Big Dawg Tales

Congress To Consider National Special Needs Parent Day??

2010-12-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

A resolution calling for the establishment of a national day to recognize the parents of children with special needs is expected to be considered as early as Tuesday in the House of Representatives.
If passed, the resolution would not alter any laws, but would be a ceremonial way for the House to ask the president to issue a proclamation creating an annual day to honor parents of those with special needs.
A recent Department of Health and Human Services survey estimates that 14 percent of American children from birth to age 17 have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition, according to the resolution, which is sponsored by Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind.

“Parents of special needs children deserve annual national recognition for their selfless dedication, compassion and sacrifice,” the resolution says.

These people in Washington DC have now proven 100% that they have lost their ever loving minds. As they would say down south Bless their Hearts but what the hell are they thinking?

I can tell you this from my standpoint:

I did not ask for Nash to be born with Down syndrome
I am not selfless...I have a life beyond being a dad and I am pretty arrogant
I don't think the government or god chose me to be a parent of a child with a disability
I am no more dedicated to Nash then I would be for any other child if I had others
Well the word compassion is not one usually used in describing my personality
And Sacrifice/? What did I sacrifice?

What these Bureaucratic goofballs need to do if they want to honor parents of children with disabilities is pretty simple.

DO WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY PROMISED TO DO!!!!!!

FULLY FUND IDEA without loopholes for states and schools to be able to skirt the issue and use the money how they please.

Pass the ABLE Act and allow us to save for our children....

Quite making them live in poverty to be able to have the safety net of health insurance thru Medicaid

I could go on but they would not get it. They just love to make promises, grandstand, spend money and do nothing in hopes that they will get re-elected.

I wonder....since we elect folks....they go to DC and take their walking orders not from the folks that elected them but the party they belong..........is that not taxation without representation?

And quit calling my kid special. He is not special he is just Nash. He has a disability and it's called Down syndrome and that entitles him to be able to access some civil rights legislation that will help him live the American Dream. Yep the same kind of laws that allowed women to go to college and African Americans to attend schools with their white peers.

Give me a break.

Peace Dude.

When are we ready to turn things around?

2010-09-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

How much longer are we willing to see our country go down the tubes?

When are we willing to dump the teachers union and hold teachers and schools accountable?

When are we going to quit trying to get our self out of trouble by relying on Wall Street instead of Main street going back to making things?

When will we stop excepting mediocrity?

Peace Dude

It's Back to School week for Nash

2010-08-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

Oh how I can hardly wait. New teacher, new class room, new experience in 4th grade. Our top heavy school corporation is now in a feud with the teachers and teachers union. So we get 32 to 33 kids in a class room this year. I new special education teacher that still believes special education is a place down the hall in the resource room. And I am sure we will have a great chat when she thinks she needs to teach Nash to go to the grocery store or learn to cook. I that will be one fun chat. That is not what we need.

We know have a president of the school board that worked for the city, then started a development company of his own, and now works for Saxony development. So know we have a school board that believes more in building new schools then reigning in spending. A board that would rather fight with the teachers then figure out a way to teach students. A board that does not have a decent business mind in the bunch. But hey we have two Carmelites now running the school system in the Superintendent and Asst roles. That should work out well.

So we also get Nash's education file this week. Totally incomplete but am amazed...yes amazed with what they did include. Nothing like documenting they are violating Nash's IEP year after year.

This Dad who did believe in public school may become the biggest advocate to school choice and waivers in the near future.

Peace Dude.

I feel like my Grandfather

2010-08-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

I told Jan the other day I feel like my Grandfather of late. My grandfather was a smart man in the way's of the economy. He ran the main production area of US Steel Gary Works and could judge how things were going based on steel orders and production.

I don't have that yardstick but I measure based on what I see and feel. As a few examples.

Our current administration in Indiana has passed property tax caps that will ultimately just be a tax shift. This tax cap has caused a major meltdown of our schools, local government and property taxes increased in the future.

They have also farmed out sweetheart deals to their buddies at IBM that is now in court even though it was fact it did not work in Texas before they signed the contract. Pretty smart Mitch. Now the foreign company that operates our toll road is trying to claim government immunity in a law suit.

Neighbors are protesting in Indy about Walgreen's wanting to sell alcohol to keep up with CVS. It will destroy their neighborhoods and raise crime. Huh? By selling at Walgreens where their is almost no chance someone underage or intoxicated would go to buy booze. Come on people it the people not the store.

Tim Durham and his whole deal that never has really turned into anything. I guess you can steal $200 million in Indiana and just go live your life in California if you donate to the right people.

Just seems to me that the whole world is a bit off it's center............

Peace Dude.

Hopefully one day closer to living the dream

2010-07-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning from a dream. I smelled the salt air in my dream and I knew I was on the island. My favorite place in the world. It's a place where life slows all the way down. No one is in a hurry and no one really cared how long of a wait there is for dinner. The sand is salty white and full of shells. I still find it almost hard to believe we sold everything up north and turned it to cash. We loaded up the truck with what was left and we headed to our Island. We bought our little dream hotel and here we have been for the last few years. Welcoming our guests and making sure they have the greatest of times. Life is much slower, more rewarding and much less stressful. Well I better go make sure the beach has been prepared for the day and that the chairs and umbrella's are ready to go. What t-shirt shall I wear today....oh ya that one with our logo on the front and my favorite Captain Tony quote on the back. Wonder if I will see the Jensen boy's today.....

wow that coffee smells good....I open my eyes to find I am still in Indiana......well maybe some day...

Peace dude.

Advice to our youth

2010-07-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

Go out there and make your own way. Don't go to work for someone else. Go start a business of anykind when you are young. Go make it happen and create your own world.

Peace Dude.

Happy Birthday America

2010-07-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

It's time to step up and get our country back on the right course. If you think you can do a better job then your elected officials it's time to run.

Happy Birthday America our best years are still ahead of us.

Peace Dude.

DADS 8th Annual Golf Outing.

2010-06-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Friday June 4th Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome help their 8th annual golf outing. With 318 golfers if was our largest ever event. We raised over $75,000 but that part was down a bit due to corporate sponsorships that were not able to help out this year due to the economy. We still had a great time. Thanks to all that assisted in making this a great event again this year.

Hamilton County Democrats are well............

2010-06-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Once again the Hamilton County Indiana Democrats prove they have no idea how to actually win an election. You would think they would have learned something from Team Obama as much time as they were here during the election. Team Obama showed them how to get out and work for the candidate and not spend all you time just trying to bad mouth you opponent. Guess it did not stick. All this group does is bad mouth Congressman Dan Burton (now to be honest Dan deserves some of it for sure) who is our currently elected 5th district congressman.

Now they cruise into the primary with their candidate Dr. Nassar Hannah who they thought would be able to beat Burton. Well he is a nice guy but the name left me scratching my head in the 5th at this time in history. Dr. Hannah and I chatted for quite awhile and a really great guy but I told him I thought his name would be a problem unless he really got out there. They did not. They lost to some guy no one even knows. Now they find out he has very little in common with the D platform....lol....it's the 5th district.

So know The Party has decided the guy the VOTERS picked to step down so THEY can put the guy back in the voters did not choose. What a country.

Peace Dude.

I'm Back!

2010-06-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yes it has been to long. I have been mostly over on Facebook of late but I am tiring of the site. While I love the fact that I have reconnected with many old friends around the country it does not quite give me the soap box I like. So it's time to rev up The Tales again.

I will be talking about Nash, Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Indiana, Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome, disability Issues, The Arc of Indiana and The National Down Syndrome Society. I will be rambling about the things that make me crazy and ranting about politics and the nuts on both sides.

Take the fact that the local Hamilton County Democrats are all pissed off that the condidate they picked lost in the primary. So now they are demanding he step aside so they can put thier guy back in the race. Give me a break. Hey Party. it the voters that rule not the Party you goof balls.

You know some fun stuff like that.

The Latest from Gov. Daniels.

2009-12-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest info on the economy and thoughts from Governor Daniels.

I will point out once again he says he is not running for President.

Indy Star Article

It's Almost 2010

2009-12-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

It's almost another 2010 and the kick off of another year. I will start the year by turning another year older and hit the ground running looking at an awesome 2010. I have no idea what challenges 2010 will bring but if I am prepared and focused it will be good. I am going to spend the next few days brain storming and goal planning on finances, family, work, disability advocacy work and some health and fitness. I hope you all had a great Christmas, Hanukkah or Holiday season and while I have not been blogging allot I am going to try to get motivated again....if that pesky Facebook will let me be....

Peace Dude....

Governor Daniels set to cut more

2009-11-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Indy Star Article here

You know when Governor Kernan's revenue estimates came in low it was Candidate Daniels who commented " They are not bad people just bad at governing".

Mr. Governor does the same quote apply to your people? I know the economy is tough and it's not easy but you made the comment and it's now your team that can't forecast.

So now good hard working state employee's will get a pay freeze or laid off. But hey those so called high performers like Mitch Roob will get a increse and a bonus....remember his $50k increase from FSSA to Economic Development. Hmmm...

How about we cancel the contracts of all the high paid consultants that this administration relies on????

Peace Dude...

IDEA and Article 7

2009-09-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Attended an update class on the law yesterday. Was good for a refresher and some updated ideas and rulings I was not aware of.

Did you all know that IDEA will start it's reauthorization in Congress again next year? With all the talk about failing schools and the blame always headed toward special education what should we expect?

Are we willing to roll up our sleeves and get to work to make the law stronger?

More to come.

Peace Dude...

Hmmm, Now what....

2009-08-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone.

It has been way to long since I posted on The Tales. I have been facebooking quite a bit of late and has taken me away from my blog. Sorry about that.

I am trying to decide a direction to take the tales....politics, disability issues, Healthcare or all just stuff.......

More to come as soon as I figure out what I want to talk and rant about...

Peace dude

Erik Sean Nelson should be Fired.....

2009-07-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the article written by Mr. Nelson.

Erik Sean Nelson Article about Sarah Palin and the Retardation Platform

And now....

Erik Sean Nelson's wimpy apology

I read The Huffington Post quite often and if Ms Huffington does not take a stand on this and fire this goof ball right away then I will try my best to become a big headache to their company.

Fire him and make a donation to The Arc of The United States and The National Down Syndrome Society and let's get back to what is important.

This guy's lame excuse was he was trying to be funny......well my old line for years has been....there are a 100,000 comedians out of work and this dumb ass thinks he is funny......

Give me a break.....

Peace Dude.

The we need $14 million family.

2009-06-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Guess now that they have sent all thier kids to private school they now need $14 million to take care of thier daughter with Down syndrome.....give me a break.

Click here and read page 6

Peace Dude.

Sometimes people just need smacked in the head!

2009-06-14T10:28:00.001-07:00

Rare prenatal testing case raises ethical questions

by Aimee Green, The Oregonian
Saturday June 13, 2009, 9:45 PM
In the months before their daughter was born in 2007, Deborah and Ariel Levy worried the baby might have Down syndrome.
They say a doctor at the Legacy Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine assured them that a sample of tissue taken from the placenta early in the pregnancy ruled out the developmental disability, despite the results of later testing that showed the fetus might have it.
But within days of the birth of their daughter, the Southwest Portland couple learned the baby did have Down syndrome. Had they known, they say, they would have terminated the pregnancy. Now they're suing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, seeking more than $14 million to cover the costs of raising her and providing education, medical care, and speech and physical therapy for their daughter, who turned 2 this month. The suit also seeks money to cover her life-long living expenses.

READ ENTIRE STORY HERE

I will be very interested in your thoughts on this case folks. I for one think these people and their attorney are a joke.

Peace Dude.

WoofStock

2009-06-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

We headed out yesterday to a fund raiser for the Hamilton County Humane Society called WoofStock. It was held at Deer Creek Amphitheater which I still call it instead of referring to it by it's corporate sponsorship name. WoofStock was a blast and I hope they raised alot of money for the cause.

Nash and Seger sure had a great time.

Peace Dude.

Inclusion.....it does work!

2009-05-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Just had a chance to see a great web site with a kick butt ad campaign. To bad it's from Canada and not from here. Maybe if we could ever get all the national disability organizations on the same page we could come up with a campaign like this here in the US.

Please click on the link below and check out the site. You will like it.

No Excuses

Peace Dude!

I think The Indy Star has been reading this blog!

2009-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

May 10, 2009

A call to action to improve school performance

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett calls the situation facing Indiana's schools urgent. He has ample reason to be alarmed.

When the state last week issued its annual rankings of public schools, nearly half of them landed either on academic probation or the watch list, the two lowest ratings. Two-thirds of school districts were cited for poor performance.

Many educators bristle at the federal government's rating system, largely pegged to standardized test scores. The state model, they say, better reflects reality. Yet, this year the two ranking systems produced similar results.

Bennett, who took office in January, described the poor ratings as a "call to action,'' not just for teachers and students, but for the entire state.

Yet, educators haven't been exactly sipping coffee in the break room while their students slip out the backdoor. Nor have government, business and community leaders ignored the challenges facing schools across the state.

Taxpayers continue to pour tremendous resources into the educational system -- K-12 education is the largest single recipient of state dollars, and that doesn't take into account all of the federal and local tax money devoted to schools. And the pressure on teachers and students to improve has never been more intense.

Not all of the signs are discouraging. The graduation rate is increasing. More students are attaining at least base-level mastery of key skills.

But much more work remains, and Bennett is right when he insists that the entire state must push for better results.

What needs to change? To start, the adults in charge need to find a way to work together. That means cooling the more heated rhetoric, setting aside tired arguments that go nowhere and placing on hold agendas that don't directly contribute to better student achievement.

Hoosiers also need to re-evaluate their priorities. Sports consume outsized portions of money, time and attention in too many districts. Do high school football players really need to compete on artificial turf in multimillion-dollar stadiums? Are Olympic-size swimming pools necessary at a time when districts are eliminating teaching positions?

It's not that sports don't have a proper place in schools; athletics can contribute to an overall climate of excellence and achievement. But too often the pursuit of glory on the field or court has been allowed to push aside striving for excellence in the classroom.

Bennett and others also will have to battle a culture that historically has not placed enough emphasis on education. For decades, one of Indiana's greatest strengths, its manufacturing base, shielded Hoosiers from a growing reality: Without a solid education, workers are unlikely to earn enough money to sustain families.

As manufacturing has eroded, Indiana has been unable to create enough good jobs to keep wages from declining relative to other states. One result of that trend is that the gulf between well-educated workers and those with fewer skills is broadening. The most realistic way for Hoosiers to start catching up is to significantly deepen the skills of is work force. And that must come through better education, starting in early childhood and continuing through college.

Has progress been made? Yes. Is the current state of education acceptable? Not even close.

Urgency is indeed warranted, not just in every classroom but in every home in every community.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Pride Still Mattered!

2009-05-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

As a kid growing up I lived a pretty good life. I got to spend time with my grandparents who all made good livings that would be hard to accomplish today.

One set of granparents lived in Gary and my Grandfather worked at "The Mill" also know as United States Steel, Gary Works. My grandmother was a stay at home mom. I would visit thier house on 2nd Avenue and never worried about anything. My great grandmother lived around the corner and I could go over there anytime I wanted when I was in town. And sometimes I got to go to Southern IL where by grandfather was from to visit my great grandmother down there and hear stories about my family and the coal mines. You see my grandfather left southern IL when the coal mines slowed down to go to work at "The Mill".

My other granparents lived the American dream in my beloved Deleware County Indiana where the best sweet corn in the world is grown. My grandfather built his house down the road from his parents and he farmed the land with his wife and son's. My Grandmother was also a registered nurse and helped deliver many of her 16 grandkids including me. My grandfather was a tough old man who farmed during the day and worked at the glass factory in town at night. I have no idea when that man slept.

Both set's of grandparents raised thier kids and lived a good life and were able to do many of the things they had wanted and saw both my parents graduate from college. Both my parents have masters degree's and are educators.

As a kid growing up in Yorktown the neighborhood I lived in was nothing fancy but it was nice. It was safe and clean and all the kids had fun. I think back and most of the neighborhood was filled with teachers, small business owners and automobile factory workers. My best friends parents were a GM guy and a registered nurse.

What is my point. I am scratching my head trying to figure our where we have come in the last 25 years and where we are going. And bottom line as I have said before the problem with our country is Wall Street and the goof ball analysts that know nothing about business that have been driving performance based on profit instead of sound business practices.

We can blame it on the politicians, the R's or the D's, they conservatives and the liberals, the unions, the teachers, the universities, the parents, the kids......whatever you want to do......but here is the real problem......it's a lack of visionary leadership.....

All we have are a bunch of followers in government doing what ever the party tells them to do.....I love how they blame it on lobbyistst.....well if that was the case we would get things done instead of gridlock based on party lines....this is true at every level of governement from school board the the white house......

It's time for things to change folks.....or maybe I am missing all the opportunities for the middle class today?

Please enlighten me.....and don't bring sorry stories about our education.....we have the smartest people in the world here and we exclude no one from school so get over yourself on that one. And ISTEP was designed with a 40% failure rate so we are gettng the exact results we asked for......let's talk career centers and options other then college as the college dream is not not affordable.

Peace Dude.

DId you hear that?

2009-04-27T18:55:00.001-07:00

Did you hear that sound?

It's the money being taken from your pocket....

Who is taking it?????

The schools are raiding half of the additional funds for IDEA. They say they can't provide inclusion and services needed due to budget constraints.

But when they get the money they use their rule to use the money for other things so they can keep blaming the budget, the state, the feds and their unfunded mandates and oh ya the parents.....but never oh never themselves....

Peace Dude!

Beware of the 50% Factor

2009-04-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Schools tell parents they can't get things done in Special Education because of the lack of funding......

Parents push for more funding during IDEA 2004 reauthorization.....

Congress starts talking about increasing funding...

Superintendents Association runs to Congress saying if you send us money too fast we may not be able to spend it and have to send it back......actually they send quite a bit back now.....

Congress adds the MOE 50% rule which says this:

If the IDEA allocation exceeds the previous year IDEA allocation, district MOE may be reduced by up to 50% of the amount of the increase.

Funding does not go up in appropriations....

Candidate Obama promises to fund IDEA....

President Obama includes $13 billion in IDEA funding in stimulus bill....

Superintendents push funds thru CO-OPS......why? The board for the Co-Ops are the Superintendents....not the school boards....

First thing they do is exercise the 50% rule and move half the money over to other school funding......

Then they whine about not passing AYP because of Special Education.....

Isn't that SPECIAL....

Folks call you Superintendents and ask them how they are going to spend the IDEA money from the Stimulus package and then ask them if they are going to use it all for special education or use the MOE 50% rule....

They are allowed by law to do this but THEY DO NOT HAVE TOO......

PEACE DUDE

Think this say's it all!

2009-04-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

For more about Captain Tony read here

http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/index.html

A tax is only a tax when..................

2009-04-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

A few years ago and I had the opportunity to talk with my good friend Senator

Luke Kenley

about the idea of a non nutritive beverage tax to fund the waiting list for services for individuals with disabilities. Senator Kenley and I had a very good conversation about this issue and while it would have only raised the cost of a COKE a penny he would not move it forward as the public would not accept a tax increase for this idea.

Well fast forward a few years and you will find my good friend Senator Kenley throwing tax increases all over the place to help out the Colts, The Pacers, The Irsays, The Simons, and the inept operators of the city of Indianapolis.

Senator Kenley I very much accepted your explanation on the tax we proposed to help individuals with disabilities so please help me out why you are supporting a tax increase to assist two of the wealthiest families in Indiana???

For more on the Simon/Pacers side of this issue please read:

The IBJ on Indy/Pacers/Simon and the Money

Peace Dude

We are Back!

2009-04-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Had a great vacation and am rested and ready to get back at it.

Much to talk about this week.

Peace Dude.

From The Arc of the United States

2009-03-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

President Obama - Meet with our Constituency

3/23/2009
March 23, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc of the United States commends you for your immediate and sincere apology to Special Olympians regarding your comments on “The Tonight Show.” We recognize the deep commitment of your administration to reach out to people with developmental disabilities and the proposals you have advanced for implementation of policies that will improve the lives of our constituency.

However, rather than simply apologizing and putting this incident behind you, we would like to suggest that you seize this opportunity to advance public understanding of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the challenges they and their families face on a daily basis.

As the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc hears from countless families emphasizing that it is only when basic services and supports are in place that people have the luxury and freedom of participating in sports activities and events such as Special Olympics. Much of the sorrow and anger expressed by individuals with disabilities and their families in response to your comment stems from these realities.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities often live lives that are rife with bullying, hate language and relegation to secondary status – all of these emblematic of the shadows of exclusion. They understand that public attitudes, misinformation and negative stereotypes are the biggest obstacle to their inclusion in the community. Join us in breaking down the attitudinal barriers that stand in the way of full inclusion.

We urge you to convene a White House meeting with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents and family members and advocates to discuss some of the following critical issues facing this community:

Ø The 700,000 individuals and their families on Waiting Lists for home and community based services. This also includes elderly parents who are the caregivers for their 50-60 year old offspring with intellectual disabilities and young adults seeking to transition from school to community life;

Ø Recent cases of abuse, brutality, exploitation, and neglect against people with intellectual disabilities that have surfaced in the last few weeks in Iowa and Texas and the fear that similar hidden abuses are occurring elsewhere;

Ø The institutional bias of the Medicaid system and the lack of adequate funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistance, respite care, and the family support necessary for people to live in their communities without costly and unwarranted institutionalization; and

Ø The need to address long term care, services and support as part of the current health care reform initiative.

In addition, instruct the Department of Education to utilize a portion of its discretionary American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds to support school-based initiatives to promote respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Finally, we urge you to use the bully pulpit of your office to catalyze public and legislative support for the Community Choice Act and the CLASS Act, two important pieces of legislation that will help to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Through these actions you can then shift perception and help alter the pervasive societal attitudes that form the obstacles to people with disabilities “shining” not just within the competitive sports arena but also in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, attending classes at a community college, worshipping within their faith communities, and so much more.

Mr. President, while society has made many strides in advancing the rights and promoting the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are cognizant that much work remains. We look forward to collaborating with you on these important goals that will move us closer to an all inclusive society.

Sincerely,

Peter V. Berns

Executive Director

In Honor of World Down Syndrome Day!

2009-03-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

A blast from the past....look at my little guy then. Wow how time fly's. Oh ya that roadking would fly too.....

My Buddy Ray!

2009-03-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

What DADS Has Done For Me
Posted by Ray Glowner on Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009

What DADS has done for me as a person and a father can not be described in a paragraph or two. I could write an entire book on how DADS has changed my life. One day I may, but for now, I will give some high points of my time as a DADS member, and of the time, that for me, set my journey as a member of DADS in motion.

Several years ago around 2004, when DADS was growing and we needed some direction, James May, Director of The Fathers Network in Washington St. came to Indianapolis to help us, as a group, get better organized. We held a brain-storming session with maybe 10 guys. We were talking about what we needed as fathers and how we can expand to help other fathers of children with Down syndrome. We were getting great information and making progress.

After a while, we were talking about how we were informed of our child’s condition and our response to the news. Some of the guys told their stories and I finally told mine. I haven’t told anyone of my experience for six years, and on that day, in a meeting with ten other men that I barely knew, I told of when I went outside at the hospital the night after Katie was born, at 1 in the morning in February and cussed God for ten minutes, screaming at him and asking: “Why? You are supposed to be a kind and compassionate God, but now you put this hardship on Stef? WHY?”

After I told about my experience, I had tears in my eyes and the other guys did also. I was embarrassed and told the guys that “if you want to have this kind of support group where we pity each other, I want nothing to do with it.” Those weren’t my exact words, but this is a family letter. I got up, stormed from the room and left. Some of the guys found me and convinced me that this group we are involved in will not be that way. I came back into the meeting and I have never looked back.

I have been with the DADS for roughly eight years, and I have overcome my anti-social ways. I didn’t like being around people, or being “out of my comfort zone”, which meant staying around the house and talking to my two or three friends I had at the time. I became the Social DAD and was responsible for setting up social activities for the kids and ourselves. Isn’t it ironic that I was somewhat anti-social, and became Social Chair? I enjoyed setting up and organizing events. I reckon it is a form of therapy. I have helped with our Buddy Walk and I even volunteered to Chair it one time. I was asked to be Interim DADS President and I ENJOY doing the things I do for and with DADS.

I told one of the guys awhile back about the friendships that have formed within DADS. I work with 150 people, and I may have four “friends” there. I get along with everyone, but I will not confide in them the things that go on in my life. Thre are only a couple of people I can do that with.

With the DADS group, I have made countless friends. These are guys I hang out with: go to a race or a football game. Go fishing with and have a drink or dinner with. These guys are my friends in every sense of the word. They have been there for me on countless occasions, whether I was using them as a “sounding board” for a problem, or to get me out and relax. Or they call just to say “Hey”.
I owe my well being to these guys, because if it weren’t for DADS, I cringe at where and what I would be now. I want to spread the mission of DADS, because if they could help me, I know that they (we) can help anyone

Awesome story Dude!

Spread the Word to End the Word!

2009-03-21T15:49:00.001-07:00

It is time to “Spread the Word to End the Word” and on 31 March 2009 Special Olympics is calling for a national day of awareness for America to stop and think about their use of the R-word. That R-word is not “recession,” but something more hurtful and painful – “retard.”

Wear the Spread the Word T-shirt and show your support! Click on the logo above to order yours today.
Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.

Spread the Word to End the Word will raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. America will be asked to declare their support for more respectful and inclusive language, specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.

Created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity.

On 31 March, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges on www.r-word.org from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word. Actor and activist John C. McGinley, of the hit show “Scrubs,” is helping with this effort by making national media appearances on behalf of the campaign. On 2 March 2009, he appeared on "The Bonnie Hunt Show."

Send us your plans to Spread the Word at r-word@specialolympics.org. After 31 March, let us know how your Spread the Word event went. Send a report, photos and videos to r-word@specialolympics.org.

Update about Big Dawg Tales

2009-03-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Gang:

A quick update on my blog. While I will continue to write about what ever the heck I feel like, I am going back to the roots of the blog. I started this blog to talk about Nash, life, Down syndrome, Disability issues, and advocacy.

I really got sidetracked into politics as a whole, local, state and national. I have come to the conclusion that I can't fix all the issues that are out there and so many of the activists are kinda scary. So with that said you may notice I have removed a few blog links and added some others. Nothing wrong with the folks I have removed they are good people. But I am going to go back to only working on the issues of the greatest importance to me........Down syndrome, DADS, Education, Employment, Disability rights and all things NASH!

Peace Dude!

World Down Syndrome Day

2009-03-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

On March 21st, 2009, World Down Syndrome Day will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Professor Jerome Lejeune's discovery of the extra copy of chromosome 21 which causes Down Syndrome.

Now known as trisomy-21 because of the third copy of the 21st chromosome, Down Syndrome was first described by the English doctor, John Langdon Down, in 1866 but until Professor Lejeune's publication in 1959, the ultimate cause of Down Syndrome was unknown.

Professor Lejeune and Dr Langdon Down are regarded as the preeminent contributors to our present understanding of Down Syndrome, not only because of their research into Down Syndrome, but also because each of them contributed much of their own time and money to advocating on behalf of persons with Down Syndrome and their families.

Down Syndrome organisations around the world this year will pay tribute to the pioneering work of Professor Lejeune and celebrate the tremendous advances in the care and social welfare of people with Down Syndrome over the past fifty years.

"Professor Lejeune provided inspiration to parents and professionals who met him, and drew strength and hope from his optimism and his simple and profound dedication to humanity. The Lejeune Institute inParis continues to sponsor research in this area” said Mrs. Penny Robertson, President of Down Syndrome International. “But while there is much to be proud of in western countries in the services provided for people and families with Down syndrome, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in many countries".

For more information about Down Syndrome International,
please visit www.ds-int.org

For more information about World Down Syndrome Day,
please visit www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

For more information about the next World Down Syndrome Congress,
please visit www.wdsc2009.com

Peace Dude!

The Arc of The United States!

2009-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

The Arc says people with disabilities are bowled over by President's comment

3/20/2009
March 20, 2009
THE ARC CALLS ON PRES. OBAMA TO MEET WITH
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Silver Spring, MD – On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we are deeply dismayed and indeed surprised by President Barack Obama’s unfortunate statement during his appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.

Throughout his campaign, during the transition and in the early months of the new Administration, the President has reached out to the disability community and demonstrated a deep commitment to the issues impacting people with disabilities and their families. When he appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy last month, the appointment was heralded by the Administration as “our first step to ensure that we have a strong advocate for people with disabilities at the highest levels of our Administration.” The President has also articulated a comprehensive policy agenda that is of critical importance to people with disabilities. http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/disabilities/

The President’s offhanded remark has stirred sorrow and even anger from our constituents. Statements such as these reflect pervasive societal attitudes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities somehow don’t measure up – that their lives are of less worth. The biggest obstacle to including people with disabilities in community life is public attitudes.

The President may have been talking about bowling but this is not really about sports. Presidential spokesperson, Bill Burton’s, explanation that Special Olympics “gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities,” clearly misses the mark. People with disabilities want the opportunity to “shine” among colleagues in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, in the continuing education class at a community college, in their faith communities and everywhere else. They particularly dislike and are deeply offended by remarks such as that stated by the President.

Full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is the only way we will collectively shift our attitudinal barriers that prevent people from realizing their full potential as contributing members of the community.

Inviting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the White House for photo ops of bowling and basketball is not a solution. Instead, The Arc of the U.S. calls on President Obama to convene a meeting of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents and siblings, and those who support them to discuss the critical issues facing this community, such as:

700,000 individuals and families on waiting lists for home and community based services,
recent cases of abuse and brutality against people with disabilities in Iowa and Texas,
lack of funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistants, respite and family support that are needed to enable people to live in their communities and avoid costly and unwarranted institutions,
The ball is now in the President’s court. We await a meaningful response.

Enough Said.......

Peace Dude!

Hmmmmmm

2009-03-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

You know I was thinking today as I watched the happenings over the weekend that at a time when our country needs people working to fix things all I see are the power players aligning themselves for the next election..

Mitt Romney trying again...

Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter the poster children for the new Republican party...

And in the Indiana 5th district all kinds of going on's to start that election cycle as early as possible. At least Jim Kittle has endorsed already do I know who NOT to vote for.

Before long Mitch will break his promise to not run again and start running for Senate or more likely President.

Our country is really not in shambles gang. The problem is the same one that I have been talking about for years. Shut wall street down and get back to work and life will be grand once again. Oh ya, turn the tv off and quite reading the paper.

Peace Dude.

Happy Birthday Bubba!

2009-02-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of you and I can't say more.....

Peace Dude!

Stimulus Shimulus Part 2

2009-02-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

Well where is the change we can believe in? Where is the United States? Seems like we are back to red states and blue states. And unfotunatley President Obama has not figured out how to turn the heat up enough to melt Miss plastic better known as Pelosi. My quick comments on the new package....more of the Bushy package....nothing new and no leadership.

1. Government Welfare!
2. Big Corporate Welfare for the big Capitalists that should be fired.
3. tax cuts so minute they won't do anything.
4. The cash will all be used up in weeks and they will all be back for more.

Maybe we should call it the Crack bill.

Wana fix the economy?

1. Use the FDIC and if the bank can't make it shut it down and sell off the assets.
2. If the big company can't make it let them file Bankruptcy.
3. Can't make your payments on your mortgage or debt....file bankruptcy.
4. Suspend the Federal income tax for 3 months.
5. Shut down the IRS and go to a flat tax system within a year.

There you go 5 really simple ideas that would take about 100 pages of text in a bill. Of course the economists will say this won't work but that was the exact same bunch on TV a few years ago laughing at the guy calling for a housing bust....

It's time to put our big boy pants on folks.....we built this country and only we can turn it around.

Peace Dude.

Stimulus Shimulus!

2009-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

I am always intrigued why we all think for some reason we are sending smart people to Washington. No we send people to DC that have the goal of getting to DC that try to never get caught doing anything wrong and are afraid to rip someone's head off or make anyone mad......well guess what....we have exactly what we deserve....

Right now the only difference between Obama's package and Bush's package is the money on this package is going to the Demo's buddy's and the first went to the Repub's buddy's. That is it......a total wast of time and money. It will not turn the economy around....it won't stimulate the economy and I wish you all would get smart enough to know the goverment does not create jobs......they may hire on the gov't level but they don't create jobs in the private sector....

The only people that can fix the economy is you and I....so let's go do it. Pull your money out of the stock market, tell the credit card companies to pound sand and be like the folks in DC and don't pay taxes and then go start a business.

Peace Dude

Education rules in for sweeping change

2009-02-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

The State Board of Education adopted a sweeping agenda of deregulatory reform today, overhauling a host of rules that have guided schools for years.

Two quotes interested me in this article:

1.New Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett had campaigned for the changes while running for office and said they will "uncuff the hands of our very talented administrators and our very caring school boards."

Dr. Bennett I thought the Administrators and School Boards were the problem with spending on buildings and not getting the cash to the classroom. I really thought I remembered your ads saying you were going to support the teachers. Did I misunderstand?

2. For instance, under the new rules, a high school swimmer spending four hours a day practicing swimming could be exempted from physical education classes so he or she could take other courses, Bennett said.

Dear Noblesville School Board, based on this fact why do so many student athletes need to take advanced PE in your proposed $6 million wellness (health club) center???

Peace Dude!

Stimulus Czar

2009-01-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

I nominate LT Col Slade to oversee the stimulus package.

Somebody sure likes basketball!

2009-01-24T14:42:00.001-08:00

The video's in the post a few below are from Nash's first game where he was awarded best offense of the game.... the picture above is from today's game and it was best defense. Even has the floor burns on his knees and elbows from diving for the ball. We made the decesion to play Upward Bound at White River Christian Church and it has turned out very well for him to play with his peers in this league.

Peace Dude!

Have we lost our minds?

2009-01-22T18:04:00.000-08:00

I came home tonight and read the headlines and I think we have lost our minds. We are dealing with one of the most difficult times our economy and way of life has seen in years. Much in my opinion has been caused by politics and greed on Wall Street. It never seems to end.

Here is what I mean:

The Indiana Legislature is in session trying to figure out our state budget and they spend all day talking about pie:

Read about our state pie

We have thugs going and robbing our public school students while they are waiting for the bus:

Read about our local thugs

Our stimulus package that is supposed to stimulate the economy is now going to be used to fund absurd building projects for our amazing local government officials.....might as well give the money to AIG and Citi Group:

Read about our new spending programs

We now hire an ex G.W.B. staffer and pal of our Guv to run an Indiana Agency. While I really don't care that he got fired by the Red Cross I have to ask.....is there no one in Indiana that can do this job?

Read about our new agency head

I could go on but I will stop for now. I am at a loss right now trying to figure out what these people are thinking.....

I think Indiana needs it's own version of Governor Jesse Ventura and we need it fast. Anyone have any ideas????????????

Peace Dude!

Now we have it right!

2009-01-21T18:37:00.001-08:00

Thankfully we now have Midwestern folks in DC. Justice Roberts from Indiana and President Obama from Illinois thought we better make sure we have this correct. It is nice to have folks already acknowledging we might have done something wrong so let's get it right.

Peace Dude!

Good Luck Mr. President!

2009-01-19T18:48:00.001-08:00

I know it's a bit early but I doubt I will have time tomorrow.

Peace Dude!

It's almost time to go racin with #14

2009-01-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

Click here to Read about Stewart Hass Racing and the new number 14.

Go Get em "Smoke"!

Peace Dude

Noblesville School Board, Clueless and out of touch!

2009-01-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Board president explains referendum, plans

Please understand I am not saying the folks on the School Board and Dr. Lehman are bad people as I actually think they are all pretty good folks. But with that said they are so entrenched into Hamilton County Republican Politics and such a part of the Good Ole Boys Club they think it is still 1980. Guess what gang you need to get a clue. If you think this community is going to go along with a proposal full of sports money and consulting fees to your pals you are wrong. You want to create a plan that works and is responsible it will pass. But don't talk down to us and act like you are smarter then this community. You are not!

By the way in all the follow up articles I have yet to see anyone ask or answer this question. Since you thought this was a done deal and moved ahead with plans and permits how much has the school corporation spent on this failed project? And where did that money come from in the schools budget? What cuts will have to be made to student education to compensate for this spent money?

Peace Dude!

Latest Additions to Indy!

2009-01-13T18:27:00.001-08:00

Nash and I recently had the chance to see a Colts Game at the new Stadium and on our Christmas vacation we all got to experience the New Indianapolis International Airport. After visiting both and comparing them to my experiences in the past I had to think. The RCA Dome was fine and has now been demolished. The old Airport is empty and they are trying to find something to do with it.

After thinking of this and the costs to build both I am left with one question that is driving my crazy....

WHY?

Peace Dude!

One more Basketball Video

2009-01-11T19:11:00.001-08:00

Nash Scores again!

2009-01-11T19:07:00.000-08:00

Nash has first basketball game success!

2009-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

What a picture!

2009-01-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

What do you think they are all thinking as they watch their building project crash and burn? My guess is King Kevin is shocked the flock did not follow his orders. Chris Hamm is still trying to figure out why he left his job with the city and I can only figure Julia Kozicki is calling her Daddy Doug Church to see if he can fix it. Ok I am just pulling their legs a bit on this but........they do need a little dose of reality.

1. Yes it has to do with the economy gang but that is not the only reason.

2. You need to redo the plan and get rid the college style athletic plans.

3. Figure out what you need to perform in academics.

4. Don't send a news letter home the same day we are voting telling us we can't have daily math tests due to a budget cut for paper.

5. Maybe next time you can have the vote at the same time you have the other elections. You know I read the article today and the one thing Kathy Richardson did not say was she was busy running for re-election.

6. Get the numbers down and maybe hire a project manager from Hamilton County.

Come on gang the free ride is over. Do your jobs and come up with a solid plan moving forward.

Peace Dude.

Noblesville Republican School Board gets defeated!

2009-01-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Well folks as I have been saying the big tax and spend Republicans in Hamilton County were going to start losing soon. The first defeat happened today as the school construction referendum led by King Kevin and his court was voted down by a whopping 81 votes. And all this pandering to have a special election in January so they could control things. Welcome to the changing landscape of Hamilton County. Now Dr. Lehman, King Kevin and the Court, go on back to the table and cut the fat, the health club at the high school and the consultant fees and bring it back to the table. We will vote for the stuff you need not junk you don't. Oh ya, could we also hire a Construction Manager from Hamilton County for the new project?

Peace Dude!

Noblesville voters defeat $59.5M spending plan in special election today

By Chris Sikich
Posted: January 9, 2009

NOBLESVILLE -- Noblesville voters defeated the school district's plans to spend $59.5 million on building projects in Indiana's first special election under a new law.
County election officials said 1,799 people voted for the project and 1,880 voted against it.Less than 12 percent of registered voters turned out for the special election.

Happy New Year

2009-01-06T19:04:00.001-08:00

Happy 2009 everyone. Just back from Vacation yesterday and back to our regular schedule. I will post about our trip soon. But a couple Highlights:

Emeril's New Orleans Fish house is no longer after all these years my favorite place to eat....actually I doubt I will ever go back and our waiter Edward might be the worst in the Biz.

If you are going to Vegas in the near future and you are not offended by adult oriented humor you have to see Zumanity. I have not laughed so hard in years.

And for a family vacation The Hilton Resorts are great but the best hotel in Las Vegas is still........drum roll please............... THE GOLDEN NUGGET!

I hope you all have a happy and prosperous 2009.

Peace Dude!

Last questions of 2008 for my pals in the media!

2008-12-29T07:46:00.001-08:00

Why have none of you asked Governor Mitch Daniels one simple question. Mr. Governor can you explain how Indiana went from the most wonderfully cash rich, job rich, everything is great state on November 3rd, 2008 (remember the Mitchie Commercials) to where we are today?

And don't give me the crap about how much better shape we are in then MI, IL OH etc as we were also in better shape then those states when Governor Kernan was in office and let's see how did Mitch put it when their tax estimates came in low? "I am not saying they are bad people just bad at governing".

The other day when I heard they closed the "Toll Road" they interviewed an Indiana State Trooper on the Toll Road and said he nor the INDOT snow plows could get to people. Here is another question......how does that lease work, are those guys paying the state for police and snow plow service? I would like to know the answer to that.

Now overall I think Mitch Daniels is a pretty good guy and a pretty decent Governor and a damn good leader but I think it's time some of you media folks need to ask some questions. Or are you all afraid of the Mitch machine? Abdul?

Ok that is it for this disaster of a year that 2008 has been for the business world. I am not even going to get into that.

Ok we are off to Vegas to celebrate some guy's birthday.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME....

Peace Dude!

Economic Stimulus!

2008-12-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

Well I am not in favor of our economic stimulus of the dead beats running many of our public companies as you know if you have read my blog. Many of these companies should be shut down or at least they should file Bankruptcy and replace their management and many of their past decisions. And yes that would include a redesign of the union agreements.

I believe that the only way our economy will turn around is to stimulate the citizens so they can start spending again. The best way to do that is a federal income tax holiday for January and February. So get it done.

In the meantime we are off to stimulate the economy in our own way. We are off to? Well you tell me............

PEACE DUDE!

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-24T15:33:00.001-08:00

Have a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka and a Happy New Year.

Peace Dude!

So when are we going to get organized?

2008-12-21T07:02:00.001-08:00

Another article telling us how many people in the US have a disability. If you add to this list mother, father, brother and sister you have a block large enough to control policy in this country. But we can never seem to get on the same page to accomplish much. With all the budget constraints going on are we going to allow services to individuals with disabilities to be cut before other items? Are we going to allow people with disabilities to have their jobs cut first?

Or is now the time to work together as a group? I think it is!

Peace Dude!

MSNBC.com

Census: More than 54 million disabled in U.S.

Report finds only 46 percent of adults with a disability are employed
Reuters
updated 8:54 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 19, 200

WASHINGTON - More than 54 million U.S. residents, or about 19 percent of the population, have some sort of disability, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

The numbers, based on 2005 data, are up slightly from the 2002 survey when 51.2 million people or 18 percent reported a disability, the census found Thursday.

About 46 percent of adults aged 21 to 64 with a disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of adults without disabilities, the survey found.

It also found that:

7.8 percent of people aged 15 and older had difficulty hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million completely deaf people.

3.3 million people, or 1 percent of those aged 15 and older, used a wheelchair or a similar device.

Nearly 7.8 million people aged 15 and older had difficulty seeing words or letters, including 1.8 million who were completely blind.

More than 16 million people had difficulty with cognitive, mental or emotional functioning.
People with a severe disability earned $1,458 a month on average compared to $2,539 for those with no disability.

4.7 million children aged 6 to 14, or 13 percent, had a disability, mostly a problem doing regular schoolwork.

Copyright 2008 Reuters. Click for restrictions.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28311124/

I thought this was worth reposting!

2008-12-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

A site I frequent is "Contrarian Advisor". I don't know this gentleman but he sure seems to know what he posts about.

I thought his article today confirms some of my thoughts pretty well. So indstead of writing my own thoughts I thought I would share his.

Peace Dude!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

BROTHER HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?
Fed cuts to ground zero, says "we'll buy anything", wild buying on Wall street ......VIX falls to 52 but hangs above 50 ish support. SRS plummets 20% (SHORT REAL ESTATE! ) homebuilders soar.....shorts scatter like bugs.but why can't I find any cheer here? why? Because prices are falling like it's 1930. Interest rates on long bond are at lowest level since?maybe ever....FED funds rate at level NEVER seen before at basically ZERO....."will use all measures at our disposal"They created current fiasco buy lowering rates to 1% during last Bear Market and now are going to fix everything and pump it back up by lowering them even further?So those who didnt get the money to borrow will now be able to do so or wnat to?BBY beats numbers but cuts capex by 50% ! I feel like the f'ing Grinch here.....Bussiness for lots of us is at a standstill. My own levels of business are CUT IN HALF from just one year ago and I see NO light at end of tunnel....just the train.What am I going to do? CUT OVERHEAD, CUT SPENDING....that's coming outta somebody's pocket.In this environment you gonna run out and buy a car or home? f no....and prices are FALLING if you wait....even further that's DEFLATION! Yet no one who has put fuel surcharge on me has taken it off and all those price increases from last year are still there.Today's move by the FED is pure DESPERATION, they are puking hairballs I dont care what they say.This I dont believe is the start of a new BULL MKT, and sure sometimes you have to just forget about fundamentals and go with the flow.When this flow stops, you dont want to be long. DAY after FED usually reverses course, have a great tomorrow and upcoming holidays....kiss your kids, tell all you love them....you are rich if you have that and your health, all else bets are off!

Zietgiest

2008-12-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

If you want to understand a little more about what is going on in our economy this is an interesting movie.

ZietGiest The Movie

Peace Dude!

Things I don't understand!

2008-12-13T12:25:00.001-08:00

There are many things I don't understand right now. Here are a few...

1. Why do we invest $45 Billion in tax money plus $300 billion in guarantees into Citi Group when the company is only worth $20.5 Billion?

2. Why have we continued to invest tax money in Banks that are still not loaning money to anyone?

3. Why do we continue to invest tax money in AIG while the gang at the top that has mis-managed them continue to call the shots? Fire them.

4. Why bail out the auto companies? They have proven time and time again they don't know what they are doing. It's time for Bankruptcy, time to renegotiate all the debt and contracts and start over. You know there use to be lots of American car companies at one time and now only the Big 3. Maybe it's time for the Big 2. And yes folks it will cause pain for everyone for a time but let's quit putting off the inevitable.

5. Why do we keep believing politicians? Do we really think any of them know anything about squat?

6. The economy is in the tank, construction is at a stand still and nothing is moving.....but Noblesville Schools think they need to pass a huge building package so they can build new schools and a new workout room at the high school. For what?

Peace Dude!

Hoosiers and their guns.

2008-12-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

Hey gang I am a believer in the right to own firearms but. This picture is from today's INDY STAR.

Well gang I have hunted since I was a kid and if this picture is reflective of a Hoosier Hunter then I guess I am confused. Maybe this guy should get some shooting lessons with his gun because I have yet to know a good hunter that needed that gun to shoot a deer.

Peace Dude.

ROLL TIDE!

2008-11-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

As most of you know I am a huge ND fan but my sentimental favorite to win the National Championship this year has been Alabama. I said if before the season started. Why did I predict this?

John Mark Stallings

To all my Bama friends, good luck next week against the Gators! It should be a great game.

Peace Dude!

Where is Jeffrey Ake?

2008-11-30T13:50:00.001-08:00

As some of you may know I spent quite a bit of my career working for Jeff Ake's father and the entire family. I spent more trips then I want to think about traveling around the world with Jeff. I still remember to this day I made him pull over in Holland to let me drive before he got us both in an accident as he tried to drive and talk on his cell phone at the same time. There were many times he drove me crazy and many things I learned.

For some reason Jeff popped into my mind over this Thanksgiving weekend so I thought I would ask......Where is Jeff Ake? For those that do not remember Jeff was taken hostage in Iraq in 2005 while installing a bottled water plant. Not much has made sense about the story since day 2. Things have been quiet for too long.

Peace Dude!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T05:36:00.000-08:00

I hope each of you enjoy the day with family and friends. And even my friends outside the US I hope you get a chance to spend time with family and friends this weekend.

PEACE DUDE!

Citi Group should be closed!

2008-11-24T17:56:00.001-08:00

I have had it with this whole bailout crap to save the country. It should be called what it is, President Bush and Hank Paulson reward their big donor pals on the backs of the taxpayers.

Today Citi Group got $20 Billion in capital and $300 Billion in bad debt guarantee's. Well the fat cats at the top of Citi Group are dancing all the way to their jets for vacation.

I came home today to this news and two little gifts in the mail from Citi Group. The first was my monthly statement which I expected. The second was a form letter with not date and no postmark. It informed me that my interest rate was going from 5.9% to 24.99%.

Did I miss a payment - nope

Did I go over my limit - nope

Did I do anything outside of my agreement - nope

Citi Group informed me that they were taking my interest rate to 24.99% because they want to. So now they can make more money to make Wall Street happy....and if you have read this blog you know what I think of Wall Street and their goofy analysts.

So not only as a taxpayer do I have to pay for the $20 Billion, and now I am sure the $300 Billion but my interest rate has now gone up 400%!!!!

Welcome to Corporate and Wall Street welfare. I am totally out of my mind tonight. I have worked hard, paid my bills and worked hard to have an excellent credit rating....FOR WHAT?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I have calls into all my legislators asking them to withdraw this bailout and let Citi close their doors.

All my good friends on the right kept telling me that Sen. Obama was a socialist. Well I guess they should know since their guy is giving it a whole new definition.

I think it's time for a tea party! Please call your legislators and tell them let Citi Group go under!

Too big to fail? No because by propping it up we are all going to fail!

More to come!

Peace Dude!

PS.... If you get any letters in the mail from your credit card folks make sure you open it and read it. While I have an opt out clause which I will take most people would not even read it.

PEACE DUDE!

It's time to wish Charlie Weis goodbye!

2008-11-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Well gang I can assure you since day one I was not happy that ND hired Charlie Weis to coach at Notre Dame. Ya, I know he is an alum and ya he called the plays for the Patriots, which adds to why I don't like him. But with that aside I rooted as hard as I could for my team and hoped Charlie would do well. It has not gotten to a point that he must go. Why must he go?

1. If you got rid of Gerry Faust for not winning then Charlie has to go.

2. If you let Bob Davie go for a similar winning % then Charlie has to go.

3. If you don't let Charlie go then explain to my why you let Tyrone Willingham go? I was not a big fan of Coach Willingham but he is a class act. So if the reasons you let Ty go are legit then Charlie has to go.

Oh the cost of the buyout.......the Chicago Alumni Association could probably have the check ready tomorrow.

OK, now to be clear I am not an Alum but have been a fan all my life and can tell you playing college ball in Ohio as an ND fan at times was not pleasant. So I have the right to my opinion on this but no vote.

So what do you do if you let Charlie go. I don't think there is a good long term answer but I will throw out this crazy idea.

How has had more assistant coaches promoted to head coaches then any other coach in college football? You could bring him in on a 3 year contract and tell him to hire the best staff in the country and promote one to head coach in year 4. It could happen and it could be done and the glory of ND could return. Oh who am I referring to?

Do I really need to say more?

Peace Dude!

GO IRISH!

2008-11-22T18:49:00.001-08:00

As many of you may know I am a huge Notre Dame Fan. You can save the comments as I don't care. I have been a ND fan all my life and attended my first game in 1975 and have been to every home game I could get to over the years. If you have read this blog for awhile or you know us personally you will know Nash's favorite movie is "Rudy". And he has enjoyed watching games with me for the last couple of years.

Well it was time. Mauzy had the chance to grab two tickets to today's game a few weeks ago and I said yep go for it. So the plan was sealed Nash and I would spend a father son day at the ND game. So we have been talking and planning our day for a couple weeks now and Nash was fired up. So how did it go?

6:45 am - Nash yells up to Dad, Dad I am awake let's go! Go Irish!

8:30 am - Nash and Dad load up and hit the road. After a stop to get cash and our weekly trip to Hardee's for breakfast we head toward South Bend.

8:45 am - Dad are we going to the game? Dad are we there yet?

9:00 am - Dad are we going to the game? Dad are we there yet? Ok you get it right?

Well the trip to South Bend went pretty quick actually as we jumped in the middle of the ND 500. Oh, you don't know the ND 500......well that is when a big group of cars decide we out number the fuzz and drive together all the way to South Bend. Yes and way to fast.

11:00 arrive in South Bend, stop for a break and something to drink.....Dad are we going to the game, yes Nash kick off is at 2:30....

11:30 am - arrive in White Field parking and proceed to bundle up as the temp was around 28 with a wind chill of about 20. Then head over to the ND mobile book store which is a heated tent where you can buy everything ND. So with the purchase of a Number 7 jersey for Nash and a couple head gear items we are off to the bus for the trip over the the library. Oh ya for those that don't know it....you know Touchdown Jesus.....that is the library.

12:30 - Arrive on campus. We proceed to try to take a bit of a tour of campus but Nash wants to go to the game. Right now dad. So we head over the house that Rockne built and mingle with the crowd. Nash is loving it except for one thing. The gates are still closed so he can't get in yet. Not happy but we work with it.

1:00 pm - standing in line waiting for our gate to open so we can head in exactly an hour and half before kick off in 28 degree weather......lol

1:20 pm we arrive in our seats with our brats and drinks. Did I mention kick off is at 2:30?

Well all I can say is Nash and I had an awesome time today at the game. Did we survive to the end. No we were headed home after the first half and listened to the debacle on the radio. He was a grand partner to go with and a real trooper to spend all that time in the car and over 4 hours outside in really cold weather.

My only comment about the game....as I have said before Charlie is not so good when he does not know the defensive calls before he calls his play. Hope you do well back in the NFL Charlie.

9:15 p.m. As I tucked Nash in bed I asked him if he had fun......yes dad. I asked if he wanted to go to a game again.....oh ya. Well Nash it will have to be next season.....Nash - ok Dad, get there before gates open? Of course Nash!

Days just may not ever get better then this.

Oh, some of the pictures aren't so great but they are from my phone...

Peace Dude!

Book Review of Jonathan Mooney's "The Short Bus"

2008-11-11T17:45:00.001-08:00

Well gang it's time to leave the election process behind for awhile and get back to some business. We recieved a copy of a book to review awhile ago and I read the book but had not had a chance to post this review. Please click on the link below for informaiton on the book and Jonathan Mooney the writer.

Jonathon Mooney and "The Short Bus"

I can assure you when we opened the package and took a look at the book I rolled my eyes and said there is no way I will enjoy this book.

Well the book is written from the views of Jon Mooney and his travels around the country visiting with people with disabilities of all kinds. The common thread is that they all were involved in Special Education in thier schools.

I can tell you there were some tough spots in the book that I had to keep my emotions in check and remember why I was reading the book. When I was done I shocked myself by saying this is the most amazing book I have ever read. I understood things from a very different view point. It reaffirmed to me that in many ways my thinking and actions are correct and somethings I need to rethink.

If you have a child with a disability and they are in the school system this is a must read. Jon shares some amazing stories of success and failures but overall you walk away knowing that normal is only what you decide normal is.

Jonathan, thanks for sending this book to us and I am glad to give it two thumbs up and classify it as a BigDawg must read. Please go to his website and check him out.

And after reading this book I have added a visit to Burning Man onto my bucket list.

PEACE DUDE!

State Rep Kathy Richardson

2008-11-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Kathy Richardson is a good person in my personal opinion but it's time for her to either be Hamilton County Election Administrator or State Rep but no longer both. It is a conflict of interest and there is no doubt about it.

Kathy's Election problems

Peace Dude!

Election day is in the Bag!

2008-11-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

Congrats to all the winners and those who worked hard and lost. The system works again.

Peace Dude!

It just won't be right without Russert!

2008-11-02T18:06:00.001-08:00

This week is just not going to feel right without Tim Russert.

Rest in Peace big guy!

Peace Dude!

Time to Vote!

2008-11-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

Well gang if you did not early vote it's time to make your final decesions and get ready to make your choices. Get out there and VOTE!

As for me I am ready to go but you should hope you are not behind me as it will take awhile as am voting all over the place.

What's next to discuss. No matter who wins my plans are to keep pushing to find out who is going to make sure the promises both candidates have made to the disability community actually happen. We will see quickly how much is fact or fiction.

Happy Voting!

PEACE DUDE!

Rupert Murdoch and Fox News

2008-11-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

I thought this was an interesting article.

Rupert Murdoch on Obama and the financial world

Nothing like giving time to Rupert Murdoch to slam Obama on the economy. Like Rupert and his team at FOX News don't do enough of that on a regular basis. I always am intrigued that people think Rupert who is an Aussie not an American knows more about the US economy then Warren Buffett.

And why is Rupert being the good conservative he is and supporter of McCain Palin not up in arms about this issue?

Dr. denied visa to stay in Australia because his son has Down syndrome

Now I have no problem with big mouth Sean Hannity saying what he wants about Obama whether true or not but Murdoch needs to worry about standing up for issues in his own country. If he really thinks the McCain Palin ticket stands for what is right then he should stand up for this family in his own country.

But hey what do I know....

Peace Dude!

I'm back

2008-10-31T15:13:00.000-07:00

well gang had a little repair work done on the old body. To much abuse and pounding over too many years of football. A little medicated which is good but back at home and ready to get back to normal....what ever normal is.

Peace Dude.

Do Indiana Republicans want Mitch to Lose?

2008-10-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

The latest flyer from THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY makes me wonder if someone rooting for JLT is working there. While I understand negative campaigning why not let the National Party send this out with no damadge. I can assure you this has caused many folk that had planned on voting for Obama and Mitch to change their minds. I have seen the emails. While I think Mitch will still win how many down ticket races did the R's just screw up?

McCain Palin Disability Policy

2008-10-24T19:37:00.001-07:00

Well gang I am a bit worn out as I have been looking at this for hours. But a few quick points.

1. Good stuff but why did it take until today to share it with us?

2. It says full funding, but clearly calls for 40% of the additional cost of special education. IDEA originally called for 70% of the additional cost. While I applaud the idea of the funding I disagree with calling it full funding.

3. Where is the money coming from......cutting the fat in gov't? McCain is a Maverick but since 1975 we have not been able to cut the fat to fund IDEA. Why after all these years in DC can McCain change it now?

4. Governor Palin rolled this out this morning and in McCains speech this afternoon he clearly called for a freeze on funding for all federal programs. So which is it?

5. Governor Palin on Wednesday said she does not support Colorado's effort to raise sales tax to increase funding.

The good news is this is the most talk the disability community has had in a long long time. But we need a real policy with solid funding for IDEA and for post secondary, employment, housing and services for adults. We have a long way to go but I think we are heading in the right direction.

Bottom line I have to hear more detail.

Peace Dude!

Hot off the Press....wow I have some work to do.

2008-10-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release Contact: Press Office Friday, October 24, 2008 703-650-5550

The McCain-Palin Commitment To Children With Special Needs "To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House." -- Governor Sarah Palin, 9/4/08
Today, Governor Sarah Palin Outlined The McCain-Palin Commitment To Children With Special Needs. John McCain and Sarah Palin believe we must continue to challenge our education system to expand access to students with disabilities and provide them with a meaningful and high-quality education. Only 52 percent of students with disabilities graduate with a regular high school diploma, and 33 percent of students with disabilities drop out of the education system entirely. John McCain and Sarah Palin believe we can, and must, do better. A McCain-Palin Administration will do better, with a Vice President who understands the issue first-hand working to implement these major reforms.
The McCain-Palin Commitment: More Choice
· Allow Parents Of Students With Disabilities To Choose The Best School For Their Child. Parents should be able to send their child, especially a child with a disability, to a school of their choice so that they can get the best education possible. Using the Florida McKay scholarship as a model starting point, the McCain Administration will allow states to develop programs that allow parents to choose public or private schools, with federal funding following the child. The McCain-Palin team will also expect states to hold these schools accountable for their results. This proposal carries no cost beyond IDEA funding. States should be allowed to develop these programs with their federal IDEA funds and state and local funds.
· Make Explicit That Federal Funds Are Fully Portable. John McCain and Sarah Palin believe parents of students with disabilities should be allowed to use federal funds at any qualified school of their choice, public or private, religious or secular without forcing them into an administrative process. Currently, the district or the specific school can make such a recommendation. This initiative will allow the parents to make the choice and recommendations themselves. The McCain administration will work to make this a reality.
The McCain-Palin Commitment: Fully Fund The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
· The McCain Administration Will Fully Fund The IDEA. Special Education has been a federal issue since 1975, when President Ford signed the law now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -- IDEA. While IDEA has been improved and strengthened over the years, its primary funding commitment has never been met.
· Full Federal Funding Of IDEA Is Estimated At $26 Billion Annually Compared To The Current Level Of $10.9 Billion. Using a phased-in increase of $3 billion annually in order to reach the full funding in five years will cost an additional $45 billion over five years. Full funding for IDEA means the federal government would pay 40 percent of the costs of the K-12 special education program.
The McCain-Palin Commitment: Reform And Refocus
· Provide Information And Assistance To Families Of Infants And Toddlers With Special Needs And Up-To-Date Information For Medical Professionals. The Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Information Centers (CPRCs) provide needed information and assistance. Unfortunately, to date, their focus has been parents of school age children; the McCain Administration will refocus IDEA so that the Centers must expand to parents with children ages 0-3. In addition, the McCain Administration will call for the Centers to provide access to better information for medical professionals about improvements in resources and the availability of assistance. In turn, these medical professionals will be able to provide better information to parents. This can be done with no additional cost beyond IDEA funding as it merely refocuses existing funding.
· Increase Funding For States To Improve Services To Families With Infants And Toddlers. Almost 80 percent of families with special needs children from birth through three years old serve their children at home under the IDEA program. Parents and families will benefit from improved programs and resources to maximize their child's potential in the early years under a McCain Administration. Currently, this part of IDEA is minimally funded. · Improve Services To Students With Disabilities In High Schools And Community Colleges. The McCain Administration will modernize the Vocational Rehabilitation Act to improve services to students with disabilities in high schools and community colleges. Require states to demonstrate proven outcomes for students with disabilities that lead to gainful employment when they graduate. When the Vocational Rehabilitation Act is modernized, funding should be refocused to incentivize proven outcomes for students with disabilities

As strong as it gets!

2008-10-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today Retired General Powell Endorsed Senator Obama for President. So let's hear the arguments why this endorsement is no good?

General Powell is:

1. A retired General

2, A former Secretary of State

3. A Republican

All this means he has the highest security clearance possible. He knows foreign affairs and would know whether Bill Ayres was an issue or not. I thought his answers and reasons for endorsing today where well thought out and clear.

Is this check mate?

Peace Dude!

VIP Tickets?

2008-10-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

Now being the good guy that I am I stood in line with my friendly Hamilton County Republicans to pick up the general admission tickets my Republican wife reserved for the Palin Rally. Well I thought this article on issues with VIP tickets was interesting.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081018/NEWS0502/810180468

Now I do remember some of my right leaning blogger pals really making a big stink over Senator Obama having a contest for VIP seating or something that required volunteer time. Oh my that was a big deal..so where is the outrage now? Was it not my same friends that started calling Obama the Messiah because he was filling concert venues for rallies? Oh my.....

Now interestingly enough there were a couple of quotes in this article earlier this morning about non VIP ticket holders that arrived early and a fence but it has been removed now.

I will say that I really enjoyed my time at the rally and everyone around me was really great and good people to be around. But gang if you are gonna throw rocks move out of your glass houses.

Peace Dude!

Sarah Palin Rally in Noblesville!

2008-10-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yep it's true I stood in line at Hamilton County Republican headquarters and got our three tickets to go see the Gov and VP Candidate Sarah Palin on her visit to Noblesville today. We took Nash with us with his sign about DS Awareness month and cheered for our friend and fellow parent in our world of Down syndrome. We actually got there late and found a really great parking spot and got to see and wave to Governor Palin as she drove by in her motorcade. We got a big smile and a wave and we were proud to be there.

We heard the warm up from Lt Gov Skillman.....................yawn. And why was it cutting a ribbon was more important for Mitch Daniels to attend then this? Has he written off the ticket?

Then we heard a really good stump speech from the Gov. Gosh I wish she was running for Governor her in Indiana. The speech rallied the troops and had everyone clapping and cheering. It was filled with good ole rally the base stuff and was good from that point. She did talk about what I went to hear. She said she would be a friend and advocate for parents of children with Special Needs and that was nice but it was pandering to the disability vote as it has no policy to back it up. So I am glad I went with an open mind and glad I got to see her.

Please hear me loud and clear I think John McCain is a great man and a true American Hero and I think Sarah Palin is an awesome Governor and will be part of our world in the future. But these are the reasons I can't vote for them.

1. Senator McCain's health care plan would cost my family big bucks. We have a very good employer based healthcare plan. Every decision made in our careers since Nash was born with ds has been based around health insurance. While Nash has zero health issues no insurance company will cover him on a stand alone policy in the market place. So if McCain's plan would be in effect we would lose our group plan, get a $5,000 tax credit to buy a $10,000 policy for us and have to go to the high risk pool for a policy for Nash. This plan would cost my family money and piece of mind and security. All of Senator Obama's plans will work for my family.

2. Senator McCain has said he would not offer additional funding for IDEA. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is what allows Nash and other children with disabilities to attend public school. The law has never been funded as promised by Congress in 1975 when passed and causes many issues due to lack of funding. Senator Obama has committed to full funding.

3. Senator McCain also will not fund No Child left Behind. This is bad legislation made worse by no funding. Senator Obama will fix this issue.

Those are my three main reasons. Sure I worry about national security. I lived and worked in the UK at the height of the IRA problems I know what it's like to worry about attacks. But I am one that believes we can work things out through diplomacy just like President Reagan did.

Sure Senator Obama's plans will cost money. How do we pay for them. Well if we can spend $10b a month in Iraq and $700b on a bunch of bums on Wall Street then we can find the money through cutting some waste.

I have tried my best to state my case without any name calling or accusations just the facts. Please feel free to try to convince me why I am wrong on any of the facts above.

oh, ya....speaking of Bill Ayers..... Heard a great point yesterday. As I was driving back from a meeting in IL I was listening to my old Favorite WLS AM and the Roe Cann show out of Chicago. This is a good right wing talk radio station that hosts RUSH. So I found it interesting that in Chicago they are scratching their heads as to the fact that most people in Chicago have never heard Ayres mentioned in Chicago politics until the R's brought him up. I thought that was profound.

Now I am hearing word that you had to make 100 phone calls for the McCain Camp to get VIP tickets. Now I think that is a great idea but the R's blasted the heck out of Obama when you had to do that same for VIP tickets for his event.

Peace Dude.

11th annual Indianapolis Buddy Walk

2008-10-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful day spent with over 3,000 good friends.

Be Afraid be very afraid!

2008-10-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

ok, gang you can click on the link safely....it just a tv ad I think you will get a kick out of.

CLICK HERE

And the winner of tonights debate is?

2008-10-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Simply the Best!

2008-10-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well we are in Chicago....hell with the economy. We spent big bucks to see Tina Turner tonight and it was AWESOME.....we were in good company with Oprah, Stedman, Gail and Tom Cruise.....I will post more later but the above is a pic of Opie and Stedman....

I just wish I had Tina's energy....she is simply the BEST.

Peace Dude.

The VP Debate

2008-10-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

All I can say is that I thought both Senator Biden and Governor Palin did a great job. They both stated their view points in a fair and positive way. While they disagreed on issues they did it with class while sticking to their viewpoints.

Well done to both candidates.

Now with 4 weeks to go let this sink in. This is the most important election of my lifetime and you must look at the facts that effect your life and your vision of this country and go VOTE!

Peace Dude!

This did not have to happen!

2008-09-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

Small town devastated by deadly school bus crash - from The Indy Star

Please read the story mentioned above. This was a horrible accident and my prayers go out to each and every family involved in anyway.

But this should not have happened! No way no how as these students should not have been there. And the people at the top need to be held personally responsible.

If the school corporation and the state of Indiana would follow, implement and fund the law that guarantee's students with disabilities a right to their education this would not have happened. Ya, I know it's always hard to implement and follow the rules of all of these laws but give me a break. IDEA, The individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed in 1975.

Bottom line is this if the schools would have been following the law these students would have been attending their home school and receiving their supports and services in the classroom right beside the friends from their neighborhood. Instead the schools find it cheaper to form Co-Ops and bus students around. In this case these students were in this horrible place at this horrible moment because of the School Corporation.

The Superintendent, School Board, Dr. Sue Ellen Reed, The Indiana State Board of Education and Governor Mitch Daniels should each be held personally responsible for the deaths of each of these students. Plain and simple the above mentioned individuals are responsible some by decisions they have made and some simply by their elected responsibilities.

Peace Dude.

Well I could talk politics but.............

2008-09-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

So much to talk and debate but......We took Nash to his first Big Ten Football Game today and it does not get any better then that.

The House the taxpayers built!

2008-09-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Now I am 100% a Colt's fan and gladly pay my tax to help pay for the stadium. But now that we have to figure out how to pay for operations I have to ask. My comments in order of the pictures above.

1. First picture is the large suite at Lucas Oil, wonder what it costs to use? How much did that suite cost to furnish? Maybe that suite revenue could pay for operations?

2. Do you really go to a game to sit in a suite and watch a tiny TV next to your seat?

3. Did we really needs Colts logo's in the carpet in the press box?

4. Did Jim Irsay really need pigskin flooring in his office at the Stadium at $100 a square foot?

5. And last but not least the Irsay Throne that I hear cost $1,500.

The Stadium is really awesome and it's great to have the Colts here in Indy and I hope they stay for ever. But with some of these items I think the City, State and The Colts can figure out this operations mess without adding it to the taxpayers tab.

Peace Dude!

Taxpayer Bailout of the poor little rich boys!

2008-09-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

As you know I am not a big fan of the folks on Wall Street. I am including the text of the proposed bill for this bailout below. I have read thru this and what I find interesting is this bill waives all oversight and waives all normal requirements of public contract granting. I really see this as giving $700 billion of play money to the Bush good ole boy network with no oversight or accountability. We as taxpayers if this is approved more then ever before need to follow the money. You will also see that overall point of the bailout is to take care of Wall Street first and to protect the taxpayers second. I have placed in bold a few items that really bother me!

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR TREASURY AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE MORTGAGE-RELATED ASSETS
Section 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as ____________________.
Sec. 2. Purchases of Mortgage-Related Assets.
(a) Authority to Purchase.--The Secretary is authorized to purchase, and to make and fund commitments to purchase, on such terms and conditions as determined by the Secretary, mortgage-related assets from any financial institution having its headquarters in the United States.
(b) Necessary Actions.--The Secretary is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the authorities in this Act, including, without limitation:
(1) appointing such employees as may be required to carry out the authorities in this Act and defining their duties;
(2) entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts;
(3) designating financial institutions as financial agents of the Government, and they shall perform all such reasonable duties related to this Act as financial agents of the Government as may be required of them;
(4) establishing vehicles that are authorized, subject to supervision by the Secretary, to purchase mortgage-related assets and issue obligations; and
(5) issuing such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to define terms or carry out the authorities of this Act.
Sec. 3. Considerations.
In exercising the authorities granted in this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration means for--
(1) providing stability or preventing disruption to the financial markets or banking system; and
(2) protecting the taxpayer.
Sec. 4. Reports to Congress.
Within three months of the first exercise of the authority granted in section 2(a), and semiannually thereafter, the Secretary shall report to the Committees on the Budget, Financial Services, and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committees on the Budget, Finance, and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate with respect to the authorities exercised under this Act and the considerations required by section 3.
Sec. 5. Rights; Management; Sale of Mortgage-Related Assets.
(a) Exercise of Rights.--The Secretary may, at any time, exercise any rights received in connection with mortgage-related assets purchased under this Act.
(b) Management of Mortgage-Related Assets.--The Secretary shall have authority to manage mortgage-related assets purchased under this Act, including revenues and portfolio risks therefrom.
(c) Sale of Mortgage-Related Assets.--The Secretary may, at any time, upon terms and conditions and at prices determined by the Secretary, sell, or enter into securities loans, repurchase transactions or other financial transactions in regard to, any mortgage-related asset purchased under this Act.
(d) Application of Sunset to Mortgage-Related Assets.--The authority of the Secretary to hold any mortgage-related asset purchased under this Act before the termination date in section 9, or to purchase or fund the purchase of a mortgage-related asset under a commitment entered into before the termination date in section 9, is not subject to the provisions of section 9.
Sec. 6. Maximum Amount of Authorized Purchases.
The Secretary's authority to purchase mortgage-related assets under this Act shall be limited to $700,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time
Sec. 7. Funding.
For the purpose of the authorities granted in this Act, and for the costs of administering those authorities, the Secretary may use the proceeds of the sale of any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, and the purposes for which securities may be issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, are extended to include actions authorized by this Act, including the payment of administrative expenses. Any funds expended for actions authorized by this Act, including the payment of administrative expenses, shall be deemed appropriated at the time of such expenditure.
Sec. 8. Review.
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
Sec. 9. Termination of Authority.
The authorities under this Act, with the exception of authorities granted in sections 2(b)(5), 5 and 7, shall terminate two years from the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 10. Increase in Statutory Limit on the Public Debt.
Subsection (b) of section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof $11,315,000,000,000.
Sec. 11. Credit Reform.
The costs of purchases of mortgage-related assets made under section 2(a) of this Act shall be determined as provided under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, as applicable.
Sec. 12. Definitions.
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Mortgage-Related Assets.--The term "mortgage-related assets" means residential or commercial mortgages and any securities, obligations, or other instruments that are based on or related to such mortgages, that in each case was originated or issued on or before September 17, 2008.
(2) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(3) United States.--The term "United States" means the States, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia.

I am really appalled everyone is not talking about this.

PEACE DUDE!

State to repay operator for waived Toll Road fees?

2008-09-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

September 21, 2008
State to repay operator for waived Toll Road fees
Munster » Indiana will reimburse the private operator of the Indiana Toll Road for the state's decision to waive fees along the tollway temporarily to alleviate congestion during floods that closed Northwest Indiana freeways for days.
Jane Jankowski, a spokeswoman for Gov. Mitch Daniels, said Friday that the state will reimburse Macquarie-Cintra, a Spanish and Australian consortium, for its lost revenue. She said she doesn't know how much it will cost the state to make good on the lost tolls.
The state's decision upsets Margie Stewart, a Toll Road employee and Teamsters Union representative. "Why should the taxpayers pay for this? The company is making plenty of money," Stewart said Friday. "It was a disaster here. They could have helped."
Jankowski said the funds will come from the $3.8 billion the state received from the foreign consortium for the 75-year lease agreement to operate the Toll Road.

While I am somewhat sure this is in the fine print of the lease agreement somewhere I wish the Star would have dug into that contract to point it out.

I have to ask a couple of questions though:

1. Where does tax payer bailout of private corporations end?

2. Should not the consortium have a "Loss of Use" coverage on their insurance?

3. If the state declares a state of emergency somewhere in Indiana that causes a private business to shut down would the state then reimburse that business for lost revenue?

4. I think we need to know much more about this issue and how exactly the cost is calculated.

PEACE DUDE!

Really Good Stuff!

2008-09-20T10:14:00.001-07:00

Big hat tip to John, Kim, Abby and the rest of the gang at The Arc of Indiana for their hard work on getting this info.

Please click here and read the Candidate Surveys on the Arc website.

Should give you some really good facts to check out.

Peace Dude

Is it just me?

2008-09-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have been sending some emails and making a few phone calls to candidates in my districts of late to ask some very specific questions about issues that are important to me.

I have been somewhat surprised that I have been quite literally ignored by many cadidates for offices that I vote for.

Is anyone else finding this to be true?

Peace Dude!

Wall Street Tax Payer Welfare!!

2008-09-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

If you read my blog or you know me personally you will know I have been critical of Wall Street for a number of years. I formed this opinion a few years back. I don't even remember the manufacturer today but I remember the issue well. The company had just had a great expansion, increased domestic and export sales, created a large amount of new high paying jobs and had just reported the single best quarterly results in the history of the company. What happened to their stock? It fell 23% because it did not meet analyst expectations. WHAT I ASKED? How could this be?

My statement to this day is you can't run a business with sound principles if you are constantly chasing nothing but massive profit growth to meet analyst expectations. While I know there are probably some really great analysts out there but...my impression is a bunch of over paid 28 year old snot nosed MBA's that have never managed people, had to close or make deal that was good for all or had to make payroll on Friday? Not fair? Maybe but the results of late speak for themselves.

How many more poor little rich folks are we going to bail out? Ya, I know the current CEO of AIG did take a 48% pay cut this year down to a hard to get by on $12 million.....

Well folks I think the problems on Wall Street are still coming fast down the train tracks.

So I have now seen the our government bail out company after company to the tune of over $300 Billion with my wallet. This from the same gang that says they can't afford to fund IDEA to the amount they promised in 1975 when they passed the law to include students with disabilities in public school.

Well gang, kiss your kids and hang on for the ride.

PEACE DUDE!

Update

2008-09-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hey Gang,

Sorry my posting has been down but I started a new job this last week that is absolutely awesome but has kept me busy.

In the meantime I just stole a quote right from my good friend Nicole's web page. I love this quote:

Be who you are and say what you feel
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind.
-Dr. Seuss

PEACE DUDE!

Tough Questions with no answers!

2008-09-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Well I have spent the last few weeks wrestling with myself over the national campaign. I have been supporting Senator Obama since day one but became somewhat frustrated with the Change we Can Believe in during the Clinton negotiations before the convention. Then all went well at the convention and I was happy again. Then Senator McCain came out with the gutsy decision to name Governor Sarah Palin as VP. This really made me take a step back. Governor Palin is an awesome example of what my old Republican Party was all about. Yes I use to be a rabid Reagan Republican. And the fact that like me she is the parent of a child with Down syndrome has made me really reflect.

Well I was willing to be swayed back but I had two tough questions for the Campaign both 100% issue based.

1. How will Senator McCain's health insurance policy benefit my family? You see we have really good employer sponsored health insurance and most of the decisions we make are based on that coverage. Why....well Nash does not have any health issues any different than you or I but because he is diagnosed with Down syndrome he can't get a stand alone health policy from any carrier. The only way he can get coverage is through a group plan or the state high risk pool. So if Senator McCain's plan goes into effect and we would lose our group and have to go out into the market for an individual policy we would not see any savings but an increase of 40% or more for our family's coverage in the high risk pool.

2. In 1975 Congress passed IDEA and promised to fund up to 70% of the additional costs to schools for providing services to allow students with disabilities to attend public school with their peers. To date they have never funded more then 17% of the additional cost. Senator McCain has a record here of not supporting increased funding for IDEA or NCLB. So I ask since Governor Palin does have a record on increasing funding for Special Education in Alaska how would this effect the campaign on this issue?

Well I emailed the McCain/Palin Campain over 10 days ago and asked for answers on these two questions so I could make my final decision on who I would support. To date I have not even gotten a politically typical thanks for your email but we are really busy response. No response at all....no answer to my question.....no email or call asking for a donation and yes I gave them all my contact information. (side note I have done the same with the Jill Long Thompson campaign with the same results) (side not two Governor Daniels and Dr. Tony Bennett have gone out of there way to answer my questions)

My conclusion is the questions on these issues were not worth answering or they did not like their own answers.

For me these are the two most important issues of the campaign.

So I wish you luck Senator McCain and Governor Palin and I think you are both really great people and great Americans but if you can't answer my questions on the issues.....I have to stay in the camp of:

"Change we can Believe In"

But I am still open to having the discussion on these two issues.

Any of my readers have any thoughts?

PEACE DUDE!

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...Hate to say I told you so.....But!

2008-09-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I hate it when I am right. Bush and the gang once again bail out the Corporate CEO's on the backs of the taxpayers. Below is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac info from CNN and then some links to my past posts. My previously stated estimate of over $100 million may be low....

U.S. seizes two mortgage giants

Federal officials today announced an extraordinary takeover of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, signaling the most dramatic move to date aimed at shoring up the nation's housing market. Freddie and Fannie own half the mortgage debt in the country. Since last summer, they have suffered about $12 billion in losses. full story

http://bigdawgtales.blogspot.com/2008/07/corporate-greed-on-way-up-government.html

http://bigdawgtales.blogspot.com/2008/01/we-can-fix-our-economy.html

http://bigdawgtales.blogspot.com/2008/01/american-mortgage-crisis.html

Peace Dude!

Governor Sarah Palin and Down Syndrome

2008-09-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

I felt this was a great article that I wanted to post over here.

Taken from Patricia Bauer Disability news. While I know many readers of my blog read Patricia regularly I know some that don't would appreciate this resource. Big hat tip to Patricia for this great article.

Questions, we get questions
September 5th, 2008

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, people come up with some new ones. Questions, that is — about Sarah Palin’s baby son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome (at left with sister Piper at the Republican National Convention). Here are answers to some common questions.

1) Down syndrome — that’s really bad, right? Doesn’t that mean he’s sickly and won’t live very long?

First of all, let’s think about this baby as just that — a baby. People with Down syndrome vary widely, and each has a unique personality, temperament, and combination of strengths and challenges. We haven’t been told anything about Trig’s health status yet, except that he has Down syndrome.

In general, people with Down syndrome have some degree of mild to moderate intellectual disability and have a higher risk for a variety of health problems, particularly heart trouble. At the same time their life expectancies have increased dramatically, from an average of about 9 years in the 1920s, to something reaching into the 60s today. (See my post here on Bert Holbrook Jr. of Waseca County, Minnesota, who just celebrated his 80th birthday.)
As recently as the 1960s, people didn’t know that people with Down syndrome were capable of learning, and sent them to institutions where they were most often neglected or abused. Most of the very negative images about them, and the worst health outcomes, date from that time.
With the improvements in education and health care of the last few decades, it’s not unreasonable to expect that children with Down syndrome born today can enjoy full, rich lives, form satisfying relationships, and gain skills that will allow them to work and make positive contributions to their families and communities.

2) If Palin opposes abortion rights, as she says, why did she have an amnio? Wasn’t that a waste of money?

Many women who oppose abortion nonetheless have prenatal testing so they can get information that may be useful in planning for their baby’s delivery and care. Gov. Palin has said she was glad to receive Trig’s diagnosis before he was born so she could learn about Down syndrome and come to terms with her son’s disability before she met him.

3) Ninety percent of women who get a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome get an abortion. Doesn’t that prove people with Down syndrome have terrible lives?

Actually, no. People with Down syndrome are valued, valuable and contributing members of happy families. Their families report deep attachment to their children, and are saddened by those abortion statistics. Family members attribute the numbers to widespread public ignorance about people with Down syndrome; doctors who lack current information and aren’t well-trained to deliver prenatal diagnoses; lingering fears and stigma left over from the days when these people were institutionalized under horrible conditions; and unrealistic desires for the “perfect child.” See also this post.
Interestingly, a recent research study found that parents of children with Down syndrome are less likely to divorce than parents of children without disabilities; another found that siblings are more inclined to be positively affected by a sibling with Down syndrome than negatively affected.
At the same time, families with children with disabilities report higher costs for medical care and other supports than comparable families, as well as a reduction of earnings for parents.

4) Wasn’t Palin at a high risk of having a child with Down syndrome when she got pregnant with her fifth child?

The risk of having a child with Down syndrome increases with age, and a woman who has a baby at the age of 44 has a risk of approximately one in 35 of having a child with Down syndrome. For women under 30, that risk is approximately one in 1,000. Most babies with Down syndrome are born to younger women, however, because they have more babies.

5) If Sarah Palin has a baby with a disability, how could she possibly consider running for vice president? Wouldn’t she be neglecting her family?

All children, whether disabled or not, need loving adults to take care of them and make sure their needs are met, but there’s no requirement in the marriage contract that specifies it must be mom. Gov. Palin and her husband Todd have said he will take the lead in childcare until further notice. (Presumably, there aren’t many jobs for commercial fishermen, oil field operators and snowmobile racers in Washington, so that shouldn’t be a problem.) The couple also says they have a broad base of support from extended family members and friends.
And besides, would people be asking that if she were a man? For another answer to this question, see Rosario Marin in the question below.

6) Are there other high profile people with family members with Down syndrome?

Let’s see –
Former French president Charles de Gaulle (daughter); former vice president Hubert Humphrey (granddaughter); former senator and governor Lowell Weicker (son); entertainers Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (daughter); St. Louis Cardinal slugger Albert Pujols (daughter); Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (son); Congressman Pete Sessions (son); D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (daughter); journalist George Will (son); playwright Arthur Miller (son); Emmy-winning Sesame Street writer Emily Perl Kingsley (son); celebrity chef Nigella Lawson (niece); Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx (sister); actor John C. McGinley (son); and Rosario Marin, the former treasurer of the United States and current secretary of California’s State and Consumer Services Agency.
And let’s not forget the high-profile people who themselves have Down syndrome: Chris Burke and Andrea Friedman, the actors with Down syndrome who starred in television’s “Life Goes On” series; Karen Gaffney, who swam across Lake Tahoe; Brad Hennefer, who earned two varsity letters (golf and basketball) in high school; actor Luke Zimmerman; actor Blair Williamson …
Interesting fact: Down syndrome was first described in the 19th century by British physician John Langdon Down. Nine years after his death, his grandson was born — with Down syndrome.

7) Since John McCain picked a running mate who has a child with a disability, should we assume the McCain campaign is going to make a lot of expensive promises to the disability community?

That doesn’t seem likely. Advocates for people with disabilities and their families tend to be looking for universal health care and adequate funding for Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security -– not the traditional domains of the Republican party. While the Obama campaign website has an extensive section devoted to issues of concern to people with disabilities, the McCain campaign does not.
Still, both McCain and Obama are among the co-sponsors of an updated version of the Americans with Disabilities Act, currently awaiting action in the Senate, and both have pledged to increase federal funding for special education.
And consider this: George H.W. Bush reached out to people with disabilities in his 1988 acceptance speech, and pollsters later credited the support of the disability community with half of his margin of victory over Michael Dukakis. Two years later, Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark civil rights law that prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities.

8) When you see a person with Down syndrome in the community, can you assume that their mother opposes legal abortion?

Not at all. The community of people with Down syndrome is as diverse as the rest of the American population, with representation from red states and blue ones, big cities and small towns, people with religious affiliations and those without, all races, all colors, all demographics.
Mothers of people with Down syndrome are probably as divided on Roe v. Wade as the rest of the American public, with some opposing abortion under any circumstance, others believing it should be freely available, and still others who fall into the “safe, legal and rare” camp.
There are many who favor a woman’s right to choose abortion, but opted not to do so when they themselves received a Down syndrome diagnosis. I’ve met women who decided not to get tested because they feared amnio-induced miscarriage, because they thought Down syndrome would never happen to them, or because they knew they’d cherish any child they got. Some got reassuring results on early prenatal blood tests only to find out later that their children actually did have Down syndrome. Some mothers had their children before prenatal testing was widely available or offered to their age group.
And many of these women are hopping mad that their children with disabilities are being portrayed against their will as poster children for the anti-abortion movement.

9) Why in the world did the Palins name their kid after a high school math course?

Todd and Sarah Palin say that “Trig” comes from a Norse word meaning strength. They do confirm, however, that their older son Track was named after a high school sport. Lucky for him his parents weren’t devotees of synchronized swimming.

10) Like Trig Palin, more than 350,000 people in the United States are estimated to have Down syndrome. What should you do if you meet one of them?

Welcome them. Presume competence. Treat them with respect

Hope you all got some info here.

Peace Dude!

McCain Palin and Obama Biden on Education.

2008-09-05T09:34:00.001-07:00

I am seeing and hearing all kinds of different versions of policy at this time. I thought I would post on here some of what I have found from both sides. Please comment away about whether you agree or disagree with anything posted.

An Alaskan Parents View on Palin and Special Education:

Parentalcation

The Department of Early Development Student and School Achievement is responsible for special education for Alaska schools, gifted education, and the Special Education State Personnel Development Grant which provides money to train and recruit special education teachers. These are all state funded mandates per the budget document.In 2007, the State contributed $5,429,000 in General Funds Receipts to the department.In the 2009 Governors budget, this was increased to $6,253,800This was an increase of $824,000 which is a 15% increase in state funding.How much do you want to bet this was increased before the Governor even found out about her son Trig?

Click on his site and check out the links he has posted and read his entire blog post.

Another good article at Ed Week from the state legislators conference on a meeting with both campaigns education staff.

Senator Obama's remarks to the American Federation of Teachers on education at:

RealClear Politics Good coverage of NCLB but does not mention IDEA.

Just a few things to read. But now here are the links to both candidates education sections of their web sites:

Barack Obama on Education:

Barack Obama on Disabilites:

John McCain on Education:

John McCain does not have a Disability section under issues at this time. But they do have:

Americans with Disabilities for McCain

Well that is a start with more to come.

Peace Dude!

Senator Obama needs to fire some staff!

2008-09-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Well the Change and Hope we can believe in has had the wheels fall right off the bus thanks to a fresh new face on the political scene. Governor Sarah Palin was announced as the VP pick of John McCain and the Obama camp forgot what their campaign was about. Was this not the campaign about issues? Was this not the campaign about electing outsiders? Was this not the campaign about electing a new generation? If those of us that have supported Senator Obama wanted the same ole politics his campaign would have been dead on arrival in Springfield on that cold day 18 months ago.

Well Senator Obama I am ashamed not of you today but of your campaign staff and many of the volunteers. All the things we all stood up to and defended you over these last 18 months and said they don't have anything to do with the issues, your team pulled out and dusted off against Governor Palin. Now that YOUR staff has questioned her experience, her values, her relationships, her kids.....I have been amazed and the CRAP I have read on line and gotten directly from the campaign and campaign aides into my Indiana for Obama email loop.

Now that you have used the Swiftboat tactics you supposedly can't stand.......I think all the issues I have defended you on that have nothing to do with the issues, you now need to stand up and answer also.

1. You need to stand up and explain why you stayed with Reverend Wright for 20 years? Where you a believer or was it to give you credit in the community? Tell us.

2. What is your relationship with Father Flager? Tell us exactly?

3. What exactly is your relationship with William Ayres? You did not know his past or what he stands for some how?

4. What were your exact accomplishments as a community organizer?

5. Why did you vote Present instead of ya or nay all those times in the legislature? Was it politics, partisanship, or you just could not decide?

6. What exactly have you done to have enough experience to be POTUS if Governor Palin does not have enough experience to be VP?

Sorry Senator I have been a big supporter from day one but I saw all of what I don't like about politics from your campaign over the last few days. I have not traded sides as of yet but I will say that NOW you must answer the questions you have avoided up to now. You and your staff have brought each and every one of these issues back to life. So go take a look in the mirror and walk out your front door and answer the questions.

Peace Dude!

VP Choice Governor Sarah Palin

2008-08-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Blogger world:

Please do me a favor before you write about Governor Palin's son Trig. Do your damn homework like you would on any other issue you would post about. A couple facts:

1. It's Down syndrome not Down's syndrome or Downs.
2. He is not Down syndrome or Downs he is a child with or happens to have Down syndrome. He is a person first!
3. He is not suffering from, afflicted with or inflicted with Down syndrome he just has Down syndrome which is a genetic disorder. Does this define him.....nope and is just one thing that will make up his personality.
4. Parents of children with Down syndrome are not different then any other parents. We are just normal folks with the same variety of beliefs as everyone else.
5. If you need info please check out these two links:

National Down Syndrome Society

National Down Syndrome Congress

In Indiana please see:

Down Syndrome Indiana

I have been amazed at some of what I have read and heard on television......do your home work.

Or just drop me a note or give me a call and I can advise you if you like. Or better yet I can send Nash over.

Peace Dude!