News & Opinion - Sunday Morning Coffee - 01/29/12

Sunday Morning Coffee is that weekly rant about sex, politics and religion; all the

 stuff that makes us crazy(er) and gets our blood pressure to climb.  (I know, you crave the rush...)  If you want to contribute, feel free to leave a comment here or follow me on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or here is my personal Facebook Page. No hiding kids.  My name is Michael Libbie and I approved of this...rant. BTW:  (I am using a Beta Version of Typepad today.  Not sure but they have some work to do with their new photo software...that is why some of this looks a bit odd. They, I think, have more work to do.)

 

Return of The Zombie Voters 

Iowa is awash with dead people who pack voting booths at every election.  At least that is what Iowa's Secretary of State Matt "Poll Tax "Shultz would have us believe. This week he introduced, yet another, bill to require Iowa voters to show a photo ID in order to get a ballot.  It's all in the attempt to catch voter fraud that isn't happening.  (Or maybe it's a great way to surpress the vote...something folks in Western Iowa would love to do come this November.)  The voter ID must have an expiration date so sorry kids, your school ID is out. (Targeting college voters?)  Oh, and you can opt out of the photo ID if you find somebody in the room who will say you are who you say you are.  Shultz also suggests video taping voters who go to the polls. (I'm thinking his secret underwear is way too tight.)  That might be it.  Maybe Mormons are so used to being looked at with a quizzical eye that folks like Shultz sees a "boogie man" (or dead person) around every corner.  Anyway, it's silly, silly...silly.  If you would like to read more of exactly how silly, here is the story from our friends at Bleeding Heartland. (Photo: Chris Harvey / Shutterstock.com)

Speaking of the Living Dead...

Recently Bride found the perfect set of sheets for Matt's bedroom.  Or maybe you also have a fascination with the undead.  Or, maybe you frequent Zombie Burger and Drink Lab. Or maybe you just hate young grandchildren being in your bedroom.  This could be the perfect gift for the holidays.  (Remember, Christmas is just 11 months away.  You've been warned.)  They come from Bloomingdale's so you know they are GOP tested.  (I can't help myself...snarky just seems to be the "word of the day".)

Partly Personal: I Felt Sick on Friday

I am blessed (Thank G-d) that I'm pretty healthy.  But this past Friday I woke up at 2AM nauseous.  Tossed and turned until 5AM, went back to sleep and nearly missed a 9AM meeting with my friends from The Urban Card.  And, then...BINGO, felt fine.  The only thing I can put my finger on is that Thursday evening we watched the Republican Debate on CNN.   I'm thinking there must have been something in the...politics? 

 

In the Soil - In Your Food...

This past week I spend 12 hours listening to seminar speakers talking about the soil.  I know, that sounds like a really thrilling time.  However, I was shocked at what I heard regarding the soil, plants, nutrition and health.  One of the speakers was Dr. Don Huber a retired agronomics professor from Purdue who linked the use of glyphosate (think Roundup) to all sorts of nasty, anti-nutrition and health issues. (To understand how glyphosate works is key to the link as is the impact of GMO crops.) Look, this isn't a "go organic" rant...but it is, perhaps, a wake up call for those of us who have wondered about the rise of many childhood health issues.  Specific to this is a new pathogen found in Roundup Ready corn and soybeans shared in this article from Mother Earth News.  I list it here in Sunday Morning Coffee for you to "think" about.  Go ahead...but come back.

 

Speaking of Food - Urbandale Hy-Vee 

The new building which will house "My" Urbandale Hy-Vee is moving along nicely.

It's gonna be...huge.  What is also become huge has been the public relations nightmare that continues to dog the company.  Last week I shared with you the story of a 25 year employee who was fired from his job.  The "public story" is that he was terminated for cashing in $.20 in pop-bottle refund coupons that didn't belong to him.  The firestorm caused such an uproar that, last week, Hy-Vee Corporate offered to re-hire the employee at his original pay rate and benefits.  As of today, he has not accepted the offer.  And, I suspect he will not.  I believe he, and his family, will sue for a ton of cash.  Now, before you get your "secret underware" in a knot and fire up the tar and feathers know there is another story here.  One that I can not share with you but...should there be legal action, will come out and may just clear the company name along with those involved.  Stay tuned.

 

Jew Watch - Pork Congress

We were filming this week at the Pork Congress, the largest event of it's kind in the nation. (And, no...this pork congress took place in Des Moines, Iowa. Not Washington, DC.)  Two (maybe three) interesting things came out of the event. (Photo:  Larry Sailer - Farmer from Franklin County, Iowa)

• Ron Birkenholz - I was able to re-connect with an old friend who worked with me in broadcasting some 30 years ago.  It was really great to see him again.  Ron now works as the Communications Director of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
• Tom Latham- While we were filming Congressman Tom Latham dropped by.  Politicians are like moths to a flame: "What, lights, cameras!?"  We chatted a bit about his new district, his new home in Clive and his race against Congressman Leonard Boswell.
• Those Dietary Laws - So, there I was, among hundreds of pork producers (maybe thousands) with the aroma of pork on a bun, pulled pork, pork on pork...wafting through the air.  Oh well....it looked good.  And, the bottled water in the Media Room...was nice!  Thank you all.


Speaking of Dietary Laws...

Last night we attended a house party at the home of Michael & Jody Leo an wonderful couple who love to entertain.  Michael, who is from Kitzbuhel, Austria owns the Strudl Haus and if you have never had his amazing deserts you must head to his website, they are available at a number of places in Des Moines. Anyway he is such a considerate guy that he placed these signs above various foods he made indicating to me what was "OK" and what was not.  Good friends are also thoughtful

people.  Ya think?

Georgie's "G-Spot"

We started working on it...weeks ago.  We've got this extra bedroom that my bride wants to turn into a "Craft Room" (because she things she has time for that sort of thing).  For years I have called her "G" so...SHE has decided to "name" her craft room the "G-Spot".  Wait!!  Hold on...just what were you thinking???  Not here kids!  Sunday Morning Coffee is..."G Rated".  I am so sorry...really.  I would share a photo but I can't find.  Needless to say, this project is one that seems will never end.  Carpet gets taken up today to expose the hard ....  wood floor.  OK, I'll stop.

Lead Shot - Dove Hunting

Looks like this will raise it's head during the Iowa Legislative Session.  Let me say, right out of the gun (sorry), that I don't hunt.  Once, long ago, I did.  But then I got a job and found that there was food available at grocery stores.  Besides "hunting" is a practice which is not allowed in my faith.  (Seriously...)  Having said that, what is the big deal in banning lead shot and replacing it with steel?  And, don't give me this crap about steel shot being "too expensive".  Hunting is expensive.  The last time I went on "The Great Iowa Chicken Hunt" (pheasants) it cost me a small fortune to..."look good".  Here is the story from my friends at the Des Moines Register written by Jason Clayworth.  Did I mention this is, like, Week 50 without my Chris Hagenow Newsletter.  Chris "Ain't Got No Newsletter for You!" Hagenow "represents" me here in the Village of Windsor Heights. Well, not really...but he is the elected official that thinks he represents me here.

 

I know you've seen it before...but it was so fun making that Ithought I'd show it again.  Don't ya hate "re-runs"?

And Finally...

Looks like our friends at Occupy Des Moines are headed toward a show-down with law enforcement...again.  The group has until the 31st to take down their tent city that was re-located from the State House Grounds months ago.  They now vow to "march on the Capitol" and set up a new camp there.  This will not end well.  However, the "Occupy Movement" has introduced some things to the general public that, before, many did not seem to notice. 

Keep Rick Santorum's Family in your prayers.  He suspended his Sunday events to be with his three-year-old daughter who suffers from a genetic condition.  Bella was not expected to survive past her first birthday.  Sad...

Thanks for reading and watching.  Gotta go it's Sunday Brunch Day with the family.

- Michael

 

 

Comments

[Jim Edwards]

Mornin Bro! Enjoyed this issue of S.M.C.! I understand your concern about i.d.'s for voting, but it's required for everything else you do in life including check cashing,
Travel, even collecting unemployment benefits. So I.d.'s 4 voting is not that outrageous when you think about it.
Also remember, politics comes from Greek word poli for many and tics for blood sucking vermin!

[BrentPohlman]

Good information this week. I have listened to Dr. Huber before. He has some really interesting information on soil and soil testing.

Last weeks debate was terrible. I really wish these debates would focus on real issues not what someone did in their past, or how someone made money or catering to people in the area.

Hopefully, Obama will be a part of the debate sometime. He is running his campaign full-time and has pretty much taken his last year as a sabbatical from the office of the president.

Keep up the interesting topics.

[Michael Libbie]

Morning Jim. It may not "seem" out of touch (Voter ID) however if there is zero happening (as expressed by the County Recorders in all of Iowa's 99 counties), the bill, as presented, targets specific individuals (I thought we wanted less government?) and having the privlidge of voting is, I think, different from cashing a check(?). Anyway, this is the second time Matt has made this attempt. Silly... Hope you are doing well...and enjoying the mild season. We're concerned about moisture levels for crops. Thanks for reading and for the comment! - Michael

[Michael Libbie]

Morning Brent! Dr. Huber really injected some interesting facts into the discussion of micro-nutrients, crops and health of humans and critters. Great stuff. I too will be grateful when the President and Mitt square off in debates. We've been having to listen to my friends in the GOP for the past nine months. The campaign will be...fun. Thanks for reading and for the comment! You coming to the Iowa Power Farming Show? - Michael