Bend over and grab your ankles rant

America is a country that was built on transportation.
Nobody can expect to change that overnight. But we have a
problem and people better seriously pay attention. If you
are on a fixed income, and aren’t we all, get ready for
heating bills this winter over $800 a month, if you paid
$200 last year.

Experts say there are numerous reasons for this. One is
the devaluation of our dollar. Another is that Congress
blatently refuses to admit there is a problem, and clings
to the belief that ethanol is the cure-all to our gas
problems. It is neither a solution to, nor stopgap for
our rising gas prices.

We believe these experts are dead-on when they say the
most important issue of this election will be who has the
answer for our energy problem among the Presidential
candidates.

Also if members of Congress, or the House are running
for re-election, please research how they voted on these
issues before voting. America doesn’t need another great
depression.

You can blame whatever branch of government you want, but
everybody needs to be aware that this whole energy shortage
could have averted as far back as the late 1970’s. Congress
has not allowed a single refinery to be built. It didn’t
sanction exploration into other sources of energy. While
the windmills are fine for electricity, the problem lies
more with transportation and heating. Both are petroleum
problems.

We don’t need universal health care. We don’t need the
government taking over the airlines. We need less govenment
and more choices. We say, we’d rather have gas at $2 a
gallon, and be able to heat our home for $200 a month; than
government run health care and airlines with gas at $10 a
gallon and $800 to heat our homes.

If heating costs go up a much as some project, unemployment
will be at a high we haven’t seen in decades. And when the
unemployment rate gets that high, the crime rate goes through
the roof. But will that make any real difference if you’re
paying $800 a month to heat a four room house, and just as
much to keep gas in your car to go to work? That is if you
still have a job.

Open Alaska for drilling, allow us to drill in the Gulf of
Mexico; start producing coal oil, and shale oil now. Unless
the next House, Congress, and President want to be known
throughout history as the administration that drove this
Country into a depression, somebody had better get moving.

Let’s hear a candidate who has a clearcut plan on how to
get out of this mess. We should also put Congress on notice
that if they don’t quit bickering along party lines, and do
the job they were elected for, we will replace them with
people who can. Think about it.

Comments on this or any other subject are welcome.

Some 2008 events

With the new year we thought we’d post some upcoming events. At the bottom is a link to a quiz that will help you determine who to vote for if you’re undecided. Just answer a few questions and the best suited candidate for your beliefs will be chosen.

The 7th Annual Hangover Fest is on. New Years day the gates open at 10 am. Admission is $10 for spectators and racers. Free aspiriin and can coozies will be handed out at the gate, with $1 bloody marys for those over 21 and not racing. For more information, or to check the latest on if it’s still a go, you can go to the website-
http://www.cordovadrag.com/

 Later this month, and also car related, is the 25th Annual Rod & Custom Auto, Motorcycle & Products Show January 25th through the 27th. It’s held again this year at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island. The 2008 NSRA Give-Away car will be on display at this event. Show hours are Friday, 5pm-10pm; Saturday 10 am to 10 pm; and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm. General admission is $6, with kids 6 and younger free. A little later there will be discount tickets available. for more information to to-  http://www.sturgisontheriver.com

 On Friday, February 1st at 6 pm, the Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers is going to hold a Science Trivia Night at St. Ambrose University in the Rogalski Center Ballroom in Davenport. It’s open to the public and has some neat things going on. For information, cost, and contact person to register, go to the  news release.

 If you don’t know who you’re going to vote for, you can fill out this quiz. It will match your answer to a candidates platform. To see how it works go to-
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

 We’re getting cabin fever and are more than ready for a car show. The shoveling is done, again, and the snow is off the cars so we’re going to have a cup of coffee. Comment on whatever’s on your mind.

Boominators

 We’re getting ready to go on patrol with the Guardian Angels, but felt this had to be posted. To the boominators, or anyone like thinking- this blog will not allow negative attacks. I have deleted both of your comments.  The election is over. Boom won, Idiots! If this is how your side is going to react to your candidate winning, you’ll be doing it somewhere else. NO MORE RUMORS- if it is a FACT and can be proven, you may post it. Otherewise take your alegations elsewhere. Adults are more than welcome to comment.

Post election open thread

So now we againsters are supposed to feel so sad, we lost. The build it at any cost side won. Meyer got beat, Olsen lost. Wow! The problem there is Meyer didn’t even campaign, had  negative illegal actions taken against him, and still took 43.4% of the vote. Olsen only lost by 1% with a last minute negative campaign thrown at her. What a landslide! And to you guys’ credit, we got the best politicians money can buy, and it didn’t cost our side a dime.

 We’ll wait and see if the projected budget this council votes in stays at $161 million, or if it magically increases. This particular redneck feels that running the city at a cost of over $1.6 million per resident is not a deal. We’ll wait until the lawsuits get settled along with the appeals, then maybe we’ll be sad.

 Consider this an open post as we’ll be busy again. Comments on about anything are welcome.

A few more thoughts

The election results will be in within hours, we hope you voted. When I was asked to post who I predicted to win the election, I balked. When I did post something it was the Dream Team. I also stated it wasn’t an endorsement, or meant to sway your vote. It was my opinion. Me, cruiser, a committee of one. I assumed others would post their picks and we could compare. But here’s the thing- Don’t ask me what I think, then get mad because you don’t like my answer. It is simply that, what I think.

 Politics is a heated subject, that’s why I usually talk cars. So tonight, everybody take a deep breath, listen to the results and tomorrow we can return to normal. I don’t pretend to know who’s going to get elected, even if nobody I voted for gets in, the City won’t fall into ruin. In elections I do tend to pick people I agree with, if they’re known to us. But also people I don’t know, if they are running on the right platform.

 This was a very clean campaign by the candidates, but the peanut gallery got a little crazy. We’ll know shortly is their negative attacks worked. Good luck to all the canidates, and thank you for running. And a thank you to everyone who voted. I’m going to get more work done so consider this a thread for any comments.

 And walnut, I have no hard feelings against anyone.

A few points to ponder

We want to get a few points accross before we get busy tomorrow. In no particular order here they are-

 The candidates have done about all they can do before the election, now it’s up to us voters. It’s our chance to enable a change in our City Council. Some incumbents didn’t run for re-election, other races are contested. Now it’s our turn to vote in whomever we feel is the best for the opening. All the candidates have earned a thank you for running a clean campaign. We wish they all could win, but only half will. A well deserved nod to all the candidates.

 This election we’ve also noticed more candidates using the internet as a tool to get their word out. Some have even used us bloggers. We as bloggers have an opportunity to keep this door open after the election. We only hope some who are elected see us as way to get the news to a different group of citizens instead of just rumormills. We are now at a crossroads where we, as bloggers could work together with the City Council to inform this group.

 In an earlier comment I stated that ex-Police Chief Bladel confirmed blogs weren’t a news source. A while back Alderman Meyer emailed him asking if a couple blogs could be added to the media release list. Bladel replied that blogs weren’t a legitimate news source. We can only guess why, but this blog would like to change that perception.

 A nod to Jim Fisher and his producer Jeremy Link of WOC talk radio for mentioning the blogs as a news source, and also for allowing the candidates another outlet to get their word out. They kept the interviews entertaining and educational.

 And a goodbye to snarky, we will miss her slant on things. Good luck to you and yours.

 This is the last rambling thoughts of an old redneck before the elections. Your comments are welcome.

Vote

 Tomorrow is election day. This particular election can set a precedent. We are saddened that although the candidates have run clean campaigns, others have not. Once again we ask you, if you haven’t made up your mind on who you’re going to vote for, please take a little time today to research and decide.

 In this electronic age it is amazing the information one can discover. Read the paper, listen to the talk radio show, watch TV, go to the candidates websites, or various blogs and see what the candidates are saying. Don’t let the special interests win. All we ask is that you vote knowing who you think is best suited for the job at hand. In the case of incumbents, remember what they’ve done. If you like their record, vote for them. Their opponents all have campaigns, and platforms.  Voting is a privilege our government gives us, please take advantage of it.

 We would really like to see a record number at the polls tomorrow. It doesn’t take long, it doesn’t hurt, and you get a free little ‘I voted’ sticker. As an added incentive, we’ll go back to posting about cars and crime, but Walnut can still call me crazy if he wants.

Jenn Olsen attack

 The following is a letter to editor that the QC Times wouldn’t print for Jenn Olsen. It is unchanged and will be followed by our comments.

 As the latest victim of a negative campaign smear, I would like to share with the voters of Davenport how unnamed special interests use out of state resources in a cowardly attempt to manipulate Davenport’s city elections.

An active investigation is still underway and will not be completed until after the November 6th elections.  But I can give you a working theory that fits the known facts.  An out of state individual with possible connections to Davenport interests places an unsubstantiated complaint with the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Ethics Board.    The complaint alleges that my campaign website for Alderman At Large is advertising my law practice.  The Iowa Board is required to investigate all complaints without regard to merit.  It will be at least six months until their findings are published.   I expect the board to find complaint without merit. 

At the same time as the complaint was filed, anonymous faxes and e-mails flooded the local news media and blog sites.  I would image the next step will be the infamous auto dialers, the perfect tool for pushing lies and half-truths just before the election.  It’s been done in the past and will probably be done again in an attempt to manipulate the voters of Davenport.  I am proud of having run a positive campaign. I am asking the people of Davenport to help me make our city better and vote the special interests out of the process.

Jennifer Olsen
Davenport, Iowa

———————————————————

 When is the scuttlebutt going to end. While it isn’t illegal for political pacs to spread rumors and lies, we feel it should be. We believe a law should be enacted that makes it a felony for these groups to do this. Maybe they could learn some manners in prison.

 These groups have had free reign too long. It all goes back to our belief people should be held accountable for their actions. We have noticed these guttersnipes always spread their trash annonymously. If you really believe the garbage you’re trying to feed us, put YOUR name on it.

 We put up with it when it was mainly in newspapers, annonymous fliers, or by autodialer. But here’s a newsflash, most of us have caller ID. We know that where the call originated at least shares your belief that your candidate has to get in any cost. We do not. You actually help us with some candidates because if you support them, we won’t.

 Now it is showing up on the blogs, by annonymous posters of course. We want no part of it. If a rumor is posted on this blog that could damage a candidate or sitting politician, we will delete it as soon as we see it. We may go so far as to post YOUR email address as someone who does so. Blogs have a bad enough reputation without your lies.

 We feel you have sunk to a new low with your gutless attack on Jenn Olsen. To leak the  information to the Tv stations is one thing, most had the common sense to leave it alone, but when you know it isn’t true you went too far. You must really be afraid Jenn Olsen is going to stand by her campaign promises.

Election, boogie woogie open thread

The QC Times came out with their endorsments today. Of course it is very different from ours. To see their endorsements-
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/11/02/opinion/opinion/doc472ab7507a51e316957317.txt
 If you have webtv, go here.

 Also remember the blogs have information on this also. Beyond a doubt Snarky has the most information, but most the other sites have something on them also. We need to educate ourselves before we vote, do so intelligently and in bigger numbers. If you feel strongly about your candidate(s), then vote. Even if you don’t have a favorite, vote. 

 After you do all the research you can ‘Boogie through life with Grandma Faith’. If you’re old enough to remember boogie woogie music, turn the speakers up and you can take a stroll down memory lane by checking out-
http://www.members.shaw.ca/grandmafaiths2/boogie.htm

 We haven’t heard any more on the Rockabilly Reunion that’s going to happening today and tomorrow. If we find anything out later we’ll let you know. We’ll try an open thread again so comments on any subject are welcome.

Dream team of current candidates

An annonymous commenter asked if we could do an endorsement of all candidates running for all city positions. We don’t do this sort of thing, but decided we’d do a post on who would make our ‘dream team’. This isn’t meant to sway your vote, just who we think would get our city running in the right direction and do so in a professional manner. There are no guarantees espressed, or implied by us that these candidates will follow through on their campaign promises.

 We don’t have a favorite for Mayor, but lean toward Phil Yerrington only because we know of him. He has experience and we believe can end the circus atmosphere of recent meetings.

 For Alderperson-At-Large, Jenn Olsen is definitly our one choice, still working on the rest. We believe she will help achieve the goal of an open government, won’t bow to special interest, and has a definite plan to lower our crime rate. We’re not a big fan of Ian Frink since the ‘gang of four’ closed meetings that involved small like-thinking groups working behind everyone’s back. If we had to choose a second right now, we’d go with Tina Clawson.

 In the 1st. Ward race we like Pat Gibbs hands down. After hearing him on Jim Fishers talk show we feel he’s the one to help straighten up the police manpower problem from within. He has a handle on what we feel the problem really is; getting more cops out of the Station and on the street.

 The 2nd. Ward is a no-brainer. We feel that Shawn Hamerlink has been doing a good job, has gained experience in his first term, and would do a great job if re-elected.

 The 3rd. Ward shouldn’t surprise anyone, we feel Keith Meyer is still the best fit for the ward. Even though the CA and current Mayor have tried to muzzle him, he still gets the questions asked. If Alderman Meyer got even half his questions answered we would be a better informed city. We see nothing wrong with the voting public knowing what is going on downtown.

 The 4th. Ward still belongs to Ray Ambrose. He’s another Council member we feel has been getting a bad rap.

 In the 5th. we’re still leaning toward Bill Lynn. We feel a smear campaign has been waged against him also.

 In the 6th. Ward we feel Dale Gilmour is a good fit. While both candidates make good points we feel his campaign is closer to what we believe the problems are. Being a car guy doesn’t hurt either.

 In the 7th. Ward we wish Doc would have made it through the primary. Barney Barnhill must like to hear himself talk the way he runs on. We would lean toward Marcia Patch just because of all the negative rumors that seem to be floating around.

 In the 8th. Ward we would go with Mike Matson. We like his campaign promises.

 That would be our team out of the roster. This in no way means the other candidates aren’t as qualified, just our opinion. Since we live in the 5th. Ward we feel that’s the only one that should really matter. Regardless of who gets elected we feel the next council will be a leaner, more professional team. While that’s bad for bloggers and talk show hosts, it’s a whole lot better for our city. Share your thoughts, and remember to vote Tuesday.