This Just In...

"Klaatu barada nikto"- 2008

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:01:00 GMT

Keanu Reeves poses for photographs before a screening of the film, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" in Rome, Italy today. (Photo: ALESSANDRO DI MEO, EFE)

Those 50’s drive-in sci-fi flicks were the perfect “B” movies. There were few true classics in this genre. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” in 1951 was one of them. The 2008 remake about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth opens in theaters around the country on December 12, 2008.

Given today's marvelous technology, there's every possibility the 2008 Gort will be just as cool (if not cooler) than the Gort of 57 years ago.

But I fear that's where the contemporary advantages will end. I suspect Hollywood will butcher one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all-time. There is no way Keanu Reeves can pull off a screen performance as good as Michael Rennie.

The remake may be quite good. Doesn't matter. I know it won't come close, except for special effects, to the original.

And those wacky liberal proposals just keep on comin'

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:01:00 GMT

You think Democrats aren’t poised to hoist their loopy liberal agenda upon the rest of us, now that they’re in power? Please, don’t be naïve.

State Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee), who is a friend by the way, hasn’t introduced more than 2-3 bills of substance since he joined the state Senate. Now that Democrats control both houses of the Legislature….BINGO! Coggs comes out of nowhere with his self-proclaimed “progressive agenda.”

Don’t you just love liberals? They can’t come to grips with or stomach calling themselves or their moonbat proposals, “liberal.” Instead, they hide behind the moniker, “progressive.”

Just take a look at all these LIBERAL proposals from the suddenly awakened and rejuvenated Spencer Coggs. While you read, just imagine one right after another being sucked away from you:

Require a background check when a gun is sold or transferred between two private parties. The proposal would also close the “gun show loophole” by requiring purchasers to undergo background checks when firearms are purchased at a gun show.
Ban most sales of handguns to persons under 21.
Prohibit the possession or purchase of a gun by anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving a firearm.
Require licensed and certified day care centers to equip day care vehicle with occupant alarms, which require manual disarming each time the vehicle’s engine is stopped.
Prohibit liquor establishments from opening within 300 fee of an existing day care center.
Require that pay and benefits be ended for Milwaukee police officers fired for rules violations.
Seek additional funding for local district attorneys to cover costs of operating witness protection programs.
Make illegal and provide criminal penalties for those attempting to block, intimidate, suppress or deceive in such a way as to disenfranchise citizens from the right to vote.
Seek to implement several findings of the Governor’s Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System.
Incrementally raise the state minority procurement goal to 7% in 2010 and 10% in 2012.
Create a legal holiday in Wisconsin to recognize June 19 as Juneteenth Day.
Allow the City of Milwaukee and other cities to create a Housing Trust Fund to promote and support affordable, quality housing in Wisconsin.
Require a child to attend a 5-year-old kindergarten prior to entering public school as a first-grade student.
Provide a process for school district residents to object to an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot used by a school.

Yeh, we really need another state holiday in Wisconsin. State Senator Sheila Harsdorf, a Republican, unsuccessfully tried a few sessions back to make Veterans Day a state holiday. If someone so much as questions a state holiday for Juneteenth Day, how quickly does the race card get played?

Get ready, folks. This is only the beginning. You wanted liberals to run everything, you got it.

Ban Black Friday?

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:08:00 GMT

A woman struggles as she comes through the doors with other shoppers at a Wal-Mart store in Secaucus, N.J., shortly after 5:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. Hundreds of people lined up to get into this Wal-Mart for the annual pre-dawn Black Friday bargain hunting. (AP photo)

On the morning after Thanksgiving, a temporary Wal-Mart worker died after a throng of eager shoppers broke down the doors and trampled him moments after a Long Island store opened.

An attorney for Jdimytai Damour, the man who was trampled, is claiming he had been working at the Long Island store for only about a week when he was knocked over. In the attorney's view, the cause of death: lack of training. I prefer the current approach of law enforcement, and that is to find the people who actually trampled this poor man.

And how many people stepped on, jumped over him, or ignored him? For what? A VCR?

There’s now the incredible overreaction of a call to ban Black Friday shopping.

This from the New York Post:

"We are not aware of any other circumstances where a retail employee has died working on the day after Thanksgiving," said Ellen Davis, a spokeswoman at National Retail Federation.

What happened was tragic. But ban early shopping on the morning after Thanksgiving? There has to be a way for stores to set up an orderly system outside for people waiting to get in so that shoppers are lined up single file. It's been done elsewhere for people waiting to buy concert tickets and what not. Beef up your security inside and outside the store. Have people enter the store at each doorway single file with security at the entrances armed with stop watches, allowing one person in every 15-30 seconds.

If people behave like animals over a video game, then changes have to be made. But certainly that shouldn't and won't include banning Black Friday shopping.

The future of America

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:59:27 GMT

At some point during 2008, 30 percent of U.S. high school students have stolen from a store and 64 percent have cheated on a test. That’s according to a survey of nearly 30,000 students in high schools across the U.S. conducted by the Josephson Institute.

The Institute reports, “More than two of five (42 percent) said that they sometimes lie to save money. Cheating in school continues to be rampant and it’s getting worse. A substantial majority (64 percent) cheated on a test during the past year.”

What’s also troubling is that these figures are probably conservative. Today’s high schoolers have a nonchalant attitude about their lying, cheating ways with more than one in four (26 percent) confessing they lied on at least one or two questions on this survey!

No doubt echoing the sentiments of their parents (“Oh, no, my Johnny would neeeeeeever cheat!), 93 percent said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character and 77 percent said that when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know.

Not very promising.

Culinary no-no #89

Kevin Fischer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:00:00 GMT

Imagine a place that served the following:

Barbecue ribs, fried chicken, rib-eye steak, lobster tails, crab legs, roast turkey, stir-fry, cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, egg rolls, breaded shrimp, buffalo wings, chili, crepes, pancakes, omelets, waffles, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, quiches, bacon, polish sausages, pulled pork, corned beef hash, milk shakes and smoothies.

There are pasta bars, salad bars, sandwich and wrap bars with workers dressed in black and white uniforms, hats and bow ties.

For dessert there’s carrot cake, triple chocolate cake, strawberry cheesecake, black forest chocolate cake, devil chocolate cake, banana nut cake, apple pie, cherry pie, chocolate and vanilla pudding, three types of cookies, three types of ice cream bars, cones and popsicles, and five flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream with all the fixings, including caramel and chocolate syrup, crushed nuts, whipped cream, and blueberry and strawberry toppings.

Are you in:

1) A posh country club

2) A commissary in a Forbes 500 company

3) An Ivy League school cafeteria

4) A federal penitentiary where convicted members of Congress are sent

The correct answer is none of the above. You’re actually at a U.S. military base, Camp Speicher, Iraq where our soldiers, obviously, eat pretty well. That’s a sharp contrast to the days when our military had to settle for C-Rations....

And MRE's (Meals Ready-to-eat)....

I can just hear it, the anti-war crowd, normally not at all fiscally conservative that suddenly cries about the cost to the federal budget, questioning the practicality of lobster in battle.

Think there might be some grizzled old veterans who scoff and proclaim that they never got such soft treatment when they were fighting the Nazi's?

Give the Chicago Tribune some credit when it writes: "This is not to say the troops don't deserve a treat or two when they are on base, or as it's known here, 'inside the wire.' Many rise at dawn and spend hours armed to the teeth, patrolling in cramped armored vehicles, hunting for insurgents, looking for deadly roadside bombs or tracking down the next suicide bomber."

However, the reporter couldn't stop there because there has to be that catchy angle that makes this food find a real story. And here it is: Soldiers in Iraq are fighting, are you ready, a Battle of the Bulge. All that good food is causing a strain on the old waistline that rivals that feeling you had about 7:00 Thanksgiving night. Sorry, but if this is a story, it's a nice, feel good, human interest piece. There is no problem in search of a solution.

Let's think about this. Young military men and women in Iraq, where it can get mighty hot....think they won't work off a quesadilla or two?

This isn't 1942 anymore. Our brave men and women in Iraq or anywhere else on the globe putting their lives on the line deserve the best Uncle Sam can give them. The culinary no-no isn't the quality level of the food they're eating. The no-no would be depriving them of that very nice menu.

I don't know, she looks pretty good to me

Kevin Fischer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:36:00 GMT

DISCLAIMER: The following blog contains images of famous women, some scantily-clad. If this offends you, go no further. Of course, if you do, you will miss out on a provocative commentary by yours truly. I might add that I am not a pig. But I'm also not a prude.

First, some background.

On Thanksgiving Day, Britney Spears turned in the first live performance of her current charttopping single “Womanizer” at the 2008 Bambi Media Awards in Offenburg, Germany.

This came a few months after she appeared on the August 2008 cover of OK Magazine.

Britney apparently had to explain to OK Magazine how she got her body back because her 2007 appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards set off a worldwide debate that Britney had gotten to be much too................
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fat.

In September 2007, I blogged about my sincere sympathies for poor Britney who was under attack (did you look at her abdomen?) for being overweight:

"What’s laughable is that a lot of the criticism about Spears and her body are coming from other women.

Saying that Britney Spears is fat is like saying Shaquille O’Neal is a bit on the short side.

It’s ridiculous!

You show me any 25, 30, 40, or 50 year old woman that wouldn’t kill to have the body Britney Spears displayed at the awards show. How about women who’ve had a child or two or three. Think they don’t wish they were as “fat” as Britney?

Oh, it’s hilarious and downright entertaining to see one Hollywood gossip commentator after another bash obese Britney.

Jealous.

Catty.

Silly.

Petty.

Childish.

All of the above."

I delve into this tabloid territority because of the latest (December) issue of Shape Magazine that has country music star Faith Hill on the cover.

Hmmmm.

Is she too fat?

No one that I have found is making that ridiculous accusation. But someone is sure all bent out of shape about Shape's cover. And you can bet your house it's not a male.

Martha Brockenbrough writes for MSN.com and she just can't believe that 41-year old Faith Hill can look this good. It's not possible. She must have had a whole lot of help. She's rich so of course she just bought this great bod. Hard work on her part couldn't possibly be responsible.

Reminds me of the time back in March when FranklinNOW blogger Janet Evans and I had a mild disagreement about Priscilla Presley on Dancing With The Stars (make sure you read the comments section).

In what can only be described as petty jealousy, Brockenbrough is downright incredulous about Faith Hill's physique:

"If Faith Hill's abdomen looks that good after three kids without plastic surgery and a bit of Photoshopping, I'll eat my hat. (I could probably use the fiber anyway.)

Here's my suggested text for that label:

WARNING! ARTICLE CLAIMS DIET AND EXERCISE GAVE 41-YEAR-OLD CELEBRITY A BODY THIS SPECTACULAR. SHE'S ACTUALLY PROBABLY HAD PLASTIC SURGERY, A PERSONAL CHEF, HOURS WITH A TRAINER, AND A LITTLE HELP FROM PHOTOSHOP, SO BEFORE YOU START FEELING GLUM, JUST REMEMBER WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS AN ILLUSION, A MANUFACTURED IMAGE TO SELL MAGAZINES DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU FEEL BEASTLY SO THAT YOU SPEND MONEY TO IMPROVE YOUR LOOKS DESPITE THE CRAPPY ECONOMY."

Brockenbrough continues that she, herself, has exercised like a dog, only to have an abdoment that looks, "pathetic." Therefore, what? Faith Hill is a phony? Faith Hill has been to a surgeon? As if Brockenbrough has never put on an ounce of makeup.

Now here is what Brockenbrough looks like. What's she so uptight about? She certainly doesn't look like....

Alice the Goon from the Popeye cartoons.

I'll tell you why she's about to jump out of her skin. It's because she's a woman. Females can't help themselves.

Instead of complimenting and celebrating women beyond their Miss America-like years for looking terrific, they cattily find fault and claw the more affluent, more famous females to shreds. The vast majority of women would give up their husbands, their homes, their charge cards, their own mothers to look like Britney or Faith. But they don't. So they strike, and the venom flies.

That's not sexist, it's the truth.

Men aren't at all like that. Pardon my bluntness, but they could give a crap. Guys don't rip other guys because the other guys look good. They just don't. They've got other priorities, like whether or not the Packers are going to cover the spread, and where the hell is the remote??!!

I like to look at attractive women as much as the next guy. If Faith Hill wants to parade her 41-year old tummy for all to see while they're checking out at the grocery store, God bless her and this great country. And if that bothers a certain crowd that despises and/or can't afford platsic surgery, then I have one word for them: exercise.

Here is Brockenbrough's entire whine.

PS. If you found this blog offensive, please write to Mark Maley, the online editor. I have made it easy for you by supplying a sample complaint e-mail.

Dear Mark:

I am writing to moan about Kevin Fischer's blog about celebrities in bikinis. His post was vulgar and dirty and completely in bad taste. The last thing I want to do when I click on FranklinNOW.com is to see women in practically nothing. It's this kind of trash that will lead to the downfall of civilization as we know it.

What if a young child were to stumble upon Mr. Fischer's filth? There's no telling how badly that poor youngster would be scarred and for how long. Just what kind of outfit are you running, Mr. Maley? I demand that you try to control Mr. Fischer and rein him in or I promise you I will never, ever come back to your website ever again. And you know what? I will tell all my friends and neighbors not to read FranklinNOW. If you think I'm joking, you have another guess coming. How's them apples? You just put that in your blog pipe and smoke it!

Signed,

Truly disappointed

Do you feel any sympathy about this?

Kevin Fischer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:10:00 GMT

Read...

Of course I feel badly for the woman who had her holiday dinner ruined.

But c'mon. How dumb can you be, in this day and age, to leave a cooler filled with Thanksgiving food outside a home all night, just begging to be stolen?

Fire Leckrone?

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:17:00 GMT

Michael Leckrone has put the University of Wisconsin marching band on the map, developing it into one of the best and most popular university bands in the country. Anyone who’s been to a badger football, basketball, or hockey game or marching band concert knows how gifted Leckrone is and how he imparts his talent into hundreds of youth every year.

The UW Band has been in the news all fall, not because of its ability to perform Broadway medleys, but from news accounts of sophomoric behavior on the part of some who’ve engaged in moronic hazing of fellow band members. It’s possible some of these idiots, the future of America, actually voted on November 4^th.

The editorial board of the Madison-based Wisconsin State Journal has employed the Harry Truman attitude of, “The buck stops here,” and is calling for Leckrone’s head. They editorialize:

“Either Leckrone gets the band to stop the senseless, repulsive hazing of younger members, or UW officials replace Leckrone with someone who can. It’s that simple.”

I don’t think so. While it’s true Leckrone is in charge, personal responsibility must come into play. Leckrone cannot serve as babysitter for hundreds of so-called young adults 24/7. His job cannot be put on the line because some boneheads decided to get really stupid. The ones who are stupid should be held responsible and dropped immediately, from the band and possibly from school. The state is loaded with responsible young men and women who would love to attend UW-Madison. The hazers won’t be missed if shown the door and their spots will gladly be filled in no time.

Leckrone deserves more than a few benefits of the doubt given his long and highly commendable record of service. Threatening Leckrone with dismissal misses the point. The overwhelming majority of his students don’t act like they’re back in junior high. The UW Band has been an incredible ambassador for the school, thanks to Leckrone.

Let’s trash the talk about dumping Leckrone.

What did the Farmer's Almanac say?

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:59:21 GMT

Take a look.

I don't want to hear it

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:33:43 GMT

And that is, how pretty it looks.

Sometime soon, maybe even today on This Just In...

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:30:00 GMT

I will be discussing this...

It's a magazine I can assure you I have never read or even glanced at (until now).

But I have some thoughts, later.

Photos of the Week (11/30/08)

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:00:52 GMT

President George W. Bush greets soldiers after speaking to troops at Fort Campbell, Ky, .Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Bodies lie near the swimming pool of the Taj Mahal hotel after shootings by unidentified assailants in Mumbai November 26, 2008. Elite Indian commandos fought room-to-room battles with Islamist militants inside two luxury hotels to save scores of people trapped or taken hostage, as the country's prime minister blamed neighbouring countries. Picture taken November 26, 2008. Reuters

An Indian soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns during gun battles between Indian military and militants inside the hotel in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at the luxury Mumbai hotel Saturday, ending a 60-hour rampage through India's financial capital by suspected Islamic militants that rocked the nation. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

A National Security Guard commando shows victory sign as he looks out from a window of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at the luxury Mumbai hotel Saturday, ending a 60-hour rampage through India's financial capital by suspected Islamic militants that killed people and rocked the nation.(AP Photo/Gautam Singh)

An Indian commando signs autographs after a successful operation to retake the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Officials were still tallying the toll at sites that were attacked. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)

U.S. soldiers detain an Iraqi man at the scene of a roadside bomb blast which targeted a minibus, in Firdous Square, central Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. Violence has dropped sharply in Iraq since last year, but attacks continue. On Wednesday, hours before the scheduled vote in parliament, a roadside bomb killed two civilians and wounded four others wounded in central Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

In this image from NASA TV, astronaut Stephen Bowen is seen during a space walk outside the International Space Station, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. The spacewalk marks the fourth and final spacewalk of space shuttle Endeavour's nearly two-week visit to the orbiting outpost. (AP Photo/NASA TV)

A migrant worker carries a sofa in Guiyang, China's southwest Guizhou province, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. China is working on an additional economic stimulus plan to supplement the US$586 billion package announced this month with spending on health care and schools, according to a news report. (AP Photo/Color China Photo)

A man lights a candle during a ceremony prior to the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Guatemala City, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. More than 600 women were murdered throughout 2008 in Guatemala, according to human rights organizations. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Rescue workers attend to a pilot whale stranded on Anthony's Beach near Stanley, Tasmania, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. Rescuers returned 11 pilot whales to sea Sunday, a day after a pod of 64 mothers and calves were found stranded on a beach in southeastern Australia. (AP Photo/Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and Water via AAPImage, Rachael Alderman, HO)

Ring-tailed lemurs warm themselves in front of an electric heater at the Japan Monkey Center in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture (state), central Japan, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. The monkeys, native of Madagascar, are not good at maintenance of body temperature and usually bask in the sun or huddle together to keep warm but they got used to the new way from last season, the zoo said. (AP Photo/Kyodo News, Muneyuki Tomari)

Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the game at LP Field on November 23, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) The Jets beat the previously unbeaten Titans, 34-13.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) dives for the end zone as New Orleans Saints' Roman Harper (41) tries for the stop in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. Rodgers scored on the play, but the Saints won handily, 51-29. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Running back Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers loses his helmet while tackled by Anthony Spencer #93 of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 23, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

President George W. Bush stands by as Nathan Hill of Circle Hill Farms from Ellsworth, Iowa, who holds 'Pumpkin' the turkey during the Pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Half of 3,300 donated frozen turkeys still covers the floor as they continue to be distributed to needy families the day before Thanksgiving at the Indian Walk-In Center on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Bags of potatoes, pear, and apples were also given out. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

Abby Harris, 4, checks the wattle on a turkey greeting passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. Despite plummeting gas prices and unusual last-minute holiday deals on airplane tickets, more people were expected to stick close to home this Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Army soldiers from 1-506 Infantry Division enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at their forward operating base in Paktika province. (WISN-AM website)

The Uncle Sam float during the America's Thanksgiving Parade with the theme Legends and lollipops travels down Woodward Ave. headed towards downtown Detroit Thursday. KIMBERLY P. MITCHELL/Detroit Free Press

The Snoopy balloon makes its way through Columbus circle during the The Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 27, 2008. (Reuters photo)

Tennessee Titans fan Terry Pappas wears a turkey hat as he watches the warm-up before the start of the Thanksgiving Day NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan, November 27, 2008. (Reuters photo)

Mercedes Neddle of Milwaukee (left) and her sister-in-law Rosalie Neddle of Milwaukee catch a little shut-eye while they wait for stores at Southridge Mall to open at 4 a.m.Journal Sentinel photo: Michael Sears

People shop in Time's Square Toys 'R' Us store on "Black Friday", in New York November 28, 2008. Shoppers turned up early for holiday sales at stores on Friday, but the annual pilgrimage appeared thinner this year and many consumers vowed to keep spending down due to a shrinking economy. (Reuters photo)

Like many workers, Tom Wisniewski uses duct tape and gloves to protect his hands while making wreaths from balsam boughs at the Rose Wreath Company in Phillips, Wis. Wisniewski, who has worked three seasons at the company, says, "The work is a nice little shot in the arm and helps with everyday living expenses like food and fuel." Journal Sentinel photo: Mark Hoffman

Visitors look at the Christmas flower exhibition 'Christmas calendar pictures in the Advent' in the Mariendom, Cathedral of Mary arches, in Erfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

A boy mariachi plays violin near a shrine to Saint Cecilia during the annual procession and Mass in honor of the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music, November 25, 2008 in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The procession takes place near Mariachi Plaza where Mexican musicians wait curb-side for customers to hire them. Mariachi, the best-known form of traditional Mexican music, is believed to have started in the nineteenth century in the Mexican state of Jalisco, supposedly in the town of Cocula. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Dawn Crofoot a court runner is followed by high flying Cirque du Soleil performer as she crosses the intersection of Congress Street and Church Ave. in downtown Tucson, Ariz., Monday Nov. 24, 2008. The troupe's Saltimbanco show has been reformatted for smaller venues and opened for the first time ever in Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center Wednesday, Nov. 26. (AP Photo/Arizona Daily Star, Greg Bryan)

South Korean children wearing Santa Claus outfits wait to participate in a ceremony to prepare charity pots for a year-end fund-raising campaign for the underprivileged at the Salvation Army office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Beachgoers watch as a surfer cuts back against a wave today at Ali'i Beach in Hale'iwa, sending a plume of water out above the wave. BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Beyonce, center, performs on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center, Wednesday Nov. 26, 2008. Jennifer insisted I include this picture. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

A customer leaves one of the toilets at the 20 stall Charmin public restroom in New York's Times Square Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. They'll be open daily through the end of the year except Christmas Day. For the first time, they'll be open on New Year's Day until 2 a.m. for the crowd watching the 2009 ball drop. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Saul of the Cubacigar company repairs the largest cigar in the world at the Pipe and Tobacco museum of Sint Niklaas on November 27, 2008 in Brussels, Belgium. The cigar is 6.4 meters long, weighs 460 kilos and is made of approximately 9900 tobacco leaves. (Getty Images)

My most popular blogs

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:35:00 GMT

As I post every Sunday, here are the top five most popular of my blog entries from the previous week:

1) Photos of the Week (11/23/08)

2) Recommended reading (11/22/08)

3) 7% less...you don't say?

4) Culinary no-no #88

5) Irving Berlin and Macy's

Fixing the state budget: Here come the wacky solutions

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:20:02 GMT

In the previous legislative session in Madison, with Jim Doyle as governor and Democrats running the state Senate, Republicans who controlled the state Assembly served as the Legislature’s hockey goalie, deflecting one outrageous plan after another (Government-run health care, for one). Not anymore.

During my fill-in stint for Mark Belling Friday on Newstalk 1130 WISN, I asked callers to be Wisconsin legislators. The question was, “What would be the dumbest proposal you could make if you were a Wisconsin, emphasize Wisconsin lawmaker?"

I had two ideas that immediately jumped to mind, and while none of the many callers came up with them, they did suggest some beauties.

Income tax increase. Corporate tax increase. Property tax increases. Fee increases for cosmetology services. Expanding the sales tax.

One woman even facetiously said that since some in Madison think the taxpayers are a bottomless pit, the state should send all state resident flowers on their birthdays.

Bingo on all of those very bad proposals.

These astute listeners, each and every one of them, gave the segment the appropriate segue into the remainder of the discussion that hour. My two nominees for dumbest ideas a Wisconsin lawmaker could propose: an increase in the beer tax and instituting toll roads. I then spent the rest of the segment focusing on the talk that has surfaced about the need for toll roads with the larger issue being that once the new session starts in January, Wisconsin will be flooded with all kinds of ill-advised ideas that ultimately will be harmful to taxpayers. Granted, nothing’s been drafted or introduced. We haven’t seen actual bills on anything so there hasn’t been any analysis performed by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau or Legislative Council. However, some ideas on the surface will always be damaging, especially tax and fee increases in one of the highest taxed states in the country that is already suffering a large budget deficit problem.

Be wary of legislators who say the state must find new sources of revenue. Translation: the state’s sly tax and spenders are putting their heads to together, devising even more cunning ways to separate you from your wallet.

Today, the Wisconsin State Journal lists some of the hair-brained ideas. That’s what happens, folks, when you put Democrats in charge of everything.

And if you’d like to hear any of the segments from my WISN program Friday, click on Mark Belling here. The podcast will be available until late Monday afternoon.

You have got to be kidding!

Kevin Fischer — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:25:00 GMT

5 to 8 inches???!!!

UPDATE: Since I posted Saturday night, the warning has been revised to 6-10 inches. Nice.

Week-ends

Kevin Fischer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:40:00 GMT

A look back at the people and events that made news the past week.
Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...

HEROES OF THE WEEK

LA-area residents

Trevor Thomas

Sendik's

Wisconsin Dells police

VILLAINS OF THE WEEK

Gunmen in Mumbai

Lori Drew

New York shoppers

Wisconsin Dells police

Florida bandit

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"I'd like to be a president [known] as somebody who liberated 50 million people and helped achieve peace. I would like to be a person remembered as a person who, first and foremost, did not sell his soul in order to accommodate the political process. I came to Washington with a set of values, and I'm leaving with the same set of values. And I darn sure wasn't going to sacrifice those values; that I was a president that had to make tough choices and was willing to make them. I surrounded myself with good people. I carefully considered the advice of smart, capable people and made tough decisions."
President Bush in a conversation with his sister, Dorothy Bush Koch, recorded for the oral-history organization StoryCorps for the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. An excerpt of the interview was aired on National Public Radio Thursday, and the White House released additional excerpts.

"The only way you start dealing with this size deficit is there are going to be real consequences for schools and universities and for local governments."
Governor Doyle in an interview with the Green Bay Press Gazette editorial board on the state budget deficit. Doyle says the deficit is $5.4 billion. Some say he's inflating the numbers for political purposes.

"I haven't seen a single issue in the last 20 years that has had such a chilling impact on decisions to expand in Milwaukee or decisions to move to Milwaukee."
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Tim Sheehy said businesses are already reconsidering decisions to expand in or move to Milwaukee in light of a paid sick day requirement scheduled to take effect in February. Sheehy said he received two calls from business owners who said they decided to abandon efforts to seek space in Milwaukee due to the sick pay requirement.

“There’s one example that I successfully used to sell our members on toll roads at the border. Since the indexing repeal, the residents of Wisconsin are left to try and make up some of the transportation trust shortfalls, while the Illinois resident sees no further increase as they drive their (sport-utility vehicle) to their cabin in Minocqua with a couple of (all-terrain vehicles) in tow. Residents are going to have to get used to the idea,”
Terrence McGowan, business manager for Operating Engineers Local 139, said it’s time for Wisconsin to get serious about tolls.

“The benefit of carrying concealed weapons on campus is the same as it is anywhere else where people carry concealed: self-defense."
David Burnett, board member at large for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Student groups supporting the right to carry concealed weapons on campus are preparing to push for legislation in their favor when state governments reconvene in January.

OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK

1) Wisconsin Dells police...see VILLAINS OF THE WEEK

2) Gift certificates for abortions

MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK

Is Wisconsin once again becoming a welfare magnet?

MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK

The economy is so bad that fewer shoppers will be out and retailers will suffer. That's what we were told over and over again before the stampedes at the stores Friday.

STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK

Those really are some crappy ornaments.

Voodoo doll OK, if it has proper warning.

REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.

The Barking Lot

Kevin Fischer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:40:00 GMT

THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.

TODAY: Mostly sunny, dry and seasonal. "C"

SUNDAY: Cold and snowy. "F"

“Santa Baby, forgot to mention one little thing… a ring… I don’t mean on the phone…”

That is my FAVORITE line in the Eartha Kitt classic “Santa Baby.” You can NEVER go wrong giving bling as a gift. Repeat to all my male readers: You can NEVER go wrong giving bling as a gift.

I know what everyone is thinking: Even with my life rapidly changing as my April due date approaches, surely the thing I want most for Christmas is fur. (I don’t mean in a coat, Santa Baby.) But you’re WRONG.

Of course I want a dog. Make that dogs… plural. And all in good time we will have them. But I would never ask for, and most certainly never receive, a dog for Christmas.

In the coming weeks you will hear on local news stations and read newspaper articles about the dangers of giving pets as presents. The ridiculous flip side of this is you will probably also hear commercials from pet stores telling you how wonderful it would be if Suzie or Johnny found a puppy under the tree this Christmas.

This SHOULD be a practical, no-brainer kind of decision. But for some people they really think they’re giving the best gift ever by putting a red ribbon around the neck of an adorable puppy and handing it off.

For some practical advice if you’re even THINKING this is a good idea for a friend or family member, read this.

Well, I guess Kevin is REALLY off the hook this year. I’ve just told everyone that giving a puppy as a Christmas gift is even a worse idea than giving a replica of The Christmas Story “Leg Lamp.” So, no dog for me under the tree. And since I already have more bling than I can handle with my beautiful wedding ring, well… But come to think of it I never mentioned that THESE were silly or frivolous.
---Jennifer Fischer

OK, I better make a note of this. On 11/29/08, Jennifer said she has enough bling. I'm so glad Tiffany's has a wonderful return policy.

Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.

Stray dogs are in danger in Iraq.

The Humane Society is suing retailers and designers over their claims of fake fur.

Controversial film about a German shepherd is released on DVD.

John Travolta brings out his inner dog in the the new Disney film, "Bolt."

Uno is one busy beagle.

Enjoy your retirement, Shiloh!

Want to adopt a dog? Try Kenosha.

And here's a Thanksgiving message from the SPCA:

Give Thanks for the Animals

Dear Friends,

Dogs and cats live simplistically. They expect little and own nothing. They give generously without even knowing it. Sharing time with these amazing companions repeatedly reminds us of how simple, yet enjoyable, life can be.

With another year about to come to an end, and the inherent craziness that seems to come with the holiday season, this is a good time to learn from and cherish dogs and cats. This Thanksgiving we hope you will reach into your heart and remember the kindness animals impart and return their love by donating to help protect animals everywhere. Please, give back to the animals who give us all so much love, comfort and joy.

This year, SPCA International saved many dogs and cats who made a real difference in peoples’ lives. Bandaid was befriended by a soldier in Iraq whose job it was to counsel fellow soldiers struggling with the emotional challenges of war. “I think Bandaid has counseled more than 100 soldiers – and in some ways she has done it more effectively than me,” the soldier explained. “Men and women wrapped their arms around her and got the comfort they needed. What Bandaid did was so simple and invaluable.”

SPCA International has one wish for the New Year and that is to be able to continue to help all animals. Through our programs we can save animals and at the same time, help people by ensuring that these special bonds are allowed to continue.

Give today to make something wonderful happen. The joy in knowing that you helped change the life of animals and people is giving at its best. It is a genuine gift that will never wear out or be forgotten. End the year thankful for the difference you have made.

Thank you for all you do for animals everywhere. Everyone here at SPCA International wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

JD Winston
Executive Director
SPCA International

P.S. Spread the word! Please forward this email to your family and freinds.

That's it for this week. To close this week's Barking Lot, back by popular demand, Rowlf at the piano with a very special guest.

Store windows in downtown Milwaukee: Oh, is it Christmas?

Kevin Fischer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:53:00 GMT

During my fill-in stint for Mark Belling today at WISN, one of our segments dealt with why people no longer like to shop at large indoor malls. One woman said the malls lack the holiday feeling. She particularly was saddened by the lack of holiday window displays in downtown MIlwaukee. They've been just about non-existent. Not so in New York. Here are some pictures from the New York Times:

Gingerbread houses are part of the Victorian-themed display at Lord & Taylor this year. (Photo: Lia Chang/Lord & Taylor)

The Macy’s holiday window uses playful language. (Photo: Jennifer 8. Lee/The New York Times)

The holiday windows at Bloomingdale’s windows are done in a style of pop-up greeting cards representing a a Normal Rockwell-like vision of mid-20th-century America. (Photo: Matthew Carasella)

Saks Fifth Avenue’s windows follow the tale of a children’s book, “A Flake Like Mike,” about an individualistic snowflake. (Photo: Saks Fifth Avenue)

Good luck finding anything like this in downtown Milwaukee.

Thank you again, J.Gravelle

Kevin Fischer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:43:35 GMT

I appreciate your guest blogs today. Seems there's no tar and feather crowd this time. Must be that holiday spirit, but with who? J. or the readers?

J. will return to This Just In before the end of 2008.