|
By Don Boots Jensen
Friday, Dec 26 2008, 11:35 PM
Differences between Grandfathers and Grandmothers
A friend, who worked away from home all week, always made a special effort with his family on the weekends.
Every Sunday morning he would take his 7-year old granddaughter out for a drive in the car for some bonding time. Just he and his granddaughter.
One particular Sunday however, he had a bad cold and really didn't feel like being up at all. Luckily, his wife came to the rescue and said that she would take their granddaughter out.
When they returned, the little girl anxiously ran upstairs to see her grandfather. 'Well, did you enjoy your ride with grandma?'
'Oh yes, PaPa' the girl replied, 'and do you know what? We didn't see a single idiot or knucklehead anywhere we went today!'
All joking aside - drive careful - the roads are nasty and there are plenty of the aforementioned drivers out there.
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Sunday, Dec 21 2008, 04:11 PM
Merry Christmas from our home to yours
|
just click on song…
|
Fabulous 50’s
Christmas Songs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Monday, Dec 1 2008, 10:45 PM
New virus expected to strike Wisconsin area population within days.
Be on the alert for symptoms of inner hope, peace, joy and love. Many hearts have already been exposed to this virus and people everywhere could come down with it, posing a serious threat to what has been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs and symptoms of the virus:
- A tendency to think and act spontaneously reather than on fears based on past experiences.
- A loss of interest in judging others.
- A loss of the ability to worry.
- Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
- Frequent attacks of smiling.
- Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
- An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
Please share this information with everyone and enjoy the season of advent.
(Mr Anonymous)
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Monday, Nov 17 2008, 05:48 PM
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
For mailing of packages to the troops please refer to the below opportunity:
Care packages are being mailed by Mission Harvest America, Inc. MHA has networked with our FLWG and SER Military Support Project for the past ten years. Combined with what they do and the effort from our CAP personnel over 59,800 care packages have been sent to deployed troops.
If you would like to assist you can do the following:
a. Send cards made out to "A serviceman or A servicewoman" and mail to MHA at the address below. The cards will be included in packages sent to the troops.
b. Provide SAM's, BJ or Walmart gift cards so that items can be purchased from those sources for items to be included in the package. The primary items will be snacks and goodies for the holidays.
c. Provide names of your family, friends or those who know who are deployed so MHA can mail a Holiday Package to them.
d.. Donate funds to help defray the cost of preparing and mailing a package to a deployed service person. The postage per package is $9.95 Flat Rate Priority Mail. The contents average cost is $15.00. Each package is designed for ten troops to share.
Mission Harvest America, Inc.
69 Copeland Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Donations to MHA will receive a tax deductible receipt. Credit card donations can be made by calling 904-356-9006 and stating you wish to make a credit card donation to support the troops. Mastercard, Visa and Discover accepted.
For more information or to assist in this project please email missionharvest@att.net.
Remember, it is okay to say "Merry Christmas!"
Please pass this message along. Thanks.
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Tuesday, Nov 11 2008, 05:13 PM
The city is now accepting proposals for what will be the first residential development in the state of Wisconsin fully powered by renewable energy sources, Ald. Tony Zielinski said today. The Net Zero Energy project in Bay View, located on the former U.S. Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave., encompasses an entire two-block area within walking distance of the Bay View/S. Kinnickinnic Ave. business district, and with easy access to Lake Michigan and downtown.
Alderman Zielinski said the future residential units at the site will most likely be powered entirely by solar energy and wind power. "This will be a catalytic project showing that homes can be powered by solar, wind, and even geo-thermal energy sources, emitting zero green house gases," the alderman said.
"We think this location is beneficial because it is likely that Bay View residents will quickly see the benefits of 100% renewable energy and will choose to use it to power their own homes and businesses," said Alderman Zielinski, a member of the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.
According to the Department of City Development’s RFP, development proposals for the site must be net zero energy, meaning that the amount of energy created on-site through renewable energy resources annually is equal to or greater than the amount of energy consumed annually. In addition, a high level of sustainable building elements and energy-efficient practices is required
One major incentive for potential developers is help defraying costs.
In fact, according to Alderman Zielinski, Congress has approved a 30% solar tax credit with no cap for both single-family and multi-family homes, and Focus On Energy offers an additional 25% rebate to eligible renewable energy residential projects in Wisconsin.
Using 100% renewable energy (and not fossil fuels) helps create jobs in the U.S. and locally, according to Alderman Zielinski, as local workers are hired to manufacture and install the energy systems for the residences. "Milwaukeeans will benefit ultimately because they’ll see the initial wave of ‘green sector’ jobs and business growth that’s expected to take place during the next few years, and we’ll all benefit as well by the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
"And instead of cutting a check to the energy company every month, owners of 100% renewable energy homes will actually receive a check from the energy company as it looks to invest in these important new energy sources," he said.
Proposals must be submitted by January 17, 2009. To learn more about the project please go to www.mkedcd.org/realestate/ArmyReserveSite/Main.html
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Saturday, Nov 8 2008, 07:51 AM
Capitol Democrats, you just got what you wished for. Are you still sure it's what you want?
For at least two years, you'll have to run state government - and it's in a deep financial hole.
Tuesday's victories by Democrats mean that Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle will have 70 partners - the 18 Democrats who will run the Senate and the 52 Assembly Democrats - in crafting the next two-year budget. That won't be easy because Doyle has said that budget faces a deficit of more than $3 billion.
The 2009-'10 budget that Doyle must recommend early next year will be his hardest, for several reasons. It's the last budget before he is expected to seek a third term in 2010. The current budget had $750 million in tax and fee increases, which raised taxes on cigarettes and license plate renewals. Accounting tricks used by both parties over the past eight years are no longer available. Long-term debt has risen dramatically, raising questions about how much more debt the state can handle.
"This is going to be a very difficult time," Doyle said.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) said Democrats would quickly pass bills to increase job training, boost spending on green energy, require businesses to more publicly disclose their tax liabilities and bar the state from contracting with companies that ship jobs overseas.
"Our number one thing we want to do is get in there and work on the economy and jobs and the cost of living," Pocan said. "And when working on the (state) budget, we're going to do it with working families and the middle class first and foremost in mind, and not the special interests."
Republican Sen. Ted Kanavas of Brookfield said Thursday that Republicans know they won't be able to pass anything in the next legislative session, but they can be advocates for taxpayers.
"We can't lead, but we can point out" problems in the choices Democrats make, Kanavas said.
The issues ahead:
Smoking ban. Doyle has pushed for a smoking ban in public places but was thwarted by Republicans and members of his party. After Tuesday, he said: "We're in a lot better shape."
Health care reform. Doyle and legislative leaders must find changes that don't include the so-called Healthy Wisconsin universal coverage plan that Senate Democrats passed last year. Barack Obama's election as president "takes the pressure off" for Healthy Wisconsin, Doyle said. Instead, he may again push an expanded state pool for health care insurance.
Insurance for childhood autism. When Doyle finally signed the overdue state budget in October 2007, he said the most important change left out was mandating insurance coverage to treat childhood autism. Doyle said this is a top goal for 2009.
Health insurance for domestic partners. For years, Republicans blocked changes that would allow domestic partners of state workers to get health care through state-provided plans. There will be a new push for that benefit, especially since the University of Wisconsin System is the only Big Ten school that does not offer it.
Drunken driving. Lawmakers will consider whether to toughen penalties for drunken drivers, including granting prosecutors the power to charge third offenses as felonies. Current law says a fifth violation can be prosecuted as a felony. Also planned are moves to let judges require more ignition interlocks on vehicles owned by drunken drivers and to legalize roadside sobriety checkpoints.
Taxes on businesses. Senate Democratic leaders say businesses widely use tax loopholes, so they want to tax the profits of parent companies and end the current system that taxes corporate subsidiaries separately. That would amount to an $80 million annual tax increase on Wisconsin businesses. Also pending is a plan to adopt national standards on what should be subject to the 5% sales tax.
Limits on teacher pay and school finance. In his three budgets, Doyle has asked for repeal of the "qualified economic offer" that limits pay and benefit increases for teachers to 3.8% a year. But tied to that is a push to overhaul the school finance system, which rural districts and Milwaukee school officials say is broken. They want to end spending limits, saying they have forced them to lay off teachers and to end language and math programs. But these changes could raise property taxes.
Campaign-finance reform. Democratic legislators have called for changes to diminish the role of cash in Capitol campaigns, and they likely will push requirements that all groups that run political ads disclose where they get their money. Some want to go further, but they will face opposition. A compromise may involve making changes that affect state Supreme Court races, but not gubernatorial and legislative contests. Whatever is adopted likely would face a court challenge on First Amendment grounds.
By Steven Walters And Patrick Marley
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Friday, Nov 7 2008, 11:48 AM
By Don Boots Jensen
Monday, Nov 3 2008, 07:07 PM
When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry.
When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation.
If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Sunday, Nov 2 2008, 08:45 AM
With an expected 300,000 people flocking to the polls in Milwaukee this November 4th, one cannot help but ask, “When is the best time to vote to avoid the long lines?’
This election has created allot of excitement and voters are anxious to get to the polls and vote for their candidate. As of Friday, October 30th, the Milwaukee Election Commission has received nearly 30,000 absentee ballots. That is 10% of the city’s eligible voters. The other 90% will brave the weather and lines to cast their ballot.
Everyone should expect to wait in line this year. If you want to avoid the long lines, and I know because I work the polls, try not to vote between the following hours:
- 7 am – 9 am
- 12 noon – 1:30 pm
- 5 pm – 6:30 pm
If you have not registered to vote, try to follow these steps to help you speed up the process:
- Check what ward you live in and go to the appropriate ward to register. You will not be allowed to register in a ward you do not reside in.
- All Election Day registrants must have proof of residence. An acceptable form of proof of residence, when voting on Election Day, must include a current and complete name, including both the first and last name, a current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address and the name of a municipality.
- In order to register to vote, an individual must provide proof that he or she has been a resident at their registration address for at least 10 days preceding the election.
There are a number of acceptable proof of residence documents a person can use. To name a few:
- A current and valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or Wisconsin ID card.
- A residential lease effective for the period that includes Election Day.
- A bank statement or a paycheck.
- A check or other document issued by a unit of government.
- A utility bill including cable television, gas, electric, or telephone for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.
These are just a few items and to get a complete listing you can log into the City of Milwaukee Election web page for additional information .
Every inspector at the polling locations has received training to assist you in the registration process. If you have not registered to vote, I urge you to register at your ward on Election Day. Your vote does make a difference.
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Wednesday, Oct 29 2008, 12:57 PM
This is something you should be aware of so you do not get blind-sided. This is really going to catch many families off guard. It should make you worry.
Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales.
How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes.
If you are heading toward retirement and would like to downsize your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6%
How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama become president. The experts predict that 'higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA
(reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama your taxes will more than double! How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is straightforward.
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax
How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved
ones will probably lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA
* New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet
* New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
* New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
* New taxes on retirement accounts
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Tuesday, Oct 7 2008, 05:18 PM
Do not be a victim. Click on the picture for ways to prevent having your sticker stolen.
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 01:16 PM
Patriotism - what's it all about?
Everyone has their own definition of what Patriotism is to them. Below are a few thought from several noteworthy Americans:
"I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home" - Henry James
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America" - Bill Clinton
"I believe with all my heart that America remains 'the great idea' that inspires the world . . . It is a gift to raise your family here, to vote here and to live here." - Arnold Schwarzengger
Have a great week!
"Boots"
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Wednesday, Jun 25 2008, 09:34 PM
The Silent generation, people born before 1946.
The Baby Boomers, people born between 1946 and 1959.
Generation X, people born between 1960 and 1979.
Generation Y, people born between 1980 and 1995.
Why do we call the last one-generation Y? I did not know, but a caricaturist explains it eloquently below...Learned something new!
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Thursday, May 22 2008, 11:08 PM
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO VIEW THIS GREAT MESSAGE
Ever wonder how to say thank you when you see a military person in uniform? See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing by.
The Gratitude Campaign
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Tuesday, May 13 2008, 09:33 PM
The FBI has released a comprehensive new report on mortgage fraud—now posted in full. And, as you might expect given the downturn in the economy and all the troubles in the lending industry, it isn’t a pretty picture.
The information can get quite technical, with plenty of charts, graphs, and hard numbers. But we invite you to take a read if you’re interested in getting educated on the issue—and on emerging schemes that might impact your own pocketbook.
Among the key findings:
... Mortgage fraud is clearly on the rise. Although there is no central way to track the total extent of the problem, we received 46,717 Suspicious Activity Reports related to mortgage fraud last year—compared to 35,617 in 2006 and just 6,936 in 2003. Only seven percent of these reports documented an exact dollar amount in terms of losses, but even so, the total loss from this seven percent was $813 million. Our caseload has also escalated. By the end of fiscal year 2007, we were handling just over 1,200 mortgage fraud investigations—a 47 percent increase from 2006 and a whopping 176 percent increase from 2003.
... The downward trend in the housing market will continue (see forecasts provided by the Mortgage Bankers Association in the report), providing further incentive for shady real estate industry insiders to look for dishonest ways to turn a profit and growing opportunities for scam artists to prey on vulnerable homeowners.
... The subprime lending crisis is a contributing factor to mortgage fraud, both directly and indirectly. Subprime loans, designed for people with poor or limited credit histories, now represent more than 13 percent of all outstanding loans—double the percentage of five years ago. These high-interest, high-risk loans contributed to the 2.2 million foreclosures filed during 2007, up 75 percent from 2006. The trouble actually began when home prices were rising a few years ago, leading to relaxed lending practices throughout the industry and the exaggeration of assets by borrowers anxious to qualify for loans, both of which contributed to fraud.
... The top 10 hotspots nationwide for mortgage fraud in 2007, carefully mapped from multiple public and private sources, were: Florida, Georgia, Michigan, California, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, New York, Colorado, and Minnesota. The north-central region had the largest share of mortgage fraud, followed by the west and southeast regions.
.. The latest mortgage scams run the gamut: from “builder-bailout” schemes where developers unload excess inventory through financial trickery…to foreclosure rescue frauds that trick homeowners into signing over the deed to their house; from seller-assistance scams that use false appraisals to sell homes…to identity theft that leads to home equity credit lines being opened and drained. See the report for more details.
The report also briefly recounts our proactive response to the problem, including our participation in the Department of Justice's Mortgage Fraud Working Group, through which we are helping to identify large-scale industry insiders and criminal enterprises conducting systemic mortgage fraud...our work in multi-agency mortgage fraud task forces and working groups around the country...and our recent “Mortgage Fraud Summit” to discuss the issue with special agents nationwide.
For more information:
- The 2007 Mortgage Fraud Report
- FBI Mortgage Fraud webpage
information obtained from the FBI web page
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Tuesday, Apr 15 2008, 02:47 PM
Below is an email I received to help solve crime in the city. Consider watching a few videos, you may be able to help solve a crime or two.
All -
Beginning this week, the Milwaukee Police Department now has its own page on the popular video Web site, YouTube.
At the site, we will be showing the surveillance videos that we distribute to the media when we need help identifying the perpetrators of a crime. Now, the public will be able to access those videos whenever it is convenient for them, helping Milwaukee Police reach a wider audience to assist us in solving crimes. We also will list our favorite videos from positive stories on the Milwaukee Police Department done by news organizations who upload their news stories to YouTube.
Simply go to www.youtube.com/milwaukeepolice which takes you to our site. We invite the public to make MilwaukeePolice one of their favorites on the YouTube site so anyone who may have information won't miss a thing when we upload new surveillance video.
Thank you for getting the word out about this terrific tool for law enforcement.
Anne E. Schwartz
Public Relations Manager
Public Information Office
Milwaukee Police Department
749 W. State Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
Office Phone: (414) 935-7209
Fax: (414) 935-7109
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Saturday, Feb 23 2008, 05:10 PM
By Don Boots Jensen
Monday, Jan 14 2008, 07:10 PM
ALERT!! PHONE SCAM FOCUSED ON VETERANS!
To ALL Veterans - It has come to my attention that there is a phone scam that is targeting veterans. The caller will ask you to join the Patriot Guard, and tell you there are “membership fees" involved.
The caller will say something about the Patriot Guard having "over 7000 members" nationwide, which is obviously untrue. DO NOT give out ANY personal information or credit card numbers.
THIS IS A SCAM!!! PLEASE, if you receive such a call, call John Curran at (608) 935-3231, and he will gather information for local authorities, as well as the Better Business Bureau, to try to put a stop to this scam.
Please pass on this informnation to your friends.
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Monday, Jan 7 2008, 03:59 PM
The men and women of this organization have joined together to support all veterans. Consider joining the Patriot Guard Riders. For more information please read on . . .
|
By Don Boots Jensen
Wednesday, Nov 28 2007, 09:35 AM
South sider Mike Tobin, an Assistant City Attorney and resident of the 13th Aldermanic District, was appointed the executive director of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.
Mike will face many challenges and I believe he will meet them head on. His leadership abilities have been exemplified by his leadership in the US Army and his accomplishments while serving as a City Attorney.
In the early 1980's Mike worked his way through UW Madison Law school while working a full time job. He is a dedicated family man.
Mike will face many challenges in his new position. A recent study indicated a need for adopting changes to the commission. I believe Mike is the man to bring about these changes.
Pictured with Mike is 13th Alderman Terry Witkowski.
|
More Posts Next page »
|
|
