Jordan Independent - Blog entry - Comments

I love the line, "No attacks

GeneralStads — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:05:51 -0600

I love the line, "No attacks on wages; no layoffs for state and University of Minnesota workers"

Since when are state employees and U of M workers so special that they should be exempt from the effects of an economic slowdown. This just shows the sham that this organization is.

Also this one, "Protect public education. No tuition hikes!"

If you are talking about college, yes, I agree, students cannot afford tuition hikes. That means that the U of M and other colleges that receive our tax dollars should slow down their growth. In 43 of the last 49 years, college tuition inflation has exceeded the nation's inflation rate, some years it is double or triple. The problem is not too little taxpayer dollars dumped into higher education, the problem is their rampant appetite for taxpayer dollars.

Prior to the playoff loss, I

Mathias Baden — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:58:34 -0600

Prior to the playoff loss, I tried to pick up a Tarvaris Jackson jersey, but they weren't on sale for $40 anymore. In fact, they were sold out. I bought Aaron Rodgers instead. Just kidding. Having fun with you, Thom, my friend. Go Lions!

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

I agree; that's a horrible

Katrina Styx — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:53:28 -0600

I agree; that's a horrible way to treat an employee.

The feeling I get from adults I've talked to who are thinking about post-career options is that there's enough uncertainty to make them doubt whether they are actually able to retire while maintaining some standard of living. The reaction, of course, is that many of them are not giving up their jobs, even if they technically could retire. I've often wondered if that freezes job mobility and causes a pile-up on the bottom end. Those who have been around for years are often at the top, and if they don't leave, no one moves up and no jobs open for entry-level workers.

Of course, I'll admit I have no evidence of this. It's just a question and a personal theory.

(Katrina Styx is a staff writer for the Jordan Independent. She can be reached at kstyx@jordannews.com.)

And while the subject was

RiverValleyGirl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:45:52 -0600

And while the subject was brought up about lifestyle changes like changing your own oil, and not knowing how to cook..those are perfect examples for starting points! Teach that kid down the street without a dad how to maintain his vehicle. Instead of sitting down and watching YouTube videos, as cool as hilarious as that can be, compile and print out some 5 ingredients or less recipes for a friend who is used to going out a lot, and never learned how to cook..better yet cook the dinner together! Show her how! How does the saying go...teach a man to fish...Again, it is easy to sit and say "this is how people should live" but to take the time to do it...that is the challenge...and a big part of that challenge is due to our insatiable desire to be individualistic. I come first, you come...screw you buddy I don't even know your name!

I practice money saving techniques even when times are not hard. Instead of buying new toys, get together with other people who have kids and trade. Kids grow tired of toys quickly anyway. Same can be done with video games for older children. I am actively involved in an online group called freecycle, you can post what you don't want and reply to things you do. These simple ideas may seem like a no brainer to some, but to others it is really a new idea.

I firmly believe that these small changes will result in greater self reliance for all people. I have experienced so many good things that life as an American has to offer....frequent foreign and domestic travel, continuing education into adulthood, owning nice cars, going to do basically whatever I want...movies, vacations etc. Of all the places I have traveled, nice cars I have owned, and luxurious vacations I have taken pale in comparison to the feeling you get when you make a lasting positive impact in another person's life.

Would it be better, though,

Katrina Styx — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:44:12 -0600

Would it be better, though, if bailout money was given directly to the people?

I crunched some numbers a few weeks ago and this is what I came up with: If we took the $700,000,000,000 plus the $15,000,000,000 being injected into corporate powerhouses and divided it up among the 301,139,947 people (as of July 2007; let's just round up to 302 million to be safe) in the U.S., each one of us would get a check of more than $2,300.

I suppose that would grow even more if there was a salary cut-off that denied that check to the wealthiest and split it across those earning a low-enough salary to qualify.

Just some thoughts.

(Katrina Styx is a staff writer for the Jordan Independent. She can be reached at kstyx@jordannews.com.)

Ancestry was not my point,

RiverValleyGirl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:21:28 -0600

Ancestry was not my point, but yes I do know my ancestry as far as arriving in Marystown in 1858 from Darmstadt Germany. Also, I did not really mean that it gives them a right to blame others for their situation. The meaning behind the examples were for people to see that America is not the perfect Utopia of vast wilderness for the taking that we were taught in textbooks. Part of being in a bad situation is realizing how you got there, and assessing the options for resolution. I do know people who wallow and blame, and life is not easy or good for them!

My main point is for people to look at the humanity involved. I am not talking about getting a handout to stay in the house that was way out of of your budget. I am talking about basic, life sustaining needs being met. I am not talking about staying on welfare, being jobless etc. I am saying that no matter what, laziness, drug addiction, spending carelessly, citizens of our state and country should not be dying in the streets as a result of any situation caused in their life internally or externally.

The list posted is ridiculous! Of course! In my opinion, it sounds like a type of ransom note or demand list... and you are absolutely right in the following statement

We are all responsible for ourselves and should all stop acting like we are entitled brats of a 90210 zip code.

I couldn't agree more! And once we are able to be responsible for ourselves we need to look around at our fellows members of the human race and say "hey buddy...I see you struggling, my family and I are warm, clothed and fed. Can I help you?" Then there will not be a need for government handouts and extended welfare. I don't mean hand the guy money, and more money and leave..really help them. Instead of watching TV call the guy you know was laid off and for the first time in his life has to swallow his pride and sign up for foodstamps..or call the single mother you know and offer to watch her children so she can look for a new job, work on her resume, take job training classes, and go to interviews. We all know someone who just needs a little boost to keep them from becoming another statistic...and if you do not you are a fortunate person indeed because human suffering is all around us and Jordan is no exception.

We are all acting like entitled brats. I am glad I live here, it may not be perfect, but at least I don't have to watch my child starve to death in front of my eyes because my country puts a price cap on human dignity. Prisoners who have committed violent and heinous crimes have more entitlement than a homeless woman and her children. At least he/she gets three hots and a cot. America is better than this....we need to be.

Do you know exactly where

elkes4 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:30:59 -0600

Do you know exactly where your ancestry came from? I can say none of us truly does. I have German in me and can say without doubt that I am not against people of Jewish heritage. I believe that I have Native American in me but would refuse to live on a reservation even if it meant free money. I am American and do not need to blame other people for the position that I am in. I chose to learn from previous generations instead of using them as a crutch as to why I don’t live in a mansion with a dowry. We are all responsible for ourselves and should all stop acting like we are entitled brats of a 90210 zip code. I will take a gene test if you like and my zip code is 55352, however I am not here to prove that I am one or another race or from a wealthy family.

Far too many people feel that they are entitled to handouts and just because they gave one person what I would consider a free handout, they may as well give me one too? Heck, why don't we all just stay home and get nothing done and they can just keep shoveling out the money. The solution is not more handouts; the solution is not demanding money at governmental gunpoint from an otherwise lawful citizen. Where, may I ask, does the money come from? Do you have some individuals already in mind to rob? Or are we waiting for Arbor Day to plant some money trees? The national debt has to be looked at some time, not just ignored as a beast too intimidating to subdue. I made a statement that is as careless as the demands of the extortionists. To believe that demanding money from a singled out group of individuals is anything better than the fraud and thievery that has caused this problem is as silly as any idea I have heard so far. The cure would be that individuals (not all) who demand free money because they feel wronged, stop and think before they act on buying a house out of their range, change the oil in their car instead of feeling that someone owes them a brand new shiny one, eat at home, instead of using an excuse that they do not know how to cook. The statements above show how lazy our society has become, and I have only listed a few. They also show that if people of our society lived in the past we would surely have a lot of people to bury. I attempted to say this in an easier statement which you can read above.

I don't remember the exact

elkes4 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:50:02 -0600

I don't remember the exact size, but I believe it was released and it was a Muskellunge. Pretty huge though. He also caught a large big mouth bass; he had both pictures in the church bulletin. I think religious clergy of all faith have moved more towards fishing due to the lack of sheep…. maybe? Just a theory because I know some of the pastors and leaders of other religions around here are also fishers.

The bailout story caught my

RiverValleyGirl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:20:32 -0600

The bailout story caught my attention, but part of a careless comment changed my attention.

"Our ancestors rode leaky boats for weeks or months to get here, beat the forest and grasslands back with sticks and machetes to tame this place. The buried children, brothers and elderly all along the way and built this country with sweat and tears. They had nothing and many of them lived their whole lives just to get a little more than nothing."

The version of U.S. history that I have come to understand is that we not only beat the forest and grasslands back to "tame this place" but we also beat back an entire race of people almost to the point of total genocide. Oh, and building the country with sweat and tears, I'm pretty sure those were the sweat, tears, AND blood of another race of people enslaved to build up this country for rich people.

Our ancestors had the CHOICE to come to America. Our ancestors were not enslaved, forced onto leaky boats, or forced to "tame" the country already inhabited by HUMAN BEINGS living in food collecting/ horticulturist societies.

I see that you are trying to make your point concerning your opinion about the "people's bailout" by using examples to stir up people's emotions and pride concerning ancestry...but the sick truth is that this country was founded on violence, bloodshed, and exploitation.

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with your opinion about the people's bailout...although I do have one question for you....how do you rent an apartment after losing your home if potential landlords do credit checks and require first and last month rent and you have no job? Sorry to say, it isn't just as simple as "lost your house, rent an apartment" I believe it is a little more complex than that... I agree that handouts are NOT the answer,but what do we do with these masses of people, cram them into settlement camps? Let's pretend for a moment that ALL of these people (including their innocent children) made poor decisions regarding credit, debt, and employment, drug addiction whatever...does this mean they don't even deserve shelter, food and heat in winter? Are they not still HUMAN BEINGS deserving of the most basic of life's necessities?

It is easy to sit back at our computers and say "well so and so was an addict, lazy, too far into debt etc. screw them, they don't deserve any "welfare" What is more difficult is to find REAL solutions for our societal problems. Why not focus the energy on finding solutions instead of sitting back and passing judgment. How many people reading this have been homeless? How many have faced a life crippling drug addiction? How many people reading this have seen the face of a baby born to a crack addicted mother? Look into the tiny infant's face screaming with crack withdrawal and tell me that when that child grows up it is her/his fault for being born to a homeless drug addict riddled with debt, and how dare they not have a job and house of their own.

I am sorry for singling you out, but that comment irked me. Everyone reading this, please remember the humanity behind these problems. They are not numbers and statistics, they are people.

For anyone doubting the brutality of Minnesota's beginnings...here is a painful reminder that Mankato Minnesota was the site for the largest mass execution in
Unites States history.

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200209/23_steilm_1862-m/

How big is the biggest fish

Mathias Baden — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:52:39 -0600

How big is the biggest fish he's caught? I mean, a guy can say a guy is a pretty good fisherman, but the proof is in the pudding. I wouldn't know if he's not a good fisherman -- just asking.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Minnesota Vikings-related

Mathias Baden — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:49:00 -0600

Minnesota Vikings-related comments would make sense in one of these: http://www.jordannews.com/search/node/vikings. Since you last posted here, I've added one specific to the offseason. Here: http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/local-games/vikes-offseason.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

I think these people need to

elkes4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:47:10 -0600

I think these people need to be sent to rehab soon. A friend of mine used to say crack don't smoke itself.... I did notice that they forgot to ask for a Big Screen Television, maybe just an oversight.

Let me start by saying that

bucky — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:25:40 -0600

Let me start by saying that there are those who actually need a little help. There have always been, and there always will be. That's life, and most of us have been in need at some point.

But are you kidding me??

Want, want, want. Everybody WANTS and no one wants to pay. This might be the most ludicrous proposal I've ever heard. Maybe the most ludicrous that anyone has heard.

Does this group seriously aim to make a case for a bailout that would allow, if not encourage joblessness? No one cold or hungry? Not possible in our climate!

Everyone's economic problem is his/her own to deal with. Not the government's. Not the wealthy's.

Do I think the bailouts that have already occurred are more or less a joke? Absolutely. But adding more for every group who feels like getting a handout isn't the answer. It only perpetuates the problem.

The real problem with our economic crisis is that Americans have become spoiled and complacent. It's been far too easy to get "stuff" in the past decade. Everybody wants everything, and they don't want to go without. Anyone who can fog a mirror can buy a home worth 4 to 5 times their income, even if there is no way to keep that home long term.

Your house is just your house. The people and your things inside it are what makes it your home. Your job is just your job. The average worker changes jobs 7 times in his/her career, changes industries at least twice.

Ever since I can recollect, layoffs make the news. Northwest Airlines lays off 5,000 workers. Ford cuts 2 assembly plants and 22,000 jobs. People move on and find new jobs. No one is irreplaceable at work--regardless of your income tax bracket.

There are plenty of jobs for people to go and work. Not necessarily in the income bracket you're used to, certainly not in the field you desire. But JOBS are out there, if people are willing to work. Everyone's just too damned proud to step back a notch or two.

Our ancestors rode leaky boats for weeks or months to get here, beat the forest and grasslands back with sticks and machetes to tame this place. The buried children, brothers and elderly all along the way and built this country with sweat and tears. They had nothing and many of them lived their whole lives just to get a little more than nothing.

They would puke their guts out and disown those of us complaining about what we have or don't have today. Groups like this want to tax a hundred thousand of our wealthiest citizens to save the backsides of twenty or thirty million on the bottom. Tell me, where does that stop?

Welfare needs to have an end date so that those who abuse it need to stop. Immigration needs to encourage and demand a desire for citizenship so that those who don't want to be Americans go back where they came from. If you can't sustain your standard of living with 5 years of assistance, you need to change your standard of living. Lost your job? Find a new one. Lost your home? Rent an apartment.

And for crying out loud, stop asking everyone else to fund your existence.

My only concern is if they

elkes4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:55:10 -0600

My only concern is if they plan to increase the digital signal during daytime hours? The evening hours signal is still weak however does receive. Does anyone know if they are increasing the digital when they cut the analog? I am unable to mount an antenna on my roof due to neighborhood covenants and have an antenna in the roof inside of my garage, the reception is weakened and I already have to rely on boosting the signal. Does Ms Klobuchar intend to in act repeal on covenants to allow for the ability of signal increase? Also, the lower part of town has been blocked from some signals due to the (hole) in the ground theory and the residents of Shule Haus are concerned that their signal will be diminished by the change. Perhaps if some intent of signal strength was aired it could clear up some of the confusion. If the signal strength decreases or remains the same I see this as a push and win for one of the other two modes of reception, those being Satellite or Cable.

Also with the transition is it possible that local access channels be transmitted to air instead of just cable? It seems a little sided that if we wish to attain public accesses that we need to purchase cable, doesn't it?

Yeah, but the packer fans

elkes4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:19:17 -0600

Yeah, but the packer fans have had a longer season for the sale items... I can always look forward to getting a jersy or flag for pennies on the dollar at the end of the season.