Author Archive for JOHN ADAMS
Recent Tweets, 10-17 to 10-23
by JOHN ADAMS •
Mystery of the chupacabra monster solved http://bit.ly/cl5REk
20 hours ago
Animal Photos of the Week http://huff.to/b66y5v
22 Oct
Man bitten by tiger at Rock Springs big cat rescue facility http://bit.ly/dutFLr
22 Oct
@nature_org: Ever have a cockroach in your hair? Tell us your creepy critter stories http://nature.ly/cXuXGV
22 Oct
nature_org
Wild dolphins in Australia are teaching themselves to walk on water. http://nature.ly/cVJxzt (via @BBCNews)
22 Oct
A Whitewater Success Story: The Whitewater Aquatic Center « FREE WHITEWATER http://bit.ly/a4BKN2
22 Oct
Lots of Water on Moon, Scientists Say – WSJ.com http://bit.ly/9ZnRJJ
21 Oct
“Wisconsin pumpkin sets record” by Latest News — GazetteXtra http://bit.ly/cCPzdh
21 Oct
CatoInstitute: White House is right to oppose a moratorium on foreclosures, argues Cato’s Mark Calabria: http://bit.ly/af6WDL
21 Oct
@reasonmag: Poll: Does it matter if politicians live in the places they represent? http://ow.ly/2X72h
21 Oct
@IJ: If America had disclosure laws 200 years ago, would the Federalist Papers have been published? Find out: http://iam.ij.org/cefb6z
21 Oct
Instead of real accomplishment Whitewater WI’s officials could give each other international awards for diligence cleverness good hygiene
20 Oct
Nature Conservancy
From @mongabay: 3 new species of forest frogs discovered in Tanzania http://nature.ly/cBnCRm (there are pictures!)
20 Oct
Without vibrant, widespread opportunities, from private initiative, a small town like Whitewater will develop a permanent underclass
20 Oct
Americans – including residents of Whitewater, WI – will look back on the years 2000-10 as time of misdirected spending & wrong priorities
20 Oct
Departure of nuns ends century-long tradition at St. Mary’s Hospital http://bit.ly/cVuoeC
19 Oct
@MSpicuzzaWSJ: New poll shows U.S. Sen Feingold, challenger Johnson in dead heat. St. Norbert/WPR 49% for Johnson, 47% for Feingold.
19 Oct
Milwaukee Bucks new slogan: Fear the Deer I like it – It improves with repetition
18 Oct
@radleybalko: Continually amused at how much time, energy, & space libertarian-hating pundits devote to declaring libertarians irrelevant.
17 Oct
Free market can’t be productive with too many rules, regulations | Mansfield News Journal http://bit.ly/aE6Za3
17 Oct
The Nobel Peace Prize and Chinese Democracy – WSJ.com http://bit.ly/aDFlfA
17 Oct
Cartoons & Comics
Sunday Morning Comic: Pearls Before Swine
by JOHN ADAMS •
Science/Nature
Video – Pet Wheelchair Helps Spin, a Disabled Lamb – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
A five-month-old lamb named Spin was born with a spinal injury that left her hind limbs lame. But that doesn’t keep her down on the farm, thanks to a wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels. WSJ’s Tim Aeppel reports
Via Video – Pet Wheelchair Helps Spin, a Disabled Lamb – WSJ.com. more >>
Science/Nature
Robot Duo Make Pancakes From Scratch | Gadget Lab | Wired.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
Household robots could become a reality sooner than we think. But the first hurdle they would have to clear is to prove they can make great pancakes. After all, the breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
A demo posted by Willow Garage, a Palo Alto, California, robotic company, shows two robots working together to make pancakes from a mix. The robots — James and Rosie — even flipped the pancakes correctly.
Link:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid46203253001?bclid=46211877001&bctid=645438050001.
See, Robot Duo Make Pancakes From Scratch | Gadget Lab | Wired.com. more >>
Politics
5 Johnson workers on state BadgerCare Plus health insurance plan
by JOHN ADAMS •
Five employees at the company run by U.S. Senate hopeful Ron Johnson are on a government-funded health plan for low-income people, according to information obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold said the news is more evidence that his Republican opponent supports government aid when it helps his company, but not when it benefits others. Johnson’s campaign countered that Feingold is slinging mud to deflect attention away from his record.
How’s that ‘slinging mud?’ The AP‘s information is accurate, and Feingold’s point about Johnson favoring government aid at least some of the time (when his company benefits) seems valid.
More evidence that Johnson’s no libertarian.
See, 5 Johnson workers on state BadgerCare Plus health insurance plan.
Uncategorized
The Carnation Makes a Comeback – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
If every flower carries a secret code (red roses stand for love, mums mean death) then carnations can probably be said to signify…cheap. Regarded as only suitable for sale in bodegas and grocery stores and primarily worn by pimply adolescents on middle-school dates, the carnation is a flower that is almost universally scorned. But dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a group of supremely fashionable—and influential—dianthus caryophyllus fans who are helping to restore the flower’s once-regal status.
Comment Forum
Friday Comment Forum: Most Successful Business Venture/Project in Whitewater?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s the Friday open comments post.
Today’s suggested topic concerns the most successful business project or venture in Whitewater. What do you think is an example of success?
The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings is, of course, fine.
Although the comments template has a space for a name, email address, and website, those who want to leave a field blank can do so. Comments will be moderated, against profanity or trolls. Otherwise, have at it.
I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon.
Have at it.
City
A Whitewater Success Story: The Whitewater Aquatic Center
by JOHN ADAMS •
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If one wanted to find an example of a Whitewater business success, there would be no better place to look than 580 S. Elizabeth Street, the address of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center. The Aquatic Center is a true story of a business comeback, and new ownership (with considerable hard work) has preserved an impressive community asset. (For an earlier post on this topic, see Local Success Story: Whitewater Aquatic Center.)
Over that the GazetteXtra.com, there’s a story that describes the task the center faced, and its impressive rebound. See, Utility Changes Bring Aquatic Center Out of Debt.
The Center offers, among other activities, swimming, a fitness center, fitness and swimming classes, holiday activities (including a ‘Spooky Splash’ this weekend), Red Cross training, space for birthday parties, and an upcoming iron man challenge (November 17 – December 16).
It’s an accomplishment well done and admirable.
Cats
Friday Catblogging: World’s Longest Cat
by JOHN ADAMS •
I saw this story a few days ago, and saved it for a Friday catblogging post, so readers probably know the tail tale by now — Stewie the Maine Coon Cat is the world’s longest cat.
Here’s his story —
Daily Bread
Daily Bread for Whitewater, Wisconsin: 10-22-10
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning,
Today’s Whitewater forecast calls for a sunny day with a high temperature of sixty-four degrees.
The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that on this day in
1938 – Footville Man Wins Husking Title
On this date Dick Post of Footville won his sixth county title by husking a record 24.5 bushels of corn in 80 minutes. Two days later, he husked 1,868 pounds in 80 minutes to win the state championship. Post finished fourth in the nationals at Sioux Falls, S.D. [Source: Janesville Gazette October 22, 1938, p.4]
The National Corn Husking Association publishes a website with contest rules and results.
Here’s a video of a Nebraska corn husking competition — unfortunately, Wisconsin no longer seems to hold its own competition.
Tyranny
Chinese Freeze Before Gov’t Turns on the Heat – World Watch – CBS News
by JOHN ADAMS •
One size fits none —
Since the Communists came to power, November 15 has been circled in red on many Beijing calendars. It’s not Mao Zedong’s birthday. November 15 is the day when city officials dutifully flick the switch to turn on the capital’s centrally-controlled heating system, supplying warmth to most of Beijing’s 22 million residents.
See, Chinese Freeze Before Gov’t Turns on the Heat – World Watch – CBS News.
Politics, Wisconsin
John Nichols: Oshkosh recognizes the ‘plastic packaging of Ron Johnson’
by JOHN ADAMS •
If you don’t know much about Ron Johnson, you’re not alone:
No Wisconsin candidate in modern times has been so inaccessible to the press or to the voters of Wisconsin.
Who says? Johnson’s hometown paper.
In a column published Sunday, the Northwestern’s managing editor, Jim Fitzhenry, wrote: “Despite the millions spent on these precision strikes delivered over the airwaves, I’m struck by how little we know about Johnson and where he stands on dozens of issues he may be voting on over the next six years.”
Comparing Democrat Russ Feingold and Republican Ron Johnson, the managing editor wrote: “What’s the difference? I will be able to look Russ Feingold in the eye and hear his answer to those questions Monday afternoon when he visits the Northwestern’s editorial board. Can’t say the same for Johnson. His campaign turned down a request for a meeting with the board along with an invitation to debate Feingold at the (Oshkosh) Grand Opera House.”
See, John Nichols: Oshkosh recognizes the ‘plastic packaging of Ron Johnson’.
Science/Nature, Wisconsin
Video Shows 13 Wolves Near Rhinelander – JSOnline.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s a video of thirteen wolves — four adults and nine pups — from a pack near Pelican Lake, in Pelican, Wisconsin.
Paul Smith of the Journal Sentinel reports that
According to Ron Eckstein, Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist in Rhinelander, the video was taken Oct. 11 in the Town of Pelican, about 6 miles southeast of Rhinelander in Oneida County.The footage was shot by a father and son while bear hunting on private land. The hunters presented a copy to Eckstein for review.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c1NfZtHck.
Via Video shows 13 wolves near Rhinelander – JSOnline. more >>