Don Boots Jensen - In Perception is Reality

New virus expected to strike Wisconsin area population within days.

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner hope, peace, joy and love. Many hearts have already been exposed to this virus and people everywhere could come down with it, posing a serious threat to what has been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs and symptoms of the virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously reather than on fears based on past experiences.
• A loss of interest in judging others.
• A loss of the ability to worry.
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.

Please share this information with everyone and enjoy the season of advent.

(Mr Anonymous)

Peacemaking is not . . . appeasement. Always giving in, acting like a doormat, and allowing others to always run over you is not what Jesus had in mind. He refused to back down on many issues, standing his ground in the face of evil opposition.

It worked for him, it can work for you.

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

For mailing of packages to the troops please refer to the below opportunity:

Care packages are being mailed by Mission Harvest America, Inc. MHA has networked with our FLWG and SER Military Support Project for the past ten years. Combined with what they do and the effort from our CAP personnel over 59,800 care packages have been sent to deployed troops.

If you would like to assist you can do the following:

a. Send cards made out to "A serviceman or A servicewoman" and mail to MHA at the address below. The cards will be included in packages sent to the troops.

b. Provide SAM's, BJ or Walmart gift cards so that items can be purchased from those sources for items to be included in the package. The primary items will be snacks and goodies for the holidays.

c. Provide names of your family, friends or those who know who are deployed so MHA can mail a Holiday Package to them.

d.. Donate funds to help defray the cost of preparing and mailing a package to a deployed service person. The postage per package is $9.95 Flat Rate Priority Mail. The contents average cost is $15.00. Each package is designed for ten troops to share.

Mission Harvest America, Inc.
69 Copeland Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

Donations to MHA will receive a tax deductible receipt. Credit card donations can be made by calling 904-356-9006 and stating you wish to make a credit card donation to support the troops. Mastercard, Visa and Discover accepted.

For more information or to assist in this project please email missionharvest@att.net.

Agree or disagree?

Genuine friendship is built on disclousure. What may appear as audacity God views as authenticity.

God listens to the passionate words of his friends; he is bored with presictable, pious cleches. To be God's friend, you must be honest to God, sharing your true feelings, not what you think you out to feel or say.

Barack Obama discovers a leak under his sink, so he calls Joe the Plumber to come and fix it.

Joe drives to Obama's house, which is located in a very nice neighborhood and where it's clear that all the residents make more than $250,000 per year.

Joe arrives and takes his tools into the house. Joe is led to the room that contains the leaky pipe under a sink. Joe assesses the problem and tells Obama, who is standing near the door, that it's an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes.

Obama asks Joe how much it will cost.

Joe immediately says, "$9,500."

"$9,500?" Obama asks, stunned. "But you said it's an easy repair!"

"Yes, but what I do is charge a lot more to my clients who make more than $250,000 per year so I can fix the plumbing of everybody who makes less than that for free," explains Joe. "It's always been my philosophy. In fact, I lobbied government to pass this philosophy as law, and it did pass earlier this year, so now all plumbers have to do business this way. It's known as 'Joe's Fair Plumbing Act of 2008.' Surprised you haven't heard of it, senator."

In spite of that, Obama tells Joe there's no way he's paying that much for a small plumbing repair, so Joe leaves.

Obama spends the next hour flipping through the phone book looking for another plumber, but he finds that all other plumbing businesses listed have gone out of business. Not wanting to pay Joe's price, Obama does nothing.

The leak under Obama's sink goes unrepaired for the next several days.
A week later, the leak is so bad that Obama has had to put a bucket under the sink. The bucket fills up quickly and has to be emptied every hour, and there's a risk that the room will flood, so Obama calls Joe and pleads with him to return.

Joe goes back to Obama's house, looks at the leaky pipe, and says, "Let's see this will cost you about $21,000."

"A few days ago you told me it would cost $9,500!" Obama quickly fires back.

Joe explains the reason for the dramatic increase. "Well, because of the
'Joe's Fair Plumbing Act,' a lot of rich people are learning how to fix
their own plumbing, so there are fewer of you paying for all the free
plumbing I'm doing for the people who make less than $250,000. As a result, the rate I have to charge my wealthy paying customers rise every day.

"Not only that, but for some reason the demand for plumbing work from the group of people who get it for free has skyrocketed, and there's a long waiting list of those who need repairs. This has put many of my fellow plumbers out of business, and they are not being replaced nobody is going into the plumbing business because they know they will not make any money. I'm hurting now too all thanks to greedy rich people like you who won't pay their fair share."

Obama tries to straighten out the plumber: "Of course you're hurting, Joe! Don't you get it? If all the rich people learn how to fix their own plumbing and you refuse to charge the poor people for your services, you'll be broke, and then what will you do?"

Joe immediately replies, "Run for president, apparently."

The city is now accepting proposals for what will be the first residential development in the state of Wisconsin fully powered by renewable energy sources, Ald. Tony Zielinski said today. Net Zero Energy project in Bay View, located on the former U.S. Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave., encompasses an entire two-block area within walking distance of the Bay View/S. Kinnickinnic Ave. business district, and with easy access to Lake Michigan and downtown. One major incentive for potential developers is help defraying costs.

The

Alderman Zielinski said the future residential units at the site will most likely be powered entirely by solar energy and wind power. "This will be a catalytic project showing that homes can be powered by solar, wind, and even geo-thermal energy sources, emitting zero green house gases," the alderman said.

"We think this location is beneficial because it is likely that Bay View residents will quickly see the benefits of 100% renewable energy and will choose to use it to power their own homes and businesses," said Alderman Zielinski, a member of the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

According to the Department of City Development’s RFP, development proposals for the site must be net zero energy, meaning that the amount of energy created on-site through renewable energy resources annually is equal to or greater than the amount of energy consumed annually. In addition, a high level of sustainable building elements and energy-efficient practices is required.

In fact, according to Alderman Zielinski, Congress has approved a 30% solar tax credit with no cap for both single-family and multi-family homes, and Focus On Energy offers an additional 25% rebate to eligible renewable energy residential projects in Wisconsin.

Using 100% renewable energy (and not fossil fuels) helps create jobs in the U.S. and locally, according to Alderman Zielinski, as local workers are hired to manufacture and install the energy systems for the residences. "Milwaukeeans will benefit ultimately because they’ll see the initial wave of ‘green sector’ jobs and business growth that’s expected to take place during the next few years, and we’ll all benefit as well by the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

"And instead of cutting a check to the energy company every month, owners of 100% renewable energy homes will actually receive a check from the energy company as it looks to invest in these important new energy sources," he said.

Proposals must be submitted by January 17, 2009. To learn more about the project please go to www.mkedcd.org/realestate/ArmyReserveSite/Main.html

The Milwaukee Common Council  approved a 2009 city budget that restored firefighter and police positions while coming in nearly a full percentage point below the tax levy in Mayor Tom Barrett’s proposed executive budget.

"But the hard work has paid off with a budget that is much improved over what we received from the Mayor’s Office," he said. "During public listening sessions we heard from residents who made it clear they want strong public safety and to keep their library services, and the Council managed to restore firefighters, police officers and libraries without raising taxes or the solid waste fee to the level originally proposed by the mayor."

Ald. Michael J. Murphy, chair of the Council’s Finance and Personnel Committee, said the economic downturn and other factors made this year’s budget the most challenging in his nearly 20 years of the Council. "The fact that we were able to craft a tax levy freeze budget that maintains essential services without burdening taxpayers is a credit to the discipline and ingenuity of the members of the Finance & Personnel Committee and of the Council as a whole," he said.

The 2009 tax rate approved by the Common Council is $8.044 per $1,000 of assessed value – a 0.487% increase from the $8.01 tax rate for 2008. The tax levy rose 3.91% – going from $227 million in 2008 to just more than $236 million for 2009. The mayor’s budget called for a levy increase of 4.8%. The new tax levy means that the owner of a $150,000 home will see a $4.05 increase in the city portion of the tax bill, from $1,202.55 to $1,206.60.

The budget – approved this evening at the end of an 11-hour meeting in the Council Chamber at City Hall – added full firefighter staffing on eight of nine ladder trucks – turning back the mayor’s proposal that would have cut firefighters on nine ladder trucks. The Council also restored cuts to the Milwaukee Public Library that would have meant closing some branches, cutting staff and reducing hours. The Council also restored cuts that would have meant 56 fewer sworn police officers in city neighborhoods.

The Council approved a 13.6% increase in the solid waste fee – less than half of the mayor’s proposed increase of 28%.

Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr. said the Council "demonstrated diligence and leadership under difficult circumstances with easily the worst budget situation in years."

True Red and Blue:

Since the 2000 presidential election, the media has distinguished Americans by color, through election maps depicting red states as Republican and blue states as Democrat. With the passing of the 2008 election and America's economic challenges, now is a great time to remember what those colors really represent. From day one, our veterans have fought for both colors. In 1776 the Continental Congress defined red as "hardiness and valor" and blue as "vigilance, perseverance and justice." Hardiness means stamina-perseverance on steroids. 

 That is exactly what Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee displayed during the war's biggest battle in Ramadi, Iraq, on Aug. 2, 2006. After a two-hour firefight the SEALs faced their greatest endurance challenge: a buddy was down. Deciding he had not yet begun to fight, Mr. Lee singlehandedly stood up and shot more than 100 rounds of ammunition so team members could rescue the wounded SEAL from a rooftop. "Three times that day Marc stood in the direct line of fire to defend his buddies, for you, for me, for this nation. Marc was a young man who selflessly gave his life because he valued others' lives more important than his own," proud mom Debbie Lee declared. Mr. Lee's unwillingness to give up against such red-hot odds embodies the spirit of America's first Naval hero - a revolutionary "Navy SEAL" 

 Captain John Paul Jones desperately wanted to take the fight to the enemy. He got his chance in 1779, when he used an American warship, the Bonhomme Richard, to harass British trade ships along Scotland's coast. On September 23, Jones became embroiled in a fight with a British warship, the Serapis. No sooner had the battle begun, than the Serapis called on Jones to surrender. Shocked, Jones looked up. His ship's flag was missing, the sign for surrender. Suspecting a cowardly sailor had yanked it down, Jones responded to his missing colors with true blue vigilance.   "Surrender, I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones cried

. Soon he rammed his ship into the enemy's side. Starboard to starboard, the ships became entangled. "My situation was really deplorable; the Bonhomme Richard received various shots under water ... My treacherous master-at-arms let loose all my prisoners without my knowledge, and my prospects became gloomy indeed," Jones recalled. He refused to quit. Jones ordered his sharpshooters to pinpoint British sailors on the Serapis' deck. Defeated, the British surrendered their colors. His ship sank, but Jones won. He recalled simply, "I would not, however, give up the point." Vigilance and valor characterize veterans of all wars, which Veterans Day celebrates.

 And in 1944, an Army colonel displayed Jones' Navy blue courage.    Lt. Col. Rogers was training soldiers at Cebu, Philippines, in May 1942, when the Japanese forced him to surrender the island. Although imprisoned physically, Mr. Rogers did not give up his command of 750 fellow prisoners. "He continually interceded with cruel Japanese authorities to alleviate his men's suffering at the risk of his own life," Betty Rogers Bryant explained about her father's sense of justice. Then the Japanese transferred the POWs to a Hell ship. "The terrible conditions in the bottom of this ship were unbearable. Men were dying and going crazy. The Japanese closed the hatch covers over the hold and the men were suffocating. There were only a few portholes and the men took turns trying to get air. Dad gave up his turn for his men in worse shape," described Mrs. Bryant, noting that her father demanded the Japanese remove the hatch covers.   

 An American submarine blasted the Hell ship on September 7, 1944. "They had no idea Americans were aboard and thought they were only torpedoing a Japanese freighter. Eighty-two of the 750 survived and swam to shore. The Filipinos hid them until the U.S.S Narwhal rescued them," Mrs. Bryant detailed. Rogers died, but those who survived heralded his passionate courage.

Jane Hampton Cook is the author of Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War.

By Steven Walters And Patrick Marley

Posted: Nov. 6, 2008

For at least two years, you'll have to run state government - and it's in a deep financial hole.

Tuesday's victories by Democrats mean that Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle will have 70 partners - the 18 Democrats who will run the Senate and the 52 Assembly Democrats - in crafting the next two-year budget. That won't be easy because Doyle has said that budget faces a deficit of more than $3 billion.

The 2009-'10 budget that Doyle must recommend early next year will be his hardest, for several reasons. It's the last budget before he is expected to seek a third term in 2010. The current budget had $750 million in tax and fee increases, which raised taxes on cigarettes and license plate renewals. Accounting tricks used by both parties over the past eight years are no longer available. Long-term debt has risen dramatically, raising questions about how much more debt the state can handle.

"This is going to be a very difficult time," Doyle said.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) said Democrats would quickly pass bills to increase job training, boost spending on green energy, require businesses to more publicly disclose their tax liabilities and bar the state from contracting with companies that ship jobs overseas.

"Our number one thing we want to do is get in there and work on the economy and jobs and the cost of living," Pocan said. "And when working on the (state) budget, we're going to do it with working families and the middle class first and foremost in mind, and not the special interests."

Republican Sen. Ted Kanavas of Brookfield said Thursday that Republicans know they won't be able to pass anything in the next legislative session, but they can be advocates for taxpayers.

"We can't lead, but we can point out" problems in the choices Democrats make, Kanavas said.

The issues ahead:

Smoking ban. Doyle has pushed for a smoking ban in public places but was thwarted by Republicans and members of his party. After Tuesday, he said: "We're in a lot better shape."

Health care reform. Doyle and legislative leaders must find changes that don't include the so-called Healthy Wisconsin universal coverage plan that Senate Democrats passed last year. Barack Obama's election as president "takes the pressure off" for Healthy Wisconsin, Doyle said. Instead, he may again push an expanded state pool for health care insurance.

Insurance for childhood autism. When Doyle finally signed the overdue state budget in October 2007, he said the most important change left out was mandating insurance coverage to treat childhood autism. Doyle said this is a top goal for 2009.

Health insurance for domestic partners. For years, Republicans blocked changes that would allow domestic partners of state workers to get health care through state-provided plans. There will be a new push for that benefit, especially since the University of Wisconsin System is the only Big Ten school that does not offer it.

Drunken driving. Lawmakers will consider whether to toughen penalties for drunken drivers, including granting prosecutors the power to charge third offenses as felonies. Current law says a fifth violation can be prosecuted as a felony. Also planned are moves to let judges require more ignition interlocks on vehicles owned by drunken drivers and to legalize roadside sobriety checkpoints.

Taxes on businesses. Senate Democratic leaders say businesses widely use tax loopholes, so they want to tax the profits of parent companies and end the current system that taxes corporate subsidiaries separately. That would amount to an $80 million annual tax increase on Wisconsin businesses. Also pending is a plan to adopt national standards on what should be subject to the 5% sales tax.

Limits on teacher pay and school finance. In his three budgets, Doyle has asked for repeal of the "qualified economic offer" that limits pay and benefit increases for teachers to 3.8% a year. But tied to that is a push to overhaul the school finance system, which rural districts and Milwaukee school officials say is broken. They want to end spending limits, saying they have forced them to lay off teachers and to end language and math programs. But these changes could raise property taxes.

Campaign-finance reform. Democratic legislators have called for changes to diminish the role of cash in Capitol campaigns, and they likely will push requirements that all groups that run political ads disclose where they get their money. Some want to go further, but they will face opposition. A compromise may involve making changes that affect state Supreme Court races, but not gubernatorial and legislative contests. Whatever is adopted likely would face a court challenge on First Amendment grounds.

This is a great program for you and your family.

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry.

When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation.

If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!

With an expected 300,000 people flocking to the polls in Milwaukee this November 4th, one cannot help but ask, “When is the best time to vote to avoid the long lines?’ 

This election has created allot of excitement and voters are anxious to get to the polls and vote for their candidate. As of Friday, October 30th, the Milwaukee Election Commission has received nearly 30,000 absentee ballots. That is 10% of the city’s eligible voters. The other 90% will brave the weather and lines to cast their ballot. 

Everyone should expect to wait in line this year. If you want to avoid the long lines, and I know because I work the polls, try not to vote between the following hours:   

• 7 am – 9 am
• 12 noon – 1:30 pm 
•  5 pm – 6:30 pm 

If you have not registered to vote, try to follow these steps to help you speed up the process:

• Check what ward you live in and go to the appropriate ward to register. You will not be allowed to register in a ward you do not reside in. 
• All Election Day registrants must have proof of residence. An acceptable form of proof of residence, when voting on Election Day, must include a current and complete name, including both the first and last name, a current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address and the name of a municipality. 
• In order to register to vote, an individual must provide proof that he or she has been a resident at their registration address for at least 10 days preceding the election.

There are a number of acceptable proof of residence documents a person can use. To name a few:

• A current and valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or Wisconsin ID card.
• A residential lease effective for the period that includes Election Day.
• A bank statement or a paycheck.
•  A check or other document issued by a unit of government.
• A utility bill including cable television, gas, electric, or telephone for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.

 These are just a few items and to get a complete listing you can log into the City of Milwaukee Election web page for additional information .

 Every inspector at the polling locations has received training to assist you in the registration process. If you have not registered to vote, I urge you to register at your ward on Election Day. Your vote does make a difference.