Daily Dose of BS May 30 Memorial Day

I was thinking a lot yesterday, contemplating if you will.  I believe that there are many out there that don’t know what the meaning of Memorial Day is.  The day was meant to be a day of remembrance of those that have fought for our freedom, and were killed while doing so.  I have many family members and friends who were in the Military and I know that one of the things that bug most about yesterday is when someone wishes them a Happy Memorial Day.  I want to know what is so happy about it?  Happy that it is the unofficial start of summer, sure I get that, but it was at least for me a day to remember and to reflect about the Men and Women who have lost their lives helping us to gain the freedoms that we have as Americans.  God Bless America and thank you to the families that had family members pay the ultimate price.  We all must remember that Freedom is Not Free.  

Daily Dose of BS May 26 drug testing

Drug testing has been on the table in the state for years, now Governor Scott Walker wants it to happen.  Federal approval is needed for Wisconsin to become the first state in the country to require adults without kids that are capable of working that are applying for health benefits to get tested for drugs.  If this goes through it could be a move that the rest of the nation could follow.  I am not sure I see a down side to this, the argument in the past has been what about the kids, or that person cannot work because of a pre-existing condition, this proposal takes both of them off the table.  The way I read this is if you don’t have kids and you can work, in order to get Medicaid, you must take a drug test.  There are plenty of places out there that require drug testing to keep your job, I don’t see why to get a benefit at the cost of the taxpayers, that you would think any differently.  

Daily Dose of BS May 25 sales

A lot of us live for the weekends, for rest, relaxation, getting the honey do list done but mostly weekends are famous in the Midwest for garage sales, I used to be a big rummage saler, I used to like to pick through someone’s sale tables and try to find the best deal possible, the once in a lifetime find. Those were the days, you used to be able to go to a rummage sale and find some really good deals, now I don’t think as much, people are pushing goods out their doors with Facebook Marketplace of Craigslist. And if there is a sale some people who have an unrealistic value placed on what is basically junk, but how often have you been to a sale and one of these four things were there, prices so high that you could buy new for cheaper, that the stuff was dirty, or junky or they were selling things like old cool whip and margarine tub and you wondered why they even bothered with the sale. Occasionally, you come across the holy grail of a sale but for the most part at least the ones I have seen lately have been stuff that I would probably just throw away, or at least put on the front boulevard with a free sign. 

Daily Dose of BS May 24 losey blvd

A few neighborhoods may experience a slowdown, there is talk about slowing Losey Boulevard down to 25 from the 30-mph posted speed limit.  I can honestly say that I thought that the speed limit on Losey was at 35, because that is the speed I usually drive on that stretch of road and I most of time am getting passed.  On my way into work every morning I drive down 2^nd avenue in Onalaska and they moved their speed limit down from I believe 40 a couple years ago, and I find myself being a creature of habit and must fight the urges to go faster.  Do you think that the city of La Crosse should slow the traffic down on one of the busiest corridors in the city?  Also, do you think that this is just the next step in a new North South corridor?  

Daily Dose of BS May 23 bombing in England

I am angry.  The lives of innocents and I mean real innocents will be changed forever.  In fact all our lives will be changed from here on out because of the actions of some jerk in Manchester, England.  22 children who attended the Ariana Grande concert have died at the hands of a suicide bomber and at least 60 others have been injured.  I am guessing that many more than 60 more have been injured, how do you explain to the most innocent that what happened won’t happen again, or will it.   Not only have lives been lost and the innocent no longer innocent but think of the sweeping changes that will be implemented around the world including here in the Unites States now, so that this does not happen here.  Or what changes will be made when you travel in and out of large areas of people?  This type of terrorism angers me, because what did these young children do?  They went to support the arts by enjoying a show.  

Daily Dose of BS May 22 circus

I remember as a kid the Greatest Show on Earth.  It wasn’t wrestling, a concert or even Disney on Ice it was the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus.  My parents took my brothers and I to see the circus a couple of times when we were kids and as a kid seeing all the action there was to see from the trapeze act to the animals and the most colorful characters of the show, the clowns.  The crazy antics of the most colorful group of entertainers with the over the top exaggerated makeup acting playfully, and getting paid for it.  It truly was the Greatest Show on Earth.  Also, you can’t forget about the person who ties it all together with their powerful voice and ability to turn your attention to the center ring.  The Ringmaster.  I for one will miss the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, it is sad to see an institution of 146 years close their doors forever.  

Daily Dose of BS May 19 Zaks last day of school

Two of my four kids have now finished high school.  Zak my middle son walked out of high school yesterday for the last time as a student at Central High School.  We spent some quality one on one time yesterday talking about the highs and the lows of school and how he felt a little weird walking out after his last class yesterday.  I remember my final day at school, and feeling the same feelings that Zakery was feeling yesterday, that, that was probably the last time that he would see or talk to most of those people.  And he is right, there are still many that I wonder about 30 years after the fact.  The nice thing about social media is that you can reach out to those you want to reach out to and you can get a peek in to what they want you to see.  Best of luck to the graduating class of 2017, the world is your to go and take.  Remember that working hard won’t kill you, to have fun and not to take yourself to seriously.  Life is meant to be lived.  Go out and live it to the fullest. 

Daily Dose of BS May 18 dangerous walking

Here is a big shocker that West Ave has more pedestrians and cyclists hit and hurt since the road has been redone.  I am not even going to say that I think what the DOT did to West Ave had anything to do with it, I think that reason that West Ave is more dangerous is because people don’t pay attention.  I am talking drivers, walkers, bikers none of the group pays attention to anything further than the few feet in front of their faces.  Don’t believe me take a few minutes today and just park in a lot that has a clear line to any street with traffic, people are not paying attention, they are futzing with their radio, looking at things around them as they drive by talking on the phone or with the people in the car with them or looking at their damn phone, either texting or Facebook posting.  Heck with the storms we have had the last few days I have seen Facebook live videos of people while they are driving.  And I have only just touched on the drivers, look at the cyclists and the pedestrians, they are doing the same thing.  And everyone is trying to prove a point by claiming the ownership of the road.  How about going back to what your mom taught you, be polite and share the road, and if someone lets you in give them the courtesy wave.  

Daily Dose of BS May 17 caffeine

Another day another story about kids drinking, this time it is caffeine instead of alcohol.  Reports say that A teen chugged a latte, a Mountain Dew and an energy drink. The caffeine binge led to his death.  About 75% of all US citizens use caffeine. This is nearly 3 out of 4 reaching for the either pop, tea or my favorite caffeine jolt - coffee. When I was a kid we didn’t have pop around the house except for a special occasion and that was on Mom’s bridge club day and a holiday when the relatives would come over and they would bring it. Funny if you fast forward 30 years that it is more common to see someone drinking a pop than not - not only at a restaurant but for lunch more than about anything else. Back to 75% of the population drinking caffeine, soda is the most common source of caffeine, followed by tea then coffee. Funny how now caffeine is even in foods and other drinks as well. We are seeing it in some jelly beans, marshmallows and some gums too, it is no wonder we have a society of jittery jumpy people.  I hope that the amount of caffeine in your daily routine won’t have the same effect as the young man who had enough caffeine to disrupt and ultimately stop his heart.  

Daily Dose of BS May 16 drinking

There are high school teenagers who drink.  They did when I was a kid and they will when I am long gone.  Some of the kids who drink are kids who play sports, when you get caught drinking as a high school athlete you sit out some games, and I think you have a mandatory class to take.  I don’t see a problem with this, and if it isn’t mandatory it should be.  Kids are going to drink that is a given, kids who drink sometime get caught, that is a fact.  When you are a kid who drinks and gets caught and you are let’s say on the varsity team, you sit out some games, when you sit out some games kids get called up from the varsity reserve team and from jr varsity, I get that.  However what I don’t like fact that when you get caught drinking and you move kids from one team to another that the kids shuffle to make a team pulling kids from vr and jv to come up and populate the team.  I think instead of moving kids around for these game that the games should have been forfeit.

Daily Dose of BS May 15 wannacry

Over the weekend the "Wannacry" computer virus crippled hundreds of thousands of computers in countries all around the world.  The virus is a ransomware that has the hackers demanding money for people to access their data.  The sad thing about this is that it was a malware technique purportedly stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency.  Reports say that the average ask for unlocking your computer is $300 dollars.  That all adds up.  You can protect yourself by running updates, using firewalls and anti-virus software and by being wary when reading emailed messages.  Regularly back up your data so you can restore files without having to pay up should you be infected, as there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in your files being unlocked.  

Daily Dose of BS May 12 anniversary

I always hate when people say that they married their best friend.  I didn’t, I married the girl I loved, and as a matter of fact still do.  Sure we have our ups and downs and honestly what couple doesn’t what family or what relationship doesn’t?  You know something, the good has far out weighed the bad, and here is the thing we still talk, I mean we talk and listen and share our lives, I am not sure if that is the secret of longevity but it has been part of the magic of our relationship.  Talking, listening, laughing and having fun seem to be the 4 cornerstones of what makes our relationship work.  Today we are celebrating our 27^th anniversary, or 3 to the 3^rd power (3x3x3), and for us the number 3 has an unplanned common thread between us all, because there is 3 years between us, 30 years between Macia and Hayden our oldest, 30 years between me and Zak our middle son, 3 years between each of the kids and 3 minutes between the twins, here’s hoping for the best year ever.  

Daily Dose of BS May11 advice

I have been spending lots of time and having some heart to hearts with my 18 year old as he gets ready for after graduation.  I think he will do just fine, he was named co-technology and engineering student of the year at an awards ceremony.  Ever thought about what is the best advice you ever got?  Try hard, don’t look back, look to the future, but don’t wish your life away, DREAM. You know as a Dad you can learn a lot by just listening, but sometimes I have a hard time turning off my interview mode from work, where I have to keep conversations going, I sometimes get accused of grilling him and the other kids. My response is if you answered in more than just one word answers or grunts conversations would be just that a conversation. What are some of the gems you got from your parents when they thought you weren’t listening? I always remember don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty cause you can always wash them.

Daily Dose of BS May 10 fbi fired

The big news around Facebook last night and I am assuming the coffee machine this morning is that Donald Trump has fired James Comey as FBI director.  I guess I thought that the President could fire anyone that he wants.  I think that it looks bad that the Comey gets fired when he is looking into Russia’s influence over the election but I also don’t get why a federal agency is looking into this anyway.  Here is what I mean don’t you think that a nonpartisan group of people should be looking into these types of things, a group that won’t feel the pinch for their job when they uncover stuff.  I think that most of the stuff that is happening in Washington is corrupt, and that there are things that are going on and that have been going on for decades that when uncovered will creep you out.   

Daily Dose of BS May 9 social media

I could see social media blocking becoming a thing.  Four schools in Madison are undergoing a test between now and the end of the school year, these four schools are blocking access via the free public wi-fi for social media apps including Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instragram and about 30 other social media apps that are a drain on not only our children’s time but many adults as well.  They are hoping that this experiment will help kids who are disengaged in school to perk up and pay more attention to the world around them.  We have all seen kids and adults walking with their eyes glued to their devices.  I personally think that this is a great idea, maybe turning it on during lunch for kids to “catch up” then back off.  I think of it as when I am eating Doritos and can’t stop bringing the bag into the other room and leaving it there to put the temptation out of reach.  

Daily Dose of BS May 8 leftovers

I know some people who don’t eat leftovers, I on the other hand like leftovers, no meal planning and a quick grab and heat meal on a busy day.  In our house hold there are 5 of us living there and everyone has a different schedule.  We try to get together and have family meals as often as we can, and that is at least 1x a week, the past week however was a bit different, I don’t think that we all sat down and had a meal together at all.  Weird how some of the things that you used to do every day and things that you have taken for granted have slip from the grasps of your fingertips, not for lack of trying but because we are busy being busy.  With one of our children getting ready to embark on the next stage of his life graduating from high school later this month, and the twins starting drivers ed, I guess onward and upward.  If your life is changing, and I know that it is because our lives always change, take the time to slow it down, and think back to and enjoy the memories you had, but don’t think of them as leftovers but chapters of your life.  

Daily Dose of BS May 5 repeal of Obamacare

Here is a big shocker that the Wisconsin House members voted along party lines.  In a house vote that saw a 217-213 vote of the repeal of Obamacare, the 5 republican Congressmen voted for the repeal while the 3 democratic Congressmen voted to keep Obamacare.  Congressman Kind said, "Never before in our nation's history has a Congress and Administration offered a health care reform bill that instead of lowering the uninsured rate actually increases the number of uninsured individuals by 24 million people”.  The bill ends the tax penalties that the affordable care act law imposed on people who didn't buy health insurance and on larger employers who don't offer coverage, this legislation also replaces Obama's subsidies for people buying individual policies with tax credits.  A couple of things that It retains from Obamacare is the requirement that family policies cover grown children up to age 26 as well as varying premiums based on gender.

Daily Dose of BS May 4 bikes

I am all for people riding their bikes, really I am.  However, yesterday afternoon during rush hour there was a bicyclist riding his bike on Lang Drive, he was in the right lane, close to the white line.  I am pretty sure that you need to give a bicyclist at least 3 feet when they are pedaling and most drivers were giving him more than 3 feet, they were giving him the entire lane, pushing traffic over the left lane until they passed the guy then the mad rush to get back to the right lane.  On a stretch of road like Lang Drive isn’t a bicyclist supposed to ride on the sidewalk rather than on the street?  Isn’t this the reason that we spent extra money on that stretch of road so that the walkers and the bikers can share some space together rather than a person on a bike causing a bit of traffic?  Also aren’t people on bike supposed to follow the rules of the road?  How many times have you seen a person on a bike pedal through a stop sign? 

Daily Dose of BS May 3 be that person

Be that person.  We have people in our lives some of them are good for us others are not, and still others slide in and out of our lives.  I had an encounter with one yesterday.  I heard water dripping in the basement yesterday after work, I went to access the situation and found a pin prick hole in one of the copper pipes leading to the non-working water conditioner.  I turned off the water and went to the hardware store to ask what could be done to fix it, the guy gave me an idea for a temporary fix but said call a plumber.  I only know one plumber, so I called him, and surprisingly he answered his phone.  He came by after work and fixed my pipe and we ended up talking for a few hours after that.  We all need people in our lives be the person who makes the difference and helps when needed.  

Daily Dose of BS May 2 school start

Thirty years ago, I graduated from high school, this year brings my class reunion and I am looking forward to BS’ing with those that I went to school with.  I had one of those birthdays that could go either way, I could have graduated in 86 or 87 since my birthday fall on August 29 my parents chose to hold me back a year.  I for one am glad that they did.  Back to the reason I brought this up, La Crosse school board is backing the repeal of the state of Wisconsin’s September 1^st school start requirement.  The school district wants to start school earlier because of the kids are already competing with sports and that the kids in football already have a few games under their belts by the time that school starts.  If the law gets repealed that district has more control over the calendar and more flexibility in planning the school year.  I get it, but I tell you what, I for one am glad that I didn’t ever have to go to school on my birthday.  

Daily Dose of BS May 1 drugs

In yesterday’s La Crosse Tribune they had an informative story on Drugs, by the numbers.  Alarming numbers.  For example, 2,944 were hospitalized at Gundersen for addiction or abuse, that Tri-State Ambulance and the La Crosse firefighters administered Narcan to 186 people last year.  The article said that in La Crosse County 25 people died of overdose, and that of the high school students surveyed that 1.5 % have taken meth in the past month and that 1.3% have used heroin at least once.  These numbers are real and the problem is not going away.  In the past month, there has been a couple of shootings in La Crosse, there have been robberies and home invasions.  When I moved to La Crosse in 1992 sure there were drugs but the biggest problem facing our future then was alcohol and alcohol abuse.  Now we still have people over consuming and now taking dangerous drugs as well.  How can we stop it?

Daily Dose of BS April 28 pizza

Everyone who eats pizza has a favorite.  Either frozen or fresh.  I have a couple of favorites in the area.  I enjoyed my favorite last night from South Lanes Pizza and Wings in Onalaska, I had to get two the 4 meat and the South Lanes special with Jalaponos on half.  I also like a couple other local pizzas, like Pizza Coral in Holmen and Great River Roadhouse in Desoto, or if we are looking for different the family and I will hit up Pizza Dr’s.  When it comes to frozen pizza I used to love the Sweet Home Chicago from Lloyd’s Pizza but I can’t find it anymore and am really beginning to like most of the Lotsa Motza pizzas that are out there, lots of cheese and a pretty good ratio of toppings to bite.  My question today is what is your favorite restaurant pizza and frozen pizza?  Also what is your favorite topping?  

Daily Dose of BS April 27 jobs

I heard a story this morning about the worst jobs out there and my job as a broadcaster comes in at #2 on the list beaten only by a newspaper reporter.  Ha, I have a job that has a negative growth rating, with a growth of -9% over the next 5 years, the median pay is $38,870, and you must move to small markets to start off your career.  What was I thinking.  Wait disc jockey is also on the list at #6 on the worst jobs out there with an 11% decrease in job growth over the next 5 years.  With a median pay rate of $30,830.  It is a good thing that I love what I do for a living.  I have had more opportunity to do different things in my career than most people, the chance to meet and interview some of your hero’s and many zeros has been a highlight and who can count out getting up at 4 am every day.  Every day, even on weekends cause you get used to it.  Honestly I wouldn’t change a thing, for me it has been a great career for my personality, plus I couldn’t see having a real job.  See the list at http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/worst-jobs-2017

Daily Dose of BS April 26 sidewalk chalk

A couple of graffiti tickets were handed out in Onalaska after messages like “Love is not racist”, “You are welcome here”, “There is enough room for everyone”, “You are standing on Ho-Chunk land”, “Stand up for Muslims”, and “Black lives matter” were scribbled over the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk along the city’s water front.  The women who did the writing are part of the group La Crosse Area Showing up for Racial Justice group.   What are your thoughts on the sidewalk chalk on city property?  I have always thought that it was weird that parents would allow their kids to write on city owned property.  When my kids were little I allowed sidewalk chalk but it had to be used in our yard on our sidewalks, end in the event that it was drawn on the city sidewalk, and I don’t think that it was I would have cleaned it off.  Is a ticket in this situation warranted, I don’t think so, but I believe that the mom and her daughter should grab a bucket and a scrubber of some sorts and clean up their mess.  

Daily Dose of BS April 25 roads

Unless you don’t venture outside your home you have driven on out bumpy roads, you have taken in the valleys and craters that are supposed to be smooth and clean.  Our main roads suck.  I don’t think that I noticed it so much in the past but with all the talk over the past year or so I have started to notice that our roads are horrible.  It bugs me that the when driving home from work I must straddle the line in some spots as to not get my tires stuck in the crevasses that are eroding into our city streets and our state highways.  In our last election, we voted to move forward on the PRAT tax (premier resort area tax) being the first county to do so, hoping to raise enough funds to fix our roads.  Enter Governor Walker and his change of heart now backing the use of general funds, while avoiding new taxes or fees.  I don’t know about you but I would support a gas tax increase of a few cents to help to fix our roads, if you are using the roads, don’t you think you should be helping to support the fixing of them?  

Daily Dose of BS April 24 vacation

Vacation is a time to go happily and rest, relax and enjoy life.  I did just that.  Ever had a vacation go exactly as planned?  I just came back from one of those, not a care in the world.  I had the chance to go to Marco Island, Florida, with some friends both old and new, I got to fly first class for the first time, I also tried clams for the first time, and I also accidently caught 6 sharks, and a catfish during the hunt for the massive tarpon.  I wasn’t able to land one but I got the brief opportunity to reel in with one of these fighting machines on my line.  I learned lots, relaxed much and had a fantastic time.  Then spent a couple days at the family land getting the garden prepared for the summer.  Life is grand.  When the alarm rang this morning at 4am I was ready to go back to work.  Ok, I could have used a few more days off.  

Daily Dose of BS April 14th vacation

The job that pays me offers me 21 paid days off a year, 3 weeks to do what I want, and I sometimes have a hard time taking all those days. I am not sure why, the years creep up quickly and with that being said, the vacation days keep accumulating.  As Americans we are on the low end of vacation when it comes to the industrial countries no wonder there is burn out.  Here are some signs that you need a vacation, that you are driving your family nuts with all your complaints, that you lost your sense of purpose at work, that you are having trouble sleeping, and that you would rather go get a root canal than go to work.  We need to use our vacation instead of loose it, take a day every once in a while to either sleep in, stay up late, go to breakfast or just sit around in your jammys.  If ya got the vacation use it don’t loose it.  I am not saying that I am at the point of needing a vacation but, I am off to make memories, I will see you on the 24^th.  

Daily Dose of BS April 13 technology

I think we the technology owns us.  My indication light for voice mail at work wasn’t lit this morning and I left myself a message yesterday afternoon.  I had messages that were a week old on my machine and didn’t even know that they were there.  I was wondering why people weren’t calling me back.  Technology you gotta love it.  I remember being one of the last of my friends families to get a microwave, and vcr.  We used to have to wait for things to warm up and had to watch tv when it was on and movies at the theater, we had to sit in one place to be on the phone since it was in the kitchen and attached to a cord.  My have things changed.  Could you imagine trying to go back?  I would go nuts, I am as guilty as the next guy wanting new and improved things and technology….hell I want my microwave to heat faster and my tivo to play at 2x speed so it won’t take as long to watch a show so I can get on and do something else…like nap because like the computers in your life sometimes I need a re-boot too.

Daily Dose of BS April 12 life

Have you ever thought about life, I mean really thought about what we do on a regular basis?  I do and I must be getting older because I think about life and the after life often.  I spent some time with my mom a couple of weeks ago and was enjoying having conversation with her when we started talking about getting older and the pains that come with getting older.  My mom and step dad mentioned that they had gone and bought burial spots and were excited that they were by a tree, I asked if that really mattered?  It is funny but once I am gone I figure I am gone it doesn’t matter where my remains end up does it.  I have told my wife that when I go I want to have a party and invite everyone, and have an open bar.  What the hell, one last toast.  Have you ever given any thought about this?  I really try to live my life to the fullest and try to enjoy each and every day.  

Daily Dose of BS April 11 sticks and stones

A couple of lessons learned as a kid would have helped out with yesterday’s shooting in La Crosse.  First of all sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.  Which I know isn’t always the case because sometimes words do hurt, but don’t you think that we have a raised a bunch of thin skinned kids?  I was picked on a lot as a kid, I really think that is what made me the man I am today.  If you are reading this and were one of the people that did some of that picking, I forgive you.  And thanks.  Secondly this still rings in my ears, no playing with guns.  I will say this again, no playing with guns.  How hard is that?  Let the crap roll off your back and don’t play with guns, two of the things my Mom would always say, would have diverted yesterday’s shooting in La Crosse.  Apparently, the shooting was over a post on Facebook.  Someone posted yesterday to watch what you say on Facebook, I guess that they weren’t kidding.  

Daily Dose of BS April 10 old school

I am kind of old school.  I don’t have cable tv and I still have a land line.  It isn’t that I never had cable, I just thought that the expense of having it wasn’t worth it especially since there is services such as Hulu and Netflix out there and if you get Amazon Prime you also get streaming with that.  There really isn’t too much that I can’t see within a short time of it being broadcast.  As for the home phone I bought Ooma a couple of years ago and it hooks right into my internet and uses that to make it work.  And really how many people do you know that have home lines anymore?  My Dad got rid of his a few years ago, my Mom and one brother still have a land line but other than a few others that I know the land line is only in their homes because they get a bargain on getting their cable and internet if they have a home line.  In fact less than 40 % of American homes have telephones and one in 5 have dumped cable.  

Daily Dose of BS April 7 Syria

I don’t know too much about the Syrian conflict but I do know what I have heard, and those reports say between 80 and 84 people were killed, including 27 children and 19 women. Another 546 people were injured, with chemicals that bombed an apartment building.  In response, The United States fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria overnight, according to the Pentagon, civilians were not targeted -Syria says at least six people were killed at a military airfield, a spokesman for the Defense Department said that aircraft and infrastructure at the site were hit, including the runway and gas fuel pumps. and that the airfield was severely damaged, reducing Syria's capability to deliver chemical weapons.  Should we have taken this step, why or why not? 

Daily Dose of BS April 6 shooting

Another shooting in La Crosse.  This was another one that was all too close to my home, I guess that all are too close to our homes.  I was in class last night when I heard about the shooting?  I excused myself and called my son who was at home at the time, and found out what he knew.  One of his friends was working at the restaurant close to where it happened.  Thank goodness that no innocent bystanders were harmed when this shooting took place.  I am impressed with how quickly the La Crosse police took control of the situation and quickly 3 were in custody, I know that they were in active negotiations when I went to bed last night with a 4^th suspect.  When I interviewed one of the Sergeants last night I asked why the police were canvasing neighborhoods so far from the shooting as mine is about a mile from the crime scene he said they were following up on leads.  It is weird to look out your front door, and see armed police officers in tactical gear walking and standing guard where your kids play ball, or ice skate. 

Daily Dose of BS April 5 PRAT Tax

Did you vote yesterday?  Did you know that the PRAT Tax proposal passed its first hurdle to being passed?  La Crosse county voters voted at a rate of 55 to 45 percent in the election yesterday to support of adding .5 percent sales tax to many of the things that we buy in order to generate money to repair the county highway system.  According to the Wisconsin Revenue Department that this new tax would generate about 6.6 million dollars’ worth of money with the county planning on using about 5 million of it for road repair and the other 1.6 million being divvied up between the 18 municipalities in the county.  I don’t even understand how this got on the ballot as the PRAT Tax was designed for communities not counties and is supposed to be based on the area getting 40% of their equalized property value from “tourism related business” I thought that the La Crosse area had about a 5%.  This is only the first step but I am interested to see where it goes.  

Daily Dose of BS April 4 giveback

I think that it is important to be involved in your community, from getting out and voting on election day to getting involved in a civic organization or a church.  One of the things my parents instilled in my brothers and I, was to give back either monetarily or with time. I chose to work in radio so I have more time than money. There are tons great organizations out there that are in need of your time, and your money. Find one and help when you can. Today is Kiwanis radio day so as you pop around to the different radio stations in the La Crosse Market you will hear lots of different unfamiliar voices, talking about the benefits of being in the Kiwanis. The best thing about being a part of a service group is that if you are active in the group you are pretty much guaranteed to make some good lifelong friends, I am still friends with some of the guys I was in Boy Scouts with and my best friends are people that I was in the Jaycees with. My suggestion to you is be active within our community and let us all work to make our great communities an even better place to live, just a reminder that today is election day.  

Daily Dose of BS April 3 environment

My son likes watching the show Gold Rush and I have sat in on it a few times, you do get caught up in the drama on the show, even if it is manufactured by the tv production people.  I bring this show up because I really had no idea that the mining of gold was done by the stripping of the earth.  I guess I just assumed that the gold was panned as it used to be.  The big machines come in and strip away the earth and that earth gets run through a machine that washes away the rocks and the gravel leaving behind gold flecks.  A ton of work and a from what I have seen on the show not a huge payout for the long strenuous hours.  It appears there are strippers of the land in the upper Midwest as well as I heard this morning that there are people armed with chainsaws cutting down birch trees all over Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Apparently, there are many who like the look of birch trees and birch bard inside their homes.  I am not an environmentalist but after seeing shows like Gold Rush and hearing of the clear cut of the birch tree I think I am beginning to know what it feels like to be one.  

Daily Dose of BS March 30 bathrooms

I sometimes wonder if I am the only person that ever thinks about restroom doors.  I always wondered why is it you need to pull a handle toward you rather than a push or a kick motion to open.  We have all seen someone in a public place use the facility and walked right out the door without even pretending to wash their hands, last week I used a rest room that had a foot handle, it looks rather odd sitting next to the corner of the door just hanging there.  Had I not seen one in use on a video I wouldn’t have even known what it is.  But it is a saver of touching the door, that is for sure, and that more places need to get these and educate people about using them.  I also think that all the automated things in the bathroom that flush, dispense soap, turn on the water and kick out paper towels or turn on the dryer are nice, but even with all the automation and the door opens in, you still have to grab a dirty door handle and turn and pull.

Daily Dose of BS March 29 conceal carry

I am all for gun rights and for concealed carry, absolutely I am.  If you are proficient with a gun, and are safe with it.  The state of Wisconsin wants to be like 26 other states and allow you to conceal carry without a permit.  Right now, the state of Wisconsin requires anyone carrying a concealed weapon to obtain a license and take a training course.  The bill that is currently being proposed would do away with the license requirement for someone that wants to carry a hidden weapon.  Also, bundled into this bill is the allowance to bring a concealed firearm into places where they are currently barred such as a school unless a sign is posted barring them.  I don’t think I have seen a school in La Crosse without those signs.  I still think that this is not a good idea.  I think that the process that we have now is fine and no changes need to be made for allowing someone to carry without the permit.  

Daily Dose of BS March 28 drinking

I was shocked to read that in Wisconsin that a new bill would prohibit adults from permitting underage drinking parties.  I always thought that this was the case.  This new bill would address a social loophole that allows those under 21 to drink alcohol on premises that are owned or control by someone who is of legal drinking age.  Wisconsin already has more than the national average of youngsters drinking about a third of 12 to 20 years olds are drinking alcohol and about 20 percent drank 5 or more at once.  I have seen billboards and yard signs that say Parents who host lose the most, specifically targeting those that allow underage parties in their houses.  Breaking this law would cost you 500 bucks for the first offence and more and increasing fines of up to 10 k and 9 months in prison.  

Daily Dose of BS March 27 clothes

A couple of girls were not allowed to board a plane yesterday morning because they were wearing leggings.  I think that this is a good time to look at the fashions that are out there and are unacceptable.  I know I am going to look like the old fuddy duddy here but I am not a fan of many of the clothes that are main stream these days.  I am going to start with the one that drives me the most crazy the pants down below the butt.  My parents always had my brothers and I wear belts, if not Dad would say something to us if we didn’t have on a belt.  Here is another one that bugs me hats that are not worn either front or back and that don’t have a bend in them.  Pants with words on the butt, shirts that show too much and pants with rips.  While I am at it what about people wearing their pajamas out in public?  I know I am not the only one who thinks this way, and maybe it makes me old in saying it but, put on some damn clothes and sit up straight, while you’re at it get off my lawn.  I guess I am getting old. 

Daily Dose of BS March 24 Cass Street

You have a week to drive down Cass Street before the construction begins on the newest roundabout in the city of La Crosse.  This roundabout should be called an oval about as it will be more oblong than the typical round about.  I for one was not a fan of the traffic circles but as I now go through one every day coming in to work, I really don’t mind it.  There is a bit of a learning curve but after maneuvering around the circle a few times you realize that they are quite easy to maneuver.  Cass Street will be closed from 4^th street to 8^th street while the at least 3 month project is being completed.  

Daily Dose of BS March 23 Facebook

Many of us use it, some don’t, I was slow to get to it, but started because of my job.  I am talking social media, maybe it should be called time sucking media. Some love it, some hate it, most of us tolerate it. Since social media became big a handful of years, it seems to be the way that kids and even adults communicate. I am guilty of it, and if you are reading this on Facebook, I am guessing you are also (especially if you respond). It has brought out the voyeur in us. How often have you clicked on someone’s profile to see what they are up to, even if you didn’t really know them?  I have a bunch of Facebook friends who are people in my life from way back in elementary school, to relatives to radio listeners, to friends of friends.  We can check up on our old friends without them even knowing. Follow our favorite celebrity, our kids, or even the local radio guy. I am not saying it is bad, because it is not, it gives many of us an outlet, in fact I don’t know if I could even watch a tv show now without checking on my Facebook.  I am just kidding about that but there are many who I bet can’t. 

Daily Dose of BS March 22 category killer

When Walmart first came to the south side of La Crosse we were all worried about the impact of the small businesses on the South Side of town, I live on the south side and I think that the area has done well with new smaller businesses.  We are now hearing about some of the big box type stores doing things to change up the way they do business because not of Walmart but because of the ultimate category killer, Amazon.  I love my small businesses and not a big fan of the big box stores especially the ones that have poor customer service, for example the Kmart in La Crosse, the last time I was there is the last time I will be there.  The store smelled and had horrible customer service, horrible.  After reading an article this morning that said that they face "substantial doubt" about its ability to stay in business unless it can borrow more.  I don’t think that this is their issue.  Also, look at the Malls losing the anchor stores as they down size, it is weird to think that the ultimate category killer is a business that started in 1994.  

Daily Dose of BS March 21 you are not alone

There is a huge problem sweeping the country and I am assuming the world, if you are affected, know that you are not the only one dealing with this problem.  I was talking with another parent about it and was told that I was not alone, pretty soon other parents were chiming in about their kids and I now realize that it is an epidemic.  Kids just don’t pick up after themselves and if they do it is half-assed.  How many times have you heard yourself telling your children to pick up that plate or toss that wrapper in the trash only to either find that wrapper on the counter next to the garbage can or even worse how about finding the wrapper on the top of the garbage can lid?  How much extra effort is it to lift the lid and toss your piece of trash into the can?  And if the can is overflowing, take the bag out, put a new one in and set the bag outside, you don’t even need to take it out to the trash, the next person out will.  Kids do your parents a favor and look to see what needs to be done and do it without being asked, and do it right.  As a parent of 4 I do know that this too much to ask.

Daily Dose of BS March 20 LAX SUX

Over the weekend we got to see some good sports and some poor sportsmanship.  From what I saw the athletes were classy but some of the student spectators were less than classy.  Students in the student section of the state high school basketball game had lots of screaming excited fans from all over cheering on their favorite teams, and I am sure that Cederberg wasn’t the only team to carry a sign that says something derogatory towards a rival team but the sign I saw both on tv and all over Facebook yesterday was “LAX SUX” #pridechs.  Ok, I am not a coach but a parent, but if I saw that as a coach of the team that was holding the banner I would address that as poor sportsmanship like.  I believe I would say something about it.   Congratulations to the boys basketball team at Central High School on your first state championship in 92 years.  And as a person who didn’t grow in La Crosse, but chose to live here I can tell you that LAX doesn’t SUX.  

Daily Dose of BS March 17 St Patricks Day

They say that 11 percent of all Americans claim some Irish ancestry, pretty amazing since Ireland is roughly the size of Indiana.  Surveys also say that about 50% of Americans will wear green today, because wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, ya know. I was thinking about St Patrick’s Day and the parallels with the state of Wisconsin, the two things that most people associate with Saint Patty’s Day is Beer and Whiskey drinking, guess what we are pretty good at that here in Wisconsin.  And wearing of the Green, show me a true Wisconsinite that doesn’t have a Green Bay Packer shirt or hat, also if you think of it on St Patrick’s Day there is green beer sold, and regular beer is gold you put the two next to each other and what do you have? That is correct Packer colors, while we may not all be Irish or have Irish ancestry, today as a Wisconsinite we are all Irish. So top of the morning to ya. 

Daily Dose of BS March 16 parking

The cost for parking in a ramp downtown La Crosse is going to more than double this summer.  Right now, you can park in a one of the cities ramps for just $40 per month, this summer the cost jumps to $100.  That’s right a hundred bucks a month to park your car downtown La Crosse.  A hundred bucks.  According to Mike Giese chair of the Sustainable La Crosse Commission if we were to pay the true cost for that spot that we would be paying $317 a month per stall to cover it.  The average cost per month for a one bedroom apt in downtown La Crosse is about $600 per month, so a place to park your car is a little more than half that and if you live on the north or south side and are renting you can get a one bedroom for $425 a month and I bet that includes a place to park your car.  I don’t get what the city is trying to do, build up downtown, offer parking, then charge the hell out of the parking after you get downtown thriving, to me it seems like the old bait and switch.  Plus, let’s get replacement trees up for the clear cut of the ash trees.  

Daily Dose of BS March 15 voting

The last couple of times I voted I had to show my driver’s license.  There are reports that some 17 year olds voted during the presidential primaries last year.  Wouldn’t you think that if you had to show your driver’s license that you would have the person working the table notice the date?  I would think so.  I am one of the hand full of people who votes almost every time I can.  I would say every time but I am sure I have missed a primary or two in my years.  I find voting fascinating; I have the chance to make the future.  In fact since we have such a low voter turnout, perhaps we should open voting up to those that are 16, this way the voters of tomorrow will have a running start on knowing the satisfaction of having their voice be heard.  Of the 30 Wisconsin underage teenagers who voted including one in La Crosse County, they may have been swayed by Bernie Sanders social media posts, I know that the 17 year old from La Crosse County won’t be charged, and I hope that the others aren’t either, but I think that this is a good reason to have ids checked before voting.  

Daily Dose of BS March 14 hate crime

The definition of hate crime is a crime motivated by racial, sexual, or is a prejudice-motivated crime, which occurs when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership (or perceived membership) in a certain social group.  This is what happened to a group of about 20 Trump supporters after someone stole Martin Sellers lawn sign supporting a democratic candidate.  Sellers has been arrested for criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct after admitting to throwing roofing nails into driveways of residents who supported republican candidates.  Sellers said he did it out of anger for the political system.  To me this adds to the anger, and brings forth the question of why?  

Daily Dose of BS March 13 drink specials

When I first moved to La Crosse in 1992 I was challenged to try to drink a beer at each of the bars on 3^rd street.  I thought challenge accepted.  For the record I didn’t make it.  I don’t recall how many of the bars I hit before I quit but there used to be a lot of bars.  Fast forward 25 years and guess what there are still lot of bars downtown and plenty of them have the Thursday wristband special pay a few bucks and drink all night.  City Council member Bob Seaquist wants to do away with the specials that promote too much drinking.  Adding that you can go out and have a good time without getting blind, puking drunk.  He also said that binge drinking is a public health crisis in the upper Midwest.  The proposal suggests that anyone who has a license issued under this chapter of the La Crosse Municipal code, it should be unlawful to sell an unlimited number of drinks for a fixed price or an all you can drink basis.  Huh why not just say no more all you can drink specials.  How do you fell about no more drink specials?