Sunday Morning Coffee is a series of thoughts and opinion...sorta like if we were sitting down over coffee and having a visit. We've got politics, rumors some business and nonsense. Just like that conversation we'd have...over coffee. Ready, grab a cup and let's go:
They Have Us Hating Each Other...
It has been a masterful job by the money and power in this country. Working people being pitted against working people. Just last week I visited with a small business owner, who came up the hard way, and during our visit he hit on all of the Sean Hannity talking points. It's like a memo goes out... This would not have been the way it ran thirty or fifty or seventy years ago. What's going on? It's the economy...it's the lack of "having". It is destroying the middle class...those of us who are responsible for the buying in this country. Have a gander at this two minute video done by former Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor...
Urbandale Minutemen Change Their Name...
There is a group of my Republican Friends in Urbandale, Iowa who have a Facebook Page and a whopping 30 fans. Which is a little surprising because I thought being a Republican was a requirement of being associated with Urbandale. I am sure, by the time Sunday Morning Coffee hits...they will grow to at least 40! (Disclaimer: I am a "Fan" because I think Michele is hot...) Anyway, last week they changed their profile from "Minutemen" to just the Urbandale Republicans. I asked them if it was because "minuteman" was a little tooo...militant? I received a history lesson in the role of the Minuteman and their use of force to rid themselves of a "despotic King". Yawn..... but I am wondering about the use of the official city sign as their FB Page avitar complete with the Minuteman Image... No, maybe I'm right. You must be RIGHT to be in Urbandale.
Speaking of Urbandale...
My friend Mayor Bob Andewig addressed the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce(The business wing of the GOP) last week. I was there. I know, but I do honesty like these folks...it's just their politics are goofy. Anyway he went on to explain the "State of the City". What jumped out was the property tax issue. Granted Urbandale is in much better shape than most cities in the Metro...but, when the Chamber, Iowa GOP and the Iowa House and Governor "For Life" Terry Branstad get their tax deal done property owners will be paying...lot's more. That's right. Now remember, business can make, manufacture, market, sell and set their own prices. You and me? When was it that you last received a substantial raise in pay?
It's Father's Day!!!
Partly Personal... I think of him everyday. Each time I build something around the house, use a tool that was his, reflect on what I'm doing for work and what he did for a living. I know it's the same for you too. Here is a shot of my Father with his dog when he was tending bar after WWII. Story is he met my Mother here...but, I'm sure that is just a story. Notice...it was a union bar... Just in case my friends from the Urbandale Minutemen are reading, I come by this naturally.
Social Media Revolution - 2011
Eric Qualman and his folks have updated the piece on social media. I thought you might like to see...
My Bride in Florida
My bride took a trip this week with Jamie Lee Curtis. They are hanging out on Anna Maria Island just outside of Sarasota. Well, OK... Not Jamie...but Susan Jacobson. But more than one wag saw this photo and made the association. Wonder if she'll do autographs? Me? I am wandering around like a lost soul... Actually, at this moment I am listening to our grand-daughter Taylor via the Fisher Price Baby Monitor...what a cool gadget. She is spent the night with Zaydee... We ate stuff, watched Elmo and fed the birds. My bride leaves and I'm hanging out with the young chicks....
VIPER Raid in Des Moines
The use of para-military force in our streets came to Des Moines last week in a coordinated "exercise" with it's focus on the Greyhound Bus Station and anybody that looked like they might be Latino. In response to the military action a foodie I know wrote this about "Zeh Pah-Pahaz" as in "Jew, show me your papers!" It looks like something out of Munich.... Here is his piece from Phyne Dyning, which I thought was quite good. Wonder if my "limited government" friends in the Urbandale Minutemen would agree this is excessive?
Week Eight - No Word...
It's been eight weeks since I subscribed to the Official Chris Hagenow Statehouse Newsletter that comes from my dear friend here in the Village of Windsor Heights. Uhm... Nothing. Maybe nothing is going on under The Golden Domethat he wants us to know? Chris, did you move to Urbandale? Just wondering...
We Have A Plan...
Since he took office (again) Governor "For Life"Terry Branstad has been telling us he is ready, prepared, not flinching. He has "a plan" for everything. Last week the Des Moines Register had to resort to the Freedom of Information Act to force the governor to tell about his plans in case the state is forced to shut down services if there is no budget in place by July 1. My friend Tim Albrecht, on behalf of the governor, finally said there is no plan but shared the governor has "broad powers" to address the issue. I see....
Once, Twice...Three Times
When I hear a rumor once...it's that. When I hear the same story from a second source it's still "nah..." But, when I hear it from five or six sources I start to wonder. No less than a half dozen times in the past three months I've heard the story that Governor "For Life" Terry Branstad will bow out of the office of governor well in advance of the 2012 elections to give a boost to his Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds (who is hot...but not as hot as Michele) into the position.
Then...my friend Kerri Cleghorn bolts from the Iowa Department of Agriculture for a job (and a very nice paycheck) with the Iowa Soybean Association. Now the rumor is that my friend, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is positioning himself for a gubernatorial run. This all gets mentioned because weirder things have happened.
Gotta Go! The Fisher Price Baby Monitor (did I mention this is really neat) has just shared with me that Miss Taylor is fully awake. So am I and this needs to go out the door. Have a fantastic Father's Day and Sunday. Feel free to leave a comment here, send me an e-mail or let's connect on Facebook or Twitter. - Michael
Hi Michael! Sorry, but 'Jamie' doesn't do autographs when she's on vacation.
Posted by: Georgie | 06/19/2011 at 12:42 PM
I see.... Give her my best. Thanks for reading and for the comment! - Michael
Posted by: Michael Libbie | 06/20/2011 at 05:46 AM