On Neighbors concerned about foreclosed properties
Posted on November 23 at 8:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Interesting that the core problem in this situation is passed over - foreclosures are up. Instead we are debating the aesthetics of the empty houses. It might be like complaining about how unattractive people get who have contracted any particular hideous disease. Perhaps we should figure out why we have an outbreak of the disease.
Personally, it reminds me of when I was in the Army and our fuel supply ran out. The captain got us all together in front of our stalled vehicles and told us our boots needed shinning.
Even if a house is paid for, it becomes hard to stay in it if the occupants have no job - there is still taxes, utilities, upkeep. Address the source of the disease, not the end results.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
On 11 percent of home loans behind or in foreclosure
Posted on November 20 at 1:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Those avid readers and listeners out there should have noticed in various media, the recent “perpetual optimism” articles and talk show guests lauding the benefits of the “new normal” we all live in now.
We are suppose to be glad burglaries are down because we are all at home now - jobless - and protecting what little we have left. As well, poor, unemployed people can't buy stolen junk. We should also be glad we are reconnecting with our extended families as we now all must live in the same house with relatives, grand parents, and cousins.
And finally, we should embrace all the cheap foreclosed houses on the market and all the cheap repossessed cars now available. This is nowadays apparently cause for celebration. Grab up a deal man...your neighbors' destroyed lives are a marketing boon.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
On Oprah tells studio audience next season will be the last
Posted on November 20 at 12:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This just in:
Unreliable sources claim Oprah Winfrey has taken a page right out of Bret Favre’s career play book. Apparently, after claiming retirement, she will resurface on a community television station in New York for a year. Then after threatening retirement again, her family will be seen buying a condo in Twin Cities. She will then suddenly appear as the new host of “A Prairie Home Companion” and lay claim to the “Lake Wobegon” legend in Minnesota. Controversy will abound when “Prairie Home” goes on the road and makes a stop to broadcast from her old studio in Chicago.
Dr. Phil has not returned calls regarding his former boss' situation.
Tongue so ever firmly planted in cheek,
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
On Proposal would name official Wis. motorcycle
Posted on November 20 at 11:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Fascinating that not one comment poster finds empathy with this “State Motorcycle” scheme. In this cynical time, not even the insertion of the soldier’s family into the motive, has tugged at readers’ hearts.
Just a year ago, if this proposal had been served up, even as the General Motors collapse was imminent, I think I can safely say, at least half the postings would have been favorable. Yikes; cynicism has swept over us like a specter.
My take on the real motive for this cycle idea (actually, I would have thought the Harley already had some designated status): Harley is sending out not so subtle nuances that they are considering moving some or who can say these days, maybe the whole farm to some other venue. We can all use our imaginations from experience with this economy as to where they might go assuming it will not close totally. I suggest this designation scheme is a preemptive strike to guilt-trip Harley should they start the moving vans coming.
Bob Keith
– humble and obedient citizen –
On Former school district manager appears in court
Posted on November 18 at 3:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It would have been far more interesting if he had presented with sandals, khakis, a Hawaiian shirt, fingers full of diamond rings, and a dozen gold chains around his neck. And, when the judge asked, “How do you plead Mr. Keirns?” The perp says, “Just call me The Dude your honor.”
The honorable governmental authority (school system) hired this (alleged) jerk - in the depths of this great recession no less - and I can’t buy a job in Janesville now for years; I just want to scream.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
On President Obama – Take Me To China
Posted on November 18 at 10:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
- Very thoughtful piece Mr. Knox – By the by, we are two generations apart. I remember a very different America than we have now, for better or worse. What you are talking about here is the “new norm” for America. I have screamed about this for years to deaf ears. I am not surprised you have few comments on your observations. It is overwhelming for people to try to understand we are being relegated to a Second World country. For what it is worth, let me repeat myself. I will probably still be mumbling it when I live in a card board box – poetically, most likely made with cardboard from China.
We now live in a culture where if you are lucky enough to have a job, it is probably non-benefit; with no pay increases in the foreseeable future; less hours; minimum wage; seven day a week work-weeks at four hours a day wrecking the whole week for 28 hours of pay; fraught with nepotism and cutthroat networking (favoring relatives and friends – with human resource’s blessings); and finally, relentlessly buying of Chinese junk products probably for the rest of our lives.
Until America and Wisconsin come up with new products to manufacture like has happened in so many other decades of change, I fear this “new normal” of bottom feeding is here for a long, long time. And, even if we reinvent ourselves with a new miracle product for the world, the Chinese will most likely steal it.
You have ventured into analyzing the “new normal” of America Mr. Knox – proceed with the utmost journalistic caution; you have ventured off the socially approved opinion road, beyond the literary road signs and guard rails.
Bob Keith
-humble and obedient citizen -
On Drowning in debt? Manage what you owe before you need saving
Posted on November 18 at 8:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This debt repayment scheme rubric implies the debtor has a job. Isn’t the reason for all the neo-financial shamans besieging us lately, the overwhelmed and severely damaged employment situation? No job usually = no funny money. Under employed usually = no credit anyway. – Seems like simple math to me; what am I missing here?
Bob Keith
– humble and obedient citizen -
On Wisconsin on list of ailing states
Posted on November 11 at 3:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well commenters, I owe everyone an apology. The link I intended to list is
http://www.jsonline.com/business/6969560... "Employment will rebound in 2011, State says."
No good excuse, but I was working on a Veterans' Day posting.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
On Wisconsin on list of ailing states
Posted on November 11 at 3:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
SarraB1: That is just what the collective controllers and apologists want - for you to surrender.
And now for something completely different; the Wisconsin Department of Revenue says, "No worries panic stricken chicks and dudes." http://www3.jsonline.com/story/index.asp... "Employment will rebound in 2011, State says."
Can you say mixed messages?
It is my general impression from working 45 years in various train wreck economies that the controlers of this current train wreck economy will keep sucking our last personal resources out of us until we get a collective nose bleed. They are like a parrasite that kills its host and moves on. I wonder were they will head to when we are all living in card board boxes?
Oh, by the by, where is Janesvillean to tell us all this economic depression is just all in our collective heads? Reassure us oh wizard of the optimistic.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
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On Neighbors concerned about foreclosed properties
Posted on November 23 at 4:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is it possible good readers and posters of the many comments, that there are many reasons foreclosures have entered our lives and finally into the media…just as so many other signs/causes/symptoms of recession have emerged. Signs such as: high unemployment; underemployment; cutthroat work environments; homelessness; repossessions; raised taxes; lower revenues;…and on and on.
And the causes of recession: Jobs to Mexico and China; a beat down Dollar; price speculations; cutthroat lending; technologies that provide old services now for free; two perpetual wars; Wall Street looters;…and on and on.
And the symptoms of recession: Physiological depression; anxiety; broken families; suicide; domestic violence; poverty;...and on and on.
If our society could be described as just one person, I would be calling 911. Is there a doctor in the house?
Bob Keith
– humble and obedient citizen -