Union Busters

Protesters rally in Madison, Wisconsin

In the perfect working world, there would be no need for unions.  Real life is not necessarily fair, so unions formed in both the public and private sector.   Now, a recently elected Wisconsin governor is saying he and a Republican legislative majority were given a mandate to deal with the state budget crisis by depriving teachers unions of their collective bargaining rights.   When did voters say that?   The teachers have already agreed to pay cuts and paying more into their benefits, but Governor Scott Walker insists that the elimination of collective bargaining is an essential "tool" in balancing Wisconsin's budget.   Without collective bargaining, what "tool" do unions have left?   In other words, it's not about money, benefits or any compromise;  Governor Walker doesn't care about that.   He is obviously more concerned about being the darling of the national right wing in starting something other states may look to emulate as they deal with their busted budgets.   Democratic legislators fled the state to avoid being accomplices in this obvious attempt to bust any leverage these unions may have.   Politicians always say how important teachers are, but this ambitious governor has demonstrated nothing but contempt for teachers by being so unyielding.    These teachers are willing to sacrifice.   Are the big money interests of the Koch Brothers and others willing to do more than accept massive tax breaks and then bankrolling this union busting?    Governor Walker is not the first politician to scapegoat public workers; former Connecticut Governor John Rowland did that right here after his election in the nineties.   Walker and his backers are on the wrong side of history.  

A Tricky Disease

Bullseye Lyme Disease  Rash

A trip to my doctor's office yesterday brought some unwelcome news, but it may explain a few things.  I tested positive for Lyme Disease, which is caused by a bacteria transmitted through deer ticks.   Early last summer, I came down with some serious pain in my legs and hips.   That is around the time we are most susceptible to tick bites, and the doctor could tell it wasn't due to a more recent exposure.  I never noticed any bullseye Lyme Disease rash which is often visible after being bitten, but not everyone gets this symptom.  At first I thought it was the result of overdoing my walk each night, but the pain never really went away after slowing down my exercise routine.   I do know that for the next three weeks I'll be taking the antibiotic Doxycycline.   Assuming I can tolerate that without side effects - they tell me to eat yogurt with it - I look forward to feeling better in time for the end of this crazy winter.   Lyme Disease masks itself in so many ways.   Early detection can prevent more serious complications.  

An Amazing Day in Egypt

As the Janis Joplin song goes, "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."   Many Egyptians felt that way as decades of frustration poured out onto Facebook pages and eventually the streets over the past several weeks.   Thirty years of Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian rule, a culture of corruption among police and the ruling party, plus an enormous economic crisis meant so much of Egyptian society had finally had enough.    We have witnessed a tidal wave of people power motivated more by pride and determination than fear.  Judging by the reaction of the protesters following Mubarak's resignation, there is no way the military establishment will be able to put the genie back in the bottle.  Given the current state of affairs, who would want to?    Chronic joblessness and illiteracy combined with skyrocketing food prices to make life miserable for so many in this cradle of civilization that is now home to 80 million.   The West can claim some responsibility for spreading democratic ideas, but we have also helped bankroll a military junta that has been every bit as repressive as the Shah of Iran.   We don't want that kind of history to repeat itself.  Speculators have also artificially inflated food prices in countries like Egypt that depend heavily on imported wheat.    The U.S. may not be able to dictate Egypt's agenda, but we can help prevent food riots.   In 24 hours, we saw anger turn to jubilation.   That's an encouraging sign in a region known more for stability at the point of a gun than by hope.  

Only In America

Super Bowl XLV generated plenty of buzz, with game MVP Aaron Rodgers throwing for 304 yards and three TDs in Green Bay's 31-25 defeat of the Steelers.    If you watched solely for a great football game, the Packers' win didn't disappoint.    If you tuned in for the  new commercials, you may not have found an abundance of heavy hitters.   I did like the Best Buy spot with the unlikely pairing of Ozzie Osbourne and Justin Bieber, especially with Ozzie looking so confused in the background at the end.   Eminem, someone you either like or loathe, was in two spots; I thought they both worked.   The Coke ad with the border guards was, like the drink, classic.   Christina Aguilera is not the first one to botch the words to the National Anthem, but she could at least get them right for the Super Bowl.   I knew the Black Eyed Peas would bomb at halftime.   The elaborate light production, great moves from Usher and guitar help from Slash could not save what has always been a super-group based on studio production, not live performances.   A dead mic on Fergie didn't help matters at the beginning.    The Super Bowl again had its share of excellence, mediocrity and awkward moments.   I guess that's what makes it such an American event, there for all to see... warts and all.    

More Of This?

My Backyard

Welcome to February!   We start the month in the middle of another winter storm in a pattern that has continued unabated since the day after Christmas.   How many people even knew what a roof rake was before this season?    Sure, there's a revolution in Egypt, but we're all too busy digging out from the succession of snowfalls to pay attention to it.   For the second time, I hired some guys to get the heavy snow off my roof.   With 2000 square feet and not exactly the steepest roof pitch, I didn't want to take any chances.   The big ice buildup along the edges by the gutters made a hazardous job even more treacherous.   I tried to tackle the garage, which was a little less intimidating.   Heights are not my favorite thing - I admit it.   I didn't want that to collapse on my car after just spending $1000 to replace my busted garage door - these storms have been cruel enough.   I am thankful for two things so far this time around:  1.) I'm not on as much of a set work schedule the way I was during those brutal commutes to Hartford in the nasty winter of '95-'96.   2.) I don't have to drive my car over a very long snow-coated hill to get into a radio station before 6:00 a.m.    With local TV scrolling storm info and school system emails or texting to parents, reading that laundry list of closings on the radio is becoming a thing of the past.   Let's hope the ground hog gives us good news tomorrow.   We've broken enough records!