The best time on the clock.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Friday, January 11, 2019
Four for Fridays!
Good morning everyone I hope your having a good week. Drew has been working ten hour days this week and believe it or not he actually has the weekend off. here are your questions.
1) With this crazy weather have you been hibernating?
2) Have you come down sick with the weather?
3) Has the weather made you just want to stay in bed?
4) When it is cold out what do you do?
Have a great weekend!
1) With this crazy weather have you been hibernating?
2) Have you come down sick with the weather?
3) Has the weather made you just want to stay in bed?
4) When it is cold out what do you do?
Have a great weekend!
"Elwood, Illinois (Pop. 2,200), Has Become a Vital Hub of America’s Consumer Economy. And It’s Hell."
 | ||
| Elwood, a gateway to six major rail lines, has seen the emergence of immense warehouse projects from the country’s biggest companies. |
"The
rural town south of Chicago is now a crucial stop for Amazon, Wal-Mart,
IKEA, Home Depot, and other giant retailers. Developers had promised
growth and good jobs. So why is everyone so miserable?"
Thursday, January 10, 2019
"Open records hearing closed to public, Racine judge says"
From The Journal Times.com:
From Racine County Corruption:
To stay abreast of the real story involving Sandy Weidner and the courts, check Racine County Corruption daily.
From Racine County Corruption:
To stay abreast of the real story involving Sandy Weidner and the courts, check Racine County Corruption daily.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Dear Madame Zoltar
Hello,
my merry munchkins! How are you? As I write this, the sun is trying
to peek out, but for the most part the days have been a winter gray.
What's been abundantly missing is the s-word. (Shhhh! Don't say it
too loud.) The lack of it is disastrous for the wildlife and the
landscape. What can you do? I think it's the result of climate
change. The weather is screwed up everywhere. Glaciers and arctic
areas are melting. Scientists are discovering permafrost uncovered,
and melting. (Not so perma-,eh?) Much of the worst of our winters
has disappeared. Nature has difficulty responding quickly. A
hundred species a day go extinct. We're all going to hell.
It looks like the Green Bay Packers are hiring Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, as their new head coach. Oh boy. That still doesn't help the problem of an injury prone quarterback. Give Rodgers some coaching position. Try to dump him. Groom a new quarterback, one that doesn't get his bell rung in every game. Or else put a steel cage around Rodgers.
Speaking of steel cages, have you seen this travesty yet? https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-nets-probation-for-norway-case-where-girl-was-kept/article_508dbe46-2b7c-5f7f-96b5-0a6dc768ecd8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-2 The man kept one of his daughters in a kennel cage. His sentence? Well, after the derelict Judge Nielsen dropped four felonies against him, he ended up with probation. Children in Racine are just so much meat. Everyone knows it, everyone tries to hide it, and it spills out regularly. Judge Nielsen deserves to be put in a kennel cage. What kind of monster is he? My God.
It looks like the Green Bay Packers are hiring Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, as their new head coach. Oh boy. That still doesn't help the problem of an injury prone quarterback. Give Rodgers some coaching position. Try to dump him. Groom a new quarterback, one that doesn't get his bell rung in every game. Or else put a steel cage around Rodgers.
Speaking of steel cages, have you seen this travesty yet? https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-nets-probation-for-norway-case-where-girl-was-kept/article_508dbe46-2b7c-5f7f-96b5-0a6dc768ecd8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-2 The man kept one of his daughters in a kennel cage. His sentence? Well, after the derelict Judge Nielsen dropped four felonies against him, he ended up with probation. Children in Racine are just so much meat. Everyone knows it, everyone tries to hide it, and it spills out regularly. Judge Nielsen deserves to be put in a kennel cage. What kind of monster is he? My God.
I
wonder if Foxconn took into consideration the effect that just their
announcements have had on local labor and supplies. Everything has
gone way up in cost, and even if you can afford it, you can't find
it. Will this slow down the progress of Foxconn in building their
factories? I would assume so. The stresses that such an operation
inflict upon our local economy are telling. It's kind of like the
gold rush in the wild West. Every man for himself! Soon, there will
be gunfire over something. Welcome to the USA!
We have a new governor in Wisconsin, Tony Evers. He says he's going to veto the poop out of a lot of the so-called “lame-duck legislation” that the Republicans enacted. Oh boy. Another fight. Nationally, Trump picks fights left and right. Half the government is shut down because of his fight with Democrats over The Wall. His fight with China has resulted in trade wars that are hurting both sides. Everyone is fighting someone. What happened to the love generation? Boy, that “revolution” didn't last long.
I once held the door to a fast food restaurant open for an elderly gentleman and his wife. His eyes met mine and he said, “The world is changing.” I said, “I know.” I should have added that I'm not going to change for the sake of change. Let the world change. I'll still have manners and dignity. As will SeƱor Zanza and Junior. Or I'll slap them silly.
We have a new governor in Wisconsin, Tony Evers. He says he's going to veto the poop out of a lot of the so-called “lame-duck legislation” that the Republicans enacted. Oh boy. Another fight. Nationally, Trump picks fights left and right. Half the government is shut down because of his fight with Democrats over The Wall. His fight with China has resulted in trade wars that are hurting both sides. Everyone is fighting someone. What happened to the love generation? Boy, that “revolution” didn't last long.
I once held the door to a fast food restaurant open for an elderly gentleman and his wife. His eyes met mine and he said, “The world is changing.” I said, “I know.” I should have added that I'm not going to change for the sake of change. Let the world change. I'll still have manners and dignity. As will SeƱor Zanza and Junior. Or I'll slap them silly.
Here's a funny from Lewis Black on drinking in Wisconsin:
I love you, one and all. If you need help, contact: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com
Enjoy the "warm" weather. Take a walk. Say "hi" to your neighbors. Pet a dog. Chase a cat. Wave to motorists. Don't get beat up.
_________________________
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
The Eyes Have It
From The Shepherd Express:
So right now, I’m at the Shepherd office to pick up a couple, three items, whip out this essay and check the mail since I haven’t been here for a while. And lo and behold, I got a package from my would-be guardian angel El Jefe out of Maryland, the “Old Line State,” containing a fabulous tub of Old Crow, I kid you not.
God bless the Jef’ because the Crow is the only thing I got for Christmas that I asked for. Once again this year, Santa, the fat fock, did not deliver to me the busload of Vegas showgirls I asked for. Nor did he deliver the personal butler I requested, the one who would keep me seasonally sartorially correct, manage my daily schedule such as it is, and make me a nice egg sandwich now and then.
So I really ought to cut this essay short and commence taste-testing the Old Crow to make sure it hasn’t gone bad. But before I do, I also got to tell you I noticed I received a letter postmarked sometime before Christmas. The writer asked me for advice, what the fock. He wrote:
Hey Artie, the wife wants a new puppy for Christmas. I know they don’t sell them at your Best Buy or Old Navy. Any idea where I should go?
The letter even contained a self-addressed stamped envelope for my reply. Well, Christmas has come and gone, hasn’t it. Had I been able to reply in a timely fashion, this is what I would’ve wrote:
Yeah, I’ve got an idea where you should go. How ’bout Divorce Court? Full disclosure: My scariest thought is whether or not animals get to go to heaven. For christ sakes, that’s all a guy like me needs is to spend his entire focking life busting his butt, finally gets puking sick, croaks, walks through the Pearly Gates and the first thing that happens is he steps right smack-dab into one heaping, heaving pile of dog-doo. Praise the lord.
And this is supposed to be for eternity ever-after? I’ll tell you’s, I want to be buried with a rolled-up newspaper so that when I’m shaking hands with St. Peter and some canine starts humping my leg, I can give it one good ol’ whack right across the goddamn snout.
I pray they must go to the other place, ’cause spending a couple, three eternities in the company of household pets and assorted animals sure sounds like focking hell to me. Or at least that these creatures would have their own animal heaven where they could all go and sniff each other’s butts and leave mine alone. That I could live with ’cause when it comes to other species—your animal and insect societies to name two—you can call me a “specie-ist,” but I firmly believe in a “separate, the hell with equal” kind of arrangement, you betcha.
So, before I go, I really ought to close-up Art’s Ba-ding! Boutique now that the holidays are mercifully focking kaput. But I see I’ve got one item left, so take it if you can use it. It’s yours:
A very spiritual and holy priest dies and is swept up to heaven. St. Peter greets him at the Pearly Gates, and says, “Hello Father, welcome to Heaven! You are very well known here, and as a special reward because you are such a devout man, we’re going to grant you anything you wish even before we enter the Kingdom. What can I grant you?”
And the priest says, “I am a great admirer of the Virgin Mother. I’ve always wanted to talk to her.” St. Pete nods his head to one side, and who should approach the priest but the Virgin Mary!
The priest is overcome with joy and says, “Mother, I have always been a great admirer of yours and followed your life as best I could. I have studied everything I could about you—every painting and portrait ever made of you, and I’ve noticed without fail that you are portrayed bearing a wistful expression. Forever I’ve wondered what it was that made you seemingly so melancholy.” And Mother Mary says, “Honestly, I was really hoping for a girl.” Ba-ding!
That’s it. See you next time, I hope, ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.
From: https://shepherdexpress.com/advice/art-kumbalek/the-eyes-have-it/
Jan. 08, 2019
4:26 p.m.
I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So yeah yeah, there was no regular Shepherd
issue last week and if you enjoyed my absence, you’re in luck ’cause
come next issue I’ll be on a week’s medical leave on account of having
one cataract carved out of an eyeball—the other one due to be scraped
out in February sometime I’m guessing, what the fock.
And you bet I’m sure as heck looking forward to this schmutz-removal,
so much that I’ve been on the inter-focking-net pricing tin cups and
canes so that when my procedure somehow gets botched, I’ll have the
necessary means to earn a living.So right now, I’m at the Shepherd office to pick up a couple, three items, whip out this essay and check the mail since I haven’t been here for a while. And lo and behold, I got a package from my would-be guardian angel El Jefe out of Maryland, the “Old Line State,” containing a fabulous tub of Old Crow, I kid you not.
God bless the Jef’ because the Crow is the only thing I got for Christmas that I asked for. Once again this year, Santa, the fat fock, did not deliver to me the busload of Vegas showgirls I asked for. Nor did he deliver the personal butler I requested, the one who would keep me seasonally sartorially correct, manage my daily schedule such as it is, and make me a nice egg sandwich now and then.
So I really ought to cut this essay short and commence taste-testing the Old Crow to make sure it hasn’t gone bad. But before I do, I also got to tell you I noticed I received a letter postmarked sometime before Christmas. The writer asked me for advice, what the fock. He wrote:
Hey Artie, the wife wants a new puppy for Christmas. I know they don’t sell them at your Best Buy or Old Navy. Any idea where I should go?
The letter even contained a self-addressed stamped envelope for my reply. Well, Christmas has come and gone, hasn’t it. Had I been able to reply in a timely fashion, this is what I would’ve wrote:
Yeah, I’ve got an idea where you should go. How ’bout Divorce Court? Full disclosure: My scariest thought is whether or not animals get to go to heaven. For christ sakes, that’s all a guy like me needs is to spend his entire focking life busting his butt, finally gets puking sick, croaks, walks through the Pearly Gates and the first thing that happens is he steps right smack-dab into one heaping, heaving pile of dog-doo. Praise the lord.
And this is supposed to be for eternity ever-after? I’ll tell you’s, I want to be buried with a rolled-up newspaper so that when I’m shaking hands with St. Peter and some canine starts humping my leg, I can give it one good ol’ whack right across the goddamn snout.
I pray they must go to the other place, ’cause spending a couple, three eternities in the company of household pets and assorted animals sure sounds like focking hell to me. Or at least that these creatures would have their own animal heaven where they could all go and sniff each other’s butts and leave mine alone. That I could live with ’cause when it comes to other species—your animal and insect societies to name two—you can call me a “specie-ist,” but I firmly believe in a “separate, the hell with equal” kind of arrangement, you betcha.
So, before I go, I really ought to close-up Art’s Ba-ding! Boutique now that the holidays are mercifully focking kaput. But I see I’ve got one item left, so take it if you can use it. It’s yours:
A very spiritual and holy priest dies and is swept up to heaven. St. Peter greets him at the Pearly Gates, and says, “Hello Father, welcome to Heaven! You are very well known here, and as a special reward because you are such a devout man, we’re going to grant you anything you wish even before we enter the Kingdom. What can I grant you?”
And the priest says, “I am a great admirer of the Virgin Mother. I’ve always wanted to talk to her.” St. Pete nods his head to one side, and who should approach the priest but the Virgin Mary!
The priest is overcome with joy and says, “Mother, I have always been a great admirer of yours and followed your life as best I could. I have studied everything I could about you—every painting and portrait ever made of you, and I’ve noticed without fail that you are portrayed bearing a wistful expression. Forever I’ve wondered what it was that made you seemingly so melancholy.” And Mother Mary says, “Honestly, I was really hoping for a girl.” Ba-ding!
That’s it. See you next time, I hope, ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.
From: https://shepherdexpress.com/advice/art-kumbalek/the-eyes-have-it/
Monday, January 7, 2019
New Car
On December 19th Drew and I got in a car accident with our 2011 Ford Escape XLT on Main St. and Yougt after delivering Christmas cookies. I was waiting for a car to make a left turn then the car made the left turn and another car hit us in the back on the passenger side of the car. The side air bags came down and Drew's glasses flew onto the dashboard. Our car ended up on the double yellow lines in the middle of the street and the other car ended up on the grass. Come to find out the jerk had no insurance so our insurance paid for a rental car. We are so thankful we gave my daughter our HHR so Drew called her and she came and got us. We are fine.
On January 2nd we got a 2009 Ford Escape XLT with 56,000 miles it is gray. Yes it is a couple years older and has everything the same we had in the other one. We both like this kind of car so this is what we looked for. This time we did not get it from the Ford dealership on Washington Ave in Racine. They did try to sell us a 2009 Ford Escape with 106,000 miles on it for the same price and was forcing a Ford Taurus X on us for the same price this think is like a boat and we kept saying no. I wanted to choke these people so bad. We told them that we would think it over and call them back. So Drew and I picked the one that we have and we got it from Budget Motors of Wisconsin in Kenosha. I did call the dealership back and told them we decided on this one and not to call us back at all.
First picture is from the accident and the second one is the new car.
On January 2nd we got a 2009 Ford Escape XLT with 56,000 miles it is gray. Yes it is a couple years older and has everything the same we had in the other one. We both like this kind of car so this is what we looked for. This time we did not get it from the Ford dealership on Washington Ave in Racine. They did try to sell us a 2009 Ford Escape with 106,000 miles on it for the same price and was forcing a Ford Taurus X on us for the same price this think is like a boat and we kept saying no. I wanted to choke these people so bad. We told them that we would think it over and call them back. So Drew and I picked the one that we have and we got it from Budget Motors of Wisconsin in Kenosha. I did call the dealership back and told them we decided on this one and not to call us back at all.
First picture is from the accident and the second one is the new car.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Women working destroys marriage
The social science backs up common sense and observation concerning the terrible social policy of encouraging women to work outside the home rather than marry and raise children. http://voxday.blogspot.com/2019/01/women-working-destroys-marriage.html
WI Budget Blog Comment
And why should they? Taxpayers subsidize low wage workers with State mandated welfare for them. The Republicans are the biggest profiteers from this scam – Cheap labor – financed via taxpayer subsidizes. Those taxes are impressed upon the poorest of the poor via consumption taxes – vs. income taxes. As income tax rates for the rich continue to decline – consumption taxes for the poor must be increased! Minimum Wage? How about considering Maximum Income – in a fiat money based economy? It is time to RAISE taxes on high income earners! PERIOD! The rich get rich – while the poorer get poorer! http://www.wisconsinbudgetproject.org/nineteen-states-raised-their-minimum-wages-this-week-wisconsin-wasnt-one-of-them#comment-10213
Friday, January 4, 2019
Four for Fridays!
Good morning everyone how are doing? We are doing good this morning and I am just glad that I do not have to go out into the cold weather. Here are your questions.
1) Have you taken down your Christmas decorations?
2) Did you get to visit everyone that you wanted to see for the Holidays?
3) Did you stay up into the New Year?
4) Where you with friends or family to bring in the New Year?
Have a great weekend!
1) Have you taken down your Christmas decorations?
2) Did you get to visit everyone that you wanted to see for the Holidays?
3) Did you stay up into the New Year?
4) Where you with friends or family to bring in the New Year?
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
"10 years after Becker's arrest, Journal Times to release podcast; trailer avail"
From The Journal Times.com:
Special report
"For a city the size of Racine, when a key municipal official is arrested it tends to bring chaos and many questions in the wake of the incident. Will the mayor be removed from office? If so, how? Who will fill the role as interim mayor? What will happen to current city projects? When will there be a new election to fill the position if the person arrested steps down or is forced from office?
"Today, The Journal Times is releasing a promotional audio trailer of an original podcast called 'The City,' which relives what that time was like in Racine. 'The City' is scheduled to be released in its entirety later in January. It will tell the behind-the-scenes story of a tense time in Racine’s history and how the city moved past it."
Read more and listen to trailer: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/years-after-becker-s-arrest-journal-times-to-release-podcast/article_a303e84c-1a2b-52f5-921a-cc0b13f42753.html
Special report
 |
|
|
"RACINE — It might be hard for some
people to believe it has been 10 years since then-Racine Mayor Gary
Becker was arrested on disturbing sex charges.
"For a city the size of Racine, when a key municipal official is arrested it tends to bring chaos and many questions in the wake of the incident. Will the mayor be removed from office? If so, how? Who will fill the role as interim mayor? What will happen to current city projects? When will there be a new election to fill the position if the person arrested steps down or is forced from office?
"Today, The Journal Times is releasing a promotional audio trailer of an original podcast called 'The City,' which relives what that time was like in Racine. 'The City' is scheduled to be released in its entirety later in January. It will tell the behind-the-scenes story of a tense time in Racine’s history and how the city moved past it."
Read more and listen to trailer: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/years-after-becker-s-arrest-journal-times-to-release-podcast/article_a303e84c-1a2b-52f5-921a-cc0b13f42753.html
Dear Madame Zoltar
Well, the injury-prone Aaron "Ow" Rodgers left the last game early with a concussion. They took him to the hospital, but brought him back to the dressing room right after the game, which the Packers lost by another embarrassing margin. "Big changes" next year. Best change would be to get rid of Ow Rodgers at all costs. If we can't dump him, make him a passing coach or something. Meanwhile, let's find a real quarterback for the Packers, not just another pretty face.
My wish for the new year is a house cleaning at Racine's corrupt and lousy courts. As if that could ever happen . . . No one cares unless they get sucked into the criminal justice system. They are less than 0.1% of us. No one cares, and the "public servants" do as they wish. A prime example is the sealing of the Weidner case. What the hell happened there? Another backfire from our courts,
In fact, those dishing out time should be serving it. Dirty, dirty piggies.
In national news, Trump declared himself invisible and stuck his tongue out at the Democrats. He insulted someone in China. He shut down the government over his Wall. His staff come and go quickly. No one sticks by him because he's crazy. Dangerously crazy. Bit, what else is new?
Nutjobs and idiots have often served as president. So Trump fits in, kinda. If nothing else, he'll bribe his way in.
Junior cracked up his car again. It must be, like, the 100th time. What he does to SeƱor Zanza's insurance I can't imagine. A million dollars a month premium? I'm surprised he's still driving at all. Sooner or later all those accidents will lead to the suspension of his license. We'll see if SeƱor Zanza is willing then to take Junior wherever he wants to go, whenever he wants to. I think Junior better fix up his bicycle (he cracked that up, too).
At least the weather hasn't been too horrible. We have a couple more months of winter left , though, so who knows?
Thanks for reading my blog today. I love my readers.
madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com
There are all sorts of winter activities available, though I don't know what they are. I stay active with work and housework.
_________________________
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.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Foxconn Debt Trap?
Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, What product is Foxconn going to manufacture at it's bright and shiny MTP plant? Does anybody know? It's not a Gen 10 LCD TV. Likely not a Gen 6 LCD TV. Why - Foxconn can't even tell City of Racine Water Manager Keith Haas what it intends to build there. But Foxconn, a foreign Corporation, is now entrenched in MTP - and has special rights. Let's see what is happening today, in Africa: TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – China may be preparing to seize some major assets in the African nation of Kenya, as a result of debt-trap diplomacy. African media reports that Kenya may soon be forced to relinquish control of its largest and most lucrative port in Mombasa to Chinese control. Other assets related to the inland shipment of goods from the port, including the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), may also be compromised in the event of a Chinese port takeover. Kenya has reportedly taken extremely large loans from the Communist government for the development of some major highways, and especially for the SGR, which forms a crucial transport link to and from Nairobi for the import and export of goods through Mombasa. In November, Moody’s noted that Kenya is at high risk of losing strategic assets because of debts owed to Beijing. After a subsequent report from the country's Auditor General, local media began to express concern that Chinese lenders may be angling to seize assets, since it does not appear the Kenyan government will be capable to repaying the loans. Now, one month later, ahead of the New Year, it’s been reported that the Chinese may be preparing to take over the Mombasa Port infrastructure soon. The African Stand also seems to suggest that the SGR, which is operated by the Chinese, may have been designed to be a “loss-making venture.” With a reported loss of KES 10 billion (US$98 million) in its first year of operation, it would be nearly impossible to repay the loans taken for its construction in the time requested. Kenya reportedly accepted loans of KES 500 billion (US$4.9 billion) for the SGR’s construction. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3605624 And: The Kenyan government risks losing the lucrative Mombasa port to China should the country fail to repay huge loans advanced by Chinese lenders. In November, African Stand reported on how Kenya is at high risk of Losing strategic assets over huge Chinese debt and just after some few month the Chinese are about to take action. [1] The loans have been granted for the development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Also at stake is the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, which receives and dispatches freight hauled on the new cargo trains from the sea port. Implications of a takeover would be grave, including the thousands of port workers who would be forced to work under the Chinese lenders. Management changes would immediately follow the port seizure since the Chinese would naturally want to secure their interests. Further, revenues from the port would be directly sent to China for the servicing of an estimated Sh500 billion lent for the construction of the two sections of the SGR. http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article5859 How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Every time Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, turned to his Chinese allies for loans and assistance with an ambitious port project, the answer was yes. Yes, though feasibility studies said the port wouldn’t work. Yes, though other frequent lenders like India had refused. Yes, though Sri Lanka’s debt was ballooning rapidly under Mr. Rajapaksa. Over years of construction and renegotiation with China Harbor Engineering Company, one of Beijing’s largest state-owned enterprises, the Hambantota Port Development Project distinguished itself mostly by failing, as predicted. With tens of thousands of ships passing by along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the port drew only 34 ships in 2012. And then the port became China’s. Mr. Rajapaksa was voted out of office in 2015, but Sri Lanka’s new government struggled to make payments on the debt he had taken on. Under heavy pressure and after months of negotiations with the Chinese, the government handed over the port and 15,000 acres of land around it for 99 years in December. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/asia/china-sri-lanka-port.html Is it possible that Foxconn scammed Governor Scott Walker, Representative Robin Vos, Racine County Executive Jonathon Delagrave, City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason, and MTP President David DeGroot? Racine County residents will be forced to continue to pay for Foxconn even if the alleged 13,000 jobs paying $53,000 each don't appear. What then? Bankruptcy? And who will, in Bankruptcy - have first rights? Still desperately waiting on those 13,000 jobs paying $53,000 each. Sincerely, Tim & Cindy
Dear Village Board,
What product is Foxconn going to manufacture at it's bright and shiny MTP plant? Does anybody know? It's not a Gen 10 LCD TV. Likely not a Gen 6 LCD TV. Why - Foxconn can't even tell City of Racine Water Manager Keith Haas what it intends to build there. But Foxconn, a foreign Corporation, is now entrenched in MTP - and has special rights. Let's see what is happening today, in Africa: TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – China may be preparing to seize some major assets in the African nation of Kenya, as a result of debt-trap diplomacy. African media reports that Kenya may soon be forced to relinquish control of its largest and most lucrative port in Mombasa to Chinese control. Other assets related to the inland shipment of goods from the port, including the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), may also be compromised in the event of a Chinese port takeover. Kenya has reportedly taken extremely large loans from the Communist government for the development of some major highways, and especially for the SGR, which forms a crucial transport link to and from Nairobi for the import and export of goods through Mombasa. In November, Moody’s noted that Kenya is at high risk of losing strategic assets because of debts owed to Beijing. After a subsequent report from the country's Auditor General, local media began to express concern that Chinese lenders may be angling to seize assets, since it does not appear the Kenyan government will be capable to repaying the loans. Now, one month later, ahead of the New Year, it’s been reported that the Chinese may be preparing to take over the Mombasa Port infrastructure soon. The African Stand also seems to suggest that the SGR, which is operated by the Chinese, may have been designed to be a “loss-making venture.” With a reported loss of KES 10 billion (US$98 million) in its first year of operation, it would be nearly impossible to repay the loans taken for its construction in the time requested. Kenya reportedly accepted loans of KES 500 billion (US$4.9 billion) for the SGR’s construction. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3605624 And: The Kenyan government risks losing the lucrative Mombasa port to China should the country fail to repay huge loans advanced by Chinese lenders. In November, African Stand reported on how Kenya is at high risk of Losing strategic assets over huge Chinese debt and just after some few month the Chinese are about to take action. [1] The loans have been granted for the development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Also at stake is the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, which receives and dispatches freight hauled on the new cargo trains from the sea port. Implications of a takeover would be grave, including the thousands of port workers who would be forced to work under the Chinese lenders. Management changes would immediately follow the port seizure since the Chinese would naturally want to secure their interests. Further, revenues from the port would be directly sent to China for the servicing of an estimated Sh500 billion lent for the construction of the two sections of the SGR. http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article5859 How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Every time Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, turned to his Chinese allies for loans and assistance with an ambitious port project, the answer was yes. Yes, though feasibility studies said the port wouldn’t work. Yes, though other frequent lenders like India had refused. Yes, though Sri Lanka’s debt was ballooning rapidly under Mr. Rajapaksa. Over years of construction and renegotiation with China Harbor Engineering Company, one of Beijing’s largest state-owned enterprises, the Hambantota Port Development Project distinguished itself mostly by failing, as predicted. With tens of thousands of ships passing by along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the port drew only 34 ships in 2012. And then the port became China’s. Mr. Rajapaksa was voted out of office in 2015, but Sri Lanka’s new government struggled to make payments on the debt he had taken on. Under heavy pressure and after months of negotiations with the Chinese, the government handed over the port and 15,000 acres of land around it for 99 years in December.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/asia/china-sri-lanka-port.html Is it possible that Foxconn scammed Governor Scott Walker, Representative Robin Vos, Racine County Executive Jonathon Delagrave, City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason, and MTP President David DeGroot? Racine County residents will be forced to continue to pay for Foxconn even if the alleged 13,000 jobs paying $53,000 each don't appear. What then? Bankruptcy? And who will, in Bankruptcy - have first rights? Just wondering.... Sincerely, Tim & Cindy
Monday, December 31, 2018
A timely story
RACINE COUNTY — Judgments of just when the Great Recession began and when it pulled out of sight vary. But there’s no doubt it had gained a full head of steam in Racine County by this date 10 years ago. For many people, the recession was a time of loss and financial, mental and emotional strain. From 2008 to well into 2010, the economy was a landscape of dominoes, each one that tipped knocking over others in a massive, seemingly unstoppable chain reaction that left almost no part of the economy untouched. Throughout that time, businesses here, like everywhere else in the country, were forced into making agonizing choices. Many of those decisions were savage in their impact, yanking people’s jobs out from under their feet at the worst possible time for them to go seeking other employment. About midway through that chaotic time, in 2009, the City of Racine’s jobless rate hit 17 percent, dropped a bit, then chugged back up to 17 percent before improving a bit that fall. Countywide, at the peak, about one in every nine people was unemployed and looking for work. During those Great Recession years, the economy dominated local news with a torrent of job layoffs, business closings, constricted business spending and deflated investments. Some businesses shrank to withered versions of their former selves, their services unwanted and unneeded when most others were slashing spending in attempts to keep their books in balance. Read more at: https://journaltimes.com/business/local/ten-years-later-a-look-back-at-the-great-recession/article_5ad44db6-9a4d-5900-8b33-490063f341fb.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest
Sunday, December 30, 2018
The Wall Street Crash
"This BBC documentary from 2009 takes a fresh view of the 'Crash of 1929'
and the subsequent global Depression, comparing aspects of that event
with the most recent turbulence in 2008."
Video of the Punch
He must have hit him really hard. Claims he punched him to stop him from fleeing - He must have known he was good and drunk and just wanted to hide until that wore off. It will be interesting to see the claimed BAC. They can extrapolate backwards in time - he had two hours to burn some juice up. Gotta wonder too - if the guy will get charged for punching him. We'll see if the fix is in....
Promoting Economic Growth In City of Racine
Dear Alderpersons, Since City of Racine Prides Itself by Responding to the Needs of Our Citizens by Enhancing the Quality of Life and Promoting Economic Growth - per the City of Racine website - see attached, City of Racine Logo. I am asking that City of Racine reduce my property tax burden and fund more City services by properly re-assessing the Lakefront property owned by Mayor Cory Mason and Municipal Judge Rebecca Mason. Their Lakefront property shouldn't be assessed at a distressed value of only $440,000 - it should be closer to $1,000,000 - that is - One Million Dollars. Lakefront property is a rare and valuable commodity. Since when has a Racine Lakefront property declined in assessed value by nearly 50% - from 2013 to 2019? It hasn't. Clearly - the 'fix" was in. See the Post: https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2018/08/19/lifestyles-of-racines-rich-famous-politically-connected/ Sincerely, Tim & Cindy
*WOW*
A report from Reason reveals not a single New Jersey resident has surrendered their “high capacity” magazines to state police since the implementation of the magazine ban. Breitbart News reported that New Jersey’s “high capacity” magazine ban took effect December 11, 2018, making the mere possession of such a magazine a fourth degree felony. At first, the New Jersey State Police refused to rule out door-to-door enforcement of the ban, then made clear that they had no plans to go house-to-house. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/28/report-nj-residents-not-surrendering-high-capacity-magazines-state-police/
Who's the Boss in Racine?
Dear City of Racine Alderpersons,
Gotta LOL at this one....
A city police officer stopped Mayor John Dickert for speeding Dec. 12,
2009 in the 1200 block of North Main Street. Dickert was going 40 mph
in a 30 mph zone at about 10 a.m. on a Saturday. He did not receive a
ticket. There is no police report on the stop.
Video of the traffic stop, obtained with a records request to the
police department, shows a brief, cordial encounter between Officer
Bob Bojcic and Dickert near Jane Elementary School. Bojcic was
conducting a speed wave near the school after the department received
complaints about traffic.
Here’a transcript of the video:
Prior to exiting squad car:
Officer Bojcic: 1200 block of North Main (indecipherable)
Talking to Dickert:
Dickert: Hello, boss.
Officer: (indecipherable) You’re the boss, aren’t you?
Dickert: (laughs) Not always
Officer: Not always?
Dickert: What’s going on?
Officer: Not much. We had a Speed Wave back here 40 in 30
Dickert: Oh (indecipherable) Sorry … I was going to a radio show
down in Kenosha
Officer: Yeah. Because of the school over there and the crossing
guard always has fits over there so we come out here to do a speed
wave out here to try and slow the traffic down it’s like a race track
out here, you know?
Dickert: It’s actually a good idea.
Officer: Keep it down.
Dickert: You got it.
Sgt. Martin Pavilonis, spokesman for the Racine Police Department who
had watched the video, said proper procedures were handled during the
stop.
It’s up to the officer’s discretion on whether a driver gets a ticket,
Pavilonis said. He said it was not unusual for a stop to take about 3
minutes when the officer does not issue a ticket.
There is no set policy on an officer’s actions when they pull over an
elected official like the mayor, Pavilonis said. If a police officer
stops another police officer there is a policy to follow, he said, but
that doesn’t apply to the mayor.
As for the mayor’s conduct, Pavilonis said he acted appropriately. “I
don’t think he asserted his rank as mayor,” he said. “I don’t think
that’s the case at all.”
Meanwhile.... Not one person around can find a crime Sgt. Stulo may
have committed when he was allegedly involved in a hit and run,
injuring an elderly woman!
Where is the Bearded Lady?
The lack of accountability - and complicity is so in the face - that
most can see it.
See more at: https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2018/12/30/whos-the-boss-in-racine-mayor-cory-mason-an-oldie-but-goodie/
*FREE SANDY*
Mayor Cory Mason - HELLO - this is your wake up call....
We have an un-elected, that is appointed Chief of Police and his
Officers – overseen by an un-elected, that is appointed Police & Fire
Commission, whose appointments are yours, and yours alone to make –
Mayor Cory Mason. And now one of those appointed members of the Police
& Fire Commission – Attorney Patrick Cafferty, is representing Racine
Police Department Officers who are having legal issues because they
are alleged to have been involved with potential criminal activity.
While the only charges filed, in the Stulo case – have been minor
traffic tickets. *WOW*
Sincerely,
Tim & Cindy
An oldie but a goodie
An oldie but a goodie from Racine Post: http://racinepost.blogspot.com/2010/06/video-mayor-dickert-stopped-for.html A city police officer stopped Mayor John Dickert for speeding Dec. 12, 2009 in the 1200 block of North Main Street. Dickert was going 40 mph in a 30 mph zone at about 10 a.m. on a Saturday. He did not receive a ticket. There is no police report on the stop. Video of the traffic stop, obtained with a records request to the police department, shows a brief, cordial encounter between Officer Bob Bojcic and Dickert near Jane Elementary School. Bojcic was conducting a speed wave near the school after the department received complaints about traffic. Here’a transcript of the video: Prior to exiting squad car: Officer Bojcic: 1200 block of North Main (indecipherable) Talking to Dickert: Dickert: Hello, boss. Officer: (indecipherable) You’re the boss, aren’t you? Dickert: (laughs) Not always Officer: Not always? Dickert: What’s going on? Officer: Not much. We had a Speed Wave back here 40 in 30 Dickert: Oh (indecipherable) Sorry … I was going to a radio show down in Kenosha Officer: Yeah. Because of the school over there and the crossing guard always has fits over there so we come out here to do a speed wave out here to try and slow the traffic down it’s like a race track out here, you know? Dickert: It’s actually a good idea. Officer: Keep it down. Dickert: You got it. Sgt. Martin Pavilonis, spokesman for the Racine Police Department who had watched the video, said proper procedures were handled during the stop. It’s up to the officer’s discretion on whether a driver gets a ticket, Pavilonis said. He said it was not unusual for a stop to take about 3 minutes when the officer does not issue a ticket. There is no set policy on an officer’s actions when they pull over an elected official like the mayor, Pavilonis said. If a police officer stops another police officer there is a policy to follow, he said, but that doesn’t apply to the mayor. https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2018/12/30/whos-the-boss-in-racine-mayor-cory-mason-an-oldie-but-goodie/
Climate Stabilization
This paper examines and compares two dramatically divergent approaches to climate stabilization developed by analysts and activists on the left. The first, which the author Robert Pollin advocates, is called the "Green New Deal." The second has been termed 'degrowth' by its proponents. The Green New Deal approach is focused, on a global scale, on advancing investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy at a rate of about 1.5 – 2 percent of global GDP per year, so that clean energy can supplant the existing dominant fossil fuel energy infrastructure. Through this approach, economies can continue to grow but economic growth becomes absolutely decoupled from fossil fuel consumption and the resulting generation of CO2 emissions. The prospects are realistic for driving down CO2 emissions by 40 percent within 20 years and eliminating them altogether within 40 years within the Green New Deal framework. The Green New Deal also produces expanding job opportunities through the building of a global clean energy infrastructure. By contrast, the degrowth approach relies primarily on contractions of economic activity—measured by GDP—as the means to cut fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. But as Pollin points out and the degrowth model by leading proponent Peter Victor confirms, in this approach, considered on its own, CO2 emissions will only fall to the extent that GDP itself declines. Thus, in Victor's degrowth scenario for Canada, CO2 emissions fall by about 80 percent within 30 years, but average per capita income also falls by roughly the same amount. An 80 percent contraction in per capita income would represent an unprecedented economic depression, which in turn would likely engender a wide range of severe social and political responses. Contrary to degrowth proponents, Pollin argues that some categories of economic activity must now grow massively—those associated with the production and distribution of clean energy. Concurrently, the global fossil fuel industry needs to contract massively—i.e. to 'de-grow' steadily and dramatically until it has almost completely shut down within the next 40 – 50 years https://www.peri.umass.edu/publication/item/1101-degrowth-vs-a-green-new-deal
No doubt, the Collapse is upon u
"The report underscored that cheap energy flows are the lifeblood of economic growth: and that as we shift into an era of declining resource quality, we are likely to continue seeing slow, weak if not declining economic growth. This is happening at a global scale. EROI is already beginning to approach levels seen in the nineteenth century — demonstrating how constrained global economic growth might be due to declining net energy returns to society". The shift to non-fossil fuels - the abundance of the Sun's stored energy - will diminish - costs increase - and it will mean death - for Billions. William Catton summed it up in one word - "Overshoot". "The crisis of Brexit and the eruption of the riots in France are symptoms of a great unfolding civilizational transition, in which an old reductionist paradigm of materialist self-maximation is dying. Citizens and policymakers, activists and business leaders, need to wake up to what is actually happening to have the conversations that can kick-start meaningful approaches to systemic transformation. This is not a far-flung crisis that is going to happen years in the future. This is now. This is happening and it is affecting you, your children, and those you love the most. And it will affect their children, and their children. This is your legacy. This is your choice. This is your chance to engage with and become an agent of a new paradigm, one that speaks for all humans, all species, and the Earth itself. Maybe we don’t know exactly what the emerging paradigms will look like. But we know that it’s time to ask ourselves: where do we stand? With the old, or with the new?" https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-12-28/brexit-stage-one-europes-slow-burn-energy-collapse 666 https://youtu.be/r_Ra5LUh6ng
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
Dear Village Board,
Let's do the math! OK - please check my figures.... So according to MTP Village President, along with many other SE Wisconsin and Racine County Residents – Foxconn will employ 13,000 people being paid an average of $53,000 per year. 13,000 employees times $53,000 = $689,000,000 – per year! So what is the price point which Foxconn must sell those LCD TV’s at to at least break even? (This does not take into consideration WI tax credits or Pollution credits) Foxconn’s actual cost to produce LCD TV’s is not able to be determined at this time – so we will have to deal with raw numbers – based upon projections provided by MTP Village President David DeGroot….. Let us assume a price point of $250 per LCD TV – does that sound reasonable? So we have 13,000 employees times $53,000 = $689,000,000 – per year divided by $250 LCD TV’s sold annually. Remember that this amount does not allow for profit – or consider what is the actual price point at which Consumers can afford to purchase the LCD TV’s in the quantity required to be produced….. Which comes to: 2,756,000 TV’s which must be sold annually. But we still haven’t actually determined the cost to manufacture the LCD TV’s due to the cost of raw materials and production. Along with distribution and handling. While producing 2,756,000 TV’s in 12 months = 645 LCD TV’s per day – if the factory is operating 7 days a week. Working anything less only increases demands for increased productivity per hour/day . At what point is the Worker – “over worked”? What happens when a bathroom break interferes with production? Raising the price point only increases the demand for less wages to be paid with hopes for increased efficiency and less cost for labor/materials. In Asia, workers usually labor 12 hours a day, 7 days a week – so $53,000 per year comes to 365 X 12 divided by $53,000 = $12.10 per hour. Which is way far more than Foxconn pays it’s Chinese and Indian Workers! And Foxconn has already stated that it didn’t take into account the higher US wage requirements, which it won’t pay…. Workers in Asia and India sleep in shifts at Company owned dorms – often only earning $2.50 day Compare that with taxpayer subsidized section 8 housing in Racine – which starts at $460/month. Who says Republicans hate state sponsored welfare – they are it’s biggest beneficiaries. In addition, every Consumer of the Foxconn manufactured product must be able to afford the cost of the (usually) subscribed TV service. While in areas where subscribed TV service is unavailable – the LCD TV will be….. worthless https://concernedracinecountyresidentsjustsaynotofoxconn.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/lets-do-the-math/ Perhaps I am wrong - but it seems that SE WI is doomed to an increasing deflationary spiral which means that taxpayer funded expenses must be curtailed. Or - at least, so we think. Sincerely, Tim & Cindy
Let’s Do the Math
From a Better Mount Pleasant: https://www.facebook.com/abettermtpleasant/
MESSAGE FROM VILLAGE PRESIDENT
Seasons Greetings!
This year, we’ve continued our work to move the transformational Foxconn project forward and have celebrated numerous milestones. Site preparation and utility and road work is underway, as is vertical construction on the first of many buildings on what is becoming the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. We are already seeing the positive results of Foxconn’s investment in our community, including new jobs and business for local companies, increased opportunities for area residents who have been connected with employment and training and the announcement of significant new developments right here in Mount Pleasant.
Read more: https://concernedracinecountyresidentsjustsaynotofoxconn.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/lets-do-the-math/
MESSAGE FROM VILLAGE PRESIDENT
Seasons Greetings!
This year, we’ve continued our work to move the transformational Foxconn project forward and have celebrated numerous milestones. Site preparation and utility and road work is underway, as is vertical construction on the first of many buildings on what is becoming the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. We are already seeing the positive results of Foxconn’s investment in our community, including new jobs and business for local companies, increased opportunities for area residents who have been connected with employment and training and the announcement of significant new developments right here in Mount Pleasant.
Read more: https://concernedracinecountyresidentsjustsaynotofoxconn.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/lets-do-the-math/
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