PC Woes

My 7+ year Old HP is acting up again. I've boosted the memory to 2 GB thinking the crawling speed was more a symptom of newer updated software struggling on an older box. But the snails pace progressed to a molasses drip and finally consistent freezing at boot, or soon after the desktop is drawn.

Good news is, I can boot with BART PE and still get through my file structure and pull off anything left on the drive. Bad news is I am headed for a System re-install or even a complete wipe and reinstall of the drive itself. Most all my spare time has been going to bring this tired old box back to life.

The irony, the only reliable PC machine left in the house, is my MacBook. Yeap, I run Parallels Desk Top on my Intel based MacBook. Pretty slick.

People always ask me what my preferred platform is, and I always say Windows. They look somewhat surprised and ask me why, and I look at them and say:

"Job Security, if everyone had a Mac they wouldn't need me" *smile*

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Road Apples

via Englehart:

Hope not Hopelessness

President Bubba calls it like he sees it:

"I like trying to educate the American people about the dimensions and scope of this economic crisis," Clinton said. "I just would like him to end by saying that he is hopeful and completely convinced we're gonna come through this."

Its one think to shoot straight, but all this doom and glome, chicken little talk isn't doing anyone, and namely the market, any favors.

Clinton goes on to take a few hits himself, something that those on the Right struggle with:

Though Clinton largely defended his own economic record, he admitted fault for lack of regulation on derivatives during his eight years as president, a problem some economists believe helped contribute to the nation's economic woes.

"I think we should have moved a little more aggressively on these derivatives," he said. "Alan Greenspan and others thought we shouldn't regulate, didn't need to regulate derivatives, 'cause they would only be bought by very large, very wealthy, very sophisticated institutional buyers.

Though Clinton largely defended his own economic record, he admitted fault for lack of regulation on derivatives during his eight years as president, a problem some economists believe helped contribute to the nation's economic woes.

"I think we should have moved a little more aggressively on these derivatives," he said. "Alan Greenspan and others thought we shouldn't regulate, didn't need to regulate derivatives, 'cause they would only be bought by very large, very wealthy, very sophisticated institutional buyers.

See, its OK to look back and re-evaluate your decisions. I look forward to President GW Bush being as candid some day . . . Oh, who am I kidding *grin*

Sentencing

I'll be thinking of my good friend Jimmy as they sentence the drunk driver who killed his sister in law and severely injured his brother in a New Years eve crash last year.

On her last night alive, Margaret Lopez sat next to her husband of more than 20 years in his Ramsey County Sheriff's squad car and listened as music from the radio synced to the blinking of thousands of Christmas lights outside a Shoreview home.

"Maggie had the biggest smile on her face, and an hour later she was gone," said Deputy Kristi Pavek, who worked with Lopez's husband, Joseph, for 18 years.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m., as Lopez drove west on Hwy. 10 in Arden Hills, a 23-year-old woman driving the wrong way collided head-on with Lopez's squad car.

Beth Rhodes will be sentenced today. My heart and prayers are with the Lopez family as they find closure during this difficult time.

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Stimulating

via Ariail:

Sgt. Tom is Home . . Almost

Just got the call from my son. He is on a brief layover at the HHH Terminal here in the Twin Cities. So close but yet so far. He is on his way to California where there will be a debrief and then much deserved time off. No time frame yet on when he'll be back in Minnesota for a visit, or maybe more than that.

Thank to all for your kind words of support.

Proud Marine Dad!

Lost Library

They are closing my library . . maybe . . probably, and some other Ginsu acrobatics:
The Hamline Library has become a God send to those of us parents who know our children have a safe and secure environment to be when they are out and about. It is where my kids have gone after school almost every day. A place to do homework, Internet, and meet up with friends. From their about page:

Recent census figures indicate that Hamline Midway is becoming increasingly diverse, particularly in the African American population, while retaining many longtime households.

The library maintains strong neighborhood support through enduring ties with the neighborhood coalition, it’s own Friends group and by serving on the Hamline Midway Youth Collaborative and other neighborhood concerns.

It doesn't look like the strong neighborhood support will be enough.

Now, this may come across as a NIMBY thing, but not only are they taking my kids Library away, they are also effecting they closest Rec Center

Hahm proposed closing three rec centers: Sylvan, Prosperity and Front. At three others — Baker, Griggs and Margaret — the city would pull out with hopes of finding neighborhood groups or nonprofits to take over the centers with their own programs, much like what was done when several rec centers closed in 2006.

So close the Library and turn your back on the Rec Center. What are the kids to do now, besides get into teen aged mischief.

This is painful, and not only because it is effect me, and my children personally, but it is a sign of the degradation of our lifestyle, and the damage the current economic strife has wrought.

Maybe this isn't a done deal, we'll find out more on March 3rd when our City Councilman presents more information at a conversation (via E-Mail):

Please join me for a conversation with your neighbors and fellow Ward 4 residents in a conversation about the status of the City and its neighborhoods. Tough times are upon the City of Saint Paul, leaving my colleagues and me with the challenge of making responsible, difficult budget decisions. Please join the discussion to lend your knowledge and creativity to the task of sustaining the City's livability despite the challenges we face.

Tuesday, March 3, 6:30-8:30pm at Goodwill Easter Seals (553 Fairview Ave N)-- enter off the corner of Fairview and Charles. (Goodwill/Easter Seals is conveniently located on bus lines 16, 50, and 67. www.metrotransit.org If you're driving, there is on-street parking and a lot across Charles from the building.)

I'm hoping to be there.

I know City staff read these pages. I'd like to hear from them, via comments or E-Mail as to whether these are done deal cuts, or what we as community members can do to preserve the legacies that are established in our neighborhoods for almost 80 years!

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2009 Minnesota Brass; Committed!

I have signed the contract and am committing to the 2009 Minnesota Brass, Incorporated season. Those of you that have been around these parts know that I have another passion aside from my family and politics, and that is the marching arts. I have been performing in Drum corps, off and on, since 1978. This will be my 19th year as a performer!

I was last on the field in 2005, living my dream of becoming a third generation performer with the Class A World Champion Govenaires. It was a bitter sweet end to that season, not that we finished 2nd, just missing the title, but that I lost a good and dear friend.

Then the kids turned into teenagers and I needed to get them though Junior High and into high school. Now that the youngest two are a Junior and Sophomore, they are starting to 'get it'. With their brother, Sgt. Tom due to return to the states, and moving back to Minnesota, he'll hopefully be able to help out during those out of town weekends when the performance schedule heats up.

My last year with MN Brass was 2003, so it has been a while (The photo is from 1998). Some things have changed a lot, others remain the same. The faces are mostly all new in the line, but the crew that supports us remains consistent. That is the sign of a good stable organization, one that placed 2nd in the world last year.

The 2008 DCA World Championship is over. In open class the Reading Buccaneers pulled off the 4 peat and held off a charging Minnesota Brass with a 97.913 to MBI's 96.513.

The DCA PR Director went on to say:

Buccaneers pulled off their 4-peat tonight and are a GREAT champion but in many ways, the night belonged to Minnesota... congrats to all...

This year, we are making a run at the title!

The 2009 program is entitled Nocturne, Songs for the Night. It begins with an old Drum Corps standard, Harlem Nocturne.

This dark and rich program will explore various moods of the night. Earle Hagen's "Harlem Nocturne" provides the thematic backdrop for the production. Additional selections will include an edgy and mysterious take on Stan Kenton’s “Commencement" as well as his "Aspect." A lush rendition of “My Immortal” from Evanescence will serve as the ballad while the intense energy of Dizzy Gillespie's, "A Night in Tunisia" is sure to bring drum corps fans to their feet. The music and expressive visual program will transport our audiences through the scariness, the sadness and the playfulness of the night.

If you've never experienced the marching arts at an almost professional level, you are in for a treat. This isn't your parents Marching Band, this is an intense, well choreographed, and tight musical performance. Our home show is in late August, the peek of our season, in South St. Paul. You'll want to mark your calenders early, to witness the greatest Drum and Bugle Corps to ever come out of the state of Minnesota, and maybe, a World Champion in the making!

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Favre's Deja vu

It was less than a year ago when I wrote this:

Favre Waves the White Flag

Today, a bit earlier then I expected, he does it again:

After a rocky season with the New York Jets, quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire, his agent says.

The decision marks Favre's second retirement announcement in an 11-month span. Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers in March 2008 before reconsidering and making a comeback with the Jets.

His decision comes six weeks after the Jets finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs after an 8-3 start. Favre threw 22 touchdown passes and an NFL-high 22 interceptions while leading New York to a five-game improvement over their previous season without him.

Favre's retirement will save the Jets his $13 million salary in salary cap space.

The retirement clock expires, and the un-retirement clock start anew *laughing* Seriously, something tells me this is really the end.

Enjoy the time off Brett, you've earned it!

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Breakin' It Down

I could warm to the current version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill has 6 primary goals:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Calls for the enactment of legislation to create jobs, restore economic growth, and strengthen America's middle class through measures that:
(1) modernize the nation's infrastructure;
(2) enhance America's energy independence;
(3) expand educational opportunities;
(4) preserve and improve affordable health care;
(5) provide tax relief; and
(6) protect those in greatest need.

So it is more than stimulus, and unlike prior administrations that attempted to mask what they were trying do to, behind fancy glossary terms, the intent of this legislation has always been more then just stimulus. That allows me to disagree with major portions, since, well, the current folks on the Hill are actually being honest with me. Interesting concept, ya think!

We have heard all the belly aching, from me included, about the pork. But we we aren't hearing enough about, is that over half this bill is direct tax relief and lifeline assistance to individuals and families.

139.4 billion
Make Work Pay Credit: The bill provides a $500 credit per worker and a $1,000 credit per dual-earner couple. Maximum benefit avaialble for those under $70,000 ($140,000 for couples)

17 billion
One-time payments to those who don't work: For seniors who don't work, as well as disabled veterans and retired railroad workers. It's $300m but $300 mora than they have right now.

70 billion
Break for higher income families:: ALternative Minimum Tax relief

11 billion
Temporary credit for car buyers:Interest and sales tax deductions. Too bad it isn;t retroactive to my 2008 Equinox purchase last Fall.

39 billion
Temporary credit for home buyers:A doubling of the home buyer tax credit and dropping the 'first time' clause. Maybe it is time for me to go shopping for some real estate bargains . . . .

10.3 billion
New college credit:Tax credit for Higher Education expenses

14 billion
Pell Grants:increase in Pell Grant benefits

7.2 billion
Child Care Credit:Adjustment of the income threshold to make more benefits available, encouraging single parents back to work. I know what a money vacuum day care was when I was going it alone. It was one of the hardest financial periods of my life.

4.6 billion
Earned Income Credit:An increase in the earnings qualifications and a marriage penalty adjustment.

That's 312.5 billion in direct tax relief. But we also have lifeline assistance to help those who are struggling most and desperately trying to get back on their feet. Unless you have ever been in dire straits, like I have, a helping hand is all most of us need to keep our dignity, and get back on track.

107 billion
Health insurance help for the jobless: Two programs that assist in subsidizing COBRA payments and providing coverage for those not eligible for COBRA.

43.1 billion
Unemployment benefits: Extending benefits, increasing benefit amount, and waving taxes on the first $2400

16.5 billion
Food stamp payments: 'increase food stamp payments by 12%, so a family of four would see an additional $71 on top of the $588 per month they receive currently.'

2.3 billion
Help for needy families:A fund for temporary assistance to needy families.

So that's 481.4 Billion dollars of direct tax relief or lifeline assistance that is putting money directly int he hands of those how need it, and will spend it. This is the area of the bill I have become quite content with.

Now I am going to spend some time digging around for the spending provisions. Those will face much more scrutiny.

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A Peek at the Package

CNN helps layout some of the adjustments to the Stimulus bill negotiated with the help of some on the Right:

Tax breaks

Make Work Pay Credit: The Senate bill would narrow President Obama's signature tax provision. The full credit ($500 per worker or $1,000 per couple) would be paid to people making $70,000 or less ($140,000 per dual-earner couple). Under the House bill, those making $75,000 or less ($150,000 or less for couples) would qualify.

Break for higher income families: The Senate version includes a one-year provision to protect middle- and upper-middle-income families from having to pay the Alternative Minimum tax. The AMT was intended primarily for high-income taxpayers but has in recent years threatened to engulf those lower down the income scale. The House bill has no such provision.

Credit for car buyers: The Senate voted for an amendment that would let those who buy a car in 2009 deduct the interest they pay on their car loan as well as the sales tax charged in the purchase. The House bill doesn't include this provision.

Home-buyer credit: The Senate bill would double the size of an existing temporary home-buyer credit to $15,000. It would also allow all homebuyers to claim it and remove the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back. The House bill also removes the repayment requirement but leaves the credit maximum at $7,500 and would offer it only to first-time buyers.

Child-care credit: Both the Senate and House would expand the eligibility provisions of the child-care tax credit, so that lower income families could claim more of it. But the Senate expansion is smaller.
Direct spending

Education funding: The compromise Senate bill allocates $39 billion to a fiscal stabilization fund that states would use in great part to help fund public colleges and universities. That is well below the $79 billion allocated by the House.

The Senate version also provides less funding for Head Start and teacher quality programs, as well as education efforts for the disadvantaged. It would also eliminate funding in the House bill for K-12 construction and higher education facilities.

Health wellness and flu prevention: The Senate bill excludes money allocated by the House for a prevention and wellness program as well as for pandemic flu research.

Green government vehicles: The Senate version offers $300 million to purchase fuel-efficient government vehicles. That's half the amount allocated by the House bill.
Direct lifeline benefits

Subsidy for health insurance for those laid off: Both the Senate and House bills include provisions to help jobless workers pay for health insurance if they choose to stay on their ex-employer's plan. The Senate, however, offers less of a subsidy - 50% for 12 months - than the House, which calls for a 65% subsidy over 12 months.

Tax break on unemployment benefits: The Senate bill, unlike the House version, would make the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits tax free. Both the Senate and House bills extend the time that jobless workers can collect benefits.

Hiring

via Parker:
And as we chuckle, a cartoon becomes reality:

Looking for work? Try the unemployment office. No, not for the job listings. The unemployment office is one place that's actually hiring these days.

Minnesota's workforce centers are seeing a booming business — thanks to eye-popping layoff numbers like those released Friday — and they are looking to add workers to help handle the crush.

The state is hiring 15 workers to conduct job search workshops, assess skills, assist with job searches or simply to provide face-to-face help to people trying to navigate the bureaucracy of joblessness. Those people will be added to the 85 currently in place to help job seekers at the state's 47 workforce centers.

Some 160,000 people in Minnesota are collecting unemployment benefits, a record high and double the number a year ago. That means a growing number of people are using the workforce centers to pore over job listings, talk to job counselors and use the resources as a starting place for a career transition.

Mitch's Talking Points Memo

Good friend and neighbor Mitch, who never saw a talking point he didn't want to copy/paste, now wants me to stop using the phrase. Generally that means I hit the mark pretty close.

In an attempt to start an honest debate, and reasonable dialogue, he all but ignored my comment to chastise me about the phrase. In an earlier posts, the Mitchkateers have, again, ignored my substantive information and posted facts by clamoring for proof of these talking points I speak of.

Although we suspect that the intellectually dishonest Right Wing of the local blogosphere (the members of which will be the ones that claim they are not) is probably directly involved in crafting said talking points, we do know where they are, and are confident they are subscribed to all of them. But the most important ones, of course, are actually housed on a government website, paid by taxpayers money.

Seeing is believing. Maybe if they are so dead set on cutting waste and pork, they can carry their website to a private hosting server on the RNC side, rather than the ".GOV" site. But as we know in politics, one person's pork, is another person's bacon!

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Spring Arrived . . .

. . . in the Midway at approximately 3:44 PM. I'll be in the garage the rest of the weekend if you need me.

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Pins and Needles

From Sgt. Tom:

I am so close to being back in the states!!!! ARG!!! this is driving me nuts!

Sometime next week if all goes well. When the service star on the right disappears, you'll know he is back in the good ole US of A.

Proud Marine Dad!

To Seat, or Not to Seat

Efforts to seat Senator-elect Al Franken provisionally are not being brought on two fronts. Today the Supreme court will have a hearing on a motion to issue a provisional Certificate of Election.

As both sides hurled taunts and accusations Wednesday, lawyers for DFLer Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman braced for a showdown today in the state's highest court on whether Franken should be seated in the Senate while their courtroom election fight continues.

Franken attorney Marc Elias called the recount trial -- Coleman's legal challenge of Franken's 225-vote lead in the certified recount results -- "a shrinking case" and said the law demands that the Democrat be seated in the meantime to give Minnesota the two senators it deserves.

At 9 this morning, the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear Franken's motion to be granted a provisional certificate of election.

It is my understanding that their argument relies heavily on a similar Federal election case here in Minnesota involving a congressional district. In Odegard v Olson:

This has been interpreted to me to mean that the certificate itself has no bearing, as in the House (or Senate) decides who their members are. Not issuing a certificate places the canvassing winner at a disadvantage, whereas Issuing the Certificate means nothing as it has no legal bearing.

The Supremes will have to overturn their prior decisions, and that generally take a higher burden to pull off.

But the legislature is not sitting idly by, members of both houses are introducing legislation requiring the issuance of a provisional certificate to the administrative recount winner. Eric Black lays it out:

The bill says that, in a case that proceeds from the administrative recount to the election contest phase (in other words, the current case), the governor and secretary of state must issue a temporary certificate of election (the lack of such a certificate is the main argument Republicans are using to block Franken from being seated) to the candidate who is ahead at the end of the state Canvassing Board recount (in other words, to Franken) that would enable him to be seated in the Senate while the election contest proceeds in court.

I doubt the governor would sign this, and the DFL is about 3 seats shy of the veto proof majority. But maybe calmer heads will prevail, and a compromise will be reached to at least approve this legislation for future contests. Its simply not right for us to go unrepresented, while the contestant is allowed to drag his case on ad infinitum. Maybe if, at least ion the future, they don;t have the ability to prevent the seating of the recount winner by pursuing a frivolous contest, they'll reconsider the time money and effort involved in that process.

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Happy Day, Zam!

Mitch's youngest is having a birthday. My youngest asked to dip into his fiscal reserves. I hope they don't have something brewing, pun intended.

It got me to thinking, that puts Zam at 730 days till enlistment, meaning my Junior in High school is at 420 (Air Force bound) and the youngest at 833 (Navy). Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to wish my life away, but there are those days I do look forward to having my house back *laughing*

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Tapping Weather

The heck with the groundhog, stay tuned for the real first sign of Spring . . the official tapping of the first Garage Keg.God knows I have had a Winter worthy of an early Spring. Also, with Sgt. Tom expecting to get his travel papers soon and a scheduled return to the states next week, I'll need to be ready for the celebration.

I was soooooo tempted to pick up a keg last Saturday, but knew the cold snap was coming. However, with the front moving in later in the week, and an optimistic extended forecast, this just may set up the earliest Spring in my history living in the Midway.

Here's a view from last Fall, with Kurly ready to go.

Flash

UPDATE: A Keg of Natty Ice has just been ordered for Friday Pick-Up.

Another Howler

Without comment:

Why is it?

Why is it when the GOP was in control of both the White House and Congress, they flew the fickle finger of fate in the faces of the Minority. They even expressed "I have political capital. I intend to spend it"!!. Call it the 'our way or the high way' method of governing.

So now that the Democratic Party is in control we hear this:

Sen. John McCain said Monday that President Obama and Democrats will have to "seriously negotiate" with Republicans if they want to pass a stimulus plan with bipartisan support.
Sen. John McCain says he'd vote "no" on the stimulus bill as it stands.

"I think we are clearly prepared to sit down, discuss, negotiate a true stimulus package that will create jobs," McCain said on CNN's "American Morning."

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the Senator. But where was all the talk of Bi Partisan negotiation when they were the ones holding the power. That's a rhetorical question. We know why they don't want to play nice when they hold the keys to the toy box.

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