The Las Vegas Badger

Does The Pahrump Valley Times Writers Actually Have A Brian Cell?

2012-01-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

Lately, the Pahrump Valley Times "newspaper" and it's editorial board show that either are clowns, crack heads, they think their readers are stupid or they are trying out to be writers for comedy series, like "The View". Whatever the reason, they just are not very smart.
This week, they come out saying that President Obama will win the 2012 in a landslide. But their reasoning is at best childish and at worst, their reasoning is intellectually challenged.
Some gems from PVT editorial: Lest you think our prediction of Obama’s victory is because of some liberal bias — yes, this is the media, but, no, that’s not it — we wish and wish again for a real candidate to compete with this president, even beat him, if they can. Obama is a formidable political foe, and only by bad luck, and a really pathetic inheritance from the last occupier and chief, has his presidency been less than stellar. http://pvtimes.com/news/editorial-board-its-going-to-be-a-landslide-for-obama-in-november/
Umm, editorial board, you say this is not media bias but yet you repeat the same lines the liberals give us everyday. BTW, Obama has been in office for 3+ years, when does the economy become his?
More liberal BS: Apparently having an ego bigger than Romney’s four mansions is the only requirement for running for the Republican nomination. That’s too bad. Ahhh, yes, class war fare, another liberal argument.
Did the banks foreclose on Republican family values, too? Is the powerful evangelical wing of the GOP really ready to back a Mormon for president?
Ok, the PVT is now engaging in religious bigotry. Umm, PVT, have you seen a poll that shows that conservatives are against Romney because he is a Mormon? Perhaps, the PVT editorial board are really the bigots.
More examples of Mormon bigotry: The more the American people hear about Romney, listen to him, watch him, the more disturbed they become by this incredibly wealthy, cardboard, out of touch Mormon man who actually has the audacity to believe the American people ...
Really, why is the PVT editorial board so obsessed with Romney's religion? Does the editorial board scruntize Obama's religion? Did the PVT call Harry Reid the Mormon candidate, or do they just bring it up for presidential politics?
The crack head writers of the editorial board just look at the GOP candidates. Of course, they forgot to realize the most important aspect of politics "It's the economy, stupid", as President Bill Clinton liked to say.
More stupidity: ...now’s the time for a showdown between the country’s greatest intellectual giants, who understand the needs of real Americans. The country needs two people who can win. Instead we have one who WILL win, and another who WILL lose, and lose fantastically,.. Seriously, we don't have two intellectual giants in the race? Really? Gingrich was a college professor and wrote several books, almost the same as Obama, who was a college professor in Chicago and who wrote just one book. Romney who has run several companies and was governor. These guys are not intellectual and Obama is? Really? Tell me, PVT editorial writers, where do you get your crack? Recently there have been several drug busts in Pahrump and Nye County and now that your supply has been cut off, your brain is down to 5 brain cells due to withdrawal and using crack.
What is sad about the PVT editorial board is that they are a very liberal gang but they are afraid or shamed to admit it. Why would they be ashamed to be liberal?
Perhaps the editorial board needs to get some courage and admit they are liberal, otherwise, they are just a bunch of cowardly editorial writers who want to be anonymous and hide behind their computers, cowering in fear that they may be exposed as being liberal.
Being crack heads is quite sad, just ask the editorial writers at the PVT, as they know first hand.

Wal-Mart Gets Rid Of Greeters

2012-01-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

I guess Wal-Mart is not going to be hiring as many elderly and disabled people in the coming years as Wal-Mart is getting rid of the people greeters.
From AOL: After 30 years, "People Greeters" will no longer welcome Walmart customers with a "cart and a smile." Four months after Walmart got rid of its night-shift "People Greeters," the big-box retailer is moving its day-shift greeters inside the store. Walmart claims it's all in the name of better customer service, but the announcement has left some greeters uncertain about the future of their jobs...
Allen's new position, which begins February 6, will be to stand in "high traffic" areas of the store, ask customers if they need any assistance, and direct the flow of traffic. Allen doesn't think his new position will be particularly useful. The store, he said, already has a full roster of employees manning the floor, who are required to ask nearby customers if they need any help, as dictated by the "10-foot Rule."
David Tovar, a Walmart spokesman, claims store greeters have no cause for concern. "They're not going anywhere," he told AOL Jobs in an interview. http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/01/27/walmart-greeters-will-no-longer-greet-at-the-door/?icid=maing-grid7%7Chp-desktop%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D130897
I guess this guy screwed it up for everyone:

Now Come the Commercials

2012-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Now that the Nevada GOP presidential is almost a week away, we are now hearing the commercials. Since all the advertisements are going for GOP candidates, watch for some liberal head explosions and a radio or two (they still make radios, don't they?) and possibly a TV or three might go out the window.
So far, I heard a pro-Gingrich, an anti-Romney and an anti-Gingrich advertisements, all run by PACs. I am sure the radio, newspaper and TV stations are going to be happy because of the increased commercials.
I just wonder if the commercial make a difference?

See, Only Dumb People Watch MSNBC And Rachel Maddow

2012-01-26T22:21:00.000-08:00

You have to be intelligent to get on Jeopardy. You don't have to be intelligent to watch MSNBC. But of course, when you only have 15 people who watch your show, you take what you can get.

Is This Fair?

2012-01-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

A woman in Madison, WI. is losing her Section 8 funding because her son is in jail facing murder and attempted murder charges for shooting 2 people at a different housing complex in which she lives in.
From the Wisconsin State Journal: A lawsuit was filed and a fundraiser is being planned on behalf of a North Side mother who lost her public housing subsidy because her son faces homicide charges.

Heidi Wegleitner, lawyer for Justine Mays, has filed suit in Dane County District Court challenging the Madison Community Development Authority's December decision to strip Mays' federal Section 8 subsidy. The Community Development Authority has 20 days from being notified of the suit to respond.
Mays lives in a North Side apartment with two teenage daughters. Her son, Zachary, 18, is in jail facing allegations that he shot two men in an East Side apartment complex parking lot last September, killing one and wounding the other.
His mother lost her Section 8 housing subsidy after the incident under federal laws that allow local officials to remove relatives of alleged criminals from public housing. Her last Section 8 payment came in January.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/suit-filed-for-mom-who-lost-section-subsidy-over-son/article_539063fc-4881-11e1-b06d-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1kdLSjGep

You have a family in which the son no longer (if he ever did) lives at the Section 8 housing unit because he is in jail. The shooting occurred several miles away from mom's house. And the son is now an adult and apparently an adult when he committed the crime.

At what point do you hold a mother responsible for the bad deeds of their kids that don't live at her house or commit a crime in the immediate neighborhood?

Now, if the son was living at mom's house, then I can see where the money might be yanked, but if he wasn't living at home at the time of the crime....

Obama: Let's Promote Natural Gas while We use Fossil Fuel Gas In Our 22 Vehicle Motorcade

2012-01-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

Write On Nevada has a great piece in which President Obama roars into Las Vegas to promote natural gas for us peons, while his 22 vehicle motorcade is sucking up that dirty fossil fuel:

Do liberals like Obama realize what hypocrites they are when they say one thing and do the total opposite?
http://www.writeonnevada.com/2012/01/video-president-obama-leaves-event.html
Reminds of the time when Crybaby Harry Reid and his entourage went to a clean energy summit in 3 gas guzzling SUV's.:
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-comedic-harry-reid-news.html

Hypocrite Crybaby Harry Reid And His Gas Guzzling SUV's.

KDWN Now Gets Rids Of All Local News

2012-01-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

KDWN once advertised they had the best local news on radio int he Las Vegas area and now it appears, they are out of the local news market all together.
A couple weeks ago, they got rid of the afternoon news and now it appears they have gotten rid of the morning local news. They are relying on AP news (or, in reality, the Obama network) for their news. They still have the traffic reports, which usually are not that good and the weather.
Now, it appears (I don't listen to too much talk radio) that KXNT is the only local radio station that offers local news on the radio.
Can it be that KDWN will soon get rid of all local programming, like the Heidi Harris Show and the Alan Stock show? If they do that, then they will be like AM 670, KMZQ which only has syndicated shows. and 670 has the only liberal talk show in Las Vegas, the Michael Smerconish show, which runs from 6 to 9 PM.
For me, ESPN 1100 in the afternoon still has the best talk radio in town. While they emphasize sports, they also will talk about local subjects, if it is interesting.
The death of local Las Vegas radio continues.

Very Strange: Obama Visit To las Vegas

2012-01-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

President Obama came to visit Las Vegas yesterday and today and his itinerary seems very, very strange, strange.
From The Las Vegas Sun: President Obama, who arrived in Las Vegas late Wednesday afternoon and was greeted by Mayor Carolyn Goodman at McCarran Airport, stayed at the Element Hotel in Summerlin on Wednesday night. The president ordered 12 pizzas and cannolis from Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria & Bar for his staff and himself.
Dom DeMarco’s is a new restaurant that opened last month in Summerlin by pizza maker Dom DeMarco of the award-winning Di Fara’s in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to serving the pizza that has been an institution in New York for more than 45 years, the Summerlin location also serves salads, pasta, wine and 12 beers on tap. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/26/pizza-president-where-obama-stayed-what-he-ate-whi/
Normally, Obama has stayed at City Center, a large casino/resort complex, only a few minutes drive from the airport. And the UPS warehouse where he spoke is also located a few minutes away from the airport.
But Obama chose to spend the night at the Element in Summerlin, about 15 miles or so from the airport and the UPS center.
There was an excuse given that Obama did want to disrupt the Las Vegas Strip traffic. OK, so instead they disrupt 15 miles or so of freeway traffic along with the roads leading to the Element? You would have to use more police officers doing that than closing a few roads leading to the hotel.
There are numerous hotels located on the I-215 (Where the Element is located) that are located much closer to the airport than the Element, why not those hotels?
The Element hotel is owned by the Starwoods Hotel chain and the hotel is nice but not fancy, like a Strip Hotel suite. To the best of my knowledge, the hotel is not unionized and that should piss off the Strip unions like the SEIU. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/element/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3145
It is also kind of strange that they decided to order their pizza from a restaurant that just came to Las Vegas, leaving out all the other pizzerias in Las Vegas who have been here for years. And again, I am pretty sure they are not unionized. But to each, their own.
So, I guess my questions are these:
1. Why would Obama stay at a hotel off the Strip and far away from the airport and UPS?
2. Why would Obama stay at a non-unionized hotel and eat at a non-unionized restaurant?
3. Why would Obama stay at an average hotel, by Las Vegas standards?
I can speculate: Perhaps the casinos are tired of Obama and his entourage. For Obama to stay at a casino hotel, the hotels have to give up a lot because of the security. They have to block off entire floors and this will inconvenience guests who normally would stay there. You also lose revenue for the lost rooms that could have been sold but cannot because of the President's stay. And lost rooms=lost money to the casinos, which is the bread and butter of the casinos. Further, the rooms lost because of the president are the more expensive rooms which means you lose people who spend and lose a lot of money gambling.
Further, I can speculate that Obama did not have a fund raiser, otherwise they would not have ordered out for pizza. This leads me to believe that Obama may have tapped out his financial resources in Nevada right now. Trust me, if there was money to be had on this trip, Obama would have had a fund raiser, even a small one for a lunch or even breakfast. Perhaps Obama is more in trouble politically in Nevada than his supporters and the press are saying.
So, this seems strange that Obama stayed at an out of the way hotel that is not unionized, didn't go out to eat, didn't hold any kind of fund raiser and took the long way to get to and from the airport.
I wonder why?

Obama In Vegas, Democrats Flee

2012-01-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

From the LVRJ: Air Force One touched down at McCarran International Airport at 6:32 p.m. Wednesday, marking the beginning of President Barack Obama's three-day tour to reinforce messages from his Tuesday State of the Union speech.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman was the only elected official present to greet the president.
"I think everyone is trying to protect their positions," Goodman said of the absence of other prominent Nevada politicians.
Her reason for acting as a local ambassador to Obama was simple. http://www.lvrj.com/news/las-vegas-to-serve-as-backdrop-for-obama-energy-agenda-138069108.html
Over at the Las Vegas Sun, the liberal fishwrap newspaper, they decided to hide this fact. I guess they thought this information would scare their liberal followers.
How pathetic that Shelly Berkley, Crybaby Harry Reid, members of the Nevada legislators who are Democrats and others who refuse to seen with the President.
Where I come from, they are called "Chickens".

What A Stupid, Stupid Law

2012-01-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

From CBS Miami: A pair of bills making their way through the Florida legislature could have local homeless sleeping on the 50-yard-line of Sun Life Stadium or up in the rafter of the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Florida State Senator Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and State Rep. Frank Artilles (R-Miami) have introduced bills to demand Florida’s professional sports franchises to either start housing homeless folks in their stadiums and arenas, or give back the hundreds of millions of dollars they have received from the state....
The law Bennett refers to is a provision of a 1988 statute requiring teams that take state money to convert to homeless shelters when the teams aren’t playing. In the 23 years the law has been in existence; it has never been enforced.
Bennett and Artilles point out that every sports team in South Florida has taken millions of dollars of state taxpayer’s money. Across the state the total figure is more than $270 million.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/01/24/homeless-bills-targeting-pro-sports-teams-make-legislative-rounds/
I'm sorry, but whoever thought housing the homeless in a sports stadium or arena is a crackhead, Putting homeless in an arena during the heat of the summer would cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in utilities, security, maintenance and other costs. I would think that money would be better spent to help the homeless.
If the legislators want the money back, good luck with that, especially from the Tampa Rays and Florida Marlins, who would welcome the the homeless crowd because they can't get regular fans attend the games.
But this was a stupid law that was written by stupid people and accepted by greedy people who wanted taxpayer money.

3 Reasons Why Newt Can Win, One Reason Why He Won't

2012-01-25T22:34:00.000-08:00

Newt Gingrich, not my favorite candidate for president or dog catcher, has been coming on strong. My feeling is that Newt is a protest candidate and a signal from GOP voters that they are not happy with the current GOP candidates. But some people think that Newt has a chance to win the whole enchilada.
From Ben Shapiro and FrontPage.Com: For well over a year now, we’ve been hearing that Mitt Romney was the inevitable nominee for the Republican Party. I’ve personally heard it from Republican fundraisers, Republican Party staffers, and high-ranking conservative commentators. Not only was Romney inevitable, they’d say, he deserved inevitability, because he was clearly the most electable candidate.
With Newt Gingrich blowing Romney’s inevitability meme out of the water in South Carolina and Florida, the question is no longer whether Mitt is inevitable – he’s not—but whether he deserves to be the nominee based on electability.
I believe Mitt is, in fact, virtually unelectable. By contrast, I believe that Newt Gingrich has a serious shot at beating President Obama. Here’s why.
(1) Narrative. Presidential elections are decided on narrative and who gets to define it. In 2004, conservatives succeeded in defining the race as a strong and stable wartime president against a flip-flopping Vietnam-era radical who lied about his war record. In 2008, Obama and the media defined the narrative, which quickly became “The Chosen One.”...
It will be significantly more difficult for Obama to craft a narrative about Newt. Obama can’t attack Newt on lobbying – Obama’s stacked his administration with lobbyists, and he was the #2 recipient of Fannie/Freddie money in the Senate. He can’t attack Newt on job creation – if Obama wants to argue Gingrich era job creation vs. Obama era job creation, good luck to him. He could go after him on his personal life, but the only people who care about that are conservative, anyway. He can’t attack Newt as an elitist – they’re both professors. So what’s left? The “crazy old coot” argument. If Newt can avoid that pitfall, as he’s been doing so far with Romney, he can maintain his image as the “big idea guy” who worked with and against Clinton to create massive economic growth.
The Republican establishment constantly acts as though it must run the most moderate possible candidate in order to win. Candidates without clear vision, in this view, run the best. Once again, that’s wrong. Gallup shows that 40 percent of Americans consider themselves conservative; 35 percent of Americans consider themselves moderate; just 21 percent of Americans consider themselves liberal. That means that for a Republican to win convincingly, he need only win less than one out of three moderates and draw the entire conservative base.
There are two ways of winning moderates. The first is to pose as a moderate – but in doing so, you risk losing your base (see McCain, John). The second is to run as a reasonable conservative, but portray your opponent as a vastly radical liberal (see Reagan, Ronald). The better strategy, obviously, is the Reagan strategy....
It’s true that Newt has the capacity to blow up at any time. But he also has the capacity to come back from blowing himself up. He’s the zombie candidate. You cannot put him down. He was destroyed in Iowa. He was destroyed in New Hampshire. He’s about to win South Carolina and Florida.
That’s the risk and the reward of Newt. His brilliance means that he has the ability to inspire. It also means he can say things that leave you scratching your head. By and large, Newt is capable of adjusting on the fly, however. He does not go down for the count.
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/01/25/the-three-reasons-newt-is-more-electable-than-mitt/
And the reason why he won't even be nominated:

Gingrich is not a conservative. In some areas, perhaps, moderate in others and very liberal on some issues, like global warming. And to be in a commercial with Pelosi is almost unforgivable. That's like a pig sleeping with a butcher.
When we have our caucus on Feb. 4th in Nevada, my vote will not go to Gingrich and it certainly will not go to Ron Paul or Mitt Romney. I like Santorum, but he has no chance to win, even if he makes it to Nevada. So, hopefully, they will have none of the above on the ballot, otherwise, I am screwed.

I Wonder How Crybaby Reid Likes Kissing Obama's Ass?

2012-01-25T21:53:00.000-08:00

With the 2012 campaign underway, Crybaby Harry Reid, being the good Democrat that he is: mindless and has to repeat the words of President Obama, whether he agrees with them or not.
Sooo, I wonder how Crybaby Reid likes taking orders from President Obama? I really wonder if Reid enjoys being the lapdog of Obama? Finally, I wonder how Reid feels like being led around by the nose by Obama and being told what to say and when to say it by Obama and his campaign staff?
I really wonder how Crybaby Reid feels like when he has had his manhood taken away from him? Reid used to be one of the powerful men in Washington D.C., but now he is being relegated to being Obama's cheerleader and the Obama campaign will not let Reid think for himself.
I kind of feel sorry for Reid. He has no mind of his own, he is told what to say and he is about to lose his job as Senate majority leader. And the biggest insult, the Obama campaign makes Reid wear cheerleading outfits. In fact, Reid was caught on camera:

How sad for Harry Reid, once a powerful man and now this.

Crybaby Harry Reid Showing Signs Of Senility Again

2012-01-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

Oh the horrors, we are now in a tax code emergency, according to Crybaby Harry Reid. Umm, ok, Crybaby Harry.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Democrats have been trying for months to embrace the spirit of the Buffett rule, which they define as getting millionaires and billionaires to “pay their fair share.” They tried to work it into the debt ceiling and deficit reduction agreement this summer. They tried to weave it in as surtaxes to off-set the cost of pieces of the president’s jobs bill.
It hasn’t yet worked — so why would it now?
When asked Wednesday morning, Reid gave one reason: Mitt Romney.
“All you have to do is look at the former governor of Massachusetts’ tax return — and that’s why this has become an emergency,” Reid said. “Too many families in Nevada and across the country wake up every morning wondering why the opportunities for them and their children are so scarce. Then they look at the top 1 percent and find that they have a tax rate lower than what they pay.
“The system seems to be rigged in their favor ... it’s only fair to ask why people making millions shouldn’t pay their fair share.”
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/25/harry-reid-citing-romney-example-says-fixing-tax-c/
Let's see, when the Democrats completely controlled the Senate (including a veto proof margin with a couple of RINOs supporting them), House and White House, did they try and change the tax code? Nope.
And I am pretty sure, when most Nevadan's wake up in the morning, they don't think of the tax rates of the rich and the tax rates of the poor. And if they do, they are in need of some serious psychological help.
And the rich do not have a lower tax rate than you or I. When they go out and earn the money in a job that they work at, then the rich pay more, percentage wise. About 47% of adults in the U.S. don't have to pay income taxes.
But the rich and those of the who invest in the stock market, which is a good share of people in the U.S., they may have to pay a capital gains tax, which is different than a income tax. Capital gains taxes are lower than the income tax rate. And the Democrats do not want to change the capital income tax rate because so many of them invest in the stock market and when they make money in the stock market, they have to pay capital gains tax. Many members of Congress, both Democrats and GOP, have made millions using insider trading, legal or otherwise, and they don't want to pay more in capital gains taxes, so they won't raise the capital gains tax rate.
Anyways, once again, Crybaby Harry Reid is showing that he is not of clear mind but instead, his brain is made out of oatmeal mush.
If the tax rate was such an emergency, why didn't Crybaby Reid call for an increased tax rate 2 years ago? Or, maybe, just maybe, Crybaby Reid is playing the class warfare game with his buddy, President Obama.

Obama: Make Law Forcing Kids To Go To School Until Age 18 Or Graduate

2012-01-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

From Obama's speech last night:
“We also know that when students aren’t allowed to walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma,” he said in the State of the Union. “So tonight, I call on every State to require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen.The pace is too slow to meet the national goal of a 90 percent high school graduation rate by 2020. We must calibrate our educational system to the greater demands of the 21st century through a Civic Marshall Plan to make more accelerated progress in boosting student achievement, high school graduation rates, and college- and career-readiness for our nation to meet national goals and fulfill the promise of the next generation."
This proposal is laughable and typical liberal hypocrisy.
First, let's look at an analogy: The liberal says a girl has a choice to have an abortion or not tell their parents about it. But you don't have a choice whether or not you go to school. Typical liberal hypocrisy.
But let's look at reality: Do you want a 17 crack head in school who is bound and determined to disrupt classrooms on the school campus?
Do you want gang members under the age of 18 who doesn't want to be at school, but when forced to go to school, the gang member will use the school as a place to recruit new gang members?
There will have to have religious exemptions as the Amish schools only go up to grade 8 and kids leave school when they are well under the age of 18. Will the liberals allow the religious exemptions?
What if minor wants to drop out of school to help with the family's finances or is a professional athlete, musician or actor/actress, where they can make more money than if they stayed in school?
Take a look at this list of people who dropped out of school:
Total Names: 756
Males: 579
Females: 177
Billionaires: 25
Millionaires: uncounted
U.S. Presidents: 8
Astronauts: 1 (Valentina Tereshkova)
Nobel Prize Winners: 10 (6 Literature, 2 Peace, 1 Physics, 1 Chemistry)
Olympic Medal Winners: 8 (7 Gold Medalists, one Silver Medalist)
Oscar Winners: 63
Oscar Nominees: 105 (includes above)
Other Award Winners: uncounted
Best-Selling Authors: 55
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients (U.S.'s highest civilian honor): 14
Congressional Gold Medal recipients (U.S.): 12
United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors: 2 (Roger Moore, Angelina Jolie)
Knighthoods: 28
Damehoods: 3
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/lists/dropouts.html
They then list 756 people who dropped out of school and still succeeded in life.
Of course, it is better for a person to stay in school, but if you don't want to be at school, why should government force you to go?

Good Idea?

2012-01-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

From the Reno Gazette Herald: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is promising to establish a permanent base on the moon by 2020 if he’s elected.
Gingrich, the former House speaker, told an overflow crowd gathered on Florida’s space coast Wednesday that he wants to develop a robust commercial space industry in line with the airline boom of the 1930s. He also wants to expand exploration of Mars.
The pronouncements appeared to thrill the crowd of roughly 700 people. Florida’s space coast is still suffering from a recent round of federal cuts to the space program.
But how would Gingrich pay for it?
The Republican presidential contender says he wants to offer prizes to help stimulate investment by the private sector. http://www.rgj.com/article/20120125/NEWS12/301250041/Gingrich-vows-establish-colony-moon?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
This is should be an issue in the Presidential election- President Obama decimating NASA and ending manned space travel for the United States.
I think Gingrich has a good idea to restart manned space travel, but it will need government money and lot's of it. We have benefited as society for the inventions that have come out of the space program and the good paying jobs that are created through NASA. Private money and companies will have to play a part of the new space travel, but the government will also have to play a large role as well.
So, does Gingrich have a good idea or is Obama right when he basically closed down NASA and manned space travel?
I think Gingrich is on the right track.

More Green Jobs Lost

2012-01-25T18:02:00.000-08:00

From the Las Vegas Sun: Just seven months after California-based solar power company Amonix Inc. opened its largest manufacturing plant, in North Las Vegas, the company’s contractor has laid off nearly two-thirds of its workforce. Flextronics Industrial, the Singapore solar panel manufacturer that partnered with Amonix to staff the new $18 million, 214,000-square-foot plant, laid off about 200 of its 300-plus employees Tuesday.
Amonix’s director of manufacturing operations, Eric Culberson, said the layoffs are part of “retooling” the factory as the company prepares to roll out its next-generation product.
“The new 8700 utility-scale CPV solar power system is a higher efficiency and lower cost,” Culberson said. “Once it is ready, we will ramp back up to meet the demands of the industry.” http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/25/some-200-laid-north-las-vegas-amonix-solar-plant/
The company says the layoffs are just temporary but reading more into the story, it doesn't sound like it.
And of course taxpayer money was used:
Amonix received a $5.9 million investment tax credit through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in 2010, and another $12 million in private capital helped finance the plant.
Obama was banking on green energy jobs to get us out of horrible economy but time and time again, we have seen that Obama and his ilk were wrong and they continue to be wrong.
And yet, when jobs involving oil and other non-renewable energy are available, the Obama and his administration usually says nope, not the jobs I want or need.
Good luck to those recently unemployed. I am sure Obama will help you out.

SEAL Team 6 Bags A Few More Thugs

2012-01-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

From Fox News: The hostages had been held captive since October in Somalia, but on Tuesday, a U.S. Special Operations team freed them with a swiftness and lethal force reminiscent of the raid on Usama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan.

The raid Tuesday was conducted by a joint team overseen by Africa Command and involved Navy SEAL Team Six, the same unit -- though not the exact same individuals -- that killed bin Laden in May, a senior U.S. military source told Fox News.

President Obama authorized the operation at 9 p.m. Monday. By the time he was about to begin his State of the Union address 24 hours later, the mission was complete. The two hostages, an American and a Dane, were free and nine kidnappers were dead.

American Jessica Buchanan, 32, and Dane Poul Hagan Thisted, 60, had been working with a de-mining unit of the Danish Refugee Council when they were kidnapped in October.

Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters on Wednesday that the major reason for conducting the operation was due to Buchanan's deteriorating health. U.S. officials tell Fox News they worried that a previous infection was leading to possible kidney failure, a potentially life-threatening, pre-existing medical condition.

Obama authorized the operation after being briefed in the White House residence by his national security adviser. Military commanders finalized the raid on Tuesday. More than 50 U.S. troops were involved.

Officials with knowledge of the mission told Fox News that on the moonless night a rescue team dropped into the area from parachutes off fixed-wing aircraft. From their drop point they hiked to the encampment in a wide open, shrubby area. The hostage takers were not inside any compound, rather they were all out in the open -- many of them sleeping.

So, thanks to the SEAL team 6 for killing 9 thugs and rescuing the 2 victims and thanks to President Obama for authorizing the rescue. Hopefully, this will deter some kidnappings of American citizens in Somalia. But really, why would any American want to be in Somalia right now and risk their life and the lives of the rescuers if they are kidnapped?

Cheap Bastard

2012-01-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

From Fox News:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle gave $10,772 of the $1.2 million they earned from 2000 through 2004 to charities, or less than 1 percent, according to tax returns for those years released today by his campaign.
The Obamas increased the amount they gave to charity when their income rose in 2005 and 2006 after the Illinois senator published a bestselling book. The $137,622 they gave over those two years amounted to more than 5 percent of their $2.6 million income.
Romney charitable contributions
Tax year    Taxable income          Charitable donations Donations as % of income
2010           $21.7 million                 $2.98 million                13.73%
2011 (est)   $20.9 million                $4 million                     19.14%

Obama is a 1%er and they are supposed to lead by example according many liberals and the Occupy movement and he gives less than 1%. Maybe he was saving up for all of his vacations he and Michelle have taken? Or preparing to be a 1 term president?

"Don't do as I do, do as I say": says Obama.

Another Reason Why Obama Will Be a 1 Term President (Unless Gingrich Is Nominated)

2012-01-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

From CNS: So far, during the presidency of Barack Obama, the price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 83 percent, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During the same period, the price of ground beef has gone up 24 percent and price of bacon has gone up 22 percent.

When Obama entered the White House in January 2009, the city average price for one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.79, according to the BLS. (The figures are in nominal dollars: not adjusted for inflation.) Five months later in June, unleaded gasoline was $2.26 per gallon, an increase of 26 percent. By December 2011, the price of regular unleaded gas per gallon was $3.28, an 83 percent increase from January 2009.

The price of unleaded gasoline never reached the 10-year high of $4.09 back in July 2008 under George W. Bush’s administration, but it did get close.
By May 2011, gas prices hit a high under the Obama administration at $3.93, about four percentage points away from the July 2008 high.
The U.S. city average retail price for one pound of 100 percent ground beef was $2.36 in January 2009. As of December 2011, that price had risen to $2.92—a 23.7 percent increase and a new peak. (Ground beef prices have risen every month since November 2009 – 26 months of price increases.) http://cnsnews.com/news/article/under-obama-price-gas-has-jumped-83-percent-ground-beef-24-percent-bacon-22-percent
Actually, the price for ground beef is much higher. A 5 pound roll of 70/30 of ground beef is over $17.00 the other day.
As Bill Clinton has said many times: "It's the economy, stupid!".

How Cool Is This: Couple Married Over 78 Years

2012-01-24T21:48:00.000-08:00

From the LVRJ: Want to know the key to a long and happy marriage from an expert?
"Every day ask her how she feels and 'Is there anything I can do for you?' " said Wilbur Faiss of Las Vegas. "And say, 'Honey, I still love you.' "
Faiss, 100, clearly speaks from experience. He and his wife, Theresa, 96, were married more than 78 years ago in Centralia, Ill.
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter announced Tuesday that the Faisses are the winners of its longest married couple contest for 2012. Three other couples who have longer marriages, and are still alive, have been honored by the faith-based organization in past years, according to Dick Baumback, who oversees the program. A New Mexico couple, who celebrate their 83rd anniversary Feb. 14, were honored last year, and two others have been married more than 80 years . http://www.lvrj.com/news/after-78-years-centenarian-knows-secret-to-long-happy-marriage-138010263.html
To have this happen in Las Vegas is amazing, where we are not only the marriage capital of the world, we also lead in the most divorces as well.
Congratulations to the Faiss's and to the other 3 long lasting marriage holders. So many people don't take marriage very seriously any more, so that makes this marriage more significant.
Only 76 years more for my better half, Cathy and me.

Patriots And Giants Football Bars In Las Vegas

2012-01-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

In Las Vegas, there are places to watch the Super Bowl, like at the casinos where you can have a good time. But if you want to go where you have a Giant or Patriot bar and where the action is, I guarantee you will have a lot more fun. Giant Bars in the Vegas Valley:

Johnny Fontanes Beach House
5310 W. Saraha
Near Decatur and Sahara

AP's Grill and Tavern
1231 American Pacific Drive
Henderson
Near American Pacific and Stephanie by the DMV

New England Bars
Cavialier Bar and Lounge
3850 E. Desert Inn
Near Sandhill and Desert Inn

That's all the Giants and Patriot bars in Las Vegas.

h/t LVRJ

To Crybaby Harry Reid: Isn't It About Time To End Senate Filibuster Rules?

2012-01-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

I don't think it can be argues that both sides, the Dems and the GOP have abused the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate- that is, where you need 60 votes to end a debate on a particular bill. Most of the time, the filibuster is successful and a bill or nomination dies.
Before, the filibuster was used rarely and they actually filibustered. Senators would stand in the Senate Well and speak for hours upon end, like in the movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Now, all they do is vote on a bill and if they don't get 60 votes to end the filibuster, they just give up. No long speeches.
The Democrats abused the filibuster first and now, the GOP is playing along and both sides are wrong.
So, to crybaby Harry Reid, you have cried when the GOP filibusters, so why don't you and the GOP agree to get rid of the filibuster except in rare cases.
But you know they won't go along with it. The Democrats know they are going to be one the losing end of the next Senate elections and they will use it to obstruct the GOP. And the GOP won't use it because they are having fun with it now.
But hey, Harry, give it a try and get rid of the Senate filibuster, please.

Even Obama Has No Clue Which Way He Is Going

2012-01-24T20:31:00.000-08:00

And they say George W. Bush was stupid

Fact Check: Obama Living in Fanatasy Island

2012-01-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

From the RGH: OBAMA: “We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.”

THE FACTS: This is at least Obama’s third run at stripping subsidies from the oil industry. Back when fellow Democrats formed the House and Senate majorities, he sought $36.5 billion in tax increases on oil and gas companies over the next decade, but Congress largely ignored the request. He called again to end such tax breaks in last year’s State of the Union speech. And he’s now doing it again, despite facing a wall of opposition from Republicans who want to spur domestic oil and gas production and oppose tax increases generally.
http://www.rgj.com/article/20120124/NEWS12/120124035/FACT-CHECK-President-Obama-pushes-plans-flopped-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Obama's living in Fantasy Island again, which, I believe is the only place Obama has not visited yet since he has been president.

Washoe County Schools Face Huge Problems As Teachers Win Arbritration

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

From the RGH: The binding arbitration ruling on Friday that pre-empted a 2.5 percent pay cut for Washoe County teachers may have a ripple effect that will be felt for the remainder of this year and the biennium, said school district and union officials who have analyzed the situation.
Dana Galvin, president of the Washoe Education Association that represents local teachers, and other union members were gratified that they will not have to take a pay cut. The union made salary contract concessions after the 2010 special session of the Legislature resulted in a Washoe County School District revenue shortfall.
But both sides acknowledged some tough choices ahead for teachers and the district , and it’s not all about monetary issues, but also new language developed by the union to define circumstances for teacher or administrator layoffs.
Jane Woodburn, the school district’s deputy superintendent, put the current fiscal dilemma bluntly: The choice is to lay off teachers or go into the contingency money.
“If we (hit cash reserves), that means for (fiscal year 2013) there will be a larger structural deficit, and we’re probably looking at $18 million,” Woodburn said. http://www.rgj.com/article/20120124/NEWS/301240034/Teacher-pay-ruling-ripple-effect?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
CCSD will have the same problem is the teacher's union win their arbitration hearing, which should come fairly soon. If the the CCSD teacher's union wins, we will see massive teacher layoffs in the middle of the school year. The teacher's union is banking on that extra tax money will be available because of a slightly better economy money will be available to pay for teacher raises and other benefits.
If CCSD administration wins, then teacher's pay will be frozen and no step pay increases for the teachers for the current contract.
So, we will see shortly what will happen when the arbitrator rules- either mass lay offs or no raises.

Green Bay Football Loses Another Big Game

2012-01-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

It's bad enough that the Green Bay Packers lost the big game against the New York Giants, now the Green Bay Chill lost to the Las Vegas Sin, 30-0. Never heard of them, well, it's Lingerie Football League.
From the web site of the Las Vegas Sin: The Las Vegas Sin pummeled the Green Bay Chill 30-0 to cap off a perfect inaugural regular season, as Game MVP QB Nikki Johnson (6/12, 123 YDS., 5 TD) led a strong offensive performance while DE Sunshine Misa-Uli and the defense stifled the Chill offense all night.
The Sin receiving corps had perhaps their finest game of the season, as Johnson completed five touchdown passes to four different receivers, including a two-yard connection with Sunshine Misa-Uli with 9:33 left in the first half to give the Sin a 6-0 advantage.
Five minutes later, Las Vegas’ offense struck again, with Johnson and A.J. Vernon (3 REC., 10 YDS., 2 TD) hooking up on a three-yard touchdown to push the home team ahead 12-0. And leading receiver Carrie Walters (4 REC.,31 YDS., TD) capped off a solid first half, reeling in a two-yard pass with seconds remaining in the half to give the Sin an 18-0 halfime advantage.
The second half saw additional touchdown catches by Vernon and a 19-yard score by Cassandra Strickland 7:13 into the half in what would ultimately be the final tally. http://www.lfl360.com/articles/game-24-recap-chill-at-sin/
For those interested, the Lingerie Bowl will be played on Super Bowl Sunday, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and tickets are available.

Pawn Stars/Chumlee Stupid And Potentially Dangerous Mistake

2012-01-24T17:28:00.000-08:00

Last night on Pawn stars, as the story line goes, was training a new employee, Olivia, to work the night shift. The story line then had an elderly man come to the walk up window trying to pawn/sell a Rolex watch at 4:00 in the morning. Because of the amount of money involved, Chumlee invited the older man into the shop, at 4:00 AM to do business. They said the Rolex was real and then they called Rick to finish the deal because of the amount of money involved.
Kind of a stupid segment and I know the story is fake but the ramifications could be dangerous.
You never allow anyone into a pawn shop at night, especially without security. You don't know if the guy was armed or had a gang waiting outside to rush the store. This would be a great opportunity to rob the shop and possibly worse, hurting or killing the employees.
Well, why is this dangerous you ask? It's just a show a stupid segment, correct?
Las Vegas has several 24 hour pawn shops, especially in the downtown area around Fremont St. and in other parts of the Valley. Now, some gang or idiot will think that if you go to a pawn shop that is open 24 hours, all they have to do is bring an expensive looking item to the shop and they may let you inside the store. They may try this at the Gold and Silver Shop, where Pawn stars is shot at or at any of the other 24 hour pawn shops. When they are denied entrance, they may force their way in. At the very least, there are going to be people who think you can pawn expensive stuff late at night and be invited into the store and when turned away, they'll be pissed. I am sure Gold and Silver's competitor's are not saying very nice things about this segment.
And if Gold and Silver do let people in the shop after the main shop is closed and the window is open, then they just gave away a major security secret. But I don't think they are that stupid, but they certainly were stupid to air this segment.
There are a lot of things to easily rob at the shop, if they can get into Gold and Silver. They have the cash and all the jewelry, coins and other valuable items in the store, so they cannot afford to have people in the store after the main store is closed and the window is open.
So, is it a big deal that Pawn stars aired this segment, probably not, but was it the smart thing to do? Again, no.

Occupy Las Vegas: Ignore Obama, Protest GOP Caucuses

2012-01-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Occupy Las Vegas group again shows that they are beholden to the Democratic party when they are going to ignore President Obama's trip by not protesting at the events very close to their encampments but they plan on protesting or disrupting the GOP caucuses in a couple of weeks.
According the Occupy web site, there is no mention of Obama's visit: http://occupylasvegas.org/
But they do on protesting or disrupting the GOP caucuses by handing out a "Get $ Out Of Politics" literature at the GOP caucuses.
Once again, these idiots at Occupy Las Vegas show they are humping the Democratic Party and President Obama. Just a bunch of fools.

Obama Visit: Still Stays Away From Poor Areas Of Town

2012-01-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

Once again, President Obama is coming to town and once again, he will give his little finger to the poor areas of town, like the Northeast and far wast side of the Las Vegas Valley.

Why do these people still support this fool who has made their lives worse and refuses to meet with them in their territory? Would they accept this kind of behavior from a Republican president? Of course not, they would be demanding that the GOP president do more for the inner city, create more jobs and maybe pay a visit. But no, just because Obama is a black, liberal and Democrat, they bite their tongues and shut up.
I don't know who is more the fool: Obama or the ones who don't hold him to any standards.

State Of the Union Speech Tonight: What Is The Over/Under For Obama Saying "I"

2012-01-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice if President Obama would say "The State of the Union is pretty good but sucks in some areas". But as most presidents, he will talk, talk, talk and talk some more and then the GOP response will be just as boring.
It would be nice if another Republican will call out Obama and say "You lie!"
I wonder what the over/under for Obama saying "I", "Me", "Mine" or any other pronoun. My guess it will be around 60 times.
Not going to watch it, though-I have better things to do, like watch Family Guy and help the kids with homework.

R.I.P Jim Irwin

2012-01-23T23:47:00.000-08:00

For those in wisconsin, the sound of Jim Irwin voice meant mostly only 1 thing: Green Bay Packer football was on the radio. Irwin also was the voice of the Wisconsin Badgers and the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers.
From jsonline: Jim Irwin wore many hats during his long and distinguished career as a sports broadcaster, and they all fit him well.
He'll be remembered primarily, however, as the play-by-play announcer for the Green Bay Packers, a job he performed with distinction for 30 years for WTMJ Radio.
He called 612 consecutive Packers games, including the preseason and playoffs, before retiring after the 1998 season. The last 20 years of that time, he teamed with analyst Max McGee and their voices became synonymous with Packers football.
"Jim and Max got to where all of us in this business want to get - they became a part of the fabric of the game," said Larry McCarren, who joined Irwin and McGee in the WTMJ broadcast booth in 1995 and remains the color analyst. "It wasn't a Packers game without Jim and Max."
Irwin died Sunday from metastatic cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2010. He was 77.
"We're so thankful that he was never in pain," said Gloria Irwin, Jim's wife. "He was just as positive as he could be the whole way through. It's a very mean disease."
Known for his folksy style and distinctive voice, Irwin was one of the most prolific and popular sports broadcasters in Wisconsin history.
In addition to his Packers duties, he called Milwaukee Bucks games for 16 years, University of Wisconsin football games for 22 years, Wisconsin basketball games for five years and UW-Milwaukee basketball games - with Bob Uecker - for two years. He occasionally filled in for Uecker on Milwaukee Brewers broadcasts.
"He was a great radio play-by-play person," said John Steinmiller, the Bucks' vice president of business operations. "He had a great vocabulary, a good observational skill and he really painted the picture for the radio listener without overdoing it.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/irwin-voice-of-the-packers-dies-at-77-i53tipj-137902023.html
At times, I think he hogged too much of the sporting events in Wisconsin, but he was easy to listen to and was missed when he retired. One could only wish to have the career he had in sports and all the events and games he got to see. Thanks for the memories, Jim.

Pawn Stars Review: January 24, 2012

2012-01-23T23:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a cold, rainy and windy day here in Las Vegas and my back is acting like the weather: Painful, swollen and medicines not touching the pain. When I walk, I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Hope to make it through the show.
In the first episode, the first kid brought in an Apollo 11 Heat Heat Shield. Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to the moon. The kid's grandfather found it on a beach in the Bahama's. Actually the kid's father was doing the pawning as kids cannot pawn or sell things in a pawn shop. Time for an expert, Mark from the Clark County Museum. http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/clark-county-museum.aspx. Mark said it did not come off the command module becaus eit lacked charring, perhaps off a test rocket. There was no sale, but the kid was happy.
The next guy brought in a World War ll bomber jacket. Well, the Old Man said it was a cargo plane pilot's jacket and he knew quite a bit about cargo pilots. My Uncle Lou was a cargo plane pilot in the same area as they were talking about- the Far East Asia. The guy wanted $2500 and the Old Man offered $600 and then $700 and they went to $750 was the selling price.
The guy went to a house to look at a O'Keefe and Merritt stove from the 1940's.. It was a gas stove/oven. The lady wanted $3500 and Rick offered $800. The lady went to $3000 and Rick went to $1000 and there was no sale.
The next guy came in with a Fat Man Steering wheel which he got from a swap meet. The steering wheel came from Model T's. The guy wanted $300 and Corey offered $100. The selling price was $150. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/131964.html?1269713249
The next woman brought in a book by J. Edgar Hoover and it was autographed by Hoover. The name of the book was "Person in Hiding". http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/-156169340/used/Persons%20in%20Hiding Drew came in and brought out his large magnifying glass. He said the signature was real and was worth about $400. The lady wanted $400 and Rick offered $250 and then $275 and there was no sale.
The next guy brought in a 2 Gerald Ford Belt buckles- owned by Gerald Ford. One of the buckles had G F President of the U.S. and the other had a presidential Seal. The guy wanted $5000 and Rick offered $1200 and there was no sale.
In the second of episode, the first guy brought in a 1961 Les Paul SG guitar and owned by Mary Ford who was married to Les Paul, who is from Waukesha WI. http://www.lespaulonline.com/ Mary Ford is the Aunt of the seller and Paul was his uncle. He also had some documents and letters that were signed by Les Paul. Time for the expert. Drew came in to look at the signatures and said the signatures were real. He said the documents could be worth $10,000 or more. Next expert is Jesse to look at the giutar. He looked and played the guitar and said the guitar was worth about $150,000. The seller wanted $250,000 and Rick offered $75,000. The guy went down to $100,000 and Rick offered $85,000 and then $88,000 and $90,000 was the selling price. Wonder if the items can be seen in the shop?
The next woman 1892 Benjamin Harrison cloth presidential napkin. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/benjaminharrison The lady wanted $2000 and Corey offered $50. No sale.
The next segment said that Olivia was hired for the night shift and Chumlee volunteered to train her. Chumlee and Olivia played n the Internet most of the shift. They took a man into the shop, against the rule and the guy had a Rolex for sale. The guy wanted $5000 and Chumlee offered $500 and then called Rick down to the shop who was none to happy. Rick said the Rolex was altered. Rick offered $4000 and that was the selling price.
The next guy brought in Vinatage Check Fraud Protector. It looked like an adding machine. It would put check numbers on checks and that would prevent the checks to copied. The guy wanted $100 and Rick offered $20 and he was firm. And that was the selling price.

Disgusting Ocuppier Behavior

2012-01-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

From Fox News: When the Rev. Bob Brashear prepared for Sunday services at West Park Presbyterian Church on West 86th Street, he noticed parts of the bronze baptismal font were gone.

In a fire-and-brimstone message to occupiers later that day, he thundered, “It was like pissing on the 99 percent.”
In Brooklyn, at another church housing OWS protesters, an occupier urinated on a cross, according to Rabbi Chaim Gruber, who has angrily abandoned the OWS movement.
In a letter last week to OWS obtained by The Post, the rabbi fumed, “The Park Slope church housing occupiers was desecrated when an occupier peed inside the building and the pee came into contact with a cross.”
The pastor of the church did not return calls.
At West Park, Rev. Brashear walked into the church for a morning service to find the 18-inch-diameter bronze basin and lid missing from the baptismal font’s 800-pound base. Holy water — straight from the River Jordan — had been poured from the missing basin insert into the base’s bowl.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/22/holy-vessel-disappears-from-church-housing-occupy-wall-street-protesters/?test=latestnews#ixzz1kEnE1AG7

Some churches were the biggest supporters of the Occupy movement but instead of thanking them, the Occupy groups just said F-K you to the churches. What a shame but it really isn't much of a surprise considering who some of the protesters are.
And I hope it serves as a wake up call to the people who support the Occupy groups- when you swim with the sharks, you are going to get bit. And these churches and clergy were bit big time.

Giffords Right Decision

2012-01-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Gabby Giffords has decided to retire from Congress and it is the right decision.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona announced Sunday she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering from wounds suffered in an assassination attempt a little more than a year ago that shook the country.
"I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice," the Democratic lawmaker said on a video posted without prior notice on her Facebook page.
"I'm getting better. Every day my spirit is high," she said. "I have more work to do on my recovery. So to do what's best for Arizona, I will step down this week."
Giffords was shot in the head and grievously wounded last January as she was meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz. Her progress had seemed remarkable, to the point that she was able to walk dramatically into the House chamber last August to cast a vote. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/22/rep-gabrielle-giffords-resign-congress/
Recovery from a traumatic brain injury is tough enough and when you have all the pressure of being a Congresswoman, it makes things extremely difficult. Giffords probably was under a ton of pressure of people wanting things for her- speaking engagements, wanting to know if she was going to run or not and making complex decisions all contributing to the pressure that affects her recovery.
I wish Giffords and makes a full recovery. That's more important than being a congresswoman.

R.I.P. Joe Paterno

2012-01-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

From the Times Leader:Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn State coach who won more games than anyone in major college football but was fired amid a child sex abuse scandal that scarred his reputation for winning with integrity, died Sunday. He was 85.His family released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death."He died as he lived," the statement said. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."Paterno built his program on the credo "Success with Honor," and he found both. The man known as "JoePa" won 409 games and took the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and two national championships. More than 250 of the players he coached went on to the NFL."He will go down as the greatest football coach in the history of the game," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn State 37-24 in the 2011 Outback Bowl.Paterno's son Scott said on Nov. 18 that his father was being treated for lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed during a follow-up visit for a bronchial illness. A few weeks after that revelation, Paterno also broke his pelvis after a fall but did not need surgery.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Joe-Paterno-.html#ixzz1kERyUvaZ
This can also describe Paterno- he was down to earth: Paterno and his wife, Sue, raised five children in State College. Anybody could telephone him at his modest ranch home - the same one he appeared in front of on the night he was fired - by looking up "Paterno, Joseph V." in the phone book.He walked to home games and was greeted and wished good luck by fans on the street. Former players paraded through his living room for the chance to say hello. But for the most part, he stayed out of the spotlight.

While the last few months have been a stain on Joe Paterno's life, he clearly made a positive impact on thousands of people's lives in the 61 years of being a coach.

Clearly, this is a case where a person died of a broken heart. Football was his life and when that thrill was taken away from him, especially the way it was take from him, he decided to cash it in.

So, R.I.P. Joe Paterno and thanks for the memories.

Neil Young's Green Car Burns Down Building

2012-01-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

From Firehouse.com: A company founded by Neil Young is facing a lawsuit over a fire in the San Francisco Bay Area that authorities say started in a vintage car the rocker had converted into a hybrid vehicle.
The San Jose Mercury News reports (http://bit.ly/ytJtkW) that Unigard Insurance Co. sued LincVolt LLC this week, accusing the company of negligence for converting the 1959 Lincoln Continental to run on electricity and a biodiesel-powered generator.
The suit seeks nearly $500,000 that Unigard says it paid to the owner of a building damaged in the 2010 blaze in San Carlos.
Fire officials say the blaze started in the car, dubbed the LincVolt. Young converted the car into a hybrid vehicle in a highly-publicized project to promote fuel-efficiency. http://www.firehouse.com/news/10616933/neil-youngs-company-sued-over-warehouse-fire
Some cars are not meant to be green cars and a Lincoln Continental is one of them. It was born to be a gas guzzler and it should be allowed to be a gas guzzler.
And now, the fire put far more bad chemicals into the environment than the Lincoln ever would.
Sometimes, you should leave some things alone and a 1959 Lincoln Continental is one of them.

This Is Some Horrible News Reporting

2012-01-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

From ESPN: A source told The Citizens' Voice of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Saturday that Paterno's family has asked close friends and former staff members to come to the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, where Paterno has been undergoing treatment.
After CBSSports.com reported that Paterno had died, Scott Paterno, Joe's son, and the family spokesman denied the reports.
"CBS report is wrong - Dad is alive but in serious condition. We continue to ask for prayers and privacy during this time," Scott Paterno wrote on Twitter. CBSSports.com later said that it was relying on information from OnwardState, a Penn State blog. OnwardState retracted its report, saying "We were confident when we ran with it, and are still trying to figure out where our process failed. We apologize sincerely for error."
Dan McGinn, the family's spokesman, told ABC News that reports of Joe Paterno's death at this time are "false."
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7487597/spokesman-says-joe-paterno-condition-serious-further-complications
Trust but verify and then verify somemore.
While blogs have broken stories, including this blog, a news organization should not rely on them for news unless that information is verified, especially when reporting on someone's death.
But it sounds like Jo Pa is very sick and he needs our prayers, despite what has happened in the past few months. He ran a quality program and helped hundreds of athletes and others to get through school and become successfull in their adulthood and that is his biggest accomplishment.
And CBS needs to find out what journalism is. They have run more than their fair share of false stories, especially when it comes to politics.

And She Is A Politcal Reporter?

2012-01-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

Who wrote the following:
January 18, 2012:
Anticipation surrounding the Nevada caucuses is low, as Mitt Romney is expected to emerge as the presumptive nominee before candidates head West. Romney is also expected to win Nevada’s contests. Recent polls show Obama polling neck-and-neck with Romney in Nevada.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/18/president-obama-visit-las-vegas-next-week/
January 21, 2012
Newt Gingrich’s South Carolina win Saturday — combined with the revelation earlier this week that Rick Santorum actually won Iowa — has split the spoils of this GOP nominating contest so fully that there’s no way the early states, even once Florida votes, will have unequivocally determined a front-runner, putting Nevada back in position of influence in picking a presidential candidate.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/21/gingrichs-south-carolina-win-puts-nevada-position-/

Why, it was none other Karoun Demirjian, "political" reporter for the Las Vegas Sun.
Maybe Demirjian is a crack head or bi-polar or perhaps, just perhaps, she is just plain stupid. But if she knew anything about politics, she would have known that the GOP race for president would be far from over when the the GOP come a calling to Nevada for our caucuses.
Demirjian is a hard core lefty, so she probably just doesn't understand or care to research GOP politics. Her only calling in life is not to inform but to elect liberals. She just cloaks her agenda by hiding behind a reporter's badge and job.
But, one thing is for sure, you cannot trust anything this pathetic reporter writes.

Anybody But Mitt?

2012-01-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Santorum wins Iowa. Romney wins New Hampshire. Newt Gingrich wins South Carolina. I think the best thing we can say about GOP voters is that we are bi-polar.
From Fox News: Newt Gingrich has won the South Carolina Republican primary, Fox News projects, further scrambling an already volatile presidential race which has produced three different winners in three states as the candidates head next to Florida.

Fox News projects that Mitt Romney will place second in the Palmetto State, where he was leading in the polls just one week ago. With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Gingrich has 41 percent and Romney has 27 percent.

Rick Santorum will finish in third place, Fox News projects, while Ron Paul will finish last.

I guess it is very surprising tha Gingrich got 41% of the vote and the other surprise is that Ron Paul finished dead last with only 13% of the vote. Gingrich won all but 3 counties in South Carolina, so it shows he had wide spread support there.

So, this puts Nevada in play in two weeks when we have our caucuses here. Right now, Romney has the lead in Nevada, like he has in every state and has the organization, but that may change quickly.

But you wouldn't know we are havng a caucus Feburary 4 as I have not been contacted by any campaign with literature or e-mail nor have I seen an advertisement for any candidate. But I suspect I will see some in the next few days.

Now, the gloves will really come off.

Shock: Obama Wins Nevada Democratic Caucus

2012-01-21T16:27:00.000-08:00

In a shocking turn of events, President Obama won the Nevada Democratic Party caucus today. The shocking turn of events, you ask? well, at least Obama didn't cheat like 4 years ago when he defeated Hillary Clinton in a caucus that was heavy on scandal within the Democratic Party and the Hillary Clinton campaign crying foul.
From the LVRJ: More than 12,000 Democrats turned out and 98.3 percent of the elected delegates were awarded to Obama, the Nevada Democratic Party said, with 90 percent of precincts reporting. http://www.lvrj.com/news/democrats-gather-at-caucus-sites-to-support-obama-137811153.html
What, Obama didn't get 100% of the Democratic Party votes?
The stupid quote of the day comes from Shelly Berkley: Berkley used her father's situation as an example why Medicare and Social Security must be saved from Romney and Sen. Dean Heller, her Republican opponent in their Senate race.
"I sat next to my father with tubes going in and out of him," Berkley said. "And I thought about what would happen if my sister and I weren't here. How would he survive? My dad has Medicare, and he knows he's getting his Social Security check at the beginning of the month."
A large gust of wind interrupted Berkley's speech when hail hit the cafeteria's metal roof.
"I'm either getting applause or that's hail," Berkley joked. The crowd laughed.
No, Shelley, that was Mother Nature telling you to shut up.
What does your father having Social Security and Medicare and you and your sister being there with him have to do with him getting better? There is no correlation between the two. That quote just doesn't make any sense whatsoever, thus making this the stupid quote of the day.

Jon Ralston's Interesting Prop Bet

2012-01-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

From the Las Vegas Sun: Lonely POTUS? Last time President Obama came calling, I wrote about how sad — and telling — it was that only Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman greeted him on the McCarran tarmac.
It was craven by many Democrats, who surely were frightened about photos being used by opponents but were only too happy to benefit from the cash he brought into the state.
I suggest this time the Nevada sports books put up a line on how many Democrats will appear in public with the president.
Let’s start the over/under at ... five. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/20/sandoval-loyalty-nevada-caucuses-republicans/?hpop
I think the bet should be 5 elected Democrats showing up to greet Obama.
My bet then will will be under 5 Democrats who are in office who will appear in public with Obama while he is here.

Another Disater For The Reno Area

2012-01-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

The Reno area certainly has had their share of disasters in the past year. From a truck-train crash that killed 6 to the Reno Air Races disaster that killed 11, to the IHOP shooting that killed 4 in Carson City, to numerous forest and wild fires that has destroyed thousands of acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and killed several people.
This past week, Reno had another large wild fire, started when a man was careless in dumping his fireplace ashes.
From the Reno-Gazette Herald: The Washoe Drive Fire that destroyed 29 homes and charred 3,177 acres south of Reno started Thursday afternoon because a man improperly discarded hot fireplace ashes on the northern end of Washoe Valley, officials said Friday evening.
The blaze was 65 percent contained as 300 firefighters continued to work to extinguish hotspots amid another weather system that brought high winds and the threat of potential flash flooding in the areas that burned.

The elderly man, who officials declined to name Friday, came forward to investigators earlier in the day to admit he had discarded of the ashes in a utility trailer shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday. This is about the time the Washoe Drive Fire started. So far, the cost of the response has been estimated at $690,000 while the damage is likely to be in the millions, officials said. http://www.rgj.com/article/20120120/NEWS06/120120001/1459
Further, Reno has had no significant rain or snow for close to two months, so it is highly likely that more wild fires will occur in northern Nevada and the Reno-Lake Tahoe region in the near future.
Hopefully, things will quiet down for a few months to let the area regroup.

A Tale Of Two Teachers

2012-01-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

In Wisconsin, a principal/coach gets busted for buying and selling pot. From the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:

Weeks of speculation, gossip and rumors ended in Antigo on Friday when a local football coach and principal was charged with buying and selling marijuana.
Like most residents in Antigo, Bob Stimac has known John Lund for years. Stimac and customers at his restaurant, BB Jacks, had talked about Lund for weeks since Antigo School District officials without explanation placed Lund on paid administrative leave Nov. 30.
A customer broke the news to Stimac on Friday morning.
"We all knew something was up with John, but we didn't know to that extent," Stimac said.
Lund, the principal at the Antigo West and Pleasant View elementary schools in the Antigo School District, was one of three people charged Friday in connection with a marijuana distribution ring in Langlade County. About a dozen people connected to the ring were named in a criminal complaint filed Friday in Langlade County Circuit Court after a five-month investigation by the Langlade County Sheriff's Department.
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20120121/WRT0101/201210548/Antigo-coach-principal-faces-drug-charges?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s
However, if the teacher lived in California or some other states, the teacher can get a license to grow pot, sell it to others and smoke it, all in the name of medicinal marijuana, and they would not only not get arrested, they would profit from it. The teacher selling the pot would not be fired from their teaching job. They are doing the same thing as the teacher up in Antigo was doing, except in place, it is legal and the in Wisconsin, it is not legal.
Just my opinion, but teachers should not be in the business of selling pot, no matter where they live. If it's not legal federally, then teachers/educators should not be in the business of selling the drug. Most school districts would not hire a porn star or a stripper, even if they are qualified, so why would they hire a pot dealer?

You Read It Hear first: Occupy Las Vegas To Be Evicted

2012-01-20T23:40:00.000-08:00

From the LVRJ: Clark County management will not renew a permit for the Occupy Las Vegas encampment once it expires Feb. 20.
The decision comes days after internal squabbling among protesters made a splash online. Organizer Sebring Frehner demanded his name be removed from the permit that allows protesters to camp on 1.4-acres of county land near Paradise Road and Swenson Street.
Frehner, who tried to cancel the permit earlier this week according to emails obtained by the Review-Journal, did not return calls seeking comment. It is unclear why Frehner wants his name removed from the permit. Online posts point to an alleged increase in drug and alcohol use on the site as well as fighting, but protesters at the site contest the allegations.
One protester alleged that Frehner tried to have the portable toilets removed so that the group would be evicted for not complying with the county permit. According to protesters, about 50 people camp at the site. About a dozen are activists with the movement while the majority are area homeless who rely on the food, shelter and portable toilets. The place that once served as an outlet for Occupy Las Vegas, a local chapter of the Occupy Wall Street movement against corporate greed and influence in politics, appears to now have turned into an extension of social services. http://www.lvrj.com/news/permit-won-t-be-renewed-for-occupy-las-vegas-camp-137797558.html
It's not surprising. The Democrats on the Clark County Commission no longer need the Occupy movement in Las Vegas for political purposes, so they are literally throwing them to the curb.
We have seen this throughout the country. The liberals in the major cities no longer see the Occupy movement as politically beneficial to them, so they are kicking them out of their encampments and now it is Las Vegas's turn.
Of course, you could have read the news about the Las Vegas Occupy movement on this blog yesterday. Welcome to the party, LVRJ. I wonder when the Las Vegas Sun will get around to reporting this news?

NASCAR Inducts 5 Into It's Hall Of Fame

2012-01-20T23:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight, NASCAR inducted 3 drivers, owner and a crew chief into it's Hall of Fame. Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Inman, Glen Wood and Richie Evans are the inductees.
From NASCAR.Com: The class was determined by votes cast by the voting panel, which included a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.

As was the case for the first two classes of the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, the results of this year's voting were competitive. Yarborough led with 85 percent of the vote, followed by Waltrip (82 percent), Inman (78 percent), Evans (50 percent) and Wood (44 percent).

Also receiving votes were Jerry Cook, Cotton Owens, Raymond Parks and Herb Thomas.

The fans' five picks, in alphabetical order, were Richard Childress, Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Waltrip and Yarborough.

The five inductees came from a group of 25 nominees for induction into the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that included:

Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, H. Clay Earles, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Rick Hendrick, Jack Ingram, Bobby Isaac, Dale Inman, Fred Lorenzen, Cotton Owens, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Les Richter, Fireball Roberts, T. Wayne Robertson, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Darrell Waltrip, Joe Weatherly, Glen Wood, Leonard Wood and Cale Yarborough.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame opened on May 11, 2010 in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. The 150,000 square foot entertainment complex honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of the sport. In its first year of operation, the NASCAR Hall of Fame entertained more than 270,000 customers, making it the second-most visited sports hall of fame in North America.
http://www.nascar.com/news/110614/hof-class-of-2012/index.html
There were a lot of deserving candidates to go into the Hall and the 5 best got into the Hall tonight. However, since the NASCAR Hall of Fame is fairly new, we will have some really good Hall of Fame classes for years to come.

If You Any Doubts About How Regulations Kill Business...

2012-01-20T22:39:00.000-08:00

Watch the TV show, "Gold Rush".
Gold Rush is a TV show that is based in Alaska and follows 3 group of miners while they dig for gold. Some of the miners have been mining for years while others are rookies or 2nd year miners.
And then, in 2 of the mines, the federal mine inspectors came in and shut down the mines. And the inspectors, if the show's segments were not faked, were quite arrogant towards the mine owners. Further, some of the rules seem more than a bit strange. For instance, 3 miners took 24 hours of safety classes in North Dakota, but the mine inspectors and their regulations demanded that the safety training be done at the site of the mines. Why? Who knows. Of course, this creates a nice cottage industry of on site mine safety instructors who probably make a small fortune going from mine to mine giving classes, in which most of the old time miners will forget the information 5 minutes after the instructors leave the mine.
While there is certainly a need for inspectors and regulations, it seems like the inspectors and regulations were not acting with common sense.
And this is just 1 show, but these scenarios happen everyday in every kind of business. You have some inspectors who refuse to use common sense, have regulations that don't make sense and/or are cumbersome to the business. This is at the local, state and federal levels and it happens to the largest and smallest businesses.
Yes, we do need some regulations to maintain safety (not to keep inspectors employed) but they have to be common sense regulations that don't strangle businesses. And this is what is needed to help create and maintain jobs.

Pahrump Graduate Dies In Afghanistan

2012-01-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

From the Pahrump Valley Times: 2007 Pahrump Valley High School graduate was killed Sunday in Afghanistan during an accident involving a broken electric generator.
Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, was attempting to help out a fellow Marine when both men were electrocuted.
Shockwaves stretched from Afghanistan to Idaho to Pahrump as news reached the Marines’ families and friends.
Bateman was serving in Musa Qala, Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was killed alongside Lance Cpl. Kenneth Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho, who was deployed with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, out of Okinawa, Japan.

Bateman’s family met his body at Dover Air Force Base outside Dover, Delaware earlier this week. His body is en route to Pahrump, where services are set for Jan. 27 at Pahrump Family Mortuary. Graveside services are scheduled for the following day at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. http://pvtimes.com/news/07-pvhs-grad-dies-in-afghanistan/
R.I.P. Cpl. Bateman and thank you for your service and sacrfice. Even though words cannot describe the pain your family and friends are going through our thoughts and prayers to your family and friends

Super Joe Or Anjeanette Damon Just Had A Orgasm

2012-01-20T06:23:00.000-08:00

Wow, Super Joe Biden must have worked some of his mojo on :Las Vegas Sun reporter, Anjeanette Damon yesterday when Biden visited Reno. When you read this story, Joe Biden must have been Superman, a firefighter, the kindest person earth and maybe even Jesus Christ all rolled into 1.
From the article: Even a raging wildfire has a hard time quieting Vice President Joe Biden.
Known for his long-winded speechifying, Biden had just captured the attention of his audience inside the Galena High School gymnasium Thursday when the fire began to close in.
He’d had to work hard to get there. His plane had been diverted to a naval air field 80 miles away. Wind gusts up to 100 mph had made it impossible for Air Force Two to land in Reno. As a motorcade rushed him to town, his staff worked to keep bored audience members nearby so the chairs would be filled when he finally arrived, two hours behind schedule.
Northern Nevada was a mess: a 15-car pileup choked traffic north of town, tractor-trailers blown over in the wind blocked the highway south of town and the brush fire had just ignited in the hills south of the high school.
Finally Biden appeared, bent over the lectern, fingers clasped in front of his face. He kept his voice low, conveying practiced emotion as he folded himself into the working man’s persona that might appeal to Nevadans suffering through the recession.
The room was silent as he repeated one of his favorite campaign stump stories about his father making the “longest walk a parent can make” to tell his children he would have to move away from them for a year in order to find work.
He described the pain a parent feels when they realize they don’t have the money to send their children to college.
“There is nothing worse for a parent than to know that they can’t help,” he said, speaking barely above a stage whisper. “They can’t help.”
But before Biden could pivot to a description of what the Obama administration wants to do to help with the cost of college, a cadre of Secret Service agents jogged up to the stage to alert Biden that the building was being evacuated as the fire pushed toward the high school.
“Uh, guys?” Biden said when he returned to the microphone. Some in the audience laughed. One audience member whined “No!” when it became apparent the vice president would be cut short.
“Here’s the deal,” Biden continued. “As we were riding in, I watched a bunch of fire trucks drive by. Apparently you have a fire in the nearby hills.”
Concerned about evacuating the building, as well as what Biden’s motorcade would do to traffic from the hundreds of evacuees fleeing the fire, Biden’s staff told him he could speak for five more minutes.
Biden, however, isn’t known for brevity and he already felt bad for being late. His visit to Reno also was meant to energize Democrats, who will caucus Saturday to formally nominate Obama as the party’s candidate.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/20/fire-closes-biden-just-getting-warmed/
Meanwhile, Damon was seen smoking a carton of cigarettes heard saying "Oh, Joe, you're sooo good. Thank you everything and thank you for comforting me in my time of need. I've never been treated like this way by a man before"
Of course, had this been Mitt Romney, Damon would have blamed Romney for starting the fire and getting in the way of the firefighters and using valuable police resources when they could have been used else where at the fire scenes.

GOP's Final 4

2012-01-19T22:33:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not the same as the NCAA's Final 4 and the run up to the Final 4 doesn't compare to the NCAA brackets, but we are down to 4 GOP presidential candidates: Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. At least with the NCAA's, your final 4 has at least 2 or three strong candidates to be the next NCAA basketball champions.
Rick Perry dropped out, leaving our Nevada milk carton governor, Brian Sandoval, left holding the bag as he endorsed Perry about 2 months ago.
With the GOP Final 4, we have 4 candidates that are less than spectacular and more destructive than they are constructive. I am still hoping that a political Guardian Angel will show up and run for president at the last moment, but I doubt it but miracles do happen. Yeah, I'm looking at you Gov. Christie and Sen. Rubio.
I think Romney can beat Obama. Santorum has a chance but Gingrich and Paul have no chance against Obama. But even if Romney or Santorum wins the presidency, they will be such a weak president that it will be like have an Obama lite in office.
So, onto the Final 4 and see what happens.

Will Occupy Las Vegas Picket Obama's Visit And Is Occupy Las vegas About To Go Belly Up?

2012-01-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

The last time President Obama came to Las Vegas, Occupy Las Vegas refused to picket his appearances because they were busy setting up their new camp and they didn't know where he was going to speak. Of course, that was a bunch of BS.
Now, next week Obama is swooping in like the Death eaters in Harry Potter, so will Occupy Las Vegas picket the 1% (Obama) and his policies or they going to show once again that they are just a tool of the Democratic Party and unions?
Nothing on their web site indicates they will be protesting Obama: http://occupylasvegas.org/
However, it looks like Occupy Las Vegas is about to be evicted by Clark County and they are having internal problems. From the Occupy Web site: The County has NOT stated that it will be evicting anyone, yet. This is not like other occupation sites that were illegally occupying and got run out by police. This is a legal occupy site that will probably be lost because individuals within the movement didn’t do what was needed to retain the site.
Sebring Frehner negotiated the lease for area99, and he wants his name off it, he refuses to take continued legal liability for a site. That is his choice to make and no one has the right or the moral authority to tell him what he will or won’t take legal and financial responsibility for.
http://occupylasvegas.org/?p=775#comments
The comments left on the Occupy post is revealing in that there is a lot of infighting going on. Who would have thought that? Maybe the 99% who thought that the Las Vegas Occupy group was a farce and a Democratic Party and union shills?

This Explains A Few Things

2012-01-19T21:28:00.000-08:00

From the LVRJ: Less than a month after Kathleen Vermillion resigned from the Henderson City Council to spend more time with her charity, the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, the organization is in turmoil.
Since late December, seven board members have resigned amid allegations that Vermillion, the partnership's chief operating officer, has misappropriated funds. Last week, the interim executive director, whom Vermillion has placed on paid administrative leave, filed a complaint against Vermillion and her charity with the Nevada attorney general's office.
"I care very deeply for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth," Interim Executive Director Arash Ghafoori wrote in the complaint. "I believe its mission to assist homeless youth in the State of Nevada will be jeopardized if Ms. Vermillion is permitted to remain in de facto control of the NPHY. Accordingly, I am requesting an investigation and appropriate action by the office of the attorney general."
Jennifer Lopez, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, confirmed that her office received a complaint on Jan. 11 against the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. http://www.lvrj.com/news/nonprofit-group-top-official-face-allegations-of-misuse-of-funds-137727193.html
When 7 board members quit a volunteer organization within a month, then something stinks. People join or volunteer at non-profits because they believe in the organization and the cause, so for 7 people just to up and quit tells me and many people that something is seriously wrong with the organization.
And for Vermillion to just leave the Henderson City Clown Council in mid term seems awfully strange but if her charity is in trouble for financial or ethical reasons, then it is probably best for Vermillion to step down from the Henderson City Clown Council.

Want To Drive Your Dog Crazy?

2012-01-19T21:08:00.000-08:00

Our dogs went nuts tryng to find these singing dogs.

Here's One Way To Rid Of A Pesky Democrat

2012-01-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

You ever have a problem with those pesky Democrats who come uninvited and just seem to stay forever? Well, Reno found a way to get rid of Joe Biden who was over stying his visit the moment he stepped foot into Reno.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Vice President Joe Biden was 20 minutes into his speech at a high school here before an encroaching wildfire forced him cut short his remarks.
Biden was in Nevada to discuss higher education policy in the run up to the state’s Democratic caucuses.
Despite repeated entreaties from the Secret Service to stop talking, Biden continued to take questions from the audience who had waited more than an hour for his arrival.
“I know,” he said to an agent motioning for him to get off the stage, midway through his response to a question about the importance of the Dream Act.
Nervous audience members left the high school gym and were greeted by an enormous smoke column. The fire was within a couple miles of Galena High School. A nearby elementary school was evacuated.
Biden wrapped up his speech by urging students to “challenge authority” and go to college. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/19/reno-wildfire-forces-vice-president-joe-biden-cut-/
Too bad we don't have any forests along the Las Vegas Strip to burn when President Obama comes to visit next week. Perhaps some other disaster can happen like a mini tornado or some flooding. (just kidding, but if the Las Vegas Sun and Brian "The Coward" Greenspun can wish death and destruction on Florida for political reasons, why not do the same here?)
And from the "I am Dumber Than Dan Quayle Department", Biden says kids should challenge authority. Seriously, Joe? Does the Obama administration appreciate it when someone challenges them? Hell no! They either sue them or ridicule those who says the Emperor and Empress has no clothes. After all, King Obama does no wrong and he is the 4th best president ever.

Walker Wants Fast Recall Election

2012-01-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

From the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he believes petition circulators have enough valid signatures to force a recall election against him, and he wants it to happen sooner rather than later.
Walker told The Associated Press in an interview today that he has always assumed they would get the 540,000 signatures they need. Circulators turned in about 1 million signatures Tuesday, and Walker says he does not think enough will be invalidated to stop the election.

Democrats say Walker is trying to delay any possible election for as long as possible.
But Walker said Wednesday the sooner the election is over the better it is for the people of Wisconsin.

Walker says he believes he will prevail in any election, no matter his Democratic opponent. http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20120118/WDH0101/120118090/Walker-wants-recall-election-soon-expects-prevail?odyssey=mod|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
It would be to Walker's advantage to hold the election as soon as possible. It would limit the Democrats from raising more money and limit the advertising, especially if Walker buys up all the advertising spots.
In reality, the Democrats are going to try and delay the recall election as long as possible. Hell, they may even challenge some signatures they have collected just to slow down the process.
The GOP are bad campaigners, they are wimps compared to the Democrats but they know how to win elections and they will outsmart the Democrats in this recall election, especially if his opponent is Kathy Falk of Madison.

Cool! But Who In Nevada Knew?

2012-01-18T21:16:00.000-08:00

From Fox News: A Nevada man paralyzed in a 2010 snowmobiling accident has reached the South Pole, traveling about 75 miles in sub-zero temperatures over two weeks to complete the trip on the 100th anniversary of Capt. Robert Falcon Scott's trek there with the Terra Nova Expedition.

Grant Korgan, 33, of Incline Village, used a device called a sit-ski to reach the pole 100 years to the day after the British explorer completed the journey on Jan. 17, 1912.

"Although my body has been broken, my spirit never will be. I am unbreakable!" Korgan said in a statement posted on the crew's Web site.

Korgan's expedition party included paralympian John Davis, two guides and cinematographers who are shooting for a documentary called "The Push: A South Pole Adventure." The film is expected to be released later this year.

The team trained for a year with various missions in Alaska, Norway, Lake Tahoe and South America. Korgan estimated he'd have to push the Sitski approximately 250,000 times over the course of the trip.

"Grant just pulled off one of the most amazing athletic achievements in modern history and a first for adaptive athletes," said Steven Siig, director of the documentary film.

It sure would have been nice if a Nevada newspaper or two would have covered or mentioned this heroic man's trip.

Murder Of A High School Student, Betty Pinkey

2012-01-18T19:27:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, a student from my school was murdered while she attended a party on the northeast side of the Las Vegas Valley. There has been a lot of talk about the murder- by the students, some teachers and the local newspapers and television stations.
From the LVRJ today: Diana Perry plays back the worst night of her life over and over in her head, wondering "What if? What if?" as she looks at her wristband from the house party. She won't take it off. It proves the nightmare was real.
Mere moments before her 17-year-old girlfriend died in her arms from a stray bullet early Sunday, they were dancing the night away at the party. Then she was kneeling on the floor, holding the hand of Betty "Jay" Pinkney, who was squeezing tight as she convulsed and gasped for air.
Perry's other hand pressed hard on Pinkney's blood-drenched side to try to stop the spreading red.
Pinkney's good friend Amber Robertson felt for her pulse.
"I felt one heartbeat and that was it," a sobbing Robertson said Tuesday. "It was hard. She was my best friend."
Police arrived shortly after.
"I stayed with her until they forced me off," Perry said, chuckling softly as she remembered something. "My wallet is actually at the morgue with her right now. I would call her my gentleman. She'd carry my things." http://www.lvrj.com/news/teen-s-slaying-leaves-questions-among-friends-137550238.html
I am a special education teacher who works with the severely disabled and because of this, I don't know very many regular education students. If I know 10 regular education students by name at our school of 2000 students, that's probably a high number.
I know Betty and the reason why I know Betty is that just about every morning, she would come up to some of severely disabled students and give them a big, big hug. She didn't have to, she wanted to. She has done this for about 2 years or so, so this is what I remember about Betty.
But if you read many of the comments of the commentators of the LVRJ story, they are calling her father irresponsible or that she is a gang because she wore red in some pictures on Facebook and was throwing gang symbols and other uninformed comments.
I am sure her father is second guessing himself now and will be forever. He trusted his daughter because his daughter gained his trust, like a good daughter does.
For me, I was never popular in school, so I don't know about parties and staying out late. But I can make a reasonable argument that late night parties on long weekends for high school kids have been going on for many decades. It didn't just start this past weekend or year. Further, there has been no evidence that there was any booze or drugs at the party. It has not been reported in the media or by the cops or students and no one has been cited for underage drinking.
As far as the gang issue. Have you ever listened to local radio? Many local talk show hosts and DJ's want to sound gangster. That includes the 4 talks show hosts on ESPN radio in the afternoon. They want to sound like gangsters. Don't even get me started on the rap music stations.
As for the color red, it was her favorite color- she wore it everyday, though because of our school dress code, she had to hide it. On Tuesday, the first school day after the shooting, about 100 or more kids wore red in honor of Betty. I guess all those kids were gangster as well- not.
The last few days has been traumatic for the students and staff at my school and especially for Betty's family and her friends. She was a popular kid who was going to do great things, though every morning, she did something great for our disabled kids.
Besides the hateful comments made out of ignorance, there also has been some behavior I am not impressed about: Where has been the outcry from city officials, especially those who claim to represent African Americans in Las Vegas? Where are you, Ricki Barlow and Bob Coffin of the Las Vegas City Council, where are you, Lawrence Weekly and the rest of you liberal Democrats on the Clark County Commission, where are you, inner city clergy members? Why are you not speaking up about this murder of young innocent young girl who was killed for no reason at all. why have you been silent? Do you accept these kind of killings and if so, why?
And Ricki Barlow, you especially ought to be ashamed. You make yearly visits to my school and pretend you care but I guess when it really matters, you are nowhere to be seen.
Finally, there are people who know what happened and who did the shooting. I know is because I heard you talking in the hallways and out in the Quad. Do you honestly think Betty would want you to be quiet? You are hurting her legacy by being quiet and letting murderous thugs out on the street.
So, R.I.P., Betty, I know you are in a better place and I hope you are giving hugs to those in need while wearing red. And prayers to her families and friends as they go through these tough times. Please remember the good times and honor her by talking to the cops about who committed this murder.

As an aside, previous to this school year, when a high school student attending a CCSD high school, a school could hold something called a "Miracle Minute". This is where the Student Council would organize a donation for the family of the deceased. During announcements, students and staff could donate any amount of money they wanted, if they wanted to donate. At our school, we would raise several hundred dollars, up to and sometimes over $1000 for the family to use to help with expenses.
However, this year CCSD decided that schools can no longer do this, so the Pinkney family will not be able to benefit from the "Miracle Minute" from our school. While technically, CCSD may have a valid point as to why they no longer have the "Miracle Minute", emotionally and financially for the family, I think they are wrong.

Hold Your Nose, A Big Stink Is Coming Our Way

2012-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

I think the vast majority of Las Vegans will have the same feeling when Obama is in town as Old Biff does in this video.
From the Las Vegas Sun: President Barack Obama will visit Las Vegas next week, on a five-stop swing through the West and Midwest.
Obama will be arriving in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 25 and stay overnight, departing on Thursday, Jan. 26. No further details about the trip were immediately available, except that the president’s visit — like Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Reno’s Galena High School on Thursday to talk about college affordability — is official White House business.
The two trips bookend the Nevada Democratic Caucuses this Saturday. While the vice president and president’s stops in the Silver State are not officially part of the 2012 reelection campaign effort, the high-profile visits are likely to drum up Democratic enthusiasm just before the Republican presidential field arrives in Nevada for the GOP caucuses on Feb. 4. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/18/president-obama-visit-las-vegas-next-week/
When Obama comes to visit, it costs Las Vegans money. It will cost to the have Metro and NHP protect the President and his entourage. Businesses are shut down; businesses like tourist helicopters who will be grounded from the time Obama arrives until he leaves and that will cost those businesses over $100,000. Obama will stay at City Center and not stray too much further from there and certainly not to a poor area of town, like MLK and Bonanza. What money will Obama bring in to Las Vegas?
Any bets if Crybaby Reid shows up in Nevada those 2 days and leaves the the beautiful confines of the Washington D.C. Ritz Carlton? I say no, he stays in Washington D.C. After all, if Harry won't leave the Senate for his wife who is very sick, why would he visit stinking Nevada to see the president?

Obama Screws Over More Workers

2012-01-18T16:47:00.000-08:00

So much for caring more about workers and the unemployed and caring more about the environment.
From Fox News: President Obama announced Wednesday that he will deny a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, blaming Republicans for imposing a "rushed and arbitrary deadline" which he said did not give officials enough time.

GOP lawmakers immediately excoriated the president for the decision. House Speaker John Boehner said Obama is "selling out American jobs for politics," and said Republicans in Congress would continue to push for the pipeline.

The decision does not necessarily kill the project. The State Department said the denial "does not preclude any subsequent permit application" -- and within hours pipeline company TransCanada announced that it would reapply for a permit.

But the decision at least delays the project, one that unions and GOP lawmakers alike said would be a boon for job creation as well as energy security.

"Until this pipeline is constructed, the U.S. will continue to import millions of barrels of conflict oil from the Middle East and Venezuela and other foreign countries," TransCanada said in a statement Wednesday, saying it is "disappointed" by the administration's call. "Thousands of jobs continue to hang in the balance if this project does not go forward."

Well, I am glad Obama took responsibility for killing the pipeline until he is out of office, either in 2012 or 2016. Obama will never approve this pipeline as long as he is in office.

Further, this crap the White House is giving the lap dogs int he media is pure B.S. This isn't like the project was brand new and just proposed last month. This pipeline has been under review for 3 years! And that is just with the State department. Wait until the EPA gets their paws on this program.

If the GOP were smart, and they were not, they ought to be running commercials on this starting tomorrow and every GOP candidate ought to be saying this would be the first this they would approve the moment they are sworn in. But then, the GOP is not that smart.

So, once again, Obama is kill jobs in the name of environmental boogie man.

Scott Walker's Theme Song?

2012-01-17T21:55:00.001-08:00

Where I Won't Be This Weekend

2012-01-17T21:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.adultentertainmentexpo.com/

But if I was 30 years younger.....

Spoiled Star Or Greedy Hospital?

2012-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

Garth Brooks is suing an Oklahoma hospital because they refused to name a building or wing after his mother after Brooks donated $500,000.
From the RGH: Garth Brooks appeared before a friendly crowd Tuesday — the jurors who will hear his claim that an Oklahoma hospital refused to name a building for his late mother after he gave it $500,000....
Brooks claims he made the donation to Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon because he believed at least some part of the facility would be named after his mother. He has sued to have the money returned.
Integris has said the donation was an “unconditional” gift and it has done nothing wrong by not naming a building after Colleen Brooks....
Brooks lives near Owasso, a Tulsa suburb, and is originally from Yukon, near Oklahoma City. His lawyer said the case features “one of the biggest country music stars that ever lived vs. the largest health care system in Oklahoma.”
According to the lawsuit, hospital officials showed Brooks mock-ups of buildings bearing his mother’s name and told him his donation was earmarked for such a project. Brooks’ mother died of cancer in 1999.
In a statement prior to jury selection Tuesday, Brooks’ spokeswoman said the musician was “stunned and hurt” by the company’s failure to name anything for her.
Watkins, the vice president of marketing and communications for Integris
http://www.rgj.com/article/20120117/NEWS12/301170023/Garth-Brooks-wants-500K-back-from-Oklahoma-hospital?odyssey=mod|mostview
Did the hospital illegally mislead Brooks into thinking they were going to name a hospital wing or building after his mom or is Brooks just mad because he didn't have the promise in writing?
It's really a stupid lawsuit- the hospital is getting a lot of bad publicity for being stubborn about not naming anything after Brook's mother. Meanwhile, Brooks could have opened up his check book a little more to ensure a building named after his mom and he needs to read the fine print to ensure that he got what he was promised.
So, who's right?

There Will Be A Recall Election In Wisconsin

2012-01-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

The liberals in Wisconsin turned in about 1 million signatures to force a recall election against Gov. Scot Walker. How many are valid, who knows but it looks like there ill a recall election in Wisconsin.
But the left has a long way to go to actually recall Walker. They have to find a candidate and they will have to show that Wisconsin is worse off under Walker than if they had a Democrat governor.
While the left will be bringing i a lot of union money, they will also have to find other sources of money for the recall and that money will not be available in the Fall for the 2012 general election.
In the end, Walker will win convincingly, the Left will lose a lot of money and creditability.
And as this guy says to the Democrats:

And to those who live in Wisconsin: have fun watching and listening to all those political commercials.

Pawn Stars Review: January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T23:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome back for another review of Pawn Stars and the 2 new episodes. They are still looking for a night shift worker but here is what happens on the night shift at the Gold and Silver Shop: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2012/01/pawn-stars-night-shift-hoax.html
It was a busy day in Las Vegas this past weekend with the Consumer Electronic Show which brought in over 150,000 people and the Miss America pageant in which the winner was from Wisconsin. At least someone in Wisconsin won something big this weekend. If you wanted to stay in Las Vegas, you had to plan on triple cost for the hotel rooms on the strip becaus eof all the events going on.
In the first episode, the first guy brought in a Crosby Stills and Nash guitar that was autographed. I was a backpack guitar and the guy won the guitar in a radio trivia contest. The guy wanted $1000 and Rick offered $700 and the guy then went to $800 and the selling price was $750 and after the sale, Rick took the guitar to an expert.

Rick brought in Drew to look at the autographs to see if they are real and he said the the Stephen Stills was a little suspicious but real and worth about $1000.
The next guy brought in a chopper bicycle Phat Cycles Fuller cycle and built by Brian Fuller, a motorcycle maker. The guy wanted $5000 and Corey kind of said no and offered $500. The guy came down to $2500 and Corey went up to $1000 and no sale. Here is the web site for Phat Cycles: http://www.phatcycles.com/
The next guy brought in an old cigar box labels. They had some from Presidents McKinley, Washington and Roosevelt and other famous people. He had the labels in a 3 ring binder. The guy wanted $300 and Rick offered $50. The came back with a price of $200 and Rick offered $100 and that was the selling price.
The next segment had the Rick and the Old Man interviewing the finalists for the job. The Old Man didn't like any of the supposed candidates.
The next guy brought in 2 bomb fins, the bottom part of the aerial bomb from World War ll. One was about 4 feet tall and the other was about 7 feet tall and time for an expert, Matthew and went into detail about the different bombs and the kind of damage they can do. The small bomb fin was worth about $500. Corey offered $400 for both and the guy went to $700. Rick $400 or nothing and that was the selling price.
A female came into apply for the job and was all tattooed up- she fit right in. A couple of other were interviewed including a Old Man look-a-like. The Old Man liked the Old Man look a like and an African American young man but didn't like want to hire the female because they would be a distraction to Chumlee and Corey. Rick also liked those two and and the tattooed female and that was how they ended the show.
In the second episode, the first guy brought in an Army 1863 Colt percussion pistol and Rick gave the history of the Colt history. The guy wanted $3500 and time for an expert, Joe who gave more history of the gun. He said the gun was real and worth $2000 and more if it fired.
They took the gun down to the gun range in Pahrump and the they loaded it up with gun powder and bullet. Joe fired the gun and it fired quite well, all 6 shots. Joe thought the gun was worth $3000. Rick offered $2000 and the guy came down to $2500. Rick then went to $2300 and that was the selling price.
The next guy brought in a 1st edition of Spiderman comic book. Corey really didn't know the worth of the magazine. Johnny from the Toy Shack came into look at the comic book. There was a mark on the book and that brought down the value. He said the comic book was worth $6,000-7000. The guy wanted $5500 and Corey offered $3000. The guy went down to $4500 and Corey went to $3800 and the comic book sold for $4000 in cash.
The next guy brought in some Red Comet fire extinguishers from the early 1900's. The fire extinguishers looked more like light bulbs and you would throw them onto the fire. Some people hung them up on the ceiling, so in case of a fire, they would act like a fire sprinkler. The guy wanted $100 for each of the bulbs while Rick started out at $50. The selling price went for $60 apiece or a total of $180.
The next lady brought in a stock certificate made out to Mark Twain. It was from a mining company from Virginia City, NV. It was made out to Mark Twain instead of Samuel Clemens. The lady wanted $500 for the certificate. Rick had concerns about the signature and the way it was printed and he thought it was a fake. No sale.
At the commerical, they gave away who won the job as the night shift salesperson and it was the tattooed female. I don't think they wanted to do that- kind of kills the suspense.
That wraps up another two new episodes of Pawn stars and thanks for stopping by- it is greatly appreciated. Next week will have 2 new episodes and they will introduce the new night shift worker.

Another Reason Why Obama Won't Be Re-Elected

2012-01-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

From CBS Chicago: Gasoline prices could approach $5 a gallon by Memorial Day and stay a record levels for much of the summer, according to a forecast by GasBuddy.com.
Gas prices always spike in the summer, but the 2012 Gasbuddy.com Price Outlook predicts this summer will break records.
“It looks like it might be the most painful year at the pump that we have ever seen,” senior analyst Patrick DeHaan said.
By Memorial Day, gasoline in the Chicago area could rise to between $4.60 and $4.95 a gallon–more than a dollar above the current average. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/13/gas-outlook-most-painful-year-at-pump-ever/
The problem for Obama and the Democrats, they want higher gas prices. When gas prices were over $4 a gallon a couple of years ago, Obama didn't mind the high price, he was just a bit upset that the prices went up too fast.
As Bill Clinton says: "It's the economy, stupid". Obama, when he looks in the mirror, meets stupid.

Las Vegas H.S. Student Murdered At Party

2012-01-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

As a a teacher, whether it is in urban or rural schools, every now and then, tragedy will hit the school when a student dies. In the rural schools, often, it is because of an accident and in urban settings it could be a car accident or murder. Since I have been teaching, I have had 3 students killed in car accidents and this will be the second kid to be murdered who attended a school I taught at.
From the LVRJ: A girl shot and killed at party early Sunday morning was a high school student.
Friends and family identified the girl as Betty "Jay" Pinkney, a Desert Pines High School senior.
Las Vegas police said an argument between at least two men was followed by gunshots inside a house about 12:45 a.m. in the 4200 block of Tattersall Place, near Craig Road and Lamb Boulevard.
Pinkney was shot and killed. A second female gunshot victim, who was not identified, was in critical condition.
The victims did not appear to be involved in the argument and weren't the intended targets, police said.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/girl-shot-to-death-at-party-identified-as-desert-pines-student-137430088.html#blogcomments?submitted=y
The comments in the paper automatically assumed the girl was in a gang and up to no good. I know the girl and she is not the type of girl they depict. Black student at a party= gang members in these people's eyes- a wee bit of racism, wouldn't you say?
It's a shame that Las Vegas has had another murder of a young kid. I hope Metro will catch the thug that did this and I hope that cooler heads will prevail at school tomorrow.

Another stupid Las Vegas Sun Editorial

2012-01-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

There must have some very heavy duty crack smoking over at the Las Vegas Sun this past weekend. First, you had Patrick Coolican writing a column on Saturday that clearly lack clear thought and intelligent thought when he wrote about Monsignor Kevein McAuliffe who was sentenced to 37 months in prison for theft.
Earlier today, Karoun Demirjian wrote a puff piece about Crybaby Harry Reid. The story was so one sided that Crybaby Reid press office could not have wrote the article any better.
And now, the Las Vegas Sun editorial board comes up with about the strangest and stupidest editorial in some time. They write about how some CCSD students cannot make it to sports practice becase the lack of busing by CCSD.
From the editorial: Jocelyn Jordan commutes to Western High School to play for the girls’ basketball team because her school doesn’t have a squad. As Sun sports editor Ray Brewer reported, sometimes she makes it on time, sometimes she doesn’t.
Jordan, a sophomore at Northwest Career Technical Academy, is at the mercy of public transit. Her journey requires her to catch two buses; she sometimes jogs in at the end of practice because of a late bus.
When practice or games are over, which can be well into the evening, it’s back to the bus stop to go home. She tries to do her homework on the bus so she isn’t up too late after finally getting home....
That is a commendable attitude. It certainly isn’t easy for a student to try to juggle school and a sport, particularly when she knows she won’t be home until late and may still have to cram in homework. It makes for long days and not much sleep.
That’s hardly a recipe for student success, and not too long ago, students had a better option. The Clark County School District used to provide bus service to help students who were staying late for extracurricular activities but that service was ended about a decade ago in a round of budget cutting....
Sports and extracurricular activities are an important part of a student’s education. Involvement in activities helps students connect with the school. They also teach important lessons that can’t be replicated in a classroom — consider the friendships found among teammates or the bonds formed when students come together in a club to accomplish a task.
Without lessening the importance of academic achievement, life is much more than filling out the right bubble on a standardized test. Any turnaround won’t be complete until students have the opportunity to receive a well-rounded education, and that includes the ability to participate in sports and extracurricular activities.
And sometimes that includes help getting there. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/15/education-should-include-opportunities-sports-acti/?hpop
As usual, the Sun editioral finds a supposed problem but they don't come with a solution nor do they find out a way to pay for the problem. Typical mentally challenged lliberalism.
Further, they Sun is factually wrong. There are some schools that do offer activity buses after school. For instance the school my kids attend have an activity bus, which leaves their school at 4:00 to drop off kids involved in activities at their school.
But what the Sun advocates is just about impossible. The example they use, the student-athlete who travels from Northwest Career Tech to Western H.S. to play basketball and then either walks or takes a bus home. So, how many kids travel from Northwestern Tech to Western to play sports? 2, 3 or 10? Is the Sun seriously saying that the school district should provide a bus for a couple of kids is cost effective? And then provide another bus to take her home?
From the editorial: As part of that effort, school officials should find a way to provide students the opportunity to participate in sports and extra curricular activities by offering some sort of way home.
Miss Jordan doesn't even go to Western, so why does Western owe her a ride home?
So, if CCSD does provide activity bus service, where will the Sun get the money? Would they fire some teachers to provide the service? Would they cut down on maintenance? Where would they get the money?
The Sun and liberals great at pointing out problems but when it gets down and dirty, like finding out how to pay for the problem, they hide under a rock and don't offer solutions.
When Michael Savage says liberalism is a mental disease, this editorial in addition to the articles from Coolican and Demirjian confirms it.

Finally, He's Gone

2012-01-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

John Huntsman, the GOP presidential candidate darling of the left is going to announce he is out of the presidential race. From ABC News: Jon Huntsman will drop out of the Republican presidential race on Monday, a campaign spokesman told ABC News.
A source close to the Huntsman campaign said the former ambassador to China and Utah Governor was “proud of the race that he ran” but “did not want to stand in the way” of rival Mitt Romney, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination.
Huntsman plans to endorse Romney at an 11 a.m. press conference Monday in Myrtle Beach, SC.
After a disappointing third place finish in New Hampshire – a contest on which he had staked his candidacy – Huntsman vowed to fight on. In his concession speech in New Hampshire, he told his supporters: “I say third place is a ticket to ride, ladies and gentleman! Hello, South Carolina!”
But just six days from the South Carolina primary, Huntsman has said goodbye to the Palmetto state after all.
A Huntsman aide tells ABC News that the decision came in the wake of the results in the New Hampshire primary. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/huntsman-to-drop-out-of-gop-race/
Talk about bad timing, The State newspaper endorsed Jon Huntsman today: There are actually two sensible, experienced grownups. And while Mr. Romney is far more appealing than any of the other choices, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is more principled, has a far more impressive resume and offers a significantly more important message.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/15/2114108/huntsman-could-bring-us-back-together.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy
Whoops!!
The man should never have gotten into the race and stayed so long. His poll numbers were very low but the liberal press loved him and the man did some damage to some of the presidential candidates.
Now, what will the liberal press do?
So, as with all the candidates, thanks for running, Jon, and thanks for getting out when you did.
Now, if a few more back benchers would do the same and get out.... yeah Newt, I'm looking at you.

Who Cares If You Are 15-1 If You Don't Go To The Super Bowl

2012-01-15T17:01:00.000-08:00

Well, the Green Bay Packers were beaten up and spit out by the New York Giants today, 37-20. It wasn't even that close because the Packers had help from the ref's that gave the Packers their 2 touchdowns.
The Packers were flat from the time they came out. Maybe the death of the son of the Offensive Coordinator had an effect on the team, who knows. But everyone played bad, especially Rodgers and the receivers.
Or it could be that the Giants were more hungry than the Packers.
So, the Packers finish 15-1 and don't go to the Super Bowl. Now the season seems distant and we are no better than the Chicago Bears or Buffalo Bills. They are not going to the Super Bowl either.
Time to work on the defense on the off season and get rid of defensive coordinator, Dom Capers. I hear the Oakland Raiders are looking at him as the head coach. Good, don't let the door hit Capers on the ass as he walks out the door.
So, who cares if the Packers went 15-1 during the regular season, we are 1 and done in the playoffs.
Pathetic.

Crybaby Harry Reid Writes For The Las Vegas Sun

2012-01-15T15:40:00.000-08:00

I wonder why unethical and lazy reporter, Karoun Demirjian even bothers to put her name on this supposed news article about Crybaby Reid? Maybe she was out smoking crack when she was assigned this article: "Reid backs President Obama on ‘Meet the Press’ over recent appointments" http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/15/reid-backs-president-obama-meet-press-over-recent-/ Well, maybe not smoking crack but she clearly was lazy and unethical. What Demirjian did was basically use a Crybaby Reid press release for her "news" article.
From Crybaby Reid's press release: Though he holds his authority over Congress very dear, Sen. Harry Reid offered an impassioned defense Sunday of President Barack Obama’s right to circumvent the body and make the recess appointments he did earlier this month despite strong Republican objections.
Reid, appearing on NBC’s "Meet the Press," said Obama “did the right thing” to appoint Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and three members of the five-person National Labor Relations Board while Congress was on break, even if members weren’t on a long-enough break to make such recess appointments roundly acceptable.
“The president is entitled by our Constitution to appoint people. The Republicans have made it so the National Labor Relations Board — they didn’t want it to even work. So he had to do recess appointments,” Reid told "Meet the Press" host David Gregory. “Consumers need protection and that’s why this was such a good move by the president.”
This article and statement could have come from Crybaby Harry Reid's press office.
Now, I don't blame David Gregory for not asking tough questions, like why Crybaby Reid was agains recess appointments when George Bush was president. after all, a simple Google search would reveal that. But Gregory is not a reporter, he's a talk show host with an agenda.
But Demirjian says she is a reporter, so she should be able tofind these tidbits out. Like when Crybaby Reid did this: Mr. Reid is as incapable of such honest introspection as he is of cracking a smile that doesn't make its recipients feel unsafe.
In 2007, the Democrats controlling the Senate were fed up with George W. Bush's recess appointments. Majority Leader Reid, feigning great sadness over the sorry state of our republic, resorted to the extraordinary tactic of keeping the Senate in pro-forma session so as to prevent the imperial Mr. Bush from doing an end-run around the confirmation process. The move was celebrated by liberal commentators as a brave and necessary assertion of congressional power and was supported by then-Sen. Barack Obama.
Fast-forward to last week. The Senate was once again in pro-forma session in order to keep President Obama from making recess appointments. Mr. Reid agreed to the tactic as part of negotiations with Republicans last year.
Arguing that the maneuver is nothing more than a gimmick, Mr. Obama ignored the Senate's authority and appointed Richard Cordray to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created by the Dodd-Frank legislation allegedly to prevent the excesses that led to the financial crisis. If it wasn't clear enough that the appointment was nakedly political, Mr. Obama made the announcement at a campaign rally in the swing state of Ohio, Mr. Cordray's home state.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-09/news/bs-ed-goldberg-20120109_1_recess-appointments-imperial-presidency-president-obama
Now a good reporter would have mentioned this in a supposed "news" article. But then Demirjian is not a good reporter- she is just lazy, unethical and has an agenda. Maybe the public would be better off if Demirjian was out smoking crack.

First Half Thoughts: Packers Are Going To Lose

2012-01-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the Green bay Packers don't realize they are in a playoff game, instead they are playing like they are in a pre-season game. The Packer players lack the fire or excitement in their game. They are not concentrating, both on offense and certainly not on defense. If it were not for a bad call by the ref's, the Packers would be down by at least 17 if not 24 points.
Even McCarthy recognizes the lack of fire, why else would he have called for an on-side kick?
Packers are going down big time. I hope I am wrong.

Beginning Of The Green Bay Packer Run To Super Bowl: Part 2

2012-01-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

The road to the Super Bowl for the NFC goes through Lambeau and the opposing teams- the New York giants and San Francisco 49ers will be hearing this song and "Start Me Up" a lot in the next two weeks.
Go Packers!!

Help Please!!

2012-01-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

I am having problems with my Internet. While I can write posts, I cannot go to my own individual web posts nor can I look at the comments or even comment on these pages. When I try to go to my individual pages, when i click on the link, I either get a blank page or if I hit the compatibility view button next to the refresh key, I get a blank page. The problem just started this week, after Microsoft did an update to the computer.
Obviously, you cannot offer the help in the comments section of the blog because I would not be able to see the solutions, so if you know what is going on, please e-mail me at wisconsin_rapids(at)yahoo.com
Thank you for your help- it is greatly appreciated.

Lefty Hypocrisy On Display Or Brian Greenspun In Drag

2012-01-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

I don't watch the Daily Show, but this clip is priceless in the behavior of Froma Harrop, a lefty editorial writer as she is caught being extremely hypocritical in her views of the Tea Party.
And the clip is also quite funny.
Perhaps they can interview Brian "The Coward" Greenspun, editor of the Las Vegas Sun, who does the same thing: call for civility, but only from conservatives.
Or, more likely, perhaps Ms. Harrop is Brian "The Coward" Greenspun in drag? That would explain a few things about Coward Greenspun.

More Wasteful Green Energy Spending By Feds

2012-01-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

From The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune: More than two years after a federal agency promised Wisconsin Rapids' largest employer $30 million to build a renewable energy facility, researchers still are studying the feasibility of such a project, a company spokesman said.
NewPage Corp. leaders have acquired no new information since September, when they told the Daily Tribune they expected to complete plant designs by the end of 2011, local company spokesman Cliff Bowers said....
In January 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy promised the Miamisburg, Ohio-based papermaker $30 million to build a small-scale biorefinery by 2012. Last year, the department awarded the company another $20 million to fund the project after favorable results of a feasibility study. If the company meets all technical and economic requirements, the construction phase will start in April 2012, according to NewPage's 2010 sustainability report. http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20120114/WRT03/301140075/NewPage-biorefinery-project-remains-limbo?odyssey=moddefcontextFRONTPAGE
And, oh by the way, New Page is in bankruptcy: NewPage remains under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, continuing normal operations as the company works through a restructuring process, Bowers said.
Where have we heard this story before? Feds throwing money at bankrupt company? Nah, that would never happen, would it?
Looks like another $50,000,000 of U.S. taxpayer money down the drain, but hey, it's only money.

Spoiler Alert: The Winner of Miss America Is Miss Wisconsin

2012-01-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

The odds makers were right. Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun times reports that Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler of Kenosha, WI. has won the Miss America contest.
From the Las Vegas Sun: 7:53 p.m.: The fourth runner-up is Miss California Noelle Freeman. Third runner-up is Miss Arizona Jennifer Stedler. Second runner-up is Miss New York Kaitlin Monte. First runner-up is Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson, and the 2012 Miss America is Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler, just as Johnny Avello of the Wynn sports book predicted.
8:19 p.m.: Robin and other media await backstage for 2012 Miss America Laura Kaeppeler of Wisconsin and her parents, mom Sue and father Jeff, who was imprisoned for white-collar crimes while Laura was a child. Her platform is mentoring children of imprisoned parents. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/14/live-blog-53-hopefuls-vying-miss-america-planet-ho/
She joins Terry Ann Meeuwsen as the only other Wisconsin winner and she won the title in 1972.

Hey Las Vegas News Reporters: Want A Tip On A CCSD Scandal?

2012-01-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

What would you say about this is: A teacher in CCSD tells their students not to shop at specific store but instead tells them to shop at another competing store.
A teacher told of a group of students in music class not to shop at a specific music store in Las Vegas and instead told them to shop at another, competing music store.
The student, who followed the teacher's direction, had to get a mouth piece for a saxophone and went to the store the teacher directed them to. The store then sold them an expensive mouth piece... for a clarinet. Instead of a saxophone. The other store would have not made that mistake and sold the student the mouth piece they needed, not the most expensive one.
What business is it of a teacher in CCSD to tell their students where to shop? And why are they favoring one store over another competing store? Maybe this is a rouge teacher or maybe this is an ongoing problem- I'm really not sure.
Hello news reporters or newspaper columnists or CCSD? I know some of you read this blog. Maybe you ought to do some real investigative reporting.

Another Reason Obama Is A 1 Term President

2012-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

Went to Food 4 Less grocery store, a supposed low price store, on par with Smiths and Wal Mart.
Hamburger price for 5 pound tube of 70/30 meat to fat ratio: $17.85. This is the economy/cheap hamburger. Other hamburger packages cost much more per pound.
If people cannot even afford hamburger, they cannot afford much more.
It's the economy stupid and Obama is the stupid one.
Worse than Jimmy Carter. Worst president ever.

This Would Be Interesting

2012-01-14T17:17:00.001-08:00

If the Packers win tomorrow against the New York Giants, you will have the Packers vs the San Francisco 49ers.
I wonder if the politicians will make a fun bet like the usually do?
Scott Walker for Wisconsin betting against Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown of California. Or better yet, Walker betting Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco. Scott Walker is on the far right side while Brown and Pelosi are the extrme left.
Suggestions on what they should bet?
Maybe they will bet dairy products. If Walker and the Packers lose, Walker will give Moonbeam cheese and milk products and be classy.. If the Packers win, Moonbeam and/or Pelosi will probably give Walker the poop that comes out of the cow's butt and lack any dignity. But many liberals really don't care about dignity, do they?
But if it comes to pass, it certainly will be interesting, but first things first, the Packers have to win.

What an Exciting football Game

2012-01-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

4 lead changes in less than 4 minutes at the end of the San Fransisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. One of the best playoff football games. Ever.
Even the Maxwell pig was thrilled:

Pure Adrenaline

Bring on the 49ers

Another Stupid Patrick Coolican Article

2012-01-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

Patrick Coolican, the unethical, lazy, brain cell lacking but extreme liberal (pretty much sums up about 95% of liberals) comes up with another lame news column. In this column, Coolican writes like he has bipolar disease when he writes about the Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe case. He cannot make up his mind on what to think so he fills the article with his type of gibberish. In the article he writes about Father Kevin McAuliffe, who was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison for stealing $650,000 from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish specifically and in general, the Diocese of Las Vegas. Worse than the crime, McAuliffe significantly harmed the trust of Catholics in the clergy (like that has not happened before).
First, this is the first time Coolican and the Las Vegas Sun has reported on this story(The Sun ran an article yesterday, the first time they reported on this story- wonder why they holding back on the story?)
I first reported something was up on June 20, 2011: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2011/06/former-wi-priest-suspended-from-las.html The Las Vegas Review Journal has been reporting on this story since June 20th as well. So, welcome to the party, Patrick and the Las Vegas Sun.
Now, some tidbits from Coolican's article: Judge James Mahan cited Shakespeare’s Sonnet 94: “Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.”
“You abused a position of trust,” Mahan said.
McAuliffe brought shame on a church he claimed to love. And think of the good $650,000 could have done.
The case is a darkened spiritual and moral maze. It forces us to confront the most important questions about sin and forgiveness, justice and mercy, biological determinism and free will. I can find no way out.
Surely he needs to be held responsible for his actions, and he should pay the same price as the thousands of more common thieves in our valley. But he’s been serving people for decades, and he almost certainly suffered from untreated psychiatric conditions for years.
I can understand the prison term, though he’ll likely get no treatment there, and I think he could do as much or more good on the outside in the service of others and the community.
Should he experience the suffering that comes with the loss of liberty in prison? Yes. But hasn’t he already suffered from intense scrutiny, shame and loss of ecclesiastical duties?
If we say that addicts lose control of their behavior, how do we hold them responsible for their behavior?
Complex questions, and I have no answers. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/14/so-many-questions-linger-after-priest-who-stole-ga/
First, this case is not about a darkened spiritual and moral maze. There is nothing spiritual about this case. This case was about theft by a priest. He wasn't stealing for the Church, he was stealing for himself and his gambling. And morals? What morals? This isn't a case of Robin Hood, where McAuliffe stole from the rich and gave to the poor. This is a case where McAuliffe did steal from the rich (SEAS is probably the first or second richest Catholic parish in Las Vegas) and he gave to himself.
In one sentence, Coolican says he understands the prison sentence but thinks McAuliffe can do better being out in the community. See what I meant when I say that Coolican lacks brain cells. You cannot logically support both positions- either prison or probation- not both.
Coolican says he suffered from intense scrutiny, shame and the loss of priestly duties. Really Coolican? Did Coolican actually do research for this article? McAuliffe's picture is still on the Las Vegas Diocese priest roster web site: http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/priests.php There is no evidence that McAuliffe has been fired and he certainly has not been defrocked as a priest. Maybe in the fututre, but not yet. As as the shame and scrutiny, doesn't that happen to other professionals who have been arrested? Teachers, police officers, newspaper columnists all suffer shame and scrunity when they are arrested and sentenced, so why should McAuliffe be any different?
And if addicts lose control of their behavior, how do we hold them accountable for their behavior? Huh? English please.
More from the article: Here’s what I do know, however: Pathological gambling and gambling addiction are real, and they are biological. I found the atmosphere in the courtroom hostile to accepted science.
But later he says this: As with most mental illness, there is no “objective test,” no blood or urine test. At least not yet.
Well, then then gambling addiction is not biological. If it was biological, there would be medical tests to prove that gambling addiction is a physical/biological disease. Geez, even my pet guinea pig could figure this lie out.
But the peer-reviewed science is clear: The mind of a compulsive gambler is different, flooded with the pleasure-regulating chemical dopamine when in front of a video poker terminal. Their brains are different; you could even say damaged.
Obviously, not all scientist agree on this, otherwise, McAuliffe would have pleaded not guilty due to a mental illness, but instead McAuliffe pled guilty to the watered down crimes he was charged with.
But of course, these are the same kind of arguments that global warming supporters believe in, but global warming has pretty much been debunked and only believed in by a bunch of Kool Aide drinkers and people who get money for saying that global warming exists.
So, once again, Patrick Coolican shows what a complete idiot he is and also shows he really didn't know what he was writing about. Coolican had an agenda and he tried to fit the story to his beliefs but he failed miserably.

Another Reason Why Liberals Cannot Be District Attorneys

2012-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

A few posts ago, I wrote there are some jobs in this world that liberals are not qualified for and one is being a District Attorney and prosecutor. I said this because in Clark County, NV., we are about to get us a liberal District Attorney compliments of the 7 member Clark County commission, all who are liberal Democrats. They are going to name a new District Attorney to replace somewhat conservative David Rogers, the former DA.
From the Boston Herald: Here’s the final outcome of the Anthony McKay case:
If you defend your family and property from a knife-wielding druggie in Massachusetts, you’d better be prepared to also defend yourself from the justice system, too.
McKay is the young father who, seeing a local druggie breaking into his truck and stealing the tools he uses to pay the bills, confronted him, subdued him and held him for the police. When the police arrived, they found the bad guy had a knife, a billy club and — thanks to the unarmed McKay — a broken jaw.
Instead of thanking McKay for helping get an armed criminal off the streets, Swampscott officials charged him with a felony. As a Swampscott police spokesman said at the time, “We don’t urge anybody to fight back. We want them to call us.”
Thanks to pressure from readers of the Boston Herald and others, McKay will not be prosecuted. But the Essex County District Attorney’s office has made it clear that they are not supporting your right to self defense.
The Lynn Daily Item yesterday reported that the Essex DA insists the decision to nol pros — decline to prosecute — the case does not mean they think the police were wrong in arresting McKay. “It was not meant to Monday morning quarterback,” said spokesperson Carrie Kimball Monahan.
McKay’s pro bono attorney, Richard Chambers, was told the same thing. “The Essex DA’s office said they are able to prosecute some cases and not others, and this is one of those that they are not going to prosecute.”
In other words, McKay is lucky that the media made an issue out of this outrageous prosecution. Otherwise he could have spent five years in prison instead of working and paying the bills for his three young children.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view.bg?articleid=1395504
So, in Clark County, these are the kind of cases we can expect from our new District Attorney, no matter who it is. We are going to get a DA and prosecutors who will defend the criminal and go after law abiding citizens.
And people wonder why we can no longer trust the court system in Clark County. We a judge who is going out with an assistant district attorney who worked in his courtroom and then a vengeful DA and subordinates go on an illegal witch hunt to defame the same judge and ADA. You have a head judge criminal judge who seems unable to keep one of his kids out of jail. Another judge who has presided over 2 sham trials in which a drug company has to pay over $500 million in each trial to some defendants in the Hepatitis C case while the doctor involved doesn't even go to jail or pay a dime in damages. Other judges let out criminals on low bail or fail to prosecute criminals that admit to crimes, like Father Kevin McAuliffe. And the list can go on and on and on.
So, watch out Clark County, we are in for a nasty ride.

h/t Dad 29 http://dad29.blogspot.com/

Miss Wisconsin Favored To Win Miss America

2012-01-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

From Norm of the LVRJ: MISS AMERICA ODDS
A Las Vegas oddsmaker has made Miss Wisconsin a narrow favorite to win Miss America on Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort. Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, lists Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler as the odds-on favorite at 6-1. Avello provides odds for entertainment purposes only, not for wagering. Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson is the second choice at 8-1, with Miss Texas Kendall Morris at 9-1. Rounding out Avello's top 10 choices: 4. Miss Hawaii, 10-1; 5. Miss Utah, 14-1; 6. Miss New York, 15-1; 7. Miss Kentucky, 17-1; 8. Miss Idaho, 18-1; 9. Miss Michigan, 19-1 and Miss New Hampshire, 20-1.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/ali-s-70th-birthday-gala-set-for-feb-18-137340573.html
You can bet on darn everything sporting in Las Vegas. Isn't this kind of like a sporting event- 51 girls competing and I mean really competing and sometimes cheating to win the crown? Oh well. Maybe the gambling halls think the judges will be the ones on the take instead of the contestants.
BTW, Miss Wisconsin is from Kenosha. too bad Miss Nevada is not on the list. Miss Nevada is Alana Lee of Las Vegas, whose father is a powerful state senator in Nevada, John Lee. (I wonder if Harry Reid got her the title...nah, I don't think so, but..)
Nah, Alana Lee is a very smart woman and probably earned most everything she got.
Anyways, good luck to Miss Wisconsin.

R.I.P. Don Schneider

2012-01-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

You probably never heard of Don Schneider, but unless you live in a cave or are a shut in, you have seen his product or you have bought a product in which Schneider's company had something to do with.
Schneider was the former CEO of Schneider National, which was founded by his father, and is a huge trucking firm. His trucks are the big orange trucks you see criss crossing the United States and the headquarters are in Green Bay, WI.
From the jsonline: Don Schneider ran a multibillion-dollar company, but that didn't mean he had to wear a suit.
His business was trucking - Schneider National Inc. - based in Green Bay. Schneider transformed the family business, best known for those big orange trucks. Along the way, he helped transform the trucking industry throughout the United States.
Donald J. Schneider died Friday, after Alzheimer's disease in recent years. He was 76.
Both Don Schneider and the family business were born in the same year. His father, A.J. "Al" Schneider, started the company in 1935 after selling the family car to buy a truck.
By 1971, the younger Schneider was heading the company. Mostly on his watch, company revenues increased from less than $100 million to $3.4 billion.
He served as president and chief executive officer until 2002, and as board chairman until 2007.
Schneider National now has 11,600 drivers and 1,900 independent drivers, and tens of thousands of trucks and trailers.
"If you put our trucks and trailers and containers end-to-end, there'd be an orange wall from Green Bay to Columbus, Ohio," said Chris Lofgren, who succeeded Schneider as president and CEO.
"In terms of truckload transport, I would say there hasn't been anybody who has been as influential a leader in the industry as Don," Lofgren said. "It would be hard to overestimate his role."
Others agreed.
"Don Schneider was a visionary, bringing business acumen and technology to blaze a trail and set the standard in the modern day development of our industry," said Bill Graves, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, in a Schneider company statement.
"He was one of the really key leaders and took the industry in a new direction," Richard D. Armstrong, chairman of Armstrong & Associates, a transport logistics and consulting firm in Stoughton, said earlier. "He grew the company dramatically and changed the industry in a lot of good and positive ways." http://www.jsonline.com/news/obituaries/don-schneider-built-green-bay-trucking-company-into-industry-leader-00pok2-137337323.html
I remember reading articles about Schneider and the guy rarely, if ever, wore a suit and tie to work. And he was one of the guys- he always said his job was not more important than the truck driver or anybody else who worked for Schneider.
What a shame that Alzheimer's claimed such a smart man's intelligence. It is such a cruel disease.

2 More reasons Why Obama Will Be A 1 Term President

2012-01-13T19:50:00.000-08:00

GOP Presidential Candidate
Went to get gas today and saw that gas went up 12 cents in a week.
Went to the grocery store and payed about 20% more for the same groceries than last year.
The GOP can nominate a curly toe weirdo, as shown above and still win the election. (Ron Paul excluded)
As Bill Clinton said before he was elected "It's the economy, stupid".

What The Hell Is A Honey Badger?

2012-01-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

The latest craze word(s) on TV is the term "Honey Badger".
In Las Vegas, A Honey Badger would be the name of a hooker or stripper.
I know it is a wild animal: http://www.honeybadger.com/
Danica Patrick, Sarah Palin and a LSU football player say they are Honey Badgers.
And they even have a few videos, like this one:

(kind of graphic- contains nature killings)
So, this is what Palin and Danica want to be like?
So, what the hell is a Honey Badger, other than a wild animal who likes to kill?

Obviously, Las Vegas Priests Don't Take A Vow Of Poverty

2012-01-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

I always wondered how much money priests make as a salary and today, at the sentencing of Monsignor Keven McAuliffe, we found out how much money he was paid: $70,000 a year.
From the LVRJ: Brown also noted investigators examined gaming records, McAuliffe's financial records and financial documents related to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Las Vegas Diocese.
They noted gaming records showed McAuliffe gambled away amounts far in excess of his $70,000 annual salary.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/st-elizabeth-priest-mcauliffe-sentenced-to-37-months-in-prison-137297638.html
I would never have thought priests made that much money, after all, it's not like they have to support a family. Obviously, McAuliffe and many other priests in Las Vegas don't take a vow of poverty.

McAuliffe Ges 37 Months For Theft

2012-01-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe recieved a 37 month prison sentence today for theft when he appeared in Federal court.
From the Las Vegas Sun: A Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison Friday for siphoning some $650,000 from his northwest Las Vegas parish to support his gambling habit.
Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, 59, made no reaction as U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan faulted him for abusing a position of trust in his congregation.
Muffled sobs erupted from a courtroom packed with supporters.
Defense attorney Margaret Stanish asked the judge for probation and to let the McAuliffe continue getting counseling for his gambling addiction, keep practicing as a priest and pay restitution to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Summerlin.
But the judge added four months to the sentence recommended by Deputy U.S. Attorney Christina Brown, who said there is no reason McAuliffe should get a break.
He could have received up to 60 years in prison.
McAuliffe had complete control from to 2002 to 2010 of church activities and finances and was able to hide his embezzlement because he was a signatory to financial statements to the Las Vegas Diocese and Catholic Archdiocese in San Francisco, Brown said.
When confronted by the FBI last May, "the defendant for two hours offered various explanations as to how his earnings supported his gambling," she said. "When these explanations failed, agents asked the defendant if he stole money from the church, which the defendant denied."
McAuliffe pleaded guilty in October, before an indictment or criminal complaint was filed, to three counts of federal mail fraud for falsifying documents sent in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to the archdiocese.
McAuliffe was removed as pastor of the northwest Las Vegas congregation of more than 8,000 families and relieved of diocese duties. A month before, the Rev. James Jankowski, interim pastor of the church, pleaded in the church newsletter for parishioners to be patient.
Bishop Joseph Pepe, head of the regional church administration since 2001, issued a statement saying the diocese and parish were cooperating with federal authorities, and that church administrators were handling the matter internally.
Stanish told the judge that McAuliffe began paying restitution to the church in May, and that to date, he had paid $13,420.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/13/us-gambling-priest-4th-ld-writethru/
Nice that the judge saw through the charade of McAuliff's excuses- gamling addiciton and the assorted psychological excuses. As I said before, McAuliffe got lucky that he was only charged in Federal Court and while the State courts chickened out in prosecuting him. He could easily been charged with theft, burglary, receiving stolen property etc if the Clark County DA would have done his job.
So, now, McAuliffe will spend a month over 3 years in prison where he will probably go to the Oxford WI. prison in Wisconsin, if he wants to return home.
And still the Las Vegas Diocese is doing nothing about this case. They have not fired McAuliffe, they are cooking the books in his restitution and they have not tried to defrock McAuliffe- meaning firing him from the priesthood.
Meanwhile, I hope the Las Vegas Diocese is taking this case seriously and I hope they have ordered extensive audits of all of the Dioceses churches to make sure this is not happening elsewhere.
This wraps a sad day for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, the Las Vegas Diocese and Father McAuliffe. Hopefully, we will not see anymore sad days like thing in a long time.

Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe To Be Sentenced Today

2012-01-13T01:08:00.000-08:00

Today, Friday the 13th (of January), Monsignor (Father) Kevin McAuliffe will be sentenced in Federal court for his theft of about $650,000 from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church up in Summerlin. It will not be a lucky day for McAuliffe.
From the LVRJ: The thieving, gambling monsignor who stole $650,000, mostly from his church's votive candle fund, has his supporters who want him to receive probation Friday.
I'm not one of them.
Nor is the U.S. Department of Probation, which recommends he spend 33 months in prison, which is the low end of the federal sentencing guidelines. The high end would be 41 months.
U.S. District Judge James Mahan won't be bound by the probation recommendation when he sentences Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe at 10 a.m. Friday. He can show leniency. Or not. http://www.lvrj.com/news/thieving-priest-deserves-to-be-treated-like-any-other-criminal-137165378.html
My guess is that he will get some prison time, probably around 2 years plus probation and restitution and he will serve the prison sentence in the Federal prison in Oxford, WI. (about 60 miles north of Madison, in Marquette County) This prison is close to his home in Wisconsin, where I am sure he still has family. It is also a minimum security prison, located in a beautiful area of Wisconsin. It has forests surrounding the prison, along with a small lake and a lot of green grass (which also has a lot of snow on it now)
McAuliffe will try and blame his gambling addiction for the thefts and his attorney will plea fo no prison time. His attorney(s) will try for probation and say McAuliffe can serve the community better outside of prison than in it.
the prosecutors should argue for prison time because he is getting a HUGE break by being in Federal court and not State court.
The Las Vegas Diocese still has McAuliffe on it's payroll and still recognizes him as a priest for the Diocese (http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/priests.php) and that is a shame. Sounds like they are not taking this case very seriously.
So, I will update this story as soon as I am able.
Any thoughts about the appropriate punishment?

Why Don't The do This In Las Vegas?

2012-01-13T00:35:00.000-08:00

From the El Paso Times: In a rare move, Catholic Bishop Armando X. Ochoa and Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas on Wednesday sued a controversial priest and his brother, alleging they mishandled thousands of dollars in church money.
The suit, described as an extraordinary measure by the bishop, alleges that the Rev. Michael E. Rodriguez improperly accepted donations meant for San Juan Bautista parish and opened certificates of deposit in his name that were meant for church construction projects.
The suit also names Rodriguez's brother, David Rodriguez.
The Rev. Rodriguez, who was reassigned from San Juan Bautista Parish on Sept. 20, 2011, to Santa Teresa de Jesus Parish in Presidio, Texas, denied any wrongdoing in a statement released Thursday. The priest was reassigned for becoming politically involved in a recall effort against the mayor and two City Council representatives.
On Thursday, Ochoa said he could not comment on the lawsuit.
But according to the suit, Ochoa learned of the alleged mishandling on Sept. 7, 2011, when two former parishioners reported that the Rev. Rodriguez was soliciting money from them and others but asked that the checks be made payable to him instead of the church.
In a letter to parishioners on the El Paso Catholic diocese website, Ochoa said that Rodriguez failed to comply with diocesan policies relating to parish finances. He also stated that the priest has repeatedly refused to make a complete disclosure of how San Bautista church donations were used.
"I have had to resort to an extraordinary measure in order to protect the patrimony and restore the financial integrity of San Juan Bautista parish," Ochoa stated in the letter. http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_19729925
Today, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe is going to be sentenced for the money he stole from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Summerlin. He stole at least $650,000 from the Church over the years and he stole money from everywhere the Church had money- collection plates, Church candles, gift shop etc.
I'm not sure where McAuliffe is living nowadays, but I am thinking this is a strong possibility: I think he is living in a monastery somewhere but is collecting his salary as a priest. He then is turning over his salary to the Church as restitution but in the meantime, he is getting all of his living expenses paid for. I am sure he is paying nothing for rent, for food and other basic living expenses.
If this is the scenario, then this is not causing McAuliffe any hardship. He is getting his expenses paid for and his salary is being turned over to the Diocese, kind of like a Ponzi Scheme.
Meanwhile, the Diocese still has McAuliffe's picture on it's web site( http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/priests.php ), along with the other priests who have not been arrested for theft or anything else.
Obviously, McAuliffe is being treated with kid gloves by the Las Vegas Diocese.
The Las Vegas Diocese ought to take the example of the El Paso Diocese and sue McAuliffe for the money he stole. They ought to fire him and he needs to be defrocked as a priest. Then the Clark County prosecutors ought to charge him in State court instead of Federal court. He hurt a lot of people and broke the trust of hundreds, if not thousands of people who call the Catholic Church home in Las Vegas.
But Bishop Pepe, bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas, seems to think otherwise. Too bad and what a poor example the Bishop is showing to Catholics and to the public in general. What a shame.

Obama: Rats Are OK For Washington D.C. Occupiers

2012-01-12T23:58:00.001-08:00

From the Washington Examiner: Mayor Vincent Gray on Thursday moved to have the Occupy DC protesters ejected permanently from McPherson Square so the city can eradicate a rat infestation at the park where protesters have been camped since October.
Gray wrote to National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, whose agency has jurisdiction over the federal park, that the situation at McPherson Square has become "dangerous." Gray asked the Park Service to move the McPherson protesters to Freedom Plaza, where a second Occupy camp is already set up.
D.C. Health Department Director Mohammed Akhter determined that conditions at McPherson are "particularly a threat to the health and safety of both protesters and District residents," Gray wrote....
"The city is trying its best to protect the health, welfare, and safety of people in and around the campsite," Issa, R-Calif., said. "In this situation, the National Park Service has so far been more interested in making excuses than protecting the public."
A Jan. 11 health report by Akhter says rodents were "clearly visible even during daylight hours" at McPherson Square. The kitchen has no refrigeration or hot water and Occupiers have only portable toilets that Health Department officials deemed "a health hazard."
Spokesmen from the U.S. Park Police and the Health Department declined comment, saying they needed to review the mayor's request. Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2012/01/gray-wants-occupy-out-mcpherson-square/2091241#ixzz1jK6AhAFK
So, the Obama administration would rather have a bunch of rats running through the Park and surrounding neighborhoods than evict the Occupiers.
Perhaps the Obama administration has a particular love affair with rats for DNA reasons?

Another Reason Why Cell Phones Are Not Worth It

2012-01-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

I only started using a cell phone full time 1 year ago. Most of the other time, I relied on the old dial phone (yes, an actual dial phone) and used my cell phone for games, pictures and emergencies.
From Fox News: A ringing cellphone disrupted a performance by the New York Philharmonic on Tuesday, prompting a conductor to abruptly stop the music, one concertgoer told FoxNews.com.
Kyra Sims, a master's student at the Manhattan School of Music, said maestro Alan Gilbert stopped the iconic orchestra during the final movement of Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.
"Phones go off during concerts all the time, so when I first heard the phone, I said, 'Man, he's an idiot,'" Sims told FoxNews.com. "I figured he would turn it off but then it just kept ringing. That's what the staggering thing was, it was incessant."Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/12/ringing-cellphone-disrupts-new-york-philharmonic-performance/?test=latestnews#ixzz1jJqkZvtP
For the past 3 weeks, when I have been in Church, cell phones have gone off and disrupted the service for those around the phone.
I currently have a Blackberry phone and I use it to play Word Mole, text and call my wife, call my mom and talk to my kids and that's it.
But most other people think their phone is their god. They are constantly using it- texting, going on the Internet, calling some people, play games etc. Apparently, people with cell phones think that people want to hear their conversations at the movies, restraunts and grocery stores, or that their phone calls at Church are more important than the service and they are more important than the people who are around them, and in the news article, they think they are more important than the music they were listening to and more important than the people around them.
Maybe we need a law about cell phones disrupting Church or concerts. Just remember, it's not the cell phone who bother people and music, it's the idiot people who disrupt the music and services.

NASCAR: It's All about Sponsorships

2012-01-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

From ESPN: Richard Petty said the reason Kurt Busch wasn't hired to drive his famous No. 43 was "personality."
"Sponsorships," Petty said during a break in Thursday's test session at Daytona International Speedway. "Nobody at the time wanted to pay the bill for him. That's how simple it was."
Busch, who was released from Penske Racing after a tumultuous 2011 season that led the 2004 Cup champion to seek professional help for anger issues, ultimately signed with Phoenix Racing.
Richard Petty Motorsports signed Aric Almirola from JR Motorsports' Nationwide Series team after AJ Allmendinger left to replace Busch at Penske Racing -- even though RPM executive Robbie Loomis said he would mortgage his house to sign Busch.
Petty said Smithfield Foods, which he introduced Thursday as a primary sponsor for the No. 43 car he drove to a record 200 victories and seven Cup championships, was among those that wouldn't come on board if Busch was involved.
"Everybody has to protect their brand," Petty said. "Smithfield has a pretty laid-back, pretty good down-home persona in the general public. If they had taken him on, it would have changed their ... they just didn't like the personality."
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7455466/sponsors-wary-kurt-busch-personality-richard-petty-says
In most sports, the very best athletes are out on the field competing for one team or another.
But in NASCAR and most motorsports, it's the sponsors who decide which athletes are out on the field/track. Not the best drivers, mind you, but what the sponsors want.
What if Jeff Gordon did something stupid and the sponsors abandoned him. Would he still have a driving job? Probably not unless he had his own NASCAR team. But Jeff Gordon is one of the best drivers in NASCAR.
Kurt and Kyle Busch are a month the best of the best of NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, but there was a real strong chance that neither one of them would be driving this season. Kurt was fired from Penske and finally got a job driving for a minor league Sprint team.
Kyle darn near was fired from his ride after he intentionally wrecked a truck in the Camping World truck series and had a few other incidents this past season. Because of Kyle's actions, he no longer will drive in the Truck and Nationwide series this next season. Who benefits from that? The fans? Nope. sponsors? Yep.
This season, right now, David Regan, Brian Vickers and couple other good, high quality drivers don't have rides this year. Not because they don't have the talent- they do, but because of sponsorships, which rule the sport.
So, in another month or so, when the Daytona races begin, we won't have the best drivers on the track, we will have the drivers that sponsors want on the track.
NAsCAR has really began to stink.

Cheers! Cure For The Hangover

2012-01-12T21:55:00.000-08:00

While drinking my nightly beer, I ran across this article from AOL: UCLA researchers have found a compound that can counteract the effects of alcohol, but don't call it revolutionary: some people have known about it for over 1300 years.
The team, led by molecular pharmacologist Jing Liang, looked to ancient herbal remedies for inspiration in their study, published this month in the Journal of Neuroscience, and then used modern science to test them. They found, according to MedicalXpress, "descriptions of anti-alcohol properties of the Asian tree Hovenia dulcis that dated back to 659."
In the experiment (which used rats, since their reaction to alcohol are similar to that of humans), all the subjects were given a strong dose of alcohol. Some were also given the key compound, Dihydromyricetin (DHM), from the ancient Hovenia Dulcis tree, and these subjects sobered up faster and showed a higher tolerance for alcohol in general. In addition, DHM fought hangovers; these extra-resistant rats were tested later for signs of anxiety and seizure, associated with hangovers, and showed fewer of those side effects.
Hangover resistance, as it turns out, was a bonus; the research was intended to develop treatments for alcohol use disorders. ScienceNews writes. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/hangovers-cured-for-good-_n_1201459.html
I don't get hangovers anymore, at least not since my early party years when I was in my 20's or so. The only drinks that give me hangovers are lite beer, wine and champagne and since I don't drink those, I just don't get hangovers anymore.
But those who do get hangovers, there is hope besides taking Tums and Tylenol the day after drinking.
Somehow, finding a cure for both a hangover and alcohol abuse seem to be contradictory.
Cheers!

I Really Don't Care If Our Marines Piss On The Dead Enemy

2012-01-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

So, a bunch of Marines are in trouble for peeing on the dead enemy- the Taliban. While Obama and his ilk are trying to play nice with the Taliban, even though the Taliban helped killed over 3000 Americans on 9/11 and later, the Marines who peed on the enemy are also sending a message.: Don't try and kill our troops.
The Marines could have done worse- they could have rolled the bodies up in pig bacon fat.
What if these dead Taliban dead just got finished attacking Americans or even worse, innocent Afghan women and children, which the Taliban are known to do frequently? Do the dead Taliban deserve any kind of sympathy like Obama, Hillary Clinton and the liberal minions in Washington D.C. are giving them?
And why in the hell is the Obama administration even talking to the Taliban? Why are they sucking up to the enemy? Why is Obama and Clinton kissing the asses of the Taliban who believe that women are trash, that gays should be executed, that Sharia Law is the law of the land? Why is the Obama consorting with the enemy? In any other time, this would be called treason.
So, a bunch of Marines pissed on a couple dead enemy terrorists during war time? How is that any different than Obama and Hillary Clinton pissing on the graves of the 3000+ Americans who have died at the hands of the Taliban and others.

Clark County About To get A Liberal District Attorney

2012-01-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

When GOP former District Attorney David Rogers up and quit, he opened the door for an unelected liberal Democrat to become the District Attorney for Clark County, at least for the next 3 years or so.
In the running for the DA job is a Democratic political leader, a defense attorney and a County attorney.
From the LVRJ: Three finalists were chosen Friday from a pool of seven candidates to become the county's next district attorney.
They are Drew Christensen, county director of appointed counsel; John Hunt, former Clark County Democratic Party chairman; and Steve Wolfson, Las Vegas city councilman and defense lawyer. http://www.lvrj.com/news/finalists-for-district-attorney-post-christensen-hunt-wolfson-136863468.html
Because the Clark County is 100% made up of Democrats and most are liberal Democrats, we are going to be given a DA who is going to be liberal and/or not qualified, especially in the case of John Hunt who should not even be considered- Hunt must have applied as a practical joke on someone. But elections have consequences and Clark County is going to be stuck with a liberal DA.
But there are some jobs liberals just are not qualified for. Being a District Attorney and prosecutor are not jobs for liberals, otherwise you will have a bunch of coddling of criminals instead of punishing those who have broken the law. Most Liberals just don't have the heart or brains to be a tough DA or prosecutor.
On the other hand and to be fair, there are jobs conservatives should not have. One is a social worker and perhaps a therapist, as seen in this film clip.

Pawn Stars Night Shift Hoax

2012-01-11T20:52:00.001-08:00

The show Pawns Stars has a new story line- they are trying to hire a new worker to work the night shift. They give the perspective employees a series of tests about selling items.
Well, here is the truth about the Gold and Silver Shop, home of the Pawn Stars:
At night, the main store is not open. All they have open is a window at the door in which 1 or 2 people work. The window opens up around the time it gets dark or maybe a little later. They mostly take in items, like gold and silver jewelry and nothing expensive. They don't buy big items, like items more than $1000, if that because the workers probably don't have access to that much cash.. They may accept payments for items that have been pawned. This is pretty standard at most pawn shops that are open 24 hours in Las Vegas.
The night shift doesn't do much interaction with the public. They probably do more cleaning than anything. I am sure, at the Gold and Silver Shop, they probably have more visitors at night visiting because of the show, but probably not much business.
So, if you want to visit the shop at night, all you will find is a window that is open to the store and that's it. Not much to see and you can't go inside the shop. And you certainly won't see any of the stars of the show, unless they are filming at night.
So, that is the truth about the story line of Pawn Stars trying to find a new night shift person- it's a fake story line.

Well, Lookee Here- A Quality GOP Candidate For House

2012-01-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like Dina Titus may not have that easy waltz back into the House, in Nevada Congressiongal District 1.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Ruben Kihuen, the state senator hoping to become Nevada’s first Hispanic representative, had a tough race already, facing fellow Democrat and former Rep. Dina Titus.
Now, there’s another Hispanic in the race: a Republican who could split the support of the Hispanic community that Kihuen’s team hoped to rally.
Mike Rodrigues, an elementary school principal from Las Vegas, has an educational background that ranges from opera to business to Christian ministry, and a resume that includes service in the U.S. Air Force and teaching at the Las Vegas campus of the for-profit University of Phoenix. His platform is improving the economy and the educational system by keeping things local.
“My entire career has been focused on raising standards in the classroom and enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Nevada,” he said in his campaign announcement. “It’s time to take that same fight to the United States Congress.”
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jan/11/republican-gets-1st-district-congressional-race-co/
Mike Rodrigues sounds like a quality candidate, certainly more ethical than Dina Titus. My guess is that if it is a Rodrigues-Kihuen race, I can see Kihuen winning but a race between Titus-Rodrigues and Rodrigues wins in a landslide. Titus is one of the most unethical politicians in Nevada history- behind Crybaby Reid and John Ensign, so it will be easy to campaign against her..
Thanks for entering the race, Mike.

Sandoval Comes Out And Sees His Shadow

2012-01-11T19:04:00.000-08:00

Has there been a more quiet governor in the Uited States than Brian Sandoval? We could go weeks without seeing his name in the newspaper. However, he did pop up this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Gov. Brian Sandoval made his first visit to the floor of the International Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday and, like many visitors to the annual gadget showcase, saw lots of stuff he'd like to have.
Sandoval and a small contingent from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spent about an hour at the show, touring the displays of Motorola, Panasonic and Samsung.
"This is probably the most famous show on the planet, and for us to host it is wonderful," Sandoval said. "I think it's important for the governor of Nevada to be here."
Sandoval, believed to be the first sitting governor ever to tour CES, looked at microtelevisions from Motorola, lithium ion storage battery cells for electric cars at the Panasonic booth and smart televisions from Samsung that integrate TV programming with web surfing and social media interaction.
http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2012/jan/11/sandoval-ces-i-can-see-so-many-things-id-have/
Hopefully, Sandoval spent some time trying to get some of the electronics companies to build a plant or two in Nevada.
I guess Sandoval will now be gone for a few weeks. Maybe he has the same travel planner as President Obama?

KDWN Gives Up Afternoon News For Obama Network

2012-01-10T21:57:00.000-08:00

KDWN, AM 720 in Las Vegas has given up local afternoon news and now has the Obama glorification news network, the AP radio news, give the national news updates on the hour and half hour.
I believe that Nate Tannenbaum, the bow tied news person who has been around Las Vegas forever, was the last afternoon newscaster for KDWN.
Now, they have the very liberal and Obama cheerleader, AP radio news as it's newscaster on the hour and half hour. I don't know what time they start using AP news, other than it is in the afternoon. They still use local news in the morning, during the Heidi Harris show.
KDWN has been doing this from the beginning of the year.
I wonder what other cost saving measures KDWN have in store, but if I were Heidi Harris and Alan Stock, both conservative local talk show hosts on KDWN, I would be working on my resume.

A Brave Man Speaking Out

2012-01-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

From The Azcentral.com: He went to the town-hall meeting outside the grocery store to yell at his congresswoman, angry that she kept voting for liberal causes, including the health-care reform bill -- "Obamacare," as he calls it.
George Morris didn't get the chance as a gunman went on a rampage that killed his wife, Dorothy, and wounded him in the legs and back.
If he could meet Rep. Gabrielle Giffords now, he'd still vent his frustration at the representative, who suffered brain damage from the Jan. 8 shootings. He also has some choice words for her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly.

"Every time I see them on TV," he said of the couple, who were featured in a prime-time network special in November, "it makes me want to vomit."
Morris, 77, a self-described "ultraconservative," refused an invitation to have President Barack Obama visit him in his hospital room in the days following the shootings.
"I will not kowtow to anyone," he said. "People would not believe that I would refuse the president."
Morris volunteered for the campaign of Giffords' opponent in the 2010 election, a Republican who ran as a "tea party" member. He still thinks Giffords should not be in office. "I think she ought to be thrown out of Congress posthaste," he said. "I do not think she is worthy of serving."
Morris blames Kelly for the death of his wife and the others killed and injured because Kelly didn't take precautions to protect his wife, despite knowing Giffords faced death threats.
"I'd like to debate our dear captain astronaut (and ask) why he didn't have security," Morris said. "My wife would still be alive."
Morris, a retired Marine and airline pilot, also criticized Kelly's decision to fly a shuttle mission while Giffords recovered in a Houston hospital.
He also doesn't appreciate what he sees as the media's deification of the congresswoman. "I think they are both worthless," Morris said. Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/07/20120107giffords-victims-morris.html#ixzz1j7knmgg7
I'm sorry, but the media is fawning over Gabby Giffords and they forget about the other victims of the Tuscon shooting- the people who died and the other people who were shot and injured.
Giffords is out now, showing off to the media how much she has recovered, which is a lot, but she is taking all of the spot light and not giving the victims their due.
Then there is talk that Giffords is thinking about running for the House in 2012. Why? She has not represented her district since the shooting, just making a token visit to vote on raising the country's debt. Really? Of all the votes in Congress and she comes back for that one?
It is nice that her staff are running her office in her absence, but no one is voting for the people in her district, no one is representing them in Congress.
And about her recovery? She has her husband talk for her, which means she still has a long way to go, both verbally and probably mentally as well.
I have no problem if she still receives her salary and health benefits while she recovers from her injuries, she deserves that. But let's cut to the chase- she is not serving her constituents by not voting on their behalf. And if she runs again for Congress, what guarantee will the people of her district have that she will actually be a Congresswoman for them?
Yeah, I know Mr. Morris and myself will be considered to be heartless. But that does not diminish the facts of the case where Giffords and her husband are being glorified in the media at the expense of the other victims of the Tuscon shooting and the fact that she is not representing her district in Congress now and if she runs again in 2012. So, come on with the comments that I am a heartless bastard, but you cannot argue the facts.