On Kohl faces questions in Janesville

Posted on August 18 at 7:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I can sympathize with the senator here. The poor guy is out there trying to explain things and the senate does not yet have a bill out of committee. The president says one thing and the media comes down as if he canceled the whole game?

All of our elected officials are trying to explain the need for this and have been pushed into a mode of responding to rumors that are completely unfunded. From what info has come out, the Senate has their head screwed on right and just very well may do the right thing. If it is a huge co-op that can save money instead of a public ownership plan, so be it.

On Rock County bar owners see both sides of smoking debate

Posted on May 10 at 12:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Finally! Now that we can breath in some of these places we might even frequent them more often to have a beer or two. While most bars or taverns that did not serve food were full of customers in the past, this is not always the case anymore. Drinking laws have changed. We as a society are finally beginning to recognize that some of this stuff our parents did all the time just might kill us a bit earlier than we like.

In every case where I have worked and a ban was imposed, the numbers of smokers gradually dropped off over the next few years. Since I had asthma, I was in trouble for years. Now that I'm away from smoke 98% of the time, I have very few problems.

If I was a bar owner, I'd clean the place up, put in a little overhang over the side door, put up a no smoking sign asap, and watch your business pick up. The bartender will sure feel better.

On Proposed state smoking ban aired at hearing

Posted on May 6 at 11:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Want to determine if it is a good idea to smoke? I'd suggest going to your 45+ HS class reunion and seeing who is missing. Also take a good look at the ones who are still coming and see who is in good shape versus looking a bit older than they are. Then notice who is going out for a smoke. This is far from scientific, but try it when you hit that age.

PS: If you are a smoker, good luck hitting that age.

On AP Poll: Americans high on Obama, direction of US

Posted on April 24 at 12:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

While a lot of people think this period in President Obama's presidency is a scary proposition, I for one think it is a refreshing return to a period of time where we all had a voice in what is going on. So far we have determined conclusively that it helps to graduate from college with good grades. It helps to be able to articulate what you want to do while you run for president. It helps to be honest and as open as possible to the public. It makes sense to pick people for high positions based on their skills and experience.

At this point, if the man fails to achieve some of his goals, I'll still give him an A for trying. In my lifetime, I could not say that before and I almost voted for Goldwater (almost).

Mr. President, good luck and god speed.

On Janesville native is face of GOP's budget proposal

Posted on April 2 at 7:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

If what he has in his hand is a budget, its pretty thin. If the more moderate democrats and republicans would simply attack totally wasteful spending and agree that most of the money in the stimulus is being well spent, we would all be better off. I don't understand why the omnibus bill had so many earmarks and why there is not any follow up to cut these.

If there is one thing that is allowing me to dance with joy these days, its the absolute end of the "trickle down economics" facade. While its true that most tax cuts to business will result in some benefit being passed on, it has simply not worked with regard to the very well to do. President Clinton had a surplus with fair taxation that had those that can afford it paying their fair share.

We cannot afford to ignore education, health care, and the environment; all likely areas that would be absent in a GOP budget.

Rep. Ryan better watch out. If this administration succeeds, he just very well may be looking for a new job.

On How should students’ cell phone use be limited?

Posted on March 30 at 2:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Imagine taking a multiple choice test in a class where cell phones are allowed. The top students could send all the answers around. It may make sense to allow these things to be in a pocket or purse while they are off. However, they better stay off or they should be banished to a school lockup "penalty box".

On Schools struggle with cell phone policies

Posted on March 28 at 7:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Interesting set of comments. Having been one of the developers of the first cell phone service in the US, I still can't believe the extent that these things are being used. There are enough phones out there for half the people in the world.

That said, I can see how this can be a nuisance in class. Back in the early 90's I was in Japan and a number of big hotels and restaurants started to ban cell phone use in the areas where it would disturb others. The actually did set up little mini-jammers so that the phone cannot work inside. While that might be too severe an action, teachers and administrators should all agree that this thing is not a toy to be used anytime except after school, period. They will get over the withdrawal symptoms eventually.

What I would really worry about is when the cost of the high end devices come down significantly to the point where they do use them for class notes, etc. How will a teacher know whether some kid is taking notes or texting his girlfriend? maybe some hotshot cell phone developer can find a way to pre-program these things to only work in the absense of a simple little signal that a school can turn on when they want their classroom back.

On Charter files for bankruptcy reorganization

Posted on March 27 at 6:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'm amazed, simply amazed. The cable outfits are essentially unregulated, but have a monopoly on the cable service in each town. Charter must have spent tons of money trying to get us to buy broadband and gearing up for the new HD services. How can a business get in debt to the tune of BILLIONs with any kind of effective management. The bankruptcy seems like it will end up ripping somebody off and likely will raise rates.

On Road to ruin: Usury, greed and the paper economy

Posted on March 26 at 2:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'd echo that previous comment. I'm also considerably impressed by this article since it points to some history here that goes back much further than the last 8 years.

While we can point to the insane marketing of mortgage derivatives as one of the root causes of this mess, there are many other packages of financial products that are doing ok and are reasonably safe investments.

Derivatives seem to have taken the notion of responsibility out of the hands of local banks and mortgage houses, and spread it over the whole planet. How can you possibly worry about the risk on a new loan if your company will get rid of it next week? We need these finance guys to unwind this mess, so lets not all steer our kids away from the profession. The rules will surely change though.

On Bold claims of stimulus jobs can't be measured

Posted on March 26 at 1:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I would disagree with the premise on this one. While the estimates for the number of jobs this plan will create may be an estimate, we certainly can count the jobs once they are created. The problem is that many firms are continuing to have layoffs, and some of these are based on speculation that things are going to get worse.

What is wrong with taking a positive look at things and taking a chance that things in fact can get better? Big business still seems to be protecting the stock price and their near term outlook rather than insuring they have the workforce they need for the future. Look at GM. The engineer they just let go might be the one needed to get that new model out.

This recession is a bit different than any other. Consumer confidence can return just as fast as it dropped. Business better be ready for this.

In any case, any modeling of the economy has to be better than the models that ended up causing this financial meltdown in the first place.