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
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