Sunday Morning Coffee - March 20, 2011

Let's have a look at the past week and take a peek into next...sort of like  sitting down with friends over a hot cup of coffee and talking about "stuff".  We'll get back to business tomorrow...but for now...the coffee is served.

If there wasn't bad news...

From the happenings in Japan to what's going on in Libya, it's been an unsettling week.  Last week also saw ongoing protests in Wisconsin and Michigan and...Iowa.  There is no lack of news but I'm always in wonder at how many folks just tune it out.  The other day I bought a bottle of water and said to the "30 something" cashier, "I haven't seen the news over the past couple of hours.  What's going on in Japan?"  He said, "I don't watch, read or listen to the news...too depressing."  I didn't ask about his career path.

Speaking of Career Paths....

This morning I needed to finish Sunday Morning Coffee but the thunderstorm we had in Des Moines cut our Internet.  YIKES!!!!!  what to do?  Head to Panera Bread on 86th in Urbandale.  Just a few blocks away...and we're live.   The career part?  Feeling like a freelancer who has an office at the bakery. Not that there is anything wrong with that... 

Worst Public Relations Move of the Year -Agriculture

This week the Iowa House moved forward with the passage of a bill designed to level criminal penalties on those who disclose criminal activity.  The bill, which is going to pass the Senate and be signed by Governor Branstad, makes it a  crime to go onto a farm, take pictures or video to expose cruelty issues among livestock.  It is the most bone-headed public relations mistake I've seen in years.  Rather than deal with the issues Iowa Lawmakers seek to keep things secret.  Out of sight out of mind.  Meanwhile the anti-animal agriculture public win by saying, "See they MUST be hiding something."  Dumb...really dumb.  But, then again, it's been a pattern of "dumb" and "silly" all session long.  Speeking of dumb but not too silly...

"We Didn't Qualify"

Last week I asked the Iowa House Majority Leader, Kraig Paulsen (photo)why the House failed to pass the unemployment extension measure sent to them by the Iowa Senate on March 1.  He wrote a terse three word reply, "We didn't qualify."  So, I must then assume that the Iowa Senate, led by Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, acted fraudulently. Or the House, with my new BFF Chris Hagenow (he's my representative...for a bit) simply failed to meet the March 10th deadline and decided to tell over 7,000 Iowans to..."Suck it up!".  That's would be another terse three word sentence.

It's Purim Today

The holiday started last night with great parties, story telling and a review of the Megillah.  You know, "The Whole Megillah".  You can find the story of Purim, which means "lots" in the Book of Esther.  Neat story.  This video is also very cool...

 

Israel is such a beautiful country.  Someday...again!

Aaron is Thirty-One

Partly personal:  Our son, Aaron Libbie, turned thirty-one yesterday.  If you're thirty-one this doesn't mean much...but if you are a parent of a "child" who is now past the age of thirty...you get it.  Just like our parents said, "I can't believe how fast the time has gone!"  What goes around...  Love you son.

Spring & Home & Garden

It's Spring...and oh how we've missed you!  I tell folks that I've been cold since October.  With the rain and the warmer weather comes thoughts of working on the house and garden.  Last week we had Suzi McCoy with us for the Insight on Business News Hour.  Suzi heads up the Garden Media Group and she knows her stuff. People from all over the country...and other countries...tuned in to listen to her talk about the multi-billion dollar industry of lawn and garden care.  We also gave retail folks some tips on how to maximize their sales potential.  Here is the link to the show from Webcast One LIVE complete with links...we had Suzi for the full hour.  Good stuff.

Speaking of Spring Home and Garden

There is a home and garden show going o n today here in Des Moines at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  We're headed out in a bit to see our friends from NatraTurf and Hy-Vee.  Interested in moving away from chemical treatment of your lawn and garden?  If you head out there visit with Jon or Brian...and make sure you ask about SpotGone! - Got yellow spots in your lawn from dog urine?  Not any longer....  Maybe we'll see you there.

Renda Lutz & Twistival Tomorrow

Our guest for Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our friend Renda Lutz who is representing Twistival.  HUH?  Me too.  Renda is fun, engaging and easy to be with.  Join us for that and some of the local business stories during the Metro Monday Edition of Insight on Business.

That's it!  Need to vacate Panera and head to the house.  See if the sump pumps are still working.  If you have a comment leave one below, head to Twitter @MichaelLibbie or drop me an e-mail.  Have a great Sunday and we'll get back to business tomorrow.  Thanks for coming by.