Daily Dose of BS Oct 13 no guns

Wouldn’t you think that a police officer in a court room with a jury watching a case, that they would be able to carry a side arm as part of their uniform?  I read an article yesterday that had Judge Gonzalez disarming police officers while they were testifying in a battery case.  Three La Crosse Police officers were told that they couldn’t wear their firearm or their duty belt while in the courtroom.  Apparently having a gun on a belt on a police officer is a distraction to a jury and could be cause for a mistrial.  I’ll tell you what I think, if there was a cop in a courtroom on the stand while I was on a jury, and the cop wasn’t packing heat, that would be more of a distraction to me than a cop without a gun on the stands?  What do you think?  To me it is like a firefighter without their tools trying to fight a fire.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 12 Pop

Looks like the government wants to reach deep into our pockets once again this time taking from those who are drinkers of sugary drinks, like sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit punch, sweetened iced tea, and drinks like Kool-Aid and lemonade.  Oh yeah this reach for money of course includes pop, or is it soda, or do you call it Coke?  I grew up in the Twin Cities and I called it pop, now when I ask for a drink it is usually water.  Other people call it soda, and in Georgia they call it Coke.  It is all the same, it is sugary, caffeinated water with carbonation.  Back to the story of the WHO World Health Organization, they are backing a controversial measure to reverse type 2 diabetes, a 20 to 50% soda tax.  I think that they think that an increase in the tax will increase the cost of goods, in turn it will drive the prices up and make people think about buying the pop before they do, in turn making less people buy pop.  I don’t know if it will work, look at the amount of people still smoking with those taxes, and how many of us still drive, look at the gas tax. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 11 roundabouts

I sometimes feel like I am running around chasing my tail, (in case you are wondering, no I really don’t have a tail) with how busy life is these days do you ever feel like you are running in circles as well?  The government is now adding to that feeling, well even more than they usually do.  More and more communities are getting the run around and the turn around with the roundabout, I go through one now every day on way to work.  I don’t mind when they are in a neighborhood since there are no other cars around when you approach plus you can try for the world record of laps in a quiet roundabout.  I am going to admit this to you, I get anxious when I approach them, what if I do it wrong, it stems from when I first approached one in the Dells, I didn’t know what to do I got off too early and ended up having to go out my way to get back on track.  Personally not a fan of the roundabout, but I am getting better though. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 10 debate

I didn’t get a chance to watch the Packers game last night.  I was watching the Town Hall style debate.  WOW.  It started off harsh and didn’t let up.  I honestly think that if the first question asked would have been the question that was posed to the candidates at the end of the night the tone would have been set differently.  The final question of the night was what is one thing that you respect about your opponent, Clinton respects Trumps kids and Trump respects Clintons tenacity.   I knew right off the bat that the debate was going to be feisty since they didn’t come out and shake hands, hell they didn’t even look at each other.  But by the end they shook hands, I wonder what was said in that moment and if there was a power play by either for hand dominance?  BTW if that was a Town Hall style debate, it certainly isn’t a town I would like to be a part of.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 7 clowns

I really don’t get the whole clown thing going on across the country.  What?  People are afraid of clowns or is a made up fear since there are weirdos out there dressed up in their creepy macabre clown makeup.  One of my good friends who is a performer of physical comedy and makes his living clowning around.  He wrote a good piece on the current clown bashing starting off saying that “The clown arts are based on the purpose of serving to create joy.  he understands that some don’t like clown entertainment, this is a time when our world could use some extra joy, and that Real clowns are being lumped in with a disturbing group of people, who are sadly perpetuating a sick myth. These terrible people are not clowns.  A simple truth... audiences know a real clown.”  Kenny, I agree.  Be safe out there.  I am not sure why these people are trying to freak people out, maybe just maybe they too are just clowning around.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 6 Obamacare

President Bill Clinton said what a lot of Americans have been thinking for a long time.  Clinton criticized President Barack Obama's signature policy reform Monday calling Obamacare "the craziest thing in the world."  Here’s the deal, a lot of the big insurers are backing out and premiums are going up I have heard over 60% in places. The fix?  Raise the penalty in an effort to FORCE people to buy insurance.  On paper I would think that it would work and would lower the premiums for the masses, but we just aren’t seeing it we are seeing the cost of health care heading even higher.  I feel as though we are lucky living here with two great hospitals and access to some of the best care in the country but at what cost?  And how about the subsidies?  How do they work, or do they?   Has anyone’s health care gone down since this started? 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 5 taxes

I liked the VP candidates better than their running mates.  One of topic that seemed to bring the most arguments was the not paying taxes of Trump.  Excuse me but as a tax paying American, I always try to pay the least amount of taxes I can.  I have regular conversations with the IRS media people and they want each American to pay their fair share of taxes.  I agree with that assessment.  Heck if we all didn’t want to get a benefit of tax breaks, wouldn’t we just pay the max and call it good?  I work hard for my money and would like to have all that I can to use, wouldn’t you?  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 4 internet selling

We are in an interesting time.  Google is introducing hardware to go with their popular search engine, Facebook is looking for a bigger piece of the pie and my third favorite site Craigslist is an amazing beast.  I get how Google and Facebook make money but when it comes to Craigslist, I wonder what the business model is when it comes to making money on that site.  There is no advertising and no charge for listings.  What am I missing?  I am glad to see this business work because it allows us to upcycle and to have it be new to us yet keeps it out of the land fill.  I also have found that people will be willing to pay a bit more for items on craigslist compared to if you were to sell it at a rummage sale.  Plus you can look for the bargains you are looking for without leaving your house, and if you are selling - the best part of it all is I have sold most of the items I have tried to sell and even better is you don’t have to have a rummage sale.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 3 56th Oktoberfest

Well we did it.  We made it through the 56^th annual Oktoberfest celebration, what did you think?  I enjoyed this years fest, I think even more than previous fests, I did fest all 4 days and I liked it.  It is funny since fest became a shorter celebration, I didn’t find myself at fest any less than other years, in fact I think I headed down even more.  I took part in the Slicing of the Golden Brat, I drove the Mapleleaf Parade on Saturday, it was typical we were number 102 in the parade and supposed to line up by 930 am for a 10am start to the parade, we didn’t even start to move until after noon, which made for a long morning.  At least the weather was awesome.  I hit a few concerts and yesterday I was a judge in OktoBRATfest featuring 7 chef made brats.  I had fun seeing many people that I haven’t seen in quite a while.   My biggest issues with the fest isn’t with fest at all but with the get as drunk as possible mentality of too many.   The drunk and disorderly folks especially around the college area left their garbage strewn all around.  I thought that West Avenue looked like a dump site.  Pick up after yourself.  And remember a community fest isn’t about getting a drunk as possible and wrecking the beauty around you.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 30 golden brat

Today is slicing of the golden Brat, and many are hitting up different places getting ready for Oktoberfest.  As we roll through town today hitting up whatever prefest, festivities please think before you hop in a car.  We are going to be seeing many people drinking to excess this weekend.  It unfortunately is a fact.  I contend that you can go to Oktoberfest and either drink just a couple to be social or not drink at all.  I have been on both ends of the spectrum over living in La Crosse for the past 24 year, I gotta say the years that involved less drinks were just as fun and maybe even more fun than the ones that had overindulged Bob.  I understand that at festivals and especially ones where everyone seems drunker than the next person, you feel the pressure to drink to excess, as I try to show my kids in moderation it is ok, but don’t let it get away from you.  Think before that last drink.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 29 phones

Starting Saturday in Wisconsin it will be illegal talk on a hand held mobile device while driving through a work zone.  This new law is part of the effort to reduce distracted driving and make a safer working environment in Wisconsin.  The first ticket will cost you $40 then it jumps up to $100 after that.  According to the Wisconsin DOT holding a phone up to the ear takes precious attention away from the road, that drivers need to stay focused and alert at all times.   In the four years from 2011 to 2015 there were 47 people killed and 3,592 injured in a total of 9,664 crashes in Wisconsin work zones.  The DOT goes on to say that the more we work to eliminate distractions and focus on driving the safer each of us will be.  This also goes for texting and driving.  Remember it can wait.  Be safe and give your undivided attention to the road.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 28 3rd party candidates

I have been seeing and hearing more people talk about the throwing away of your vote, that if you vote for a third party candidate that it was like throwing your vote away.  Huh?  You are telling me how I can vote now.  There were a few long discussions posted on Facebook and a few conversations that I was a part of that seemed to have no end.  I stepped back and just let the them run their course.  Explain to me how if I do my homework, and believe in a candidate that if I vote for them it is like voting for the opposite of who you want to win?  I am not really sure I get your logic?  First of all, you want me to vote, then you want me to vote for your candidate and if I don’t then we can’t be friends?  WHAT?  This is America, right?  Here’s my deal, do your homework, then vote who you want to.  If it is a 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th tier candidate or a first or second.  VOTE.  Guess what your candidate may or may not win, if they don’t accept the will of the people, then work to change it for the next election.  Don’t try to recall the will of the people, guess what elections are just that there are winners and losers.  Be gracious no matter how it ends.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 27 debate

They were expecting 100 million people to watch the debate last night.  I was one of them, were you?  I think I expected more from Lester Holt.  As the moderator of a debate I would expect better time management and also better control of the floor.  I don’t think I could have done any better, but I wish there was more professionalism.  I did notice right off the bat that both candidates had a look about them, that Trump looked tired and Clinton looked bored and what was it with the snuffing from Mr Trump and the creepy smile from Mrs Clinton?  I asked on Facebook last night who won the debate and I am not sure who did, but I know who did not.  I don’t think that America has won, not at all with these choices.  The two candidates are polarizing and as a county we do not need people to pull us apart, we need someone to bring us together.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 26 hackers

I own a handful of websites, and host many others through my business.  I hate hackers.  I don’t get what hackers get out of putting malicious programs on someone’s site.  I also don’t know why these hackers are always trying to hack someone’s email?  We heard last week that 500 million yahoo accounts were hacked.  This one hit close to home for me as I have used a yahoo account since I have had email I really think that hackers are making our world a tougher place to live.  Thank goodness I listen to the radio or I wouldn’t have known that yahoo got hacked.  I got no email from them this past week saying that my email may have also been compromised.  We hear of other hacks or compromises in business about every other day.  I am not a fan.  These all compromises all hurt us, especially the attacks on small businesses.  Lots of hackers are breaking into small business websites and emails.  This is costing us all, time, effort and energy.  And what are they getting out of some of the hacks?  I don’t get it.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 23 rain

An umbrella wouldn’t have helped the last few days.  If you were outside in the rain you got wet, if that is all that happened to you, you were lucky.  In the 24 years I have lived here I have never seen rains like these, there have been some big rains and many multiple days of rains but I really don’t recall these types of rains.  And I am not sure if we are just seeing more pictures faster now than we did in the past but everywhere you looked the past couple of days there were pictures of over flooded streets, yards that are now water front property, trees down, mudslides into many different areas from yards, to streets, to the woods to the DeSoto football field.  Not to mention the deadly mudslide that took a house down and closed the roads.  The old nursery rhyme keeps playing in my head, it’s raining its pouring the old man is snoring he bumped his head and went to bed and couldn’t get up in the morning. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 22 working

Things are moving, the earth, the roads, the economy.  If you have driven anywhere in the La Crosse area lately you will notice construction, be it road, home, business or industry.  I hope that with all the work being done in and around our little piece of heaven – that the work now will add some good paying jobs to the work force in the future.  We have a 3.5 % unemployment rate which is sixth lowest in the state.  But while we have such low unemployment we also have many who can not afford to pay their bills.  My hope with all this construction that we will build some good paying, skilled jobs, that will afford people to do the things that they would want to do with their free times rather than the things that they do because it is all that they can afford. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 21 phone books

Ever thought about things that you used to use that have gone away?  I am thinking about the phone book. I don’t know about you but I used to look forward to the phone book being delivered.  I would grab it and look through it to see what new information was being offered this year.  I was a weird kid, and sure I am a bit weird now as well, that is ok as I am ok with who I am.  Back to the phone book thing, I would read about the city, the county and the state.  The information was right at my fingertips.  Plus I always checked to see if our listing was right, I would then check on my Grandparents numbers and my friends, I even remember looking for “famous” peoples phone numbers they were never in there.  The world at least my community was right at my fingertips.  I grew up in the Twin Cities so the phone book was lots bigger than the La Crosse phone book.  I remember going to look up the family’s information and finding another person with the same name as my dad who lived on the same block name and almost the same address for example they were on 1235 east Main Street when we were on 1234 west Main Street.  I am sure I wouldn’t find that now…because no one uses the phone book anymore, infact I don’t remember the last time I grabbed one.  Do you?  I like now that any info you need for the world is at your fingertips…on the internet.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 20 fist bump

Howie Mandel does it, I see political candidates doing in now as well as business owners and sports stars.  I very much dislike the fist bump, and I always get caught with it, meaning I bump back.  I think I am old school when it comes to hellos and meetings I like the good old fashioned hand shake and eye contact, but it has to be a good handshake with a firm grasp, hand not too sweaty.  I had a handshake the other day that I had to wipe off afterward, and I don’t like that.  A while back I was at an event and saw a dad of one of my sons friends and said hi, he turned said hi to the other guy at the table shook his hand gave a few pleasantries to him looked up to me, gave me a fist bump and a nod then moved on.  I have been kicking myself since for allowing this to happen.  After that I have been saying I’m not comfortable with the fist bump.  Is that rude of me to call the fist bump out?    

Daily Dose of BS Sept 19 terrorism

It is 2016 and it is important for us to be vigilant and protect ourselves.  With the terrorism that happened over the weekend we have to go back to the see something say something that was all so important after the past terrorism that was perpetrated against us in the past.  The see something say something is probably something that we shouldn't have ever given up, even in our own neighborhoods.  Tomorrow night I will be hosting a Crime Stoppers Forum at the Weber Center focusing on neighborhoods.  As we look around and see the issues with our world today it makes me wonder are we ever going to find peace, in the world, our country, our own backyards?  What can we do to make our families and our friends safe?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 16 5 second rule

I think that all of us have heard of the 5 second rule, it was a rule I have been living by for most of my life, from the very first time I heard it as a child at the Burger Chef in Roseville Minnesota when my Grandmothers burger fell on the floor and she actually ate it, to just this past weekend when my family and I were enjoying some family time on the back deck and some of the popcorn that my son was eating fell on the ground he proudly claimed the 5 second rule and picked it up.  New research shows that the 5 second rule isn’t really a thing that bacteria can instantaneously contaminate your food, and with 1 in 6 people in America getting sick due to food borne illnesses each and every year, I don’t think that it is worth it.