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The Detroit Dilemma
Rush Limbaugh was sharing an insightful article on what lead to the current plight of the auto industry on his program today. I thought I would share it with you:
UPDATE: 12/11/2008
Well, it looks like the Democrats aren’t off to a good start.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28166218/
DEMOCRATS: 205 for, 20 against
REPUBLICANS: 32 for, 150 against
Absolutely no surprise, of course, but still disappointing.
UPDATE: 12/12/2008
Here is a visual guide to understanding how the bailout is funded and a couple of financial experts’ take on how it could be funded.
19-year old commits suicide live online
I’ve been fascinated by this story, which is both powerful and sad. On Wednesday, November 19th, 19-year old Abraham Biggs of Pembroke Pines, Florida, commit suicide in front of an audience via Justin.tv. It was discovered that he was apparently egged on by several forum commenters on bodybuilding.com. Apparently, the teen had cried foul several times in the past and forum visitors did not believe that he was serious. Eventually someone called the police when they realized he was serious.
A copy of the original thread can be found on Google cache, however, you can view the screen captures of the thread here since it’s difficult to navigate pages.
You can see a portion of the video when the cops show up here (warning: contains racial slurs):
(Is it S.O.P. to throw shit at and use laser scopes on a suspected suicide vitcim?)
This page has the suicide note.
Remeber folks, crying for help is someone who is ASKING FOR HELP.
$7.7 Trillion
From Bloomberg: U.S. Pledges Top $7.7 Trillion to Ease Frozen Credit
“The unprecedented pledge of funds includes $3.18 trillion already tapped by financial institutions in the biggest response to an economic emergency since the New Deal of the 1930s, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.”
For the record, folks, that’s roughly half of our 2007 GDP and about three-fourths of our current federal deficit.
Separate but equal
Wanda and I went to The Henry Ford museum this weekend. Among many very excellent exhibits was one of the African-American civil rights struggle in the United States. We even got to step into the actual bus Rosa Parks took her historic stand in. There was a lot of history at the exhibit, and I enjoyed reading about the details. I found myself comparing the struggle of black people to that of modern-day GLBTs. Please note that I am not suggesting that the injustices that African-Americans suffered are equal to those of GLBTs today. There is no establishment de jure of capital punishment for same sex couples, and the idea of public lynchings of GLBTs is absurd.
However, while exploring the history, I couldn’t help but apply modern mores in a similar light. For example, I believe that most individuals would find the Dred Scott verdict to be absurd today. How many of those same individuals are in favor of modifying the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman?
While pondering, I pictured many of those conservatives who call into my talk radio programs and suggest things such as, “I don’t care what they do in private, but they shouldn’t be allowed to marry!”
I guess history does repeat itself sometimes.
Congratulations Tony & Wendy!
My brother Tony and Wanda’s sister Wendy graduated from University this week. Though the ceremonies were last weekend, they still had finals this week (strange, I know).
- Tony graduated from UW-Green Bay with a BBA in Management.
- Wendy graduated from UW-River Falls with a BS in Conservation.
We are very proud of them both. Congratulations!
December 22nd, 2007 
Family & Friends, News & Current Events 
Tags: graduation, school, tony, wendy, more... 10-year High School Reunion
Last night was the Kaukauna High School’s Class of 1997 10-year reunion. It was a lot of fun – even better than the last. It took place at Big Daddy’s Bar and Grill & Grill in Combined Locks, WI. For $25, there was good food, bottomless rails and beer, and a D.J.
I was surprised at how many people showed up. I didn’t realize the dancing talent in our class! It was good to see old friends. The free drinks ended at midnight, even though they were told it would continue until bar time. That’s probably a good thing because I was bombed by midnight.
I pretended to dance when I got sufficiently drunk. That was a mistake. I hope nobody holds it against me.
What if we lose?
Jerry Bader referenced an interested WSJ editorial this morning underscoring the dangers of a premature retreat from Iraq. In the past, I’ve been mostly on the fence as to whether we were warranted in going to war in Iraq. However, I also feel that none of those reasons matter anymore. What’s done is done, and now we need to finish the job. Keep in mind I have no loved ones stationed in the Middle East at this time, however, I think losing and/or retreating from this conflict could cause great damage to the well-being of our country as a whole. I don’t claim to know much about the logistics of the war, but I do hope we can reach a resolution sooner than later while minimizing further deaths of our soldiers.
- Wall Street Journal Editorial: What if We Lose?
UW-Eau Claire Bible Study Controversy
While listening to WTAQ this morning on my way to work, I believe it was Jerry Bader who commented on a recent controversy at UW-Eau Claire regarding a resident assistant (RA) whom was conducting bible study sessions in the basement of the dorm where he lived and worked. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any articles about this incident in The Spectator (UW-Eau Claire’s student-run newspaper), but Google News came to my rescue. Apparently, this RA was sent a letter forbidding him from conducting the bible study sessions within the dorm where he worked.
Not surprisingly, this created a controversy over the individual’s rights and freedom of speech. From the article linked below:
The controversy began on July 26, when UWEC Associate Director for Housing and Residence Life Deborah Newman sent a letter saying RAs could not lead Bible studies in their dorms at any time. Her reason for this was that students might not think Bible study-leading RAs were sufficiently “approachable.”
…and from this article:
They can participate in one, or lead one in another building. The school says if assistants lead bible studies in their dorm, it might make them seem unapproachable to some students. Administrators say it could also violate the separation of church and state because RA’s are university employees.
I think the ban is a good idea, since it appears to me that they are welcome to study by themselves, as well as participate in any other religious activities both on- and off-campus, so long as it’s not in the dorm where they work and live. They article below also mentioned, “Newman’s letter added that Koran and Torah studies would be similarly prohibited,” so I don’t see any discrimination there.
Finally, he is essentially an employee of the state in a state-run institution. Accepting the position of RA comes with several
restrictions, and this is one of them. Although I agree this policy should have been spelled out in some sort of handbook that he should have received, nobody put a gun to his head to become an RA. Such restrictions are a large part of the reason many students choose not to become RAs.
What do you think?
- College Bans Dormitory Bible Studies (Nice sensationalistic headline, there.)
November 4th, 2005
News & Current Events, religion Tags: eau claire, news, Politics, religion, more... No Smokes for You, Part III
Outagamie County Circuit Judge Dee Dye threw out a lawsuit filed in June by 35 bar owners after he determined the city’s smoking ban ordinance, approved by voters in April, did not violate state law.
Although I’m pleased with his decision, the fight is by no means over yet. Opponents of the ban are urging council to schedule a special election in November to allow voters to revisit the ban. Additionally, further legal appeals are possible. I’m not sure they’ll get it overturned in the courts, but I’m hoping the second referendum will be on the April ballot. I think a November special election will have a turnout much more likely to be biased against the ban. I think an April referendum will likely have similar results to the first.
- Post-Crescent article: Voters get crack at smoking ban
***Update***
It looks like the second referendum will be in April, which is good. The choice of dates could have very easily changed the result of the vote.
Smoking Ban (cont’d)
Well, it looks like the smokers in Appleton will get their day at the polls again. I’m hoping the referendum goes on the April ballot, which might produce a more diverse turnout, as opposed to a special election which may be monopolized by those who wish to overturn the ban. It’s been so nice enjoying smoke-free living in Appleton establishments. I think a better solution would be if Grand Chute, Neenah, and Menasha would pass similar bans – then the bar owners would have less to whine about.
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