SundayMorningCoffee

Sexy Gossip, Politics & More - SMC 06/24/12

Sunday Morning Coffee is a collection of stories about politics, news, gossip all laced with my opinion.  And, because there is no hiding here, my name is Michael P. Libbie.  If you wish to comment here, feel free.  Or we can connect on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or here is my personal Facebook Page. We'll get back to business tomorrow and thanks for coming by. Now...grab a cup but, careful, the coffee is always hot!

It’s A Bible Thing

I’ve often wondered about those individuals who wish to foster their particular religious beliefs upon the rest of us, “Because it’s in the Bible”.  Obvious to this is the question as to which of the commandments might they choose to observe and which might they dump on the trash bin of history.  The answer lies in their perception of what they find acceptable and what they might blow off for personal or political gain.  That’s why a recent guest editorial by Jonathon Wilson in the Des Moines Register regarding the very public resignation of the Rev. Keith Ratliff as the president of the Iowa-Nebraska Conference of the NAACP was so…good.  So, while we’re at it and “Because it’s in the Bible” let’s make laws that:

• Mandate circumcision;
• Make it a crime to eat pork;
• Require all business to come to a halt on Saturday;
• Require that marriage is forever, no divorce allowed;
• Mandate polygamy;
• Approve of slavery;
• Mandate capital punishment for adultery.

Let’s put those bibical traditions up for a vote and see how far it goes.  Oh, it’s been tried…but the Taliban didn't allow a vote and even if they did, women would not be allowed.  Weary friends…weary.

Open Forum on Marriage Equality

This should prove interesting.  Desmund Adams, the Democrat seeking the open seat in Iowa Senate District 22, has said he is putting together a Town Hall Forum on marriage equality slated for July.  “We will invite both sides of the controversy so that we can engage in a thoughtful discussion of those issues which tend to divide us.  It’s the kind of things we should expect from our senate leaders.”    We’re in however I’m concerned that “thoughtful discussion” may be a stretch.  We'll see.

Meanwhile More on Dr. Sebring

It wasn’t a good week for Dr. Nancy Sebring the former superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools and almost the superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools as Judge Robert Hanson ruled against her motion to keep additional emails out of public scrutiny.  In addition at least one Des Moines television station (WHO-TV 13) has released, against his wishes, the name of Dr. Sebring’s married lover, an active duty officer in the United States Army.  Frankly I thought the Des Moines Register did the right thing in not releasing his name saying it was not in the public interest.  Maybe so…but what these two highly visible people (he, by the way was featured in a 60 Minutes piece) should have done was to just say “The hell with it…” and make it public.  Get divorced and live forever as happy, crazy about love, sexy kids…  Oh, wait that might not work so well.  We would have to, if my religious friends have their way, to put them both to death. Icky…

The Private Sector is Doing Just Fine

Got to love politics where the game is to convince people that your opponent is “out of touch” with the reality of the day only to ignore what reality is.  Recently Gov. Mitt Romney, and his known and unknown buddies, have been buying loads of TV and Radio time to share what has now become a mantra among the Republicans.  “See, the president is so far removed from reality he thinks the private sector is doing fine.”  What they fail to include is the rest of the president’s remarks contrasting the private sector with the bloodletting that has been going on by cutting thousands and thousands of middle class government workers.  My son had a wonderful tip and we’ll pass it along to the Obama team. Go talk to the private sector business owners, many of whom are doing “just fine” and put them up in a :60 and have them say, “Us?  We’re just fine.”  Do that 45 times in sixty-seconds and it defuses the argument fostered by the GOP.

Chuckling

Last week at a GOP sponsored event an Iowa businessman bemoaned the fact that his business has seen a flat line when it comes to creating jobs.  Jose Laracuente, of course, blamed his hiring woes on the usual suspect, President Obama.  He went on to spread more doom and gloom by saying, tax, regulatory and health care uncertainty have hampered hiring.  Now, what business might Jose be in?  Agriculture financial software at AgVision in Ankeny, Iowa.   I shared this story with a friend of mine who is in agriculture manufacturing and happens to be buddies with Gov. Scott Walker who said, “Either he is lying or he has a crappy business.”  You see friends, if you’ve even touched the agriculture industry over the past three years…you know it’s booming. But, Jose was being a good servant of…fear. Either that or agriculture is making so much money they really don’t want to account for it.  Hum….anybody?

Webster City Gets the (Drive) Shaft

There is some news blowing around that we're about to sell Iowa as a "Data Farm". What that means is we're about to give the farm away to lure a big operation to store data.  The player is Google, Facebook, YouTube...Microsoft...nobody is saying but here's a story of how, sometimes, giving away the farm can get you the shaft. Our friends at Bleeding Heartland have this story about how the citizens of Webster City are stuck with nearly $500 thousand in grant money for an electric automobile plant that...won't happen.  Desperate people will do just about anything. Oh, remember where those jobs in Webster City went?  Si...I thought so.  And, no there will never be another Electrolux product in our home...ever.

What’s Really Wrong with the Economy?

Simply put in this great piece from our friend Robert Reich is the fact that middle class Americans just don’t have the money to spend us out of the recession.  In fact, personal income for the average American family went down 7.7% between 2007 and 2010 while the net worth and income of the most wealthy continues to climb.  Pretty simple folks, when the majority of Americans can’t afford to buy stuff and the minority of Americans spend only half of their income on stuff…its ass backward.  Please read this article and when you are done let me know what does not make sense.  Bet you won’t.

The United Nations & Warren County

The other day I was visiting with a guy by the name of Scott Ourth who is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in House District 26.  We talked about his candidacy and his long experience in economic development.  I asked Scott about his opponent this November and what his or her number one policy might be.  Scott said, "He's got lots of Tea Party backing but one of the most interesting things he talks about it the United Nations..."  HUH? So, I was wondering what this guy Steve McCoy might be like and about his issues. Oh...my..extremists are alive and well in Rural Iowa and it seems he is more concerned about federal than local/state politics.  That, of course, is low hanging fruit for guys like him.  Good luck Scott, you've got lots of friends who believe in the important issues of economic development, jobs and education all solid ideas that benefit all the people...not just a few.

Speaking of Warren County

Last week I ran into my good friend Jason White, Executive Director of the Warren Country Development Corporation.  Jason and I go back several years and I got to catch up on the progress he and his team are making.  If you remember I attended a major fund raising program GroWARRENow this past winter and had an opportunity to talk economic development with Jason:

 

See, I DO have friends who are Republicans.  Honest....

Partly Personal

Father's Day came and...went.  I've always gotten a kick out of how different we celebrate that day vs. the Mother of All Holidays...Mother's Day.  There is much less fanfare in June than in May.  Anyway...along with some nifty cards my son, Aaron (pictured here flipping burgers with Desmund) got me a air-powered nail gun.  Yeah baby!  We're going to be doing some nailing now!! Whoot...and thanks!

Thanks to you for coming by....have a great Sunday!

 

Politics & Sexy Gossip - SMC June 17, 2012

Sunday Morning Coffee is our break from the world of business and our look at the steamy side of politics, gossip, pop-culture all laced with my opinion. And, because I get to take ownership (no hiding kids) my name is Michael P. Libbie and (if you want) we can connect here with a comment or on Twitter it's @MichaelLibbie and this is the location of my personal Facebook Page.  OK now...let's get on with the sad state of affairs for this week.

Did Somebody Say...Nancy?

Speaking of sad affairs (this just will not go away) Nancy Sebring was back in the news along with a gaggle of attorneys at a hearing last week in front of Judge Robert Hanson.  She is attempting to keep any more of her emails from being released. Ain't gonna happen and no doubt there is more "kink" coming.  But, more intriguing is the plea from her "lover" who said in an affidavit, "Releasing my name will forever harm my family and professional career." Proof friends that when it comes to sex people lose their minds.  As Mom said in response, "He should have thought about that before he typed the first letter."At 92 Mom continues to offer up sage advice.  Albeit a bit too late for the "lover".

Health Care & Branstad

It just keeps getting worse.  Last week during an interview with the Des Moines Register Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) talked about how Iowa needs to insure our own people and damned "Obamacare".  Yawn...  What's ironic about all of this is that Gov. Branstad, at one time, was the president of Des Moines University a college of medicine.  His comments were more political than they were sound medical advice for an ailing system.  Combine that with the fact the Governor wants Iowa to insure "our own".  Oh really?  Iowa will now provide health care and take up the slack when an insurance company puts a cap on costs?  Iowa will deliver low cost prescriptions to the 46,000 people now taking advantage of these savings. And, Iowa will cover the 18,000 students until age 26?  Wanna...bet?

Told You So...

When Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) survived the recall election I told you it would be just a matter of time before Gov. Branstad moved against teachers, the police, fire-fighters and other government workers.  It took a week and Gov. Branstad is saying he was "inspired" by Wisconsin and says government workers should pony up for their health care.  Never mind that government workers are generally paid less than those in the public sector. (Apples to Apples - Iowa Policy Project) Beyond that it is amazing to me how this governor and many citizens demonize government employees who tend to be middle class workers serving their fellow citizens.  

Business & Government - Not the Same

Often, and it happened during the GOP State Convention this weekend, we hear "government should work more like a business".  However the problem is that the two entities are vastly different in their root reason for existence. Business exists for one reason...to make a profit for owners/share holders.  Government exists for one reason...to provide services to citizens.  While both set the cost for what they produce; government has a broad (very broad) list of services that it's citizens expect...all it's citizens.  In business there is a "market segment" to which the business markets it's goods or services.  They don't serve "all the people".  Simply put...they are not the same and to demand they be the same is just...silly.

Jobs and Iowa

Last week Governor Terry Branstad rolled out his "jobs idea" for creating a public/private sector internship program called the Skilled Iowa Initiative.  Some heavy hitters put in $250,000 to help pay for the program administered by Iowa Workforce Development.  It's...crap.  What Governor Branstad should do is listen to Desmund Adams a Clive businessman and Iowa Senate Candidate who, for the past year, has been talking about his job training program that partners small to medium size businesses with unemployed/under-employed Iowans with unemployment compensation already being paid.  The Adams Plan does not cost the state any more money nor does it cost the business any more funding.  And his effort, modeled after Georgia Works, would be much more broad; reaching into main street rather than big business.  But, hey...that would require Gov. Branstad to use "thought leadership" rather than empty rhetoric.  Oh...and listen to a Democrat.  That would never work.

On The Right Path...

Last week President Obama announced the United States would stop the extradition of some undocumented residents, something that really riled up Congressman Steve King (R-IA) who said he was going to file suit to stop the executive order.  Yes, some people can now...breath.  But, it is even better for agri-business, the hospitality industry and construction where thousands of undocumented people currently work and there was a fear that if people like Cong. King had his way...costs would skyrocket.  Oh...and don't give me this crap about "favoring illegal immigrants over unemployed Americans".  I know of a business in Urbandale, Iowa who is looking for 147 workers...and they can't fill the jobs.  Step up.  For further reading:  Here is the Iowa Reaction from our friends at Bleeding Heartland.

Notice Something Missing?

For several years I've been sharing stories and background with you and then linking to the Des Moines Register.  However, now that they have a pay-wall up I don't want you to get upset if you can't access the background story.  Sooooo...we'll have to use some alternate sources.  OK?

The "Uber-GOP" Oops

Uhm...seems that Bruce Rastetter "blurred the line" when it came to his public/private work with the Iowa Board of Regents.  When you have so much money and power you sometimes think you become...invisible.  Not so here. Our friends from Bleeding Heartland have a great story and follow up on a "land grab" that involved way too many folks.  It's good...very.

Porn & Lindsay Lohan

I promised some "pop culture" and this is pretty hot...even for our troubled friend Lindsay Lohan.  Her co-star in the upcoming film The Canyons is porn star and "boy next door" James Deen.  Wait...how do you go from "boy next door" and link that with...porn?  I dunno...which is why I'd rather write about the porn in politics than pop culture.  But, a promise is a promise.  Here's the story from our friends at CNN.

Partly Personal

A group of our family and friends gathered last week to help celebrate my Mother's 92nd birthday.  She moved to Iowa last fall allowed me to assume more responsibility in her daily life.  She lives on her own and...is pretty feisty...at all things.  Here's a group photo with five of her six great-grandchildren.  A couple of the kids couldn't make it because of work...but some fantastic friends helped balance the day.  Thank you all and a special thanks to my Bride...Georgie was in charge of everything.  My job was to simply say, "Yes, dear".

Have a wonderful Sunday...and yes, Happy Father's Day!  There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of mine...  I'm grateful for the memories and am really fond of this photo taken when Dad was...maybe 27 at a bar he managed.  Note the union sign...runs deep huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sex, Lies, Politics & Gossip - SMC 06/10/12

You KNOW you love it.  That's why I take a break away from business and bring you Sunday Morning Coffee my look at the world of politics, pop-culture and sex. Mostly in that order.  (There is some video here today and if you are subscribed and can't see the vids...just click on the title of the post and you should be taken to the main page.)  And, because it's me writing you should know who I am because there is no hiding here kids.  You can connect with me, Michael P. Libbie, here, on my personal Twitter Page or my personal Facebook Page.  See how easy that is? OK...enough of the commercial.  Let's get into it!  Grab a cup!

The People Lose...

Last week, in Wisconsin, we saw the effect of money and advertising. Together Gov. Scott Walker and Mayor Tom Barnett spent over $60 million on the recall campaign.  The vast majority of cash raised and spent was on behalf of Gov. Walker. That money went for attack ads suggesting Milwaukee was a crime ridden, corrupt community and robo calls were made to people who signed the recall petition telling them they didn't have to vote if they signed the petition.  Barrett received 26% of his $4 million in campaign donations from outside Wisconsin.  Meanwhile Walker raised nearly 70% of his $30.5 million from outside the Badger State.  No longer do you, as an individual, have a say in the election of...anybody.  Thanks to Citizens United it's now tilted in the direction of special interests, corporations and the super-wealthy.  Nice huh?  Let them eat...cake.

The Drama Continues

The interest in the salacious emails written by Dr. Nancy Sebring on her Des Moines Public School (DMPS) equipment continues to dog us. This past week Dr. Sebring (who resigned from her position as superintendent of the DMPS and then lost her job as the superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools) filed suit to keep any further emails from being made public.  She will lose that case...but the action has kept the story very alive.  What else might people learn?  I don't know but I've really had enough.  Her career is over...unless she writes a book and goes on the circuit. Hmmmm...move over Fifty Shades of Gray!

Hogwash...

Up north in Story County Rockstar Land & Livestock LLC wanted to build a 2,200+ hog confinement facility a mile south of Hickory Grove Lake & Park.  Some folks didn't like the fact that the "smell of money" would invade their private time in a public facility so the Story County Board of Supervisors has decided to hold back approval until these "common citizens" have their say.  Pshhhh...  How dare these people stand in the way of economic development!  Just south of downtown Des Moines, within site of some parking garages, we've got plenty of space.  Bring it! (Oh, wait...that's also in sight of Terrace Hill...never mind.)  Here's the story from our friends at the Des Moines Register. 

"Don't Retreat, Just Reload"

That was the theme of an event at the Iowa Capitol yesterday sponsored by the...Des Moines Tea Party.  OK then...we can see where this is going.  Meanwhile I'm told that Gabby Giffords is considering creating a PAC to carry on her work. Work that was cut short when a nut-job did not retreat but did...reload.  Hey, everything is just fine.  Move along now...nothing here to see.  Weary friends...weary.  Here is the story from my friend Clark Kauffman from the Des Moines Register and the Gabby PAC news from our friends at ABC News-10. 

From Pain to Power

This past weekend my friend, Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines) sponsored a march and rally to energize his base of support.  I went.  Confession time:  I have not always been a friend of Ako.  In fact, I disliked him.  I had listened to "the stories" about how evil he was and how bad his life was.  I listened...and believed.  Until I asked him.  Until I went to him and sat down to have a discussion.  I became convinced that his heart is right.  I said I was sorry...and for the past several years... It's changed me...and Ako.  Here's what I'm talking about.

 

If we move beyond the hate...we all win.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Iowa

I had no idea.  Back in the late 1950's Dr. King came to Waterloo, Iowa.  I don't know the back story but, at the Pain to Power event, I heard this great story from Frieda Weems. I thought it was so interesting that I want to share it with you as well.

 

Who...knew?  I couldn't find the web address for the event but did turn up this piece from the Waterloo Courier which indicates the memorial will not be built in Washington Park.  Anybody???

Partly Personal

This weekend my Mother turned 92.  She moved to Iowa this past fall, lives on her own (with some help from me...) and last night we went to the casino.  You would have thought Prairie Meadows would have let a 92 Year-Old Birthday Girl win a little... Nope.

Also my Bride rode her 100 miles last Sunday for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The ride was around Lake Tahoe where she and 3,500 others (35 from Iowa) raised...millions.  Very proud of her efforts on behalf of...others.

Have a wonderful Sunday...and thanks for reading/watching.  Michael

 

 

 

 

Politics, Sex & Gossip - Sunday Morning Coffee 06/03/12

Each week I take some time away from business to look at the stuff you really care about: Politics, Sex, Religion, Gossip.  Come on...you know you love it all. Think of this as my public service option.  And, because there is no hiding, my name is Michael P. Libbie.  You can leave me a comment here, join me on Twitter @MichaelLibbie and stop by my personal Facebook Page...right here.  Now, grab a cup and let's go!

Even Republicans Are Pissed

This week I had a conversation with a "died in the wool" member of the GOP who said, "What the hell has happened to Governor Terry Branstad?  He's become such a jerk."  Easy big fella.  The Governor is just being a "New Republican".  Gone are the days of pretending to work for all the people.  Now it's simply an issue of connecting with the fears and larger interests of non-thinkers.  Perhaps what we found most telling was Branstad's line item veto of a $500,000 funding for the Iowa Food Bank Association.  His reasoning was that poor Iowans should rely on the kindness of private donations.  I know...  Here's the full story from our friends at Bleeding Heartland.

The "Religion Wars"

This is so fun. Two individuals running for an open Iowa Senate seat that serves Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights are battling it out with regard to who is the better Christian.  Pat Ward, (who "moved out" of her very expensive West Des Moines home and into a nice townhouse a few miles away in Clive so she wouldn't have to run against Senator Matt McCoy) is a new member of the Lutheran Church of Hope.  She had been a Presbyterian...but as many of you know... Presbyterians just are not reliable social conservatives. She, on Tuesday, will face Jeff Mullen former pest control employee and full time singer/pastor at Point of Grace (mega) Church.  Anyway they are both pounding the Bible along with their desire to represent only those who believe they way they do.  Scary times my friends.  BTW - Ward will win on Tuesday.  Mullen is just not ready for prime time. But, then I said that about Sen. Kent Sorenson (R-Indianola)...who by the way is really tight with Ward.  We'll see. Here's a look at the whole "Ultra RIght" group from the Des Moines Register.  They even use the word...RINO. 

Steamy Sex & The Doctor

(Finally...some hot sex.  You have been patient.)  I knew I liked her.  A couple of years ago Dr. Nancy Sebring, the former school superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools, and I met at a function.  We hit it off right away.  There was just something about her.  (OK...I am married and my Bride reads this...I'm just sayin'.) Bingo! Seems Dr. Sebring has a fondness for the naughty.  Loads of e-mails between she (married) and he (married but to somebody else) contain, as the Des Moines Register wrote, "references to anal and oral sex, body parts, sex toys..." YIKES!  And, written on the DMPS...e-mails...often while at work "...thinking about this morning..."  Double YIKES!  OK, if you want to read, here you go.  The revelation also means that Dr. Sebring is out at her new job as the Omaha Public School Superintendent.  What a tangled web we weave.  See...even smart folks get caught.  As my Bride wrote me this morning, "People just don't think when they do crap like this. Sex seems to turn even the smartest of peoples brains to mush." Well said my dear.

Wisconsin & The Recall

I'm really having a tough time with this whole thing.  I am confused as to why sane people, working class folks are going to have a tough time in the Tuesday Recall Election against Gov. Scott Walker.  Of course 80% of voters know only what they see on the thousands of television commercials paid for by Gov. Walker and his allies.  Did you know that Gov. Walker is only the third governor in the US to face a recall election...ever?  This is...by the way...the most expensive election in the history of Wisconsin.  Why?  Media buys my friends.  Gosh, I LOVE advertising! Here's the story from our friends at ABC.  Something telling in the two places described.  Mayor Tom Barrett at a small dairy farm and Walker at a "massive farm".  Hmmmm

Some Juicy Gossip

I've now heard this...twice and from two different sources...and it makes for some interesting stuff.  I think we all know that Gov. Terry Branstad will not run for a second term and that he has been very busy grooming Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds to step into his (really nice) office in 2014.  But...hold on (gossip coming now).  The story is that former Gov. Tom Vilsack will resign as the US Secretary of Agriculture, move back to Iowa and run in 2014.  But "Hold on!" you say, isn't Secretary Vilsack's wife Christie running for congress?  What if she wins?  (She will by the way..)  No problem my friends...congressional folks spend a bunch of time in their district...much more than senators.  And, what better place to call "home" than Terrace Hill?  Mark it down... (Photo: Albert H. Teich / Shutterstock.com)

Partly Personal

My Bride, Georgie, is (at this moment) starting her day riding around Lake Tahoe.  It's a 100 mile bike trip for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Iowa.  She, along with about 3,500 others, had to raise about $4,000 each to make the trip.  That is just the start of the story. Over the past three months she has worked like a woman possessed at Lean Body Boot Camp in Waukee.  She has ridden hundreds of miles to prep for today.  And, while it is not her first "Century Ride" it is the most meaningful. Text from this morning:  "I just put on my jersey and felt a wave of emotion."  I will be posting a link to a GPS system she uses...if you want to track the action.  Yep, I am very proud of her and grateful that she has so many friends helping out. Nice...very. BTW - That is her new Trek Madone from Bike World a huge shout out and thank you to all the folks there...they are amazing.  She's with faithful companion..."Chippy".  

Have a superior Sunday.  Thanks for coming by! - Michael