Thursday, during afternoon drive.

That's not playing everything and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Their lone live(?) jock tried to interject humor into his program with this little know fact aimed at the ladies...

Jocularity?

The first testicular guard, the "Cup", was in hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Having grown up watching hockey, I knew it was wrong because Stan Mikita wore a helmet in the 1960s.














Quick research also found that George Owen was the first NHL player credited with wearing a helmet as a Boston Bruins' rookie defenseman in 1928.

Research also found that cricket has been used, instead of hockey.

Shame?

The KCCI website had this online article

What's Your State's Claim To Shame?

Iowa's shame is having "tied with three other states" for the "highest percentage of people 85 and older".

The Liter is not certain if the shame comes from being tied with the three other states, or the highest percentage of people 85 and older and the scientific community is united in that fact.

KCCI should be ASHAMED for putting that on their website.

Rock And A Hard Place

Still here, slogging away on the blogosphere.

I'd like to tell you that the Liter was entertaining trade rumors, buyout offers and contemplating our own demise.

The reality is, I just wasn't motivated and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Double Dip?

Even though he's legally earned it and entitled to the money, some labor leaders (and the media) don't believe Terry Branstad should take his salary as Governor and his pension from previous service.

Branstad earns salary plus pension

Danny Homan, President of ASSME and the scientific community is united in that fact, stated...

"If you are a public servant, why are you even taking a salary as governor? Why aren't you living off your already earned pension?"

And

Governor Branstad, where is your shared sacrifice?

The man left a job that paid over $350,000 a year to try and revive this state from the hole the Dummycrats and Unions spent us into and ASSME questions his sacrifice?

Find me an elected union person that will sacrifice their union salary for the greater good of the members.

I refused my salary, as President, while the local was running a deficit.

The longtime staff told me that it had never been done before.

It was always interesting to see the people who would get elected to a position and then drive to the meetings in their new cars after that election.

These were the same people who objected when the Bylaws committee tried to end paid salary for officers.

Flavor Man

Flavor Flav wanted to go back to high school in Clinton Iowa and get his diploma, plus film it for a reality show, but the school superintendent rejected that with Can't Do Nuttin' for Ya Man.

It's rumored Flav will be attending an upcoming school board meeting to Fight The Power.

Superintendent Deb Olson is believed to remark, Give It Up.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

YEAH BOYEE!

That's Nuts!

I caught a commercial today, from the Iowa Clinic I do believe, that was promoting men having a vasectomy during March Madness.

They make it seem like it's no big deal because your going to be on the couch anyway.

It gives a different meaning to the term "baller" and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Just don't be snippy if your team doesn't make the cut.

Of course that depends on their tournament seed.

200,000

The Liter doesn't let milestones pass by without a mention (Toot Toot & Home Of The Hits?)

Last week we recorded our 200,000 hit.

Normal, Illinois was the location of our special visitor, which is as close as we get to normal and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Thanks for reading, but we're always stunned that anyone does.

Short Bus

In the past, Back Up The Bus, I've noted the only time I listen to the radio is when I'm mowing the Not So Vast Right Wing Ranch.

In November, I added working out in my home gym (read that as a hand me down NordicTrack Skier from the in-laws).

I don't usually listen to the radio because I think the medium sucks since I left and the scientific community is united in that fact.

It's probably more accurate to blame it on my vast number of albums and cd's.

I listen to 100.3 The Bus, because they're mostly automated.

Someone at the station needs to kick their computer in its CPU.

Yesterday, after "the bus driver" proclaimed "we play everything", they aired You May Be Right by Billy Joel.



I have no problem with Billy Joel, but that was the 3rd time I'd heard it in a week (Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday).

They followed that up with Refugee from Tom Petty, I don't mind Tom Petty as long as I don't have to look at him, but again it was the 3rd airing in a week.



The previous week it was Eddie Money's Shakin' and they aired it twice in 48 hours and in the same 4 p.m. day part.



I love Eddie Money, but The Bus seems to be running on fumes.

The Gipper?

At the final briefing conducted by White House spokesass Robert Gibbs, President Obama referred to himself as the Gipper.











The Gibber is more like it and the scientific community is united in that fact.

My Petition?

A group known as Justice not Politics, delivered a petition to leaders at the Statehouse strongly urging legislators to resist any and all efforts to impeach the four Iowa State Supreme Court Justices.

In a month, only 3,248 names were gathered online.

Really, how difficult is that?

Justice is a group made up of some prominent Iowa names that include; Mari Culver, Barry Griswell, Sally Pederson and Maggie Tinsman.

None of who signed the petition and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Justice is also made up of numerous members of the clergy, who this time are not worried about separation of church and state.

Justice boasts 50 affiliated groups that include several churches, unions and other fiberal entities.



















For the record, I don't think the impeachment avenue has merit.

No Respect

John Daly continues to emulate his favorite personalities.

Two years ago, I mentioned the resemblance to Otis Campbell from Mayberry (Otis Lives).

Now, Daly must believe he's Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack and the scientific community is united in that fact.

John Daly's new golf bag has a television screen





















It's probably so he can follow the leader's.


Here's Dangerfield as Al Czerik.



















Let's Dance!

Final Judgment?

The public has been lead to believe that there was no other course for the Iowa Supreme Court to take in their 2009 gay marriage ruling.

Onetime Justice Michael Streit was the latest to mouth that mantra with

“We didn’t take the law into our own hands,” Streit said. “The court had a duty to interpret the constitution and uphold the law. I don’t feel we did anything wrong. We had no politics involved.”

I noted last week (American Idiot), the court didn't even have to take the case and lo and behold this case shows I was correct.

Iowa Supreme Court declines to hear Creston police rape case

Another option the Supreme Court had was to refer the case to the Court of Appeals.

This certainly gives credence to those that believe the justices to be activists and the scientific community is united in that fact.

As long as I've mentioned the Supreme Court and Justices, I wonder why the concern now about who potential justices make political contributions to?

High court nominee Waterman was Branstad campaign donor

I don't recall such media scrutiny, only I and a few other bloggers remarked on it, when The Pickle or the Big Lug Nut made their choices of Brent Appel and David Baker during the previous 12 years.

























Probably a D and R thing.

I Want Candy

That has to be on the mind of these kids who were co-opted by Iowa Senate Dummycrats for future campaign material.

The nearly identical pictures with Matt McCoy (top) and Amanda Ragan (bottom) ran in their hometown papers, the Ragister and Globe Gazette.

Boss Hogg and Squirmin' Herman Quirmbach were not so lucky, yet, with the Cedar Rapids Gazette or Ames Tribune.

I wonder how long these kids were made to sweat it out under the hot lights?

All for products that aren't available here or sold to minors and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Looks like somebody needs to tweak the child labor laws next.

It's Only Wednesday

Ed Fallon: Only gays can call me Wednesday

Everyone else still has to call him Ed?

Surely, you can't be serious?

Don't call him Shirley!

Like the switchboard is backed up with callers any day of the week on the Fallon For Um.

Now you know why Wednesday's child is full of woe and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Fallon stated, “I’m as straight as the day is long.”

Interesting that he choose the time of year when days are shortest to proclaim that.

Championship

Aaron Rodgers joined the elite quarterbacks of the Green Bay Packers by winning Super Bowl XLV.

He's progressed from someone I felt wasn't the guy to get it done (at the end of the 2006 season when it appeared Favre would retire) and someone the 69, 761 fans, at a 2007 season game I attended, booed when he replaced Favre and fumbled twice.

In my mind he's moved from ERR-Rod to AIR-Rod.

It's time to dump the overused, multi-sport nickname A-Rod and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I had my concerns about Green Bay being favored before Sunday and I was downright worried when Charles Woodson went down.

I wasn't thrilled with Coach Mike McCarthey's play calling on 1st and 2nd down before the Pack settled for its field goal and had flashbacks to Super Bowl XLIII when Pittsburgh got the ball with 1:59 in the game.

Thankfully, NFL Title 13 resides with the team I've rooted on for 46 plus years.











This Packer Backer was so happy he broke out the Cheese Crown, given to him a few years ago by another Packer Backer, his oldest (pre-Kindergarten) friend.





















The King of SNARK wears no mere cheesehead.

Reagan Country

A small sampling of the Ronald Reagan collection I've accumulated at the Not So Vast Right Wing Ranch.

Commemorating the 61st anniversary of his 39th birthday.

God Bless America and God Blessed America with Ronald Reagan.