Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 | Transparency International

https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018

From The Journal Times.com:

Study: Corruption levels linked to health of democracies

By DAVID RISING Associated Press

Jan 29, 2019 Updated Jan 29, 2019

BERLIN (AP) — Countries like Hungary and Turkey are growing more corrupt as they become more autocratic, and threats to the American system of checks and balances have knocked the United States out of the top 20 "cleanest" countries, according to a closely watched annual survey released Tuesday.
Watchdog group Transparency International said its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018 showed more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, on its scale where 100 is very clean and zero is very corrupt.
With a score of 71, the U.S. lost four points over 2017 and dropped out of the top 20 nations for the first time since 2011.
"A four point drop in the CPI score is a red flag and comes at a time when the U.S. is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balance, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power," the Berlin-based organization said.
"If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue globally —this is a bipartisan issue that requires a bipartisan solution."
In a cross-analysis of its survey with global democracy data, Transparency said a link could be drawn between corruption and the health of a democracy.
Full democracies scored an average of 75 on the corruption index, flawed democracies averaged 49, and autocratic regimes averaged 30, the organization said.
It noted that Hungary dropped eight points and Turkey nine over the past five years, to scores of 46 and 41, respectively.
At the same time, the report cited Freedom House's annual democracy survey, noting Turkey was downgraded from "partly free" to "not free," while Hungary registered its lowest score for political rights since the fall of communism in 1989.
The ratings reflect the "deterioration of rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as a rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media," the organization said.
"Our research makes a clear link between having a healthy democracy and successfully fighting public sector corruption," said Delia Ferreira Rubio, the head of Transparency. "Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and, as we have seen in many countries, where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage."
Overall, Denmark led the survey as the least corrupt nation, with a score of 88, followed by New Zealand, Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland. Rounding out the top group were Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Luxembourg, Germany and Britain.

Somalia was rated the most corrupt with a score of 10, followed by Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, North Korea, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan and Libya.Since 2012, only 20 nations had significantly improved their scores, including Argentina and Ivory Coast, which scored 40 and 35 respectively, up from 35 and 29.

At the same time, 16 have declined significantly in that time, including Australia, which slipped from a score of 85 to 77, and Chile, which dropped from 72 to 67.
The index is calculated using 13 different data sources that provide perceptions of public sector corruption from business people and country experts. These include the African Development Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, the World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey and the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index Expert Survey.
———

Corruption Perceptions Index: https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018

From:  https://journaltimes.com/news/world/study-corruption-levels-linked-to-health-of-democracies/article_4176e8b2-48eb-51f7-90d6-37cf43523077.html

The Shivering Truth Pilot

The Shivering Truth Pilot from [adult swim] on Vimeo.

Frostbite

Click to enlarge.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Icicle!  How are you?  Frozen?  Thawing out?  In bed under the covers?  That's where I'd like to be.  It's supposed to be so cold today that your blood will freeze.  If you have to go out, dress in layers and cover your head.  I hope that your car starts.  The same goes for your heart.  We're supposed to set a record today for cold.  Oh boy, a record.

The snow yesterday kept me at home.  I had an eye doctor appointment, but the clinic was closed.  Good.  So were a lot of other places.  All of a sudden, we're getting a real winter.  The scientists blame this on the polar vortex breaking into three pieces, with one settling over North America.  It got so warm in Antarctica that it broke up the polar vortex.  Everything is messed up climate-wise.  There's land being exposed in Antarctica that hasn't been seen in 120,000 years.  What will archeologists find there?

When will the polar vortex retreat?  Some say not for two months.  Oh my.  https://journaltimes.com/news/local/science-says-get-used-to-polar-vortex-outbreaks/article_ab8ff956-059c-5ba2-b212-6d9f595c539d.html

Junior and Señor Zanza shoveled us out yesterday.  I have to keep reminding Señor Zanza that he's not as young as Junior and he should let Junior do the majority of the work.  Junior is at that age when you're bulletproof.  Señor Zanza shouldn't try to compete with Junior.  Let the kid work.



The resignation of Judge Rebecca Mason came as a surprise.  Many are saying that she did it because her husband, Mayor Butterball Mason, is mayor and there was a conflict of interest.  I'm not so sure.  I trust no one in local government.  We'll see what develops.

And Lee Enterprises is buying Kenosha News.  My crystal ball remains cloudy on this.  Maybe it's the polar vortex.  In any case, I'm not sure if this is good, bad, or irrelevant to the Racine and Kenosha populations.  I don't know that much about the Kenosha News, but I pity its poor, dedicated readers.  They're in for a shock as the "Lee Effect" takes hold.

Here's a good one from Kenosha News: "Security video from man's home captures him breaking into neighbor's house"  I love it when idiot criminals unknowingly turn themselves in.  Like all the clowns on Facebook who post the loot and guns from their last hit.  RPD has someone checking local social media for evidence of crime.  Apparently, a lot of criminals just can't help themselves.  Yay.  Keep it up.  The police love it, too.

Here's a poem by  Lawrence Hall
from Dec. 2018:

A Polar Vortex Nightmare 

I saw a polar vortex in my dream
Drinking his coffee with sugar and cream
Then water skiing on the warm gulf stream –
He seemed to plan, he seemed to plot, to scheme

I tried to wake, I tried to warn, to scream
But wait – now just what is this wild dream’s theme?
Why was my sleep all night a mental steam?
My dream was confused, for this was the meme:

My gutter ball alienated my team

And so

I saw a bowler vortex in my dream


I don't know if I like it or not.  Well, it's more than I could do.  I think.

I love all of you "guys."  I really do.  Stay warm.

 madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Be very careful in this subzero snap.  Dress properly.  Better yet, don't go out.  I'm sure that exposed flesh would start to freeze almost instantly.  Besides leading to amputation in extreme cases, frostbite makes the affected areas more susceptible to cold from there on.  So avoid it.  Take care of yourselves.
 _________________________ 
Please donate: paypal.me/jgmazelis  If you don't like PayPal, send me a note at madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com and I'll send you my street address so you can send a check or money order.  Thank you.

Open Blog - Wednesday

More Brr.

Pitchmen and Sponsors Report

From The Shepherd Express:

by Art Kumbalek

Jan. 29, 2019

5:03 p.m.

I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, about these naming rights for the Brewers’ Miller Park going to some kind of insurance outfit, I’m calling a “what the fock” on that play. Maybe some fans don’t think it’s a big focking deal. But what will they say when the mascot gets changed from Bernie Brewer to Petey Policy—some fockstick in a suit and tie—and every time the Crew hits a home run, instead of Bernie taking a ride down the slide, Petey parks his sorry ass behind a desk, whips out a pen and files a claim? Hey, you tell me.

And then I’ll tell you that the naming rights to this here page of essays are always darn-tootin’ priced right to go to the highest bidder: “Old Crow at Art for Art’s Sake,” “Art for Art’s Sake with Pall Malls.” I don’t give a rat’s ass what you want to peddle as part of the Art Kumbalek franchise, just as long as you pony up the yearly $100 grand it’ll take to do the deal, what the fock.
Anyways, I was out and about just the other day and some knob says to me, “Hey Artie, writing those essays must be good therapy, ain’a?” And I was reminded of a little story:
This gal goes to her psychiatrist ’cause she’s having big problems with her sex life, wouldn’t you know. The psychiatrist asks her lots of questions but wasn’t getting a clear picture of her problems. So finally he asks, “Do you ever watch your husband’s face while you are having sex?” And she says, “Well, yes, I did once.” The psychiatrist asked her how he looked and she said, “Very angry.”
The psychiatrist felt he was finally getting somewhere: “That’s very interesting but we must look into this further. Now tell me, you say that you have only seen your husband’s face once during sex, which seems somewhat unusual. How did it occur that you saw his face that time?” And she says, “He was looking through the window.” Ba-ding!
Yeah yeah you betcha, Artie’s his own therapist, how ’bout that. By cutting out the middle man, I figure I’m saving myself maybe about $150-$200 bucks an hour; so the drinks are on me. And as a therapist, one thing I know is that we can all use an extra pat on the back. Actually, I got a better idea. More than an extra pat on the back, we could all use an extra twenty in the pocketbook, what the fock. Hold on, I got an even better idea. How ’bout, say, you go see one of these psychiatric guys for a little shrink rap, and at the end of the session he gives you a crisp $100 bill and change instead of the other way around—“Hey doc, gosh. Thanks for the dough. I'm feeling better about myself already.” And isn’t that the point?
Fock if I know, but I sometimes do wonder what things would be like these days if there had been an outbreak of the psychology racket in the olden days. Say, back in the year 0027 or something, they pull Jesus in for a psych session: “Well, Mr. Christ, to me it looks like we’re dealing with a pattern of self-destructive behavior here. I’d say you were clinically depressed but that hasn’t been invented yet. This savior thing. It’s a grand idea, but practically speaking, what about the future? Do you actually see yourself doing this at 40, 50? And you say one thing, but then do another. ‘Love thy neighbor,’ fine. But then you go bust up their money-changing temple. What I’d like to do is see you weekly for the long-term. Who is your health care provider, Mr. Christ?”
Okey-dokey, let’s wrap up with a nice ice fishing story, considering the weather we’ve had:
This drunk guy decides to go ice fishing, so he gathers his gear and goes walking around until he finds a big patch of ice. He heads into the center of the ice and begins to saw a hole. All of sudden, a loud booming voice comes out of the sky. “You will find no fish under that ice.”
The drunk looks around, but sees no one. He starts sawing again. Once more, the voice speaks, “As I said before, there are no fish under the ice.” The drunk looks all around, high and low, but can’t see a single soul. He picks up the saw and before he can continue cutting, the huge voice interrupts. “I have warned you three times now. There are no fish!”
The drunk is abso-focking-lutely flustered, so he asks the voice, “How do you know there’s no fish? Are you God?” “No, douchebag,” the voice says. “I am the manager of this hockey rink.”
Ba-ding! ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.

From: https://shepherdexpress.com/advice/art-kumbalek/pitchmen-and-sponsors-report/

Rebecca Mason Resigns

From Racine Uncensored:

Ricky S. Jarstad shared a post.

Admin · 12 hrs

Does this have to do with Rebecca being named in the unsealed Weidner documents?

Talking Racine

Community

Talking Racine

18 hrs

Municipal Judge Rebecca Mason is Stepping Down
It has been my privilege to serve as City of Racine Municipal Judge for the last 2 ½ years. I am honored to have been appointed by this Council and elected twice with overwhelming support of the voters from the city that I love so much.
I am tremendously proud of what I have been able to accomplish working along side extraordinary community leaders and an amazing court staff. We modernized the court by implementing online payments and transitioning from typewriters and carbon paper to a computer system. We established a truancy court that has helped many kids get back into the classroom and on track to graduate and get good jobs or go on to college. We provided opportunities for people to recover their driver’s licenses. We also expanded community service opportunities for those who appear before the court and have greatly reduced the use of jail time for residents who cannot afford to pay their forfeitures.
I have accomplished the goals I set out when I first sought this position. For several reasons – most importantly my dedication to my family and my clients – I am taking my career in a different direction and stepping down from the Municipal Court effective Friday, February 22, 2019.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to so many who have helped and supported my service to our community.
Thank you,
Rebecca

From: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1783568838634123/permalink/2286887928302209/

Open Blog - Tuesday

Brr.

3-year-old who was missing for days says a bear watched over him in North Carolina woods

Searchers found Casey Hathaway on Thursday, two days after he vanished from his grandmother’s yard in North Carolina.

By Sanjana Karanth

A 3-year-old boy who was found alive after having been missing for days told family members that he was busy spending time with a bear.

Casey Hathaway was playing with other children on Tuesday when he vanished from his grandmother’s yard in a rural part of eastern North Carolina. He was found alive two days later from where he disappeared after community search crews received a tip.

Casey’s aunt, Breanna Hathaway, posted Friday on Facebook that her nephew was home, healthy and smiling ― and had quite the tale to relate about his experience.

“He said he hung out with a bear for two days,” Hathaway said.

She was willing to roll with the story, saying, “God sent him a friend to keep him safe. … Miracles do happen.”

In another post, Hathaway said Casey likes to watch “Masha and the Bear,” a show about a girl who lives in the woods with a paternal bear who keeps her safe.

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said at a news conference Thursday that search crews found Casey wet, cold and tangled in vines, but not seriously injured.

He was “a little lethargic, but warm,” when he was found, Hughes told WCTI-TV in an interview. The sheriff said Casey “wanted water and his mom” when he was found.

The boy “didn’t really get into... how he was able to survive,” though he did mention “having a friend in the woods who was a bear,” the sheriff added, without commenting further on that scenario.

There were no signs of abduction, Hughes said.

Read more: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/3-year-old-missing-alive-bear_us_5c4e10e8e4b06ba6d3be269c

Wild road rage incident captured on video

Lee Enterprises to buy Kenosha News, Lake Geneva Regional News

STEPHANIE JONES Stephanie.jones@journaltimes.com

2 hrs ago

RACINE — Lee Enterprises, which owns The Journal Times, announced Monday morning that the company has reached an agreement to purchase the print and digital assets of the Kenosha News and the Lake Geneva Regional News.

Mark Lewis, the publisher of The Journal Times, will become the president and publisher of the new media group.

“It’s a great benefit to our readers, advertisers and our communities. With expanded resources we can cover more news and with expanded circulation we can provide advertisers with more options,” Lewis said. “The editorial departments will remain independent and allow us to maintain a strong focus on local issues.”

The Kenosha News publishes seven days a week and has an average daily print circulation of about 20,000. The Lake Geneva Regional News publishes weekly. The sale is expected to close on Thursday, with the new ownership starting Friday, Feb. 1.

Read more:  https://journaltimes.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-to-buy-kenosha-news-lake-geneva-regional-news/article_627753ae-0bd8-56bc-9460-54b73c3866e1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Municipal Judge Rebecca Mason to step down

Mason

ALYSSA MAUK alyssa.mauk@journaltimes.com

2 hrs ago

RACINE — City of Racine Municipal Judge Rebecca Mason announced that she will step down from her post.

The announcement was made Monday via Mason's personal Facebook page. "It has been my privilege to serve as City of Racine Municipal Judge for the last 2½ years," the post states. "I am honored to have been appointed by this City Council and elected twice with overwhelming support of the voters from the city that I love so much."

The local attorney and wife of Mayor Cory Mason was initially appointed to the position in 2016 to replace Mark Nielsen, who was elected as a circuit court judge. She was then elected to the post in an unopposed race in 2017, and won re-election to a four-year term last April. 

According to the post, Mason said her resignation was prompted by dedication to her family and clients and taking her career "in a different direction." Mason said she will step down effective Feb. 22.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/municipal-judge-rebecca-mason-to-step-down/article_32c2e4ca-592f-5f48-9844-d1190a02f301.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest

Open Blog - Monday

Good morning.  Don't go anywhere unless you have to. 

Mental Health Experts on Donald Trump • BRAVE NEW FILMS

Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

Marquette poll: Majority in favor of marijuana legalization

From Racine Uncensored:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1783568838634123/permalink/2283974965260172/

Michael Jackson Documentary About Child Sexual Abuse Charges Leaves Crowds Shocked

Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP

PARK CITY, Utah ― The premiere of a searing four-hour documentary about Michael Jackson’s history of alleged sexual abuse cast a somber shadow at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday.

“Leaving Neverland,” which will air on HBO later this year, left audience members shellshocked. Unlike the recent Lifetime series on the serial sexual misconduct allegations lodged against singer R. Kelly, which dives into Kelly’s career and art, “Neverland” does little to examine Jackson’s legacy. Instead, the film focuses almost entirely on the harrowing accounts of two accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both say Jackson abused them when they were children.

The only footage of Jackson’s music videos and live concerts included in the documentary are directly related to Robson and Safechuck’s recounting of their time with the internationally famous pop star, who died in 2009.

The festival’s director, John Cooper, introduced the mammoth documentary with a trigger warning, and told attendees that mental health professionals would be available to speak to them in the lobby.

Read more:  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/leaving-neverland-michael-jackson-documentary-sundance_us_5c4b5acde4b0287e5b8a639d

Lighthouse Drive Property Tax Assessments

Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, 
 
I do believe - much to my dismay - that I have discovered a 
discrepancy in the equality of property assessments on Lighthouse 
Drive - specifically the property owned by Mayor "Butterball" Cory 
Mason and Da' Judge - Rebekka Mason. It does seem to me that either 
the Neighbors have been assessed too high - or the Mason's property 
has been severely undervalued. 
 
Now - has every Resident who lives in City of Racine been afforded the 
benefit of an assessed value decline of nearly 50% - from 2009 to 2018 
- continuing into 2019 - especially on a Lakefront Lake Michigan 
property - of which those are in short supply? 
 
And while the Mason's only recently purchased the property.... what is 
the former owner's political connections? C'mon - who else has seen 
their assessed value drop by HALF! ? 
 
Mayor Cory  "Butterball" Mason and his Wife "Here come da' Judge" need 
to begin paying their *FAIR SHARE* of the Communities expenses - and 
overt and insulting aggression's against Taxpayers who play fairly on 
a level playing field needs to end. 
 
No more George Orwell's "Animal Farm"! games! 
 
I don't oppose Socialism - I oppose a power mad and abusive 
Kleptocracy which Loots the People and destroys Community. City of 
Racine is a two tier Community - a Feudal Society reborn - Lords and 
Serfs. City of Racine - extended to the County - is but a criminal 
enterprise - looting the Residents and leaving desolation and 
destruction behind - even while they promise "Re-Development"...... 
Sincerely, 
 
Tim & Cindy  

Beach Party at the Masons!

From Racine County Corruption:

Mayor Mason and wife Rebecca advance affordable housing in Racine.
For themselves that is !

Mayor Cory Mason

Does it pay to be connected to people that have the ability to manipulate records? 

According to city records it does ! 

Judge Rebecca Mason

The Mason's, living on the shores of Lake Michigan have conveniently found themselves living in a tax oasis.

Their property located at 3907 Lighthouse drive appears to be under assessed, undertaxed and has seen tax assessed values spiral downward compared to their neighbors.

Assessments on Lighthouse Drive

These data tables are derived from City of Racine records.

The couple,  holding the offices of Mayor and Municipal judge within the City of Racine also appear to live an intertwined life of conflict of interest.

You may read more about the couple fighting 
for affordable housing at:
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMason4Judge/


Special thanks for the tireless efforts of :

https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2018/08/19/lifestyles-of-racines-rich-famous-politically-connected/

#HOTGOVERNMENT
is coming to Racine !

From: http://racinecountycorruption.blogspot.com/2019/01/mason-and-wife-rebecca-in-affordable.html

Great Men From History

Huey Long (1893-1935) was Louisiana's legendary populist Governor, 
U.S. Senator and favorite son. Poised to run for president on his 
“Share Our Wealth” platform, Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age 
of 42. 
 
Long was revered by the masses as a champion of the common man and 
demonized by the powerful as a dangerous demagogue. BIOGRAPHY | QUOTES 
| STATS | TIMELINE 
 
A vocal critic of corporate greed and government incompetence, Huey 
Long's "Share Our Wealth" political movement swept the nation during 
the Great Depression, garnering millions of supporters and threatening 
the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

https://www.hueylong.com/  

Shut up and code, bitches!

Americans are not exactly full of sympathy for unexpectedly unemployed 
media figures these days: 
 
    After news came out about mass layoffs at HuffPost, Buzzfeed and 
Gannett -- in the midst of the media's relentless smear-job against 
the Covington Catholic students -- right-wing Twitter had a field day. 
Tons of leftist journalists announced they were laid off on Twitter 
and the top meme was telling them to "learn to code" -- which is the 
same advice the media gave middle Americans whose jobs are being taken 
in traditional industries. 
 
https://www.wtva.com/content/news/504859022.html 
 
Of course, the newly-jobless journalists understood the obvious 
schadenfreude involved, given their past lack of sympathy for 
Americans disemployed by imports and immigration, and endured the 
laughter at their expense with all the stoicism and sang froid one 
would naturally expect of enlightened and superior beings. 
 
A lot of people are going to enjoy telling Kevin Williams that he is a 
negative asset who deserves to die when he loses his job. Again. 
 
http://voxday.blogspot.com/2019/01/shut-up-and-code-bitches.html 
 
Maybe them laid-off Journalists should ENLIST NOW! and die in Foreign 
Wars. Yellow Journalism is War bu other means.

Uriah Heep - Stealin

On Equality for ALL

Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, 
 
*FREE SANDY* 
 
*FIRE LETTNEY* 
 
How about the Mason Family pays it's fair share - and that their Lake 
Michigan Property assessment be raised to $1M plus! 
 
And when is the Campfire Party on beautiful Lake Michigan for Voces De 
La Frontera going to be held at the Masons? What is Rebecca cooking? 
and Cory serving? 
 
See YA SOON! 
 
http://racinecountycorruption.blogspot.com/2019/01/mason-and-wife-rebecca-in-affordable.html 
 
CITY Of RACINE OFFICIALS - STOP CHEATING, BEATING, STEALING, AND LYING 
TO TAXPAYERS! 
 
And please- someone bathe and shave City of Racine Attorney Scott 
Letteney. He is clearly - stinky and dirty. Please bathe him..... for 
goodness sakes..... 
 
He smells bad in more ways than one. 
 
Sincerely, Tim & Cindy

The World's First Cannabis Vending Machine Has Gone Live

by Tyler Durden

Fri, 01/25/2019 - 18:25

124 SHARES 

Authored by Elias Marat via The Mind Unleashed,

 For those who’ve participated in the market for recreational and medical cannabis, it hasn’t always been easy to purchase products.

Whether it’s on the street or at a legal dispensary, there’s been a risk of falling afoul of the law, dealing with inconsistent or disappearing suppliers, having to travel far to reach the closest dispensary, or spending excessive time in line or in a waiting room before finding your product. Have you or your friends ever wondered what it would be like to buy a disposable vape or a blunt as easily as you would buy a bottle of water from an office building vending machine?

Well now, a Southern California company has pioneered a new and innovative way of acquiring your buds, edibles, extracts, CBD products and accessories.

Welcome to the age of the automated smart cannabis kiosk, or “greenbox.”
 

Described as “the world’s first intelligent cannabis & CBD kiosks,” greenbox is being piloted at the Erba Collective and Marina Caregivers dispensaries in Los Angeles, where recreational and medicinal users will be able to pick from various categories at the vending machine, buy the product of their choice, and quickly be on their way

 

Photo credit: greenbox Robotics

 “You’re already sitting in traffic in LA. You want to come in, grab your product and be on your way,” Zach Johnson, CEO of greenbox Robotics, told Fox 11 LA.

The automated kiosk includes a user interface that describes each product and its effects. Users pay with a debit card or Apple Pay, after which a robotic arm delivers the chosen products.
In addition to a payment processing system, the greenbox is also equipped with facial recognition cameras, a speaker that allows it to stream music, and temperature-controlled storage.
California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. In 2018, the state lifted laws prohibiting the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes as well.
The greenbox is currently only available indoors at the dispensaries, but Johnson hopes that the machines will one day be stand-alone.
In company literature, greenbox robotics depicts the new cannabis delivery kiosk as the latest development in the automation revolution sweeping industries across the globe:

“From the moment we step out the door, our daily lives are simplified by the wonders of modern day automation. Whether it’s pre-ordering your Starbucks on your phone, printing your plane ticket at an airport kiosk, or simply ordering your groceries online, automation is the grease that keeps this high-paced world spinning. So why should buying your cannabis and CBD be any different?
greenbox Robotics has harnessed the most sophisticated automation technology to make your buying and selling experience fast, easy, and way ahead of its time.”

Open Blog - Weekend

                                                      
Enjoy.

Trump announces shutdown deal with no money for border wall

Coffee with Journal Times editor

Stephanie Jones

Legal stranger and I attended this event yesterday.  It was held in the upstairs of Divino Gelato.  About thirty people showed up.  It was funny to hear one person call the Journal Times biased towards the right and another say it's biased toward the left.  With such differences, everyone acted very civilly.  No fistfights broke out.  Many people had suggestions.  Ms. Jones did a good job of covering for Mark Lewis, the publisher.  Many people, including Ms. Jones, professed their love for Racine.  Not me.  I don't like garbage.

All in all, it was an informative meeting.  I learned a bit about how the Journal Times makes decisions and I believe that Ms. Jones received numerous suggestions for stories and/or improvement of the paper.  What will show up in print is another matter.

I think they should do this monthly.  Maybe at a different time so that working people can attend.  It was mostly old farts there.  Thank you, Journal Times.

Four for Fridays!

Good morning everyone I hope you have had a good week. If you do not have to go out I would stay in the windchill is going to be below 0 for the weekend. Here are your questions.

1) Do you do any kind of crafts?

2) If you do any crafts what do you do?

3) If you do not do any crafts what do you do when you stay inside when it is cold outside?

4) Are you ready for the warm weather to come back?

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Open Blog - Friday

Red looks good on Friday.

Gina Barreca: Loneliness is as bad for you as smoking

Barreca

Is it possible that loneliness is worse for you — and a harder habit to break — than smoking?

Maybe. The only way health and science experts could make the health crisis surrounding chronic loneliness more urgent would be to announce that loneliness makes Americans look fat, especially from behind.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued a report in 1964 making it clear to Americans that “cigarette smoking contributes substantially to mortality from certain specific diseases and to the overall death rate.” In response, many smokers starting putting down their butts.

You know what’s been proven to contribute substantially to mortality from specific diseases and to the overall death rate in 2019? Loneliness. The figure most often reported is that chronic loneliness has the same effect as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. So why, in response, aren’t more of us getting off our butts and running out to hug our neighbors?

Some of you will explain, quietly and calmly, that you’re introverts who value time alone and that this doesn’t apply to you. You’re entirely correct. Unlike chronic loneliness, a consciously chosen solitary life can be both satisfying and healthy.

Read more:  https://journaltimes.com/gina-barreca-loneliness-is-as-bad-for-you-as-smoking/article_9809d9ed-5c5b-5ab0-95b5-96a289d430e0.html

Heartbreak: No Sweethearts candy will be made for Valentine's Day this year

Sweethearts candy

Something will be missing on store shelves this Valentine's Day season -- Sweethearts candy.

The popular "Sweethearts" candies that have little messages like "Love You," "Bear Hug," "Cutie Pie" and "Ooh La La," will not be made this year.

The Spangler Candy Co., which bought the Sweethearts brand last year, didn't say why, but said the candies will be back for Valentine's Day in 2020.

"We are particularly excited about the Sweethearts brand. Many people have memories of sorting through their box of Sweethearts to find just the right message to share,” Spangler Chairman and CEO Kirk Vashaw said.

From: https://www.wisn.com/article/grocery-store-gives-customers-free-groceries-after-cash-registers-crash/26016962

10 Freak Accidents That You Won't Believe Happened

Open Blog - Thursday

Maybe it's Friday Adam.

Couple who fell to their deaths in Yosemite were intoxicated, autopsy reports show

Jan. 20, 2019, 9:52 AM CST

By Janelle Griffith

A married couple who fell to their deaths from an outlook at Yosemite National Park in California in October were “intoxicated with ethyl alcohol prior to death,” according to autopsy reports.

Meenakshi Moorthy, 30, and her husband, Vishnu Viswanath, 29, died “of multiple injuries to the head, neck, chest and abdomen, sustained by a fall from a mountain,” wrote a forensic pathologist at the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Ethyl alcohol is found in common alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and hard liquor.

How intoxicated the couple was is unclear. “We can only conclude that they had consumed alcohol but it is unknown to what level of intoxication,” an assistant Mariposa County coroner told the San Jose Mercury News.

The autopsy investigations were completed Jan. 4. No drugs were present in their bodies, lab tests found.

Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 18, 2015Marcus Yam / LA Times via Getty Images file

Moorthy and Viswanath were born in India but living in California. Park rangers recovered their odies about 800 feet below the popular outlook Taft Point, where visitors can walk to the edge of a vertigo-inducing granite ledge that does not have a railing. Taft Point is located near the end of Glacier Point Road and has sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.

From: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/couple-who-fell-their-deaths-yosemite-were-intoxicated-autopsy-reports-n960696

What a rush!

Students in 'MAGA' hats mock Native American after rally

January 20, 2019 9:45 AM:

In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 image made from video provided by the Survival Media Agency, a teenager wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, center left, stands in front of an elderly Native American singing and playing a drum in Washington. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington in Kentucky is looking into this and other videos that show youths, possibly from the diocese's all-male Covington Catholic High School, mocking Native Americans at a rally in Washington. (Survival Media Agency via AP)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A diocese in Kentucky apologized Saturday after videos emerged showing students from a Catholic boys' high school mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial after a rally in Washington.

The Indigenous Peoples March in Washington on Friday coincided with the March for Life, which drew thousands of anti-abortion protesters, including a group from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills.

Videos circulating online show a youth staring at and standing extremely close to Nathan Phillips, a 64-year-old Native American man singing and playing a drum.

Other students, some wearing Covington clothing and many wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and sweat shirts, surrounded them, chanting, laughing and jeering.

Read more:  https://journaltimes.com/news/national/students-in-maga-hats-mock-native-american-after-rally/article_99bdc453-1b0b-59db-bd0c-4c5042250d3a.html




Look at all the punks mocking this man.  They act exactly the way I remember them acting when I was in Catholic high school.  The shithead with a smile standing so close to the Native American deserves expulsion.  Or maybe a Catholic priest could bugger these boys to shake them up.  Catholics are pigs.






BUMP: January 22,2019 10:41 AM

"Editorial: MAGA-hatted teens, a Native American and the peril of instant judgment"

An editorial from the Chicago Tribune:

"But the reaction turns out to be a cautionary tale about jumping to conclusions. Other videos of the gathering showed the students being subjected to nasty slurs by black protesters known as the Hebrew Israelites; the teens eventually countered with chants. It was Phillips who strode up close to the boy in the MAGA hat, singing and beating a drum. Robby Soave of Reason watched two hours of footage and didn’t hear a single 'build the wall.'"

(1) comment

Choppi Cadence Jan 22, 2019 5:58am

How do insults by the "Hebrew Israelites" lead these Catholic piglets to taunt and mock Native Americans? Did you see how many students were doing "the tomahawk" during the drumming? They were dancing and taunting a Native American elder because they were insulted by black supremacists? That makes no sense. I went to Catholic high school. The in-crowd was always picking on the out-crowd. The boys were bullies and the priests were molesters. Nothing's changed in 50 years.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/print_specific/column/editorial-maga-hatted-teens-a-native-american-and-the-peril/article_2b3b976d-3d7a-5da7-be6e-dd4c1e45b3fa.html



BUMP: January23, 2019 1:30   PM 

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my do-bees and don't-bees!  How are you?  More s-word.  Darn.  And then it's supposed to drop to zero and below.  I hate winter in Wisconsin. Snow, cold, ice, slush, winds, etc.  Ugh.  I keep saying that I'll move to Florida, but I can't afford it.  So I freeze and slip and slide.  Sometimes the car doesn't want to start.  Sometimes there's a foot of snow on the sidewalk.  Sometimes your breath freezes as soon as it leaves your mouth.  Oh my.

Christmas isn't the only holiday that's heavily pimped.  Walmart of course has their Valentines merchandise out.  But they also have the Easter stuff out.  Easter isn't until the latter part of April this year.  Three months ahead of time.  Jeez Louise.

Junior is walking and taking the bus again.  He finally lost his license.  Forever, I hope.  After so many accidents and so many violations, it was bound to happen.  I believe that Señor Zanza is actually relieved.  I feel better knowing that he isn't speeding about.  Of course, he could drive without his license, but I trust that he has more common sense than that.  Or does he?  Maybe Señor Zanza should have a talk with him.  I'm going to suggest it this evening.

Business gets slower in the winter.  People are too tired from dealing with the weather to spend much discretionary money.  They shop online, so I don't see them as often.  Maybe I should hold a festival.  Madame Zoltar's Winter Psychic Fest.  For the $15 entrance fee, you can spend as much time with me as you like.  Of course, I'll be suggesting that some of the people become regular clients because of their problems.  Hmm.  This might work.  Where would I hold it?  I think Festival Hall is a little rich for my blood.  Maybe I'll just pick one of the bars that feature live music.  That might be enough room for me.  I could be the opening act for the Rolling Stones.

What does Mayor Butterball do all day?  With lying John, we knew he was out planning ways to rape us.  God knows what the Machinery Row fiasco cost us.  No one will tell.  But Butterball plays it low key and in some ways that's more disturbing.  Who knows what's going on?  If like Alderman Weidner you try to find out, you'll be crucified.  We have no right to know what our local government is doing.  Everything important is done in secret (again, just look at the sealed case against Weidner).  A judge supposedly offs himself, but no autopsy is done to answer some questions.  The pig City  Attorney Letteney does all he can to hide the facts.  And then yesterday it was revealed that Robin
Vos and his cronies spent nearly a million dollars on a Chicago law firm fighting the gerrymandering case.  Originally, Mr. Vos wouldn't reveal the information.  More secrets.  But he relinquished.  The politicians running our city are crooks of the greatest magnitude: They steal from all of us.This is why Racine has such high taxes.  We have to pay for the crooks.

Foxconn is now supposed to cost taxpayers an additional $150 million.  (http://www.jtirregulars.com/2019/01/more-foxscam.html)  You know it will only go up and up.  This great manufacturing addition to our county may bankrupt us.  They're changing and scaling back their plans while the price rises.  Gee, thanks, ex-Governor Walker.

Sorry to be so depressing.  Winter does that to me, too.  Please bear with me for the next couple of months until I recover.  I love you all.  We are family.

madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Please be careful in the snow and prepare for the bitter cold days to come.  Don't play with winter.  It could cost you your life.
_________________________ 
Please donate: paypal.me/jgmazelis  If you don't like PayPal, send me a note at madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com and I'll send you my street address so you can send a check or money order.  Thank you.

Science Fiction - OR Fact.....

US Navy gun-camera footage of a UFO intercepted by its fighters. Picture: USNSource:Supplied

https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/ufos-warp-drives-stargates-freedom-of-information-query-reveals-secret-list-of-pentagon-research-projects/news-story/0c1fcffd8aa60239744648eb5c56dded

19 Million and Counting

In case you're ever feeling down, the Realtime Baby Boomer Death Clock 
should put a little spring in your step. By the end of today, there 
will be more than 4,500 fewer Boomers infesting the planet. 
 
19 million down, only 66 million to go. 
 
Yesterday, a Boomer complained that the Boomer Hate was tiresome. 
Yeah, so about that... it isn't anywhere nearly as tiresome as being 
forced to endure generationally narcissistic morons droning on and on 
and on and on about themselves for more than forty freaking years. 
 
NEVER TRUST ANYONE OVER 30! 40 IS THE NEW 20! 50 IS THE NEW 30! SEXY AT 70! 
 
And they wonder that we're relieved the end is finally in sight? 
 
Boomers had better get used to the Boomer Hate, because their 
generational reputation is only going to get worse as more and more 
Millennials gradually wake up to how the Boomers screwed them over by 
gleefully abandoning their familial and societal responsibilities. 

http://voxday.blogspot.com/2019/01/19-million-and-counting.html

Open Blog - Wednesday

More Brr.

Open Blog - Wednesday

Uh-oh, the s-word.