Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spring Has Sprung
A beautifully sunny (albeit chilly) day. The birds are singing like crazy--it seems every year I wonder, were they this vocal last spring? And the Brewers start on Thursday. I'm taking more walks (because I can), and am really enjoying doing so. My legs are still a bit out of control, and my shins (yes, my shins) are completely spent by walk's end, but I'm doing great (well, except for my NCAA bracket...). HAPPY SPRING! (and GO, BREWERS!)
Friday, March 25, 2011
More lies from my Governor
As you may or may not remember, Governor Scott Walker's "budget-repair" bill was passed in the Assembly just after 1:00 AM, when many Democrats (and even some Republicans) weren't in attendance. Then a quickly called committee meeting allowed the Senate to also take the vote soon thereafter, despite a democratic committee member protesting that no one even had time to read the bill.
I just happened to stumble upon a Walker quote from the Appleton Post-Crescent (April 24, 2010), when he was running for Governor:
(Walker) promised to sign legislation if elected governor that prohibits the Legislature from voting after 10 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
"I have two teenagers and I tell them that nothing good happens after midnight. That's even more true in politics," he said in a statement. "The people of Wisconsin deserve to know what their elected leaders are voting on."
So the people of Wisconsin really DON'T deserve to know what their elected leaders are voting on, after all?
Again, shame on you, Governor Walker.
P.S. An appeals court just said a Milwaukee ordinance requiring sick leave for private corporations--which was voted for by an overwhelming majority of Milwaukeeans two years ago--is valid. I am SOOOO curious as to how Walker plays this. When the votes favor HIS agenda, he says, "Hey, the people voted for it." Well, the people voted for THIS, Governor. So, do you follow the same rules you've asked everyone else to accept regarding YOUR laws and accept the "people's will," or do you pull strings--and invoke hypocrisy--to change the rules?
I just happened to stumble upon a Walker quote from the Appleton Post-Crescent (April 24, 2010), when he was running for Governor:
(Walker) promised to sign legislation if elected governor that prohibits the Legislature from voting after 10 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
"I have two teenagers and I tell them that nothing good happens after midnight. That's even more true in politics," he said in a statement. "The people of Wisconsin deserve to know what their elected leaders are voting on."
So the people of Wisconsin really DON'T deserve to know what their elected leaders are voting on, after all?
Again, shame on you, Governor Walker.
P.S. An appeals court just said a Milwaukee ordinance requiring sick leave for private corporations--which was voted for by an overwhelming majority of Milwaukeeans two years ago--is valid. I am SOOOO curious as to how Walker plays this. When the votes favor HIS agenda, he says, "Hey, the people voted for it." Well, the people voted for THIS, Governor. So, do you follow the same rules you've asked everyone else to accept regarding YOUR laws and accept the "people's will," or do you pull strings--and invoke hypocrisy--to change the rules?
Remembering an Uncle and a Marine
Today I traveled to King, Wisconsin--the veterans' home near Waupaca--for my Uncle Carl's funeral. Uncle Carl (a former Marine who was at Iwo Jima) was never shy, whether talking about politics or how Brett Favre would never become a decent starter (which he maintained throughout Favre's career), but he was pretty much always entertaining (in a good way). At one time, he owned a bar in Three Lakes with my Aunt Marge (his third wife), and a long time ago, he once ran unsuccessfully for county sheriff. I went up with my parents (Carl was mom's 14-year-senior brother) and my sister to meet with Carl's 12 living kids/stepkids, and assorted other relatives to share in telling stories about his life. I remembersoftball games at the family reunions--they let us little kids play with the adults--and Uncle Carl always seemed to pitch against me. He gave me the business with every pitch, but it was always in fun, and I could tell he was as thrilled as I when I dropped one over the infield to reach first safely.
I hope my nephews have warm memories of me, too, when I'm gone.
Rest in peace, Uncle Carl.
I hope my nephews have warm memories of me, too, when I'm gone.
Rest in peace, Uncle Carl.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Brief Update
The health is good. I've taken to going on more walks, because I can. The tingling is still there, there's some pain in my left ankle and left bicep, sometimes my feet don't follow my body, and my left arm has about 85% of the strength it had a few weeks back (before it went dead), but I'll take it. A couple weeks from now, the neuorologist will let me know that which will be the next steps, so to speak.
Oh, and regarding a Scott Walker update: it looks as though 91,000 seniors will have to pay more for their prescriptions, a program to preserve Wisconsin farmland will likely be discarded, and the Governor's new budget bill makes the mediator for labor disputes (such as those brought by unions and citizens against Walker regarding unfair labor practices in not negotiating before the current changes) no longer impartial, but a governor appointee. These interesting and exciting revelations, I am sure, are tragically just the tip of a very horrific iceberg for our great state.
But, hey, I can walk.
Oh, and regarding a Scott Walker update: it looks as though 91,000 seniors will have to pay more for their prescriptions, a program to preserve Wisconsin farmland will likely be discarded, and the Governor's new budget bill makes the mediator for labor disputes (such as those brought by unions and citizens against Walker regarding unfair labor practices in not negotiating before the current changes) no longer impartial, but a governor appointee. These interesting and exciting revelations, I am sure, are tragically just the tip of a very horrific iceberg for our great state.
But, hey, I can walk.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Not My Health, My State's Health
I obviously think Governor Scott Walker is morally bankrupt.
Here are some examples of his lies, ostensibly done to purposely deceive the people of Wisconsin (these are not union tweets, but from well-researched and local articles).
***He had also has made clear in recent days that he would not negotiate or budge from his plan to sharply curtail collective bargaining rights for state employees.
--PolitiFact, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 23, 2011 Walker reveals e-mail proof of negotiations with Democratic leaders. –March 6, 2011
Again, these weren't passionate rhetoric or being misinformed, these are CALCULATED, DELIBERATE LIES MEANT TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN (all of us, not just the teachers). If you need specific citing of the articles, please let me know.
Which is worse, really--fleeing the state because of your principles, or LYING because of your principles?
Shame on you, Scott Walker, Glenn Grothman, and every official backing this heinous measure.
And may God save the great state of Wisconsin.
Here are some examples of his lies, ostensibly done to purposely deceive the people of Wisconsin (these are not union tweets, but from well-researched and local articles).
***"I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years." --Scott Walker, 2/21/11. PoliFact (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who endorsed Walker for Governor), 2/22/11 (rated FALSE);
Walker never mentioned the proposal on his official campaign website nor debated it during his two-year campaign. It reverses long-standing policy in Wisconsin, among the first states to give public employees union rights. Wisconsin Senate passes public-sector union curbs, Reuters News, 3/9/11
***Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his budget-repair bill would leave collective bargaining “fully intact” PoliFact, 2/18/11 (Rated PANTS ON FIRE)
***This (collective bargaining) has never been about union busting, it’s about balancing the budget.
Walker promotes splitting of budget repair bill to effectively strip collective bargaining rights (NOT as a fiscal matter).***He had also has made clear in recent days that he would not negotiate or budge from his plan to sharply curtail collective bargaining rights for state employees.
--PolitiFact, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 23, 2011 Walker reveals e-mail proof of negotiations with Democratic leaders. –March 6, 2011
Again, these weren't passionate rhetoric or being misinformed, these are CALCULATED, DELIBERATE LIES MEANT TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN (all of us, not just the teachers). If you need specific citing of the articles, please let me know.
Which is worse, really--fleeing the state because of your principles, or LYING because of your principles?
Shame on you, Scott Walker, Glenn Grothman, and every official backing this heinous measure.
And may God save the great state of Wisconsin.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Good Boat
I got the call from my doctor yesterday regarding the results of my brain MRI.
It's not MS.
Actually, that should be IT'S NOT MS!!!!!!
They have no idea what is causing my limb numbness and assorted symptoms, but after conceding it sure seemed like multiple sclerosis, it turns out it isn't. I know many people live okay with MS for years, but I didn't want to be one of them. It's conceivable that the causes behind my symptoms are even more insidious than MS would be, but them not knowing has given me new hope that it may be okay someday, that I might be okay.
I'd be incredibly remiss without thanks to God (although I thank him, too, especially now, for days I can walk, things I can do, friends and family).
Hey, but with not knowing what this is, I'm in pretty much the same boat I was two weeks ago--except with MS ruled out.
That's a pretty good boat to be in.
It's not MS.
Actually, that should be IT'S NOT MS!!!!!!
They have no idea what is causing my limb numbness and assorted symptoms, but after conceding it sure seemed like multiple sclerosis, it turns out it isn't. I know many people live okay with MS for years, but I didn't want to be one of them. It's conceivable that the causes behind my symptoms are even more insidious than MS would be, but them not knowing has given me new hope that it may be okay someday, that I might be okay.
I'd be incredibly remiss without thanks to God (although I thank him, too, especially now, for days I can walk, things I can do, friends and family).
Hey, but with not knowing what this is, I'm in pretty much the same boat I was two weeks ago--except with MS ruled out.
That's a pretty good boat to be in.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Waiting Game
I had my MRI last week. The sedative-like drugs were so good I barely realized I was in the MRI tube, and everything went well.
Now I just have to wait for the results. I'm pretty sure it is MS (I've been told that once they go to the brain MRI, they've just about ruled out everything else), but I'm not quite sure as to what that would really mean. I think I'll spend time (especially at first) waiting for the next attack. Then waiting to see if it subsides. Then waiting to see how much deterioration takes place. Then waiting for the next attack, and so on.
But I've heard that medication and exercise can often successfully slow the progression, and, again, my wonderful wife, Jodi, will be by my side, so I'm hopeful it won't be as bad as I envision, at least not right away.
Until then, I'm waiting.
Now I just have to wait for the results. I'm pretty sure it is MS (I've been told that once they go to the brain MRI, they've just about ruled out everything else), but I'm not quite sure as to what that would really mean. I think I'll spend time (especially at first) waiting for the next attack. Then waiting to see if it subsides. Then waiting to see how much deterioration takes place. Then waiting for the next attack, and so on.
But I've heard that medication and exercise can often successfully slow the progression, and, again, my wonderful wife, Jodi, will be by my side, so I'm hopeful it won't be as bad as I envision, at least not right away.
Until then, I'm waiting.
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