Oh My...must be a "sign"! There are loads of "2's" in the date for Sunday Morning Coffee our regular opinion piece on sex, politics, current events, groceries and, this week, hockey. That is why we're coming 2 you LATE. You see my son and I went to the Des Moines Bucs game rather than working on SMC. I know, SLACKER! But, back to the game: Youngstown won, thanks mostly to a very over zealous referee who kept ejecting players. Ejecting players! We'll get into SMC in a moment. But, first this:
Let the players...fight!
BTW: If you want to connect feel free to leave a comment here or on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or here is my personal Facebook Page. And, yes, my name is Michael Libbie and I approved of this message. (No hiding here kids...)
Keeping It Local...
Last week my friend Reka Basu wrote about my friends at the Urbandale Hy-Vee and the termination of a twenty-five year employee who, it is said, took $.20 worth of pop-bottle receipts. She wrote that the underlying reason was, as the man's mother contends, "...he makes $13 an hour and has benefits so they fired him..." I dunno. I do know all of the folks involved, including the terminated employee. Something here doesn't add up. The store has many 20+ year employees...many. While there is a petition that has been signed by thousands, Reka didn't mention the employee lost his unemployment hearing. Something is odd about all of this...and sad. Here is the original story from the Des Moines Register.
South Carolina Primary & Mitt "My Man" Romney
I see that the eventual Republican Nominee who will lose to President Obama this fall took a full body check and Newt "The Angry" Gingrich won the South Carolina Primary with Rick "I Got Jesus & You Should Too" Santorum coming in third. None of this surprises me for the following reasons:
- Much like Iowa, South Carolina voters can't vote for a guy in a cult;
- Cheating on your wife is a proud Southern Tradition;
- Callista is HOTTER than Ann & Karen...put together.
"My Man" Mitt will go on to win Florida because there really are not many "southern folks" there...anymore.
Governor, Can We Talk?
I decided long ago (like last night well into the third period) that screaming and hollering just doesn't get you anywhere. You've got to be calm and discuss things like an adult. Here is the start of a "grown up discussion" focusing on Light Rail for Iowa:
What the hell are you drinking Governor "For Life" Branstad that you can't see this is a fantastic idea!!! You #%#*&# $#@*#!!
The Democrats Are...Slack Jawed
Something remarkable happened last week that has both the Iowa Republicans and Iowa Democrats shaking their collective heads. Iowa Senate District 22 is a new, open seat due to redistricting. The current state senator that represents much of this area is Pat Ward who, if she declares and if she moves into the new district, would be considered the front runner. She is sure to face a primary fight against Pastor Jeff "Bachmann Will Win" Mullen and he will do his level best to RINO her with help from the Iowa Tea Party. Meanwhile, the only announced Democratic Candidate is Desmund Adams, whom you all know I support. What you may not know is that Desmund, in a known (and considered up to now) "safe GOP district" just out raised BOTH Ward and Mullen in total contributions for the first reporting period. And he did not do it with PAC money like Pat or from extravagant fundraisers featuring national political figures like Jeff. Nope, he did this with hard work, speaking in living rooms, knocking on doors and spreading his inclusive message about jobs, education and women in business. Me thinks that now, more than ever, my friends in the Iowa Democratic Party will take this much more seriously. The numbers:
- Adams - $18,655
- Mullen - $13,195
- Ward - $11,095
Just sayin'...
Week 49 or 50..I Think
I hear that my state representative Chris "Ain't Got No Newsletter For You!" Hagenow has fallen into line with the Iowa GOP and decided small business and homeowners should pay more taxes so that property taxes for large businesses, like say...Wells Fargo (who just posted profits in the billions) can be reduced. No doubt, we will be told, this move is good for the "job creators". Should he get his way, I (along with other folks from the Village of Windsor Heights) will have to get a second job to pay the new increased tax. I might have learned all of this from the "Chris Hagenow Newsletter" that I signed up for last year...but had to rely on a friend who must have the "inside track" with Chris. What a boneheaded move. There is a much better way...but I'll save that. Or you can visit with me.
Speaking of Windsor Heights
Last week I got a call from my friends at ABC-5 asking my opinion on the decision, by the Village Council, to install speed cameras on the westbound lanes of I-235. They would be in that one-mile stretch that passes through our community. While my friend Brad Zaun will "fight to remove them" I think it's a great idea. OK...sure for safety, but like I told ABC-5 (and they didn't use) I'm talking...money. The only thing we need to do is reduce the westbound lane speed to 25 MPH...the same as in the rest of The Village. Then Chris and his rich buddies can pass property tax reform for big business and Windsor Heights won't have to increase our taxes. It is a WINNER! BTW: If Windsor Heights doesn't move on this...for the westbound lanes...Des Moines has already said they would. The cameras are going up...anyway.
Buy Local - Why
A couple of weeks ago I was slammed on my Personal Facebook Page for suggesting that folks should by-pass "Big Box"and direct their holiday cash toward locally owned businesses. My friend said I was naive and that "buy local" was an "unsustainable economic model" that was "doomed to failure". He must have Target stock? Anyway, here is a local merchant that takes that on...
Shop Domestica in the East Village and, nope, she didn't pay me a dime. I just think it's a neat place with a "clean vibe".
Oh The Shame...The Shame
Last week I stepped foot in (gulp) Walmart. I know, but Mom said she just "doesn't trust" any other milti-vitamin than"Equate which must be a Walmart Brand. Silly, yes... But, Mom Rules so there I was surrounded by The People of Walmart. I got her stuff and booked...but it has been recorded for all time. Oh...the shame, the shame in being found out. I feel like I've been..."Newted".
Iowa Caucus - DOA?
There are loads of people who already tell us that "enlightened places" like Nevada should be picking front runners rather than "little ol' Iowa". They may get their wish now that the Iowa GOP has completely screwed up the process. Talk about the Keystone Cops... Matt Strawn needs to go. Not just for the way in which he handled the press but also the refusal, until pushed, to declare that Santorum was actually the winner. Silly...and thanks for nothing.
One Last Thing
SMC is late, and I am sorry. I am told that the young lady on the left handles the Twitter Account for the Des Moines Buccaneers @BucsHockey. After the game @Aaron_Libbie and I headed to Sam & Louie's of Urbandale for a beer and a visit with the players. (They go there following the home games.) They were a bit down when I poked my head into the dinning room...but what a class bunch of kids. Just had to do the shout out. Let...the...players...fight. ;-)
Have a Superior Sunday! - Michael
Mike,
Great blog this week. I agree something doesn't add up with the Hy-Vee termination, it goes against their "core" ethical policy with employees. Light rail between Des Moines and Chicago great idea and I say let them fight!
Posted by: Mike Winter | 01/23/2012 at 08:56 AM