I used to think that Bud Selig would never be challenged for the title of 2nd Worst Commissioner in the History of Sports. (John Ziegler, the NHL President who took the league off of network television and basic cable and signed an exclusive TV deal with regional SportsChannel--thereby stunting the growth of the sport for a full decade--and who allowed the entire Players Pension Fund to be embezzled--and who mandated helmet use is far and away the Worst Commissioner Ever and will likely take the crown with him to the grave and beyond.) Steroid use, the game turning into Home Run Derby for a decade or so, his hands up in the air at the All Star Game in Milwaukee when the game ended in a tie because both teams ran out of pitchers, then having the All Star Game decide home field advantage in the World Series and cheapening the regular season by adding not one but two wild card teams to the Playoffs will be Bud's legacy.
But now, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is making a solid run for the title of 2nd Worst Ever. Covering up concussions, SpyGate, under-punishing Ray Rice, flip-flopping on Adrian Peterson, over-punishing Tom Brady and the Patriots for DeflateGate, and then getting trounced by the aforementioned players in high-profile court rulings paint Goodell as a bumbling fool with no control over his league. There has been serious discussion among talking heads in both the sports and news arenas that Goodell may be fired from his $44-MILLION dollar position.
And then comes an article in the Wall Street Journal today that every NFL team got a little bonus at the end of the last fiscal year: $226-MILLION. That is on top of the revenues teams generated from ticket sales, concessions, local TV and radio rights, pro shop sales and advertising. That was $40-MILLION more per team than the year before. And that was generated in a year that many would say was the worst "off-field" for the league due to the domestic violence, the concussion lawsuits and various other arrests of players. Multiply that $226-MILLION by 32-teams and you realize that the NFL made a profit of $7.2-BILLION last year.
Thanks to the DeflateGate debacle, tonight's season opener between the aggrieved defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers will likely set a new ratings record for a Thursday night network game. And all of those sponsor who let everyone know that they were dropping their affiliation with the NFL likely quietly came back in the off-season--or were quickly replaced by other companies more then willing to spend big bucks to get themselves in front of the NFL's huge audience.
So I guess we can say that Roger Goodell is incompetent--but he is apparently incompetent like a fox.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
The Uber Economy
While you were ordering your music right from your Ipod, your books right from your Kindle and almost every other item you need for your home from Amazon, a new economy was spring up around you: the Sharing Economy. The Sharing Economy is led by smartphone apps Uber, Lyft and AirBnB.
AirBnB is the most established here in the Fox Valley, as people have been renting out rooms in their homes and apartments--or their entire houses and units--to visitors from out of town. The appeal of AirBnB is that prices are lower or the accomodations are more personalized to what they need while they are in town. Uber and Lyft are on-demand ride services. You enter where you are and where you need to go and the app finds a registered driver in the area who would be willing to pick you up. Pricing is often based on time of day and demand--meaning it could be cheaper than calling a cab--and certainly more convenient than riding the bus.
The sharing economy is coming under attack however--not from the forces of the "old economy" like hotel chains or taxi companies who see it as a threat to their profits--but rather from governments, who see it as a threat to their sources of income. In the case of AirBnB, those that rent out their rooms or houses to tourists and visitors aren't paying any hotel room taxes. Hotels and motels are easy to spot and auditing their books and receipts are no big deal. But when Larry in the 400-block of Main Street allows Harry from Chicago to crash on his couch for three nights and $75, it's far more difficult for City Hall to know about that.
When it comes to Uber, cities miss out on licensing fees for taxi drivers and inspection fees for vehicles used as taxis. Here again, Larry may just pick up two or three people a week in one of his two cars. He doesn't track his mileage and for one trip he may charge $10--while the same route a couple of days later might be $25--paid in cash both times.
The umbrella companies themselves are running afoul of bigger governmental entities as well. Uber is being sued in several states for categorizing all of the people who drive for them as "independent contractors". That means they do not have to provide any benefits--especially health insurance--to all of those drivers. That has state and federal officials upset, because Uber basically circumvents the Affordable Care Act by being a huge operation--yet having almost no "employees". This is going to lead to some interesting legal arguments in the near future as to what it means to be an "employee". Especially when you consider that Uber and Lyft drivers pay the company for the information coming in from the app--while not having any assigned work hours and setting their own pay rates.
It seems that the Sharing Economy is popular with everyone but those who think they aren't getting their "fair share".
AirBnB is the most established here in the Fox Valley, as people have been renting out rooms in their homes and apartments--or their entire houses and units--to visitors from out of town. The appeal of AirBnB is that prices are lower or the accomodations are more personalized to what they need while they are in town. Uber and Lyft are on-demand ride services. You enter where you are and where you need to go and the app finds a registered driver in the area who would be willing to pick you up. Pricing is often based on time of day and demand--meaning it could be cheaper than calling a cab--and certainly more convenient than riding the bus.
The sharing economy is coming under attack however--not from the forces of the "old economy" like hotel chains or taxi companies who see it as a threat to their profits--but rather from governments, who see it as a threat to their sources of income. In the case of AirBnB, those that rent out their rooms or houses to tourists and visitors aren't paying any hotel room taxes. Hotels and motels are easy to spot and auditing their books and receipts are no big deal. But when Larry in the 400-block of Main Street allows Harry from Chicago to crash on his couch for three nights and $75, it's far more difficult for City Hall to know about that.
When it comes to Uber, cities miss out on licensing fees for taxi drivers and inspection fees for vehicles used as taxis. Here again, Larry may just pick up two or three people a week in one of his two cars. He doesn't track his mileage and for one trip he may charge $10--while the same route a couple of days later might be $25--paid in cash both times.
The umbrella companies themselves are running afoul of bigger governmental entities as well. Uber is being sued in several states for categorizing all of the people who drive for them as "independent contractors". That means they do not have to provide any benefits--especially health insurance--to all of those drivers. That has state and federal officials upset, because Uber basically circumvents the Affordable Care Act by being a huge operation--yet having almost no "employees". This is going to lead to some interesting legal arguments in the near future as to what it means to be an "employee". Especially when you consider that Uber and Lyft drivers pay the company for the information coming in from the app--while not having any assigned work hours and setting their own pay rates.
It seems that the Sharing Economy is popular with everyone but those who think they aren't getting their "fair share".
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Animal Farm
I am appalled by the reaction to the newest residents in our area. The actions being taken against Round Gobies are obviously rooted in hate and ignorance. It is obvious that nobody would be this upset if they looked and acted like the rest of the fish we already have in Lake Winnebago.
First off, let's address the terming of Gobies as an "invasive species". That name (while factually correct) carries with it a negative connotation and only marginalizes and criminalizes the Gobies. The Associated Press should immediately remove "invasive species" from its Stylebook and replace it with something more "humanizing" like "non-native fishes". That should make the Gobies feel much better about themselves.
And who does the DNR think it is by closing the Menasha Lock to prevent the Gobies from coming to Lake Winnebago? You think putting up a wall is going keep them out? And how do you plan to patrol this barrier? Do you know how deep the water is there? Are you going to have divers in there 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365-days a year? And good luck thinking you can catch all of the Gobies to remove them from the area.
What's that you say? Round Gobies eat the eggs of other "native fish" and spawn several times a year to expand their numbers quickly? Who are you, Donald Trump that you need to bring up those stereotypes? Name me a species that doesn't have a few bad actors. You don't have to paint them all with a broad brush like that. You are just afraid that if they spawn here they will have "anchor babies" to make them "native fish"--aren't you?
Perhaps the "native" fish have forgotten that their ancestors are not "native" to Lake Winnebago--they all came from somewhere else too. Just because they have been here longer doesn't give them any special rights. Besides, why should Sturgeon have all the habitat they want? Who really needs to be over six-feet long and weight over 200-pounds? It sounds like they can afford to give up more than a little habitat and food to the Gobies.
Let's not forget that Round Gobies do the work that other Lake Winnebago fish refuse to do. And if enough of them get into the lake they can vote the Muskies into power and marginalize the Walleyes for decades to come--even if it comes at the expense of other minority fish already in the lake.
Besides, we have found just four Round Gobies so far in the Fox River. There are many people who wouldn't think they are a threat if there were 11-million of them swimming around out there. So let's literally open the floodgates and allow our new visitors to come in whatever numbers they please--with no fear of being caught. #gobieshaverightstoo
First off, let's address the terming of Gobies as an "invasive species". That name (while factually correct) carries with it a negative connotation and only marginalizes and criminalizes the Gobies. The Associated Press should immediately remove "invasive species" from its Stylebook and replace it with something more "humanizing" like "non-native fishes". That should make the Gobies feel much better about themselves.
And who does the DNR think it is by closing the Menasha Lock to prevent the Gobies from coming to Lake Winnebago? You think putting up a wall is going keep them out? And how do you plan to patrol this barrier? Do you know how deep the water is there? Are you going to have divers in there 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365-days a year? And good luck thinking you can catch all of the Gobies to remove them from the area.
What's that you say? Round Gobies eat the eggs of other "native fish" and spawn several times a year to expand their numbers quickly? Who are you, Donald Trump that you need to bring up those stereotypes? Name me a species that doesn't have a few bad actors. You don't have to paint them all with a broad brush like that. You are just afraid that if they spawn here they will have "anchor babies" to make them "native fish"--aren't you?
Perhaps the "native" fish have forgotten that their ancestors are not "native" to Lake Winnebago--they all came from somewhere else too. Just because they have been here longer doesn't give them any special rights. Besides, why should Sturgeon have all the habitat they want? Who really needs to be over six-feet long and weight over 200-pounds? It sounds like they can afford to give up more than a little habitat and food to the Gobies.
Let's not forget that Round Gobies do the work that other Lake Winnebago fish refuse to do. And if enough of them get into the lake they can vote the Muskies into power and marginalize the Walleyes for decades to come--even if it comes at the expense of other minority fish already in the lake.
Besides, we have found just four Round Gobies so far in the Fox River. There are many people who wouldn't think they are a threat if there were 11-million of them swimming around out there. So let's literally open the floodgates and allow our new visitors to come in whatever numbers they please--with no fear of being caught. #gobieshaverightstoo
Friday, September 4, 2015
Lowered Expectations
The Friday before Labor Day brings my annual predictions for the Wisconsin Badger's upcoming season. With a new coach, the loss of one of the best running backs the program has ever produced and four new starters on the offensive line, there is plenty of uncertainty about this team--and so I am lowering my expectations.
Week 1 vs Alabama in Dallas--The Crimson Tide is fast, physical and deep on both sides of the ball. I'm hoping this one doesn't turn ugly early--but it will be a rude awakening for Badgers as they lose on Saturday 38-20.
Week 2 vs Miami (Ohio)--I think the Badgers are able to hold off the Red Hawks at Camp Randall as Corey Clement establishes himself as Wisconsin's next premier running back--34-20.
Week 3 vs Troy--The Trojans are one of those teams that always seem to be playing in a post-New Year's Day bowl game in some Podunk city--but they aren't that good. Corey Clement has another nice day running the ball and the Badgers win 38-13.
Week 4--vs Hawaii--It would be awesome if this game was in Honolulu instead of Madison and I was able to get the Radio Ranch to cover the cost of covering it in person--plus an entire week beforehand and another week after for "research". Anyways, Badgers win a close one over the Warriors, 27-24.
Week 5--vs Iowa--Now the games actually mean something as the Badgers open Big Ten play against the Hawkeyes. Iowa is still down in terms of talent and Wisconsin uses the home field advantage to grind out a 24-20 win.
Week 6--at Nebraska. Now would be a great time to remind everyone that Melvin Gordon ran for an NCAA record 408-yards against the Cornhuskers last year. Unfortunately, he is in San Diego now. Nebraska gets a measure of revenge with a 31-27 win.
Week 7 vs Purdue. The Boilermakers have no talent, Bucky gets back on the winning track 41-26.
Week 8 at Illinois--The Illini fired their coach a week before the season started. They should be in full-on dumpster fire mode by this point in the season. The Badgers get their first road win of the year--36-17.
Week 9 vs Rutgers--The Scarlet Knights have no reason to be in the Big Ten (well besides money). Wisconsin rolls 44-20.
Week 10--at Maryland--The Terrapins have no reason to be in the Big Ten (well besides money). Wisconsin squeaks this one out 20-17.
Week 11 vs Northwestern--The last three Badgers head coaches have struggled to figure out how to beat the Wildcats. But home field (and hopefully cold winter weather will derail the spread offense). Bucky wins again 48-44.
Week 12 at Minnesota--This is where I remind everyone that the Badgers have won the last ELEVEN GAMES IN A ROW AGAINST THE GOPHERS. Allow me to repeat that, THE LAST ELEVEN GAMES IN A ROW. I know this domination can't continue forever and that the Gophs have to win Paul Bunyan's Axe at least once every two decades, but I'm going to hope for one more choke job by Goldy and a 28-27 Badgers win.
Thanks to the lack of any really good teams in the Big Ten West, the Badgers make the Conference Championship game again in December--where they meet Number 1 and undefeated Ohio State. remember this same match up last year? Well I don't see any reason this game won't be pretty much the same. Badgers lose 49-10.
That sends Wisconsin to the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando on New Year's Day--in a rematch against Alabama. It may be four months later--but the result will be the same, The Tide rolls 38-20.
On Wisconsin!!
Week 1 vs Alabama in Dallas--The Crimson Tide is fast, physical and deep on both sides of the ball. I'm hoping this one doesn't turn ugly early--but it will be a rude awakening for Badgers as they lose on Saturday 38-20.
Week 2 vs Miami (Ohio)--I think the Badgers are able to hold off the Red Hawks at Camp Randall as Corey Clement establishes himself as Wisconsin's next premier running back--34-20.
Week 3 vs Troy--The Trojans are one of those teams that always seem to be playing in a post-New Year's Day bowl game in some Podunk city--but they aren't that good. Corey Clement has another nice day running the ball and the Badgers win 38-13.
Week 4--vs Hawaii--It would be awesome if this game was in Honolulu instead of Madison and I was able to get the Radio Ranch to cover the cost of covering it in person--plus an entire week beforehand and another week after for "research". Anyways, Badgers win a close one over the Warriors, 27-24.
Week 5--vs Iowa--Now the games actually mean something as the Badgers open Big Ten play against the Hawkeyes. Iowa is still down in terms of talent and Wisconsin uses the home field advantage to grind out a 24-20 win.
Week 6--at Nebraska. Now would be a great time to remind everyone that Melvin Gordon ran for an NCAA record 408-yards against the Cornhuskers last year. Unfortunately, he is in San Diego now. Nebraska gets a measure of revenge with a 31-27 win.
Week 7 vs Purdue. The Boilermakers have no talent, Bucky gets back on the winning track 41-26.
Week 8 at Illinois--The Illini fired their coach a week before the season started. They should be in full-on dumpster fire mode by this point in the season. The Badgers get their first road win of the year--36-17.
Week 9 vs Rutgers--The Scarlet Knights have no reason to be in the Big Ten (well besides money). Wisconsin rolls 44-20.
Week 10--at Maryland--The Terrapins have no reason to be in the Big Ten (well besides money). Wisconsin squeaks this one out 20-17.
Week 11 vs Northwestern--The last three Badgers head coaches have struggled to figure out how to beat the Wildcats. But home field (and hopefully cold winter weather will derail the spread offense). Bucky wins again 48-44.
Week 12 at Minnesota--This is where I remind everyone that the Badgers have won the last ELEVEN GAMES IN A ROW AGAINST THE GOPHERS. Allow me to repeat that, THE LAST ELEVEN GAMES IN A ROW. I know this domination can't continue forever and that the Gophs have to win Paul Bunyan's Axe at least once every two decades, but I'm going to hope for one more choke job by Goldy and a 28-27 Badgers win.
Thanks to the lack of any really good teams in the Big Ten West, the Badgers make the Conference Championship game again in December--where they meet Number 1 and undefeated Ohio State. remember this same match up last year? Well I don't see any reason this game won't be pretty much the same. Badgers lose 49-10.
That sends Wisconsin to the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando on New Year's Day--in a rematch against Alabama. It may be four months later--but the result will be the same, The Tide rolls 38-20.
On Wisconsin!!
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Who's Living In the Past?
Conservatives are often ridiculed for their disdain for change. We're told that we are "living in the past". That "society has moved on"--and that we are "dinosaurs roaming the earth". But Progressives can be just as bull-headed about change--especially when it threatens their vision of "social utopia".
A case in point in Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. This week, Soglin berated the Madison City Council for approving a beer and wine license for a Belgian French Fries restaurant along State Street. Soglin opposed the license because the restaurant replaced yet another former retail shop along Madison's most famous avenue. Mayor Soglin believes that the government should be doing everything in its power to keep more of the "eclectic shops" along State--and not have so many "beer gardens". It's the State Street that many of you probably remember from your college days--where you could buy a Grateful Dead bootleg tape in a used record shop, a dusty copy of Beatnik poetry in a used book store, packs of incense in head shop and a t-shirt featuring Bucky Badger doing something wholly inappropriate in another store. All while street performers and protesters kept you entertained along the sidewalk.
Unfortunately for Mayor Sogliln (and other hippie burnouts like him) our old friend Economic Reality is at work along State Street. Those little shops and boutiques can no longer compete in the modern retail world. All of the Dead bootlegs, books of '60's prose, t-shirts and "smoking accessories" can now be ordered using your computer, tablet, smartphone and even your watch. And those items can be delivered--for free--in just a couple of days to the 50-thousand students in their dorms, or rental houses, or frats or apartments literally just blocks away from State Street--and to the faculty members in their historic homes around the arboretum and the zoo--and to the McMansions owned by the long-time State employees outside the beltway in Verona. And all of it likely at a lower price and with less hassle than fighting the traffic and trying to park to shop on State Street.
What also irks Mayor Soglin is that the city spent millions to upgrade State Street--widening the sidewalks and adding benches and planters on every block. Now, the restaurants, bars and coffee shops that he hates are using that space for café style seating--allowing their customers to enjoy beautiful days outside while eating and drinking. That is not what the Mayor envisioned. He wants that space used for the "discussion of ideas" and for the "discontent to have a platform" to air their grievances. But here again, modern society has moved on from Soglin's vision. All of those "social activists" are now on the blogosphere and social media--and handing out poorly-copied pamphlets to everyone that walks by has been replaced by hashtag activism.
Sounding like the Socialist that he is, Soglin told the Council that allowing the bars and restaurants to use the improved State Street "“soaks the rest of these people to create that wealth in private hands. There is a larger commitment to the larger community and you are failing it.” His solution to the "problem" is to offer taxpayer-funded rent credits to retailers along State Street--but not restaurants, bars or liquor stores (a little something we like to call "crony socialism")--so they can stay open, even if they have no customers.
I understand that Mayor Soglin and his Progressive supporters love what State Street used to be about--and they have a tough time letting go of that fantasy. But they should now let it be a mile long stretch of reality inside of 77-square miles surrounded by reality.
A case in point in Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. This week, Soglin berated the Madison City Council for approving a beer and wine license for a Belgian French Fries restaurant along State Street. Soglin opposed the license because the restaurant replaced yet another former retail shop along Madison's most famous avenue. Mayor Soglin believes that the government should be doing everything in its power to keep more of the "eclectic shops" along State--and not have so many "beer gardens". It's the State Street that many of you probably remember from your college days--where you could buy a Grateful Dead bootleg tape in a used record shop, a dusty copy of Beatnik poetry in a used book store, packs of incense in head shop and a t-shirt featuring Bucky Badger doing something wholly inappropriate in another store. All while street performers and protesters kept you entertained along the sidewalk.
Unfortunately for Mayor Sogliln (and other hippie burnouts like him) our old friend Economic Reality is at work along State Street. Those little shops and boutiques can no longer compete in the modern retail world. All of the Dead bootlegs, books of '60's prose, t-shirts and "smoking accessories" can now be ordered using your computer, tablet, smartphone and even your watch. And those items can be delivered--for free--in just a couple of days to the 50-thousand students in their dorms, or rental houses, or frats or apartments literally just blocks away from State Street--and to the faculty members in their historic homes around the arboretum and the zoo--and to the McMansions owned by the long-time State employees outside the beltway in Verona. And all of it likely at a lower price and with less hassle than fighting the traffic and trying to park to shop on State Street.
What also irks Mayor Soglin is that the city spent millions to upgrade State Street--widening the sidewalks and adding benches and planters on every block. Now, the restaurants, bars and coffee shops that he hates are using that space for café style seating--allowing their customers to enjoy beautiful days outside while eating and drinking. That is not what the Mayor envisioned. He wants that space used for the "discussion of ideas" and for the "discontent to have a platform" to air their grievances. But here again, modern society has moved on from Soglin's vision. All of those "social activists" are now on the blogosphere and social media--and handing out poorly-copied pamphlets to everyone that walks by has been replaced by hashtag activism.
Sounding like the Socialist that he is, Soglin told the Council that allowing the bars and restaurants to use the improved State Street "“soaks the rest of these people to create that wealth in private hands. There is a larger commitment to the larger community and you are failing it.” His solution to the "problem" is to offer taxpayer-funded rent credits to retailers along State Street--but not restaurants, bars or liquor stores (a little something we like to call "crony socialism")--so they can stay open, even if they have no customers.
I understand that Mayor Soglin and his Progressive supporters love what State Street used to be about--and they have a tough time letting go of that fantasy. But they should now let it be a mile long stretch of reality inside of 77-square miles surrounded by reality.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Reefer Madness
Facing mounting debt (because neither they nor their parents bothered to save anything for their educations), reduced job opportunities (because their parents and even grandparents didn't bother to save anything for retirement and need to work into their 60's) and the prospect of much lower career earnings (due to a glut of degree holders in what used to be high-wage fields) being a college student sure is stressful. And now a growing number of them are deciding to smoke away their cares by lighting up a joint.
A new study find marijuana use on college campuses is approaching all-time highs (pun intended). More than a third of students admit to toking up occasionally. The number of kids hitting the bong on a daily basis is now up to 6%--one in 17 people on college campuses is getting high every day. It's a good thing that marijuana isn't addictive like supporters of legalization say it is (and as its users prove by having no problem laying off the Chronic when they know they need to pass a drug test to get or keep their jobs) or else this would be something to really worry about.
As a follower of the Dave Ramsey plan, my first question is "Where are these students getting the money for marijuana?" We hear endless stories of the kids who can't afford tuition, can't afford room and board, can't afford to eat on campus and can't afford their books and that is why they have to borrow so much in student loans. Yet, it sounds like the pot dealers around campus aren't having any problem moving their product. I have to admit that I passed on "doing research" on the cost of a bag of weed here in the Oshkosh area--since undercover police informants likely wouldn't understand. Maybe it's free like liberals think college itself should be.
And if you needed more good news about what's going on in the dorms, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin use are all up on campuses as well--just not as much marijuana. Meanwhile, alcohol usage--and binge drinking rates--are on the decline--so I guess those police raids on house parties and bans on all-you-can-drink specials are paying off somewhat.
Those who continue to push for legalization of drug use here in America have to be encouraged by these numbers. Today's daily pot user is tomorrow's statewide de-criminalization referendum voter. But those young adults are also the future workers of this county. They will be the nursing home workers that take care of us when we are old--and do we want them to be having a hit or two during the day while dispensing our medicines? Do we want our financial planners to be "taking the edge off" before thinking about which mutual funds into which to place our nest egg? And are you okay with your mechanic "just having a puff" before he works on your brakes?
Maybe we should all just "chill" and join our young people in not worrying about stuff like that--and just "self-medicate". I mean Bernie Sanders is going to build a government that will just take care of everything for us, man.
A new study find marijuana use on college campuses is approaching all-time highs (pun intended). More than a third of students admit to toking up occasionally. The number of kids hitting the bong on a daily basis is now up to 6%--one in 17 people on college campuses is getting high every day. It's a good thing that marijuana isn't addictive like supporters of legalization say it is (and as its users prove by having no problem laying off the Chronic when they know they need to pass a drug test to get or keep their jobs) or else this would be something to really worry about.
As a follower of the Dave Ramsey plan, my first question is "Where are these students getting the money for marijuana?" We hear endless stories of the kids who can't afford tuition, can't afford room and board, can't afford to eat on campus and can't afford their books and that is why they have to borrow so much in student loans. Yet, it sounds like the pot dealers around campus aren't having any problem moving their product. I have to admit that I passed on "doing research" on the cost of a bag of weed here in the Oshkosh area--since undercover police informants likely wouldn't understand. Maybe it's free like liberals think college itself should be.
And if you needed more good news about what's going on in the dorms, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin use are all up on campuses as well--just not as much marijuana. Meanwhile, alcohol usage--and binge drinking rates--are on the decline--so I guess those police raids on house parties and bans on all-you-can-drink specials are paying off somewhat.
Those who continue to push for legalization of drug use here in America have to be encouraged by these numbers. Today's daily pot user is tomorrow's statewide de-criminalization referendum voter. But those young adults are also the future workers of this county. They will be the nursing home workers that take care of us when we are old--and do we want them to be having a hit or two during the day while dispensing our medicines? Do we want our financial planners to be "taking the edge off" before thinking about which mutual funds into which to place our nest egg? And are you okay with your mechanic "just having a puff" before he works on your brakes?
Maybe we should all just "chill" and join our young people in not worrying about stuff like that--and just "self-medicate". I mean Bernie Sanders is going to build a government that will just take care of everything for us, man.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Beggars Can Be Choosers
A couple of weeks ago, a photo posted on Facebook showing the Half Priced Books in Grand Chute throwing out hundreds of books in a dumpster behind their store generated a lot of public outcry and even some media attention. The poster--along with hundreds of commenters--believed the company was being a "bad neighbor" by not taking all of those books and donating them to libraries or schools (even though the store already donates a substantial amount of materials to those same organizations). Well here is another social media posting that should be getting everybody worked up.
An Oshkosh resident posted this on Monday:
The resident says the bag of food was pulled from a garbage can outside of the Taco Bell at Jackson and Murdock. But the food wasn't dumped there by the restaurant staff. Instead, it was thrown in there by the beggar who frequents the nearby Pick n Save driveway:
I do not give to any of the growing number of beggars in Oshkosh, or Appleton or Green Bay. One reason is that they are often standing less than 100-feet away from businesses with signs that say "NOW HIRING". Another reason is that despite what they write on their cardboard signs, these people are drug users and alcoholics looking for you to subsidize their addiction. I've talked before about our recent trip to San Francisco that featured countless panhandlers everywhere we went who couldn't afford food or a place to stay--but still were able to score some pot--which they smoked right there on the sidewalk.
The Pick n Save beggar sets up shop less than half a mile from the food pantry at St Vincent de Paul on Jackson street. He could take the first two dollars he gets from one of the suckers leaving the parking lot that pays him to ride the bus to the pantry and get far more to eat there than he will receive (and apparently throw out) at the supermarket driveway. But those who are "moved" to help him don't think about that--and their "generosity" ends up in the garbage"
I know that some of you who base all of your decisions on emotions rather than logic really "feel" like you are helping these people by giving them money and food. You probably also "strongly believe" that the Government should be doing more to help these people who have "obviously fallen through the social safety net". But you are not an "angel" or "a good Christian" or even a "social justice activist". You are an enabler. And as long as you are willing to throw away your hard-earned cash or perfectly good food to them--they will just stay out there. And their numbers will just continue to grow.
An Oshkosh resident posted this on Monday:
The resident says the bag of food was pulled from a garbage can outside of the Taco Bell at Jackson and Murdock. But the food wasn't dumped there by the restaurant staff. Instead, it was thrown in there by the beggar who frequents the nearby Pick n Save driveway:
I do not give to any of the growing number of beggars in Oshkosh, or Appleton or Green Bay. One reason is that they are often standing less than 100-feet away from businesses with signs that say "NOW HIRING". Another reason is that despite what they write on their cardboard signs, these people are drug users and alcoholics looking for you to subsidize their addiction. I've talked before about our recent trip to San Francisco that featured countless panhandlers everywhere we went who couldn't afford food or a place to stay--but still were able to score some pot--which they smoked right there on the sidewalk.
The Pick n Save beggar sets up shop less than half a mile from the food pantry at St Vincent de Paul on Jackson street. He could take the first two dollars he gets from one of the suckers leaving the parking lot that pays him to ride the bus to the pantry and get far more to eat there than he will receive (and apparently throw out) at the supermarket driveway. But those who are "moved" to help him don't think about that--and their "generosity" ends up in the garbage"
I know that some of you who base all of your decisions on emotions rather than logic really "feel" like you are helping these people by giving them money and food. You probably also "strongly believe" that the Government should be doing more to help these people who have "obviously fallen through the social safety net". But you are not an "angel" or "a good Christian" or even a "social justice activist". You are an enabler. And as long as you are willing to throw away your hard-earned cash or perfectly good food to them--they will just stay out there. And their numbers will just continue to grow.
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