Daily Dose of BS Dec 1 smiles

Ever looked at old family photos, or some real old school pictures of people from the 1800’s?  I have often wondered why aren’t the smiling?  Why are most old pictures people just flat faced, no smile no cheer in the eyes and just cranky looking.  I remember my wedding day 8.3 million photos with the fake smile, I could see not smiling for many of these.  Nowadays people have more smiles on their faces, just look around and watch people have conversations, the smiles come more free, and why wouldn’t they, we have much better dental nowadays than they had the past and with the better dental comes better teeth, both whiter and straighter, plus we have access to cameras all the time, I challenge you to go a day outside of your home to not be caught on someone’s camera.  I was downtown yesterday afternoon and I know there are a bunch of cameras placed around down there, guess what I didn’t look for them nor did I notice them, but you are damn sure I was walking around with a smile on my face.  I gotta keep them wondering what I am up to. 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 30 throwaway society

We just bought a new refrigerator, our old one didn’t die, my wife just wanted a new one.  You see we had our old one for at least 18 years, maybe more.  It still kept cold things cold and frozen things frozen and it lasted through 4 kids.  My wife decided that it was time for us to up grade to a new double door with a freezer drawer on the bottom and since we are big water drinkers she wanted water and ice on the door.  Well she got what she wanted, it is about 4 inches wider than the old fridge and about 4 inches taller, a cupboard had to be removed but I have to say the new fridge looks nice.  Here is the thing when we did our research on the refrigerator we found out that they only last 7-10 years now a days.  7-10 years I have underwear and socks that are older than that.  We now live in a throw away society and I am not a fan of that.  When was the last time you used a fixit person for anything?  Most of the society today is throwaway, from tv’s to beds, to washers and dryers to –the sky is the limit. That is almost everything, the remote control is the one thing when it stops working we go into a panic, we don’t know what to do, we look at it, we push all the buttons, we take off the back, we roll the batteries in the back if that works we are relieved, if not we take the batteries out, switch sides then try again if that doesn’t work we replace the batteries. Thank goodness for batteries right, cause I don’t think I could go back to changing the channel by getting up and going to the tv to do it.

Daily Dose of BS Nov 29 another day

Another day another headline of multi people hurt at the hands of a lunatic.  When did going to somewhere public end up being a threat to your health?  I for one am sick of the what seems like weekly attacks here in America and daily attacks on foreign soil.  What ever happened to respect and showing signs of respect.  We are all different, we all have our beliefs and our moral compass and our own drive.  So explain to me why there are so many out there that want to hurt one another?  I think if we think and as my Dad used to tell me use your head for something other than to hold up your glasses that the world would be a better place.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 28 recount

Ever been in middle of counting something and then one of your smart alex friends start throwing out other numbers trying to mess you up?  I am sure it has happened to you and that you have done it to others.  Sometimes it is funny, but sometimes you irritate.  Right now green party candidate Jill Stein has raised about 6 million dollars to do a re-count of 3 key states that President Elect Donald Trump has won.  What I don’t get is that what is she going to get out of it?  Is the re-count in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin going to get Jill Stein elected?   Or was this an olive branch placed out by the green party?  I look the same way on any re-count or any re-call election.  The cards are down, the hand has been played you have your next chance to win at the next election.  Here is a novel idea lets try to get along as a country.  Is that even possible anymore?  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 18 give a little bit

It is kind of funny that a song by Supertramp had it right.  Think about it for a moment, with the song "Give a Little bit" released back in 1977 even though they were singing about love, it applies to so many other things in our lives like your resources, think about it, the lyrics continue to say “give a little bit of your time to me” and at this time of year there are lots of needs out there from the need of Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army, to non-perishable food items for the Hunger Task Force, to the La Crosse Jaycees Toys for Tots which has their toy drive going on today until 6pm at the La Crosse Center,  to the needs of your neighbors and your church.  Kind of weird that a song from the 70’s gives so much, back to more lyrics “now’s the time we need to share” from reaching into your pocket for change to the time shared to help a child, to holding a door for a stranger at the mall.  I think we get out of life what we give, so “send a smile and show you care.” 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 17 vaping

What kid doesn’t like candy, more specifically chocolate or mint, and if they don’t like candy maybe some fruit would hit the spot.  I think it is funny that the vaping manufactures are saying that there is no way that they are marketing to kids, the flavors I mentioned at the beginning of this are the big vape flavors.  The flavors that are not being marketed to kids.  The positive side of the story is that Wisconsin kids are turning away from cigarettes but are looking for that nicotine from another source.  The study goes on to say that while kids are turning away from smoking there are twice as many middle and high schoolers inhaling e-cigarettes these days.  We just had a new company hand book that mentions e-cigarettes in it, that you can’t smoke them in the buildings, and I agree.  I have been seeing the e-cigarettes more and more and in the weirdest places, like while walking through the grocery store and in the movie theater.  I am now hearing that these are causing cancer similar to regular cigarettes.  I wish that the kids that are picking up this habit think about what this habit could lead to. 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 16 no regrets

You should live your life with no regrets.  If you want to try something but never have, do it, write a bucket list of things you want to do then start on that list.  In the back of my mind I have always wanted to try a Maid-Rite and I never did, now that they are closed I am thinking I made a mistake, how did I not try them out.  What if I would have tried them and I would have loved them and then I would have told two people who would have told two people and so on and so on.  Maybe they would still be in business. I have these feelings of regret when I hear that any store that I wanted to check out closes.  I am not sure why I never went to that restaurant I just never did.  I for one am going to try to live more and do things on my list.  I guess first of all I have to come up with my list.  Life is short and we don’t know what is around the next corner, life could be grand today and changed tomorrow.  We have the gift of life lets live it.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 15 birthday

15 years ago today I doubled the amount of kids I had.  Come to think of it each time we had kids we doubled.  From zero to one, one to two, and two to four.  Thank goodness we stopped.  When Marcia and I started dating she said she wanted 4 kids with twins.  Me, I wanted to retire at 50.  At least one of us got our wish.  Back to the kids, our precious twins were born 15 years ago today, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.  They are awesomely different.  You would think that 2 that spent the first 9 months of their existence together would have been at least a little alike.  Nope, I take that back, they are both hard working, smart and gifted.  I am super proud to be their dad, they have taught me so much about myself and challenged me like no others, well like no others besides their brothers.  Robert and Kenedi I am blessed to be your father, keep up the great work, and keep pushing each other to be the best.  I love you and happy 15^th birthday.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 14 Packers

Is it time to call for the helmets and the hats of the top brass of the Packers?  I don’t think so.  We have become so accustom to winning that when we have an average year we want the tree to be shaken up from the top down calling for the heads of all involved.  I say work harder, put your nose to the grindstone and work on winning some games but no we don’t need to fire the coach.  We and by we I mean a collective we always want our teams to win, from when we watch our kids play to our favorite high school and college but when it comes to our professional team we expect a win.  I look at it like the election that we just had, that one team will win and one team will lose, you really don’t know for sure who the winner will be until the last whistle is blown and final score is posted.  We sometimes think we will know the outcome but as we keep finding out we can only guess. 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 11 Veterans Day

My Father and my Grandfather served in the military, many of my good friends served in our military and a few of my friend’s children are currently serving.  To all of these men and women, I thank you.  You have given us the chance to have the freedoms that we have.  If it had not been for the bravery of these fine folks we wouldn’t even be able to have this discussion.  We would have our government telling us what we need to believe in, and how to feel.  We would be brain washed to think the way they think and our own thoughts and beliefs, our own interests would be what they the government wants, we have the rights to think what we want, to protest what we don’t feel is right and to have my job in the media.  If you know a veteran, give a nod, say thanks or buy them a drink.  The stories of our veterans are varied, some saw combat, some were behind the scenes, some never returned but all left something behind.  On this Veterans Day we honor all those who have made the sacrifices many of us can only imagine, to the families and the veterans out there, thank you.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 10 election

There has been lots of protesting around the country, I have seen people complain on Facebook claiming that if only people would have not gone in to vote for the 3^rd party candidate, of even a couple of posts saying if you are going to vote 3^rd party don’t go to vote at all.  Excuse me?  For the lets say 60% of Americans that actually voted, thank you for being a part of the process.  I wonder of the thousands of protesters that were out in force last night how many of them voted?  I will tell you what I don't get, it is all the negative talk on Facebook about shamming people for voting for a third-party candidate. I didn't vote for a third party candidate but I'll tell you what I wasn't a big fan of either of the two at the top. At least people that voted for a third-party candidate got out and voted! And who's to say that if they voted for one of the top two that they would have voted for your candidate anyway?  Right now is an important time in our country, we need to work together and show the rest of the world that we can overcome. When your favorite team loses you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep on routing, don’t give up on America.  There is always the next election if you weren’t happy with this one.  We are a great country, yes we make mistakes. But guess what this is America, we too can pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off... We are the land of the free, the home of the brave. God Bless America!

Daily Dose of BS Nov 9 election

Well It is a new day and the sun is expected to shine at least here in La Crosse.  About a quarter the people out there are unhappy with the election results, and are ready to move from the country and want to blame everyone under the sun for the loss, about a quarter of the people are ecstatic and feeling euphoric with the victory and about 50% of us are glad that it is over.  I can honestly say I am glad that this is over.  I can honestly say that some of my candidates won and some of them lost.  I liked candidates on both sides of the ticket.  I did not throw away any of my votes, I went in and voted for the person whom I thought was the best candidate for me and what I believe.  I am unhappy with some of the results and wish that we would have had better choices at the top but today is here, the election is over.  Let’s just enjoy a few months before the next election cycle starts up again. 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 8 election day

Ya know it is funny when you are a kid when your parents tell you that you are going someplace fun the time seems to take forever to get there, as you get older that time slips right on by.  For example, if you were going on a family vacation the perspective of the child is I can hardly wait for the 2 days leading up to it while the parent would be I can’t believe that it is over.  My life seems to be like that in almost every aspect except for this election, this election can not come soon enough, and even though the day is here, the day will drag on and on and on.  Please do your part and vote.  I usually try to stay away from political people on my posts, but who do you hope wins?  Then after asking that how many people who said that they are leaving the country if their candidate doesn’t win will leave?  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 7 tomorrow

Thank goodness tomorrow is the election.  I am not sure how much more of the people bashing we can take.  I look over the past few months and think that our time could have been used in a more productive manner.  What have we learned?  We have learned that democrats like to fall in love with a candidate and will fight for that person.  We have learned that republicans are no longer going to follow the company line, that they want different.  We have learned that the news cycle is a lot shorter than it used to be, we have heard stories from both of the candidates that were the biggest stories then brushed under the rug.  We have learned what riles up each of the players, and that they both have tempers.  We have learned that the more negative you go the more the news will cover you.  Also we picked up that money doesn’t matter, that email sucks and that the system is rigged.  We only have one more day to put up with this BS.  I for one can not wait.  Can you? 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 4 time

Parts of Arizona, parts of Indiana, and all of Hawaii have it right…leave the time alone.  I very much dislike changing the clocks, I hate that people say you have an extra hour of sleep, and as the sands of time continue and I am getting older, my body doesn’t seem to cooperate with the change as it once did.  Here are the 3 main issues that I have with the time change, not only the one scheduled for tomorrow or should I say the one set for 2 am on Sunday but the one in the spring as well.  1- I hate changing my clocks, well La Crosse Technologies has helped with this, however, I finally got my microwave and stove to show the same time, now with the change and they are going to off again. Number 2- you don’t get an extra hour of sleep, I am smart enough to listen to my body when tired I sleep and when my alarm rings I get up, I won’t be getting an extra hour of sleep this weekend, and I am guessing you won’t either.  Which brings me to my 3rd issue my body is not as elastic as it once was, I have trained my body the past 6 months or so to go to be at 9:30pm and get up at 4am.  Let’s all get together and ban the time change, or have a compromise the next time and switch it by 30 minutes and call it good.   

Daily Dose of BS Nov 3 politicians

I have about this much patience...especially since I am getting older, and the political BS is wearing on my last nerve.  I don't know about you but sometimes it is the little stupid things that bug me like there is no tomorrow.  Like rude people, or people who talk on their phone at a volume 10x what the normal volume would be.  It is a piece of equipment with a microphone...microphones amplify sound; you don't need to yell in to the phone.  I am also annoyed by the fact that the politicians are further right and further left than most of us Americans.  In the group of people that I hang around with there are some democrats and some republicans but for the most part they are pretty close to the middle, there is no far left or far right.  These politicians are saying that they are for the people, I want to know which people that they are for?   I don't know what it is about getting older and not being as flexible but I am trying but please quit being stupid so we can get along.   

Daily Dose of BS Nov 2 lives matter

I am going to start by saying that black lives matter, I agree with that statement, but I also think that all lives matter.  Nobody’s life is more important than anyone’s else’s nobody’s.  In the past week there was a shooting death of a police officer doing their job in Rusk County here in Wisconsin, and I woke this morning to hear that 2 police officers in the De Moines area were shot and killed in an ambush style execution.  I am not sure I understand why there isn’t outward anger over these facts?  I feel as though there is a double standard when it comes to protesting of unfortunate killings of anyone.  What happened to justice for all, or is it justice for some?   

Daily Dose of BS Nov 1 parking

Well the city of La Crosse didn’t take too much time to start putting warnings on cars.  While driving into work this morning I noticed a bunch of cars with a red tinted envelope tucked neatly under the driver’s side windshield washer blade.  It makes sense since we are starting off this morning at 57 degrees, and only looking for a high of 67 later today.  The annual free for all money grab started at 1am this morning as the yearly alternate side parking debacle begins.  At least one of our city council people have our backs Councilman Padesky introduced last year to the council a shorted alternate side parking term, it fell on deaf ears as we still have to same old stupid money grad going on again this year.  From today until March 31 we will have to follow the even, odd parking rules, this is even if we don’t have any snow or even any snow in the forecast.  I wonder where the parking money even goes?  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 31 Halloween

Funny to think about it but Halloween goes against everything we teach our kids, don’t talk to strangers.  Don’t beg for stuff.  Don’t take candy from strangers.  We for some reason let our guard down on October 31st.  Halloween has gotten to be such a huge holiday.  I remember when I was a kid I was always either a bum or a ghost, and they were always homemade costumes.  My mom cut holes in an old white bed sheet for the ghost costume and I wore my grandpas hat and some of my Dads old clothes to be a bum.  What happened to the good old simple days of homemade costumes?  Nowadays there are stores dedicated to only Halloween to isles at the box stores all devoted to spooking it up.  You are even seeing more and more homes putting up lights and decorations in their yards…in fact there are many homes that go way overboard on the macabre.  Something else to think about with today being Halloween and many will be wearing masks, but maybe today we are really showing who we really are. Happy Halloween

Daily Dose of BS Oct 28 La Crosse

Let me start by saying I love La Crosse, Wisconsin.  I love that we have base of people who are ready, willing and able to lend a hand with just about anything.  I love that we have revitalized our downtown, we have beautified our parks, worked to bring new businesses in, have a mix of old and new architecture and that we are close to the rivers, the bluffs and the interstate.  In my eyes we are a rock solid community.  I do however question all the new downtown apartments and storefronts that are being built.  Like I said I love La Crosse but question whether we can fill all the new spots that are being built.  It seems like we see a small possibility of growth then everyone jumps on that same train of thought.  Look at the 87% more hotel rooms that we will have once the last local hotel gets built.  I am happy to see all this growth, and hope I am wrong in thinking that there may be lots of empty apartments and store fronts once all the new work is finished. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 27 Military

Last night I was hanging out with a few buddies of mine that were in the military in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and found out that because of the time when he served in the military that some weren’t able to be a part of certain military groups because of dates of service, that because there were no conflicts at that time he wouldn’t be allowed to join.  Excuse me, but didn’t the men and women who were ready to go to battle for our country at a moment’s notice be allowed to join a group?  I questioned a couple of other friends about this practice and they said that the United States Congress sets these dates.  This to me is an outrage and that I believe that people who served and were honorably discharged should be able to join the group.  Speaking of the military I also think that it is wrong that all these solders from California have to repay the signing bonus that they were given because of some unscrupulous recruiters.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 26 obamacare

Rumors are that next year Obamacare will be anything but affordable.  With reports saying the average cost will rise 25% how much more will our pocketbooks take?  One candidate says he is going to repeal it the other days she is going to fix it, what is the real answer?  I popped over to healthcare.gov to see if that site is even still up and running, guess what it is.  Looks like it may be the only thing working with the affordable care act.  It was supposed to be affordable right?  Have you found it affordable?  I have heard from many who said that what they have now is a catastrophe plan, meaning high deductible and low payout.  Wasn’t the whole reason behind the roll out of the mess healthcare.gov to make that different, to offer good quality health care at an affordable price?  I have yet to hear from anyone who got that.  What have you heard?  Or, are you using it? 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 25 smoking

I was a smoker on and off for much of my teen years and into my 20’s and 30’s, sure I heard that it was bad to smoke and blah, blah, blah.  I enjoyed it, but I tell you what I am glad I quit.  Recently I was at a buddy’s house where they smoke inside and it reminded me that I made the right choice in quitting.  I read earlier this morning that one in four cancers deaths are caused by smoking.  Like I said I am glad I quit.  Don’t get me wrong, there are days that I sometimes think of a cigarette but thankfully haven’t had one in over 9 years.  Which brings me to another smokers issue, when I see someone toss their cigarette butt out the window it makes me angry.  I watched a woman the other day waiting in the grocery store parking lot with the windows rolled up smoking, only to roll down her window to toss her butt out the window.  Doesn’t your car have an ash tray?  Or some receptacle that you can toss your stinky burn butt into?  If you smoke remember that the world is not your ashtray.  The littered butts present a threat to wildlife. Cigarette filters have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures who mistake them for food ... don’t be an ass pick up your butt. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 24 tie

Could you imagine the outcry if on November 8^th the election was a tie?  How many recounts do you think that they would do?  I bet that they would keep counting until there was a winner.  What about if the Super Bowl ended with a tie, or any other football game.  Wait that happened just last night.  I do not understand why the NFL doesn’t have the rule that the game can not end in a tie.  No one likes to see a tie in professional sports, no one!  The Seahawks-Cardinals Sunday night game last night played out to a 6-6 tie.  In that situation why not have sudden death?  These players and the fans deserve to have a clear winner, and we deserve to have a clear winner come November 8^th.  Please get registered to vote and lets not vote this election to a tie.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 21 water

Most of the water we drink from a bottle is tap water.   Kind of makes you think a second on why are we paying a premium for something that we could get for basically free by turning on any tap.  I just watched a video on how most of the water is done at plants that take the water in and bottle it up.  Some of it has something added to it or filtered but for the most part guess what it is the same thing we get when the tap is on.  I guess I am a bit shocked on this as some is way more expensive than others.  I guess when I buy cases of water in the summer while the kids play baseball or softball I do it for convenience.  I am a big drinker of water about a gallon a day.  I like to not be dry I guess.  The reason I bring this up is that we need to drink about 2 liters of water a day or about a half-gallon, are you getting that much? 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 20 debate

For some reason the word wrong echoed in my head though the night.  Thank goodness that we saw the last of the 3 debates last night.  I thought beforehand that we would see World War 3 then when it started it seemed to have a calmer demeanor than the previous 2, I held hope that the debate would end up as a strictly informational debate on what the candidates believed.  I was wrong.  It seemed like Chris Wallace had a handle on the event when all of a sudden there were 2 and sometimes 3 people talking at once.  I am hard of hearing and I have a hard time hearing one voice at times, two is even more difficult and 3 – don’t get me started.  My parents always told me it was wrong to interrupt when someone else is talking, I don’t think that Trump or Clinton was around for that lesson.  And what was it with the interruption of the word wrong so many times?  I guess the best thing about the debate is that there isn’t any more of them.  Only 19 days and counting till election. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 19 Spam

Someone asked the other day do you eat spam fried, I replied no way.  Yuck.  I like my Spam raw either on a sandwich or chopped up in my mac and cheese.  I don’t eat Spam very often at best maybe one time a year, but when I was a kid it was a staple at the Schmidt house, my Mom would dice it up and put in mac and cheese with some peas and bam we had a dinner.  Fast forward 30 years and sure I have it in the cupboard but I really don’t remember the last time I had the pressed ham product.  I guess it was when one of my wife’s co-worker made some Spam sushi.  It was actually really good.  Do you eat Spam, if so when was the last time and are you a raw or fried kind of Spam eater? 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 18 voting

I have always honored my privilege to vote, in fact I have voted in every general election I have been able to vote in and in the past 20 years I have voted in the primaries as well.  You often hear of people saying I only vote in the presidential election.  Guess what because so few people vote in the primary we are stuck with the two most unpopular candidates we have ever had, we are going to eventually have either Clinton or Trump leading our country for the next 4 years.  Have you thought about that?  4 years of what?  Anyway this is the reason that we need to take our privilege to vote more seriously because the lack of interest put us in this situation.  Every voting cycle I look forward to what I feel is a civic duty and I look forward to the dog and pony show of going to stand in line to cast my vote, lately there has been an uptick in the amount of early voters in fact it opened yesterday in Wisconsin, and I noticed quite a few of my friends have voted already, I am glad that they voted, early voting isn’t for me.  Here is something to think about just because you voted it doesn’t mean that you are going to get any less robo-calls or people ringing your doorbell.  They will still bug you until November 8^th.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 17 Packers

I find it funny to read for the calling of the heads of McCarthy, Rogers and Thompson.  After the conclusion of yesterday’s Packer game against the Cowboys people took to social media demanding for a regime change. ??? I don’t get it.  I get that they look lost at times, but, to call for the heads of the team that put together the team that we love to watch, I just don’t get.  If the Packers all of a sudden turn it around next week and end up with a flawless last 10 games will the outcry change.  You bet it will.  Am I upset that they have lost a couple of games this season, sure, am I going to ask for the resignation of the brass?  No way.  I look at it this way, they have a public job and people see their flaws, if we could peer into your day at the job, would we see yours?  I bet we would.  Give the Packers a break. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 14 do you return the change

I read a post on Facebook this morning that asked the simple question “When you're undercharged at the store do you point out the mistake?”  This is a really good question and one that should be asked of our political candidates, I am guessing that they will say yes of course they do, but I would then follow up with what is the cost of a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread or how much is a gallon of gas.  I am going to guess that most of our political candidates on the national level have no idea what the cost of the basic necessities of life costs, how about a stick of deodorant or laundry soap?  I bet no idea, and maybe just maybe this is what is wrong with the top, that they are so far removed from the “normal” life that we lead there is no connection.  Back to the will you point out an undercharge while at the store, yes of course I will, and I have, I have also given back extra change and you are damn sure I will point out when I am overcharged as well.  I also use coupons, I work hard for my money. 

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.