Vote

There will likely be a low turnout today at the polls.  Despite the cold weather and slippery roads, we all should get out and vote.  I still believe our two most important rights are the right to a trial by a jury and the right to vote!

Special Time

Happy Valentines Day!  I am having a hard time believing what I heard yesterday... there is a school in Madison where kids are not allowed to bring Valentine Day cards for their classmates!! 

Super Bowl Ads

Frankly, I found most of the Super Bowl tv ads to be a waste of money.  The two or three I did think were really good was the Budweiser clydesdale spot;  the Oprah/Jeep spot on our military;  and the spsot where the nursing home residents snuck out to party, though I do not remember the product/service being sold.

Wait Until Tomorrow

57 degrees today and 3 - 6 inches of snow tomorrow!  That's Wisconsin!  But January is almost over and we can start looking forward to spring thaws beginning in February.  And bicycling enthusiatists are beginning to get their bikes ready to hit the roads and trails!

Community Banks Are Special

As of 2011, community banks made up 92 percent of insured banks and 95 percent of U.S. banking organizations.  They hold the majority of deposits in rural and micropolitan counties.  History has shown that well-managed and innovative community banks are well-positioned to handle the challenges of the future and to take advantage of new opportunities.  All of this confirms:  Community Banks are special!

Oh Brother!

On February 3 we will witness something we likely have never nor will we ever see again.......  brothers being the head coach of each of the two teams in the NFL Super Bowl!  John & Jim Harbaugh.  Former head UW football coach Dave McClain and his wife Judi used to babysit these two.

Gun Control

I have mixed feelings about all the rhetoric regarding guns.  I came from a family that did a lot of hunting.  Guns were a part of our life.  Yet, I don't feel assault type weapons are needed for hunting and other sporting activities.  But I am concerned about new government involvement in regulating what we can own.  My concern is the continued increase in government involvement in our lives.  And regulating guns, in my opinion, would not have prevented the Sandy Hook tragedy.  I believe the guns his mother had were legal and would be legal even under the proposed gun control ideas. 

Community Banking

This may be too repetitive but the banking problems of the past four to five years were not created by community banks.  But many community banks throughout the country were impacted by the problems created by investment and mortgage bankers.  We are now seeing significant improvement in the financial stability and earnings at community banks. 

Happy 2013

Happy New Year to all!  The new year always ushers in hope and optimism.  Let's hope we can come to grips with this country's debt situation.

As the Badgers prepare to defeat Stanford today in the Rose Bowl, here's a little Packer trivia.  The Packers won three consecutive NFL championships from 1929 to 1931, and nearly had a fourth in a row in 1932.  They finished 10-3-1 that year, and second to the 7-1-6 Bears only because ties did not count in the standings at the time.

Stay healthy!

The Cliff

I'm betting that congress and the president will reach a compromise on the pending financial cliff legislation before January 1. 

Big Storm

One thing about impending snow storms... it sure diffuses the bad news we are inundated with.  Also, the hiring of the new football coach, Gary Anderson, will generate a lot of "fun" conversations over the next several weeks.

Drive with care!!

UW Basketball

I attended last night's UW men's basketball game versus the University of Virginia, coached by former Badger assistnat, Tony Bennett.  I was convinced before last night's game that Tony should be Bo Ryan's replacement whenever Bo decides to step down.  I am more convinced now!

Thanksgiving - 2012

Here's a ditty to contemplate especially at this time of year and after all we have gone through this year in the political arena.

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.

One is evil.  It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego.  The other is good.  It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth."

The boy thought about it, and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed."

Happy Thanksgiving.

Football - Again

I'm having a difficult time understanding how Wisconsin can be 2 - 3 point favorites for tomorrow's game versus Ohio State.

What Now?

From a financial perspective, the next four years appear critical to me.  If we continue to take on more debt as a nation, we are, in my opinion, headed for a major international financial crisis.  I am concerned that states who are bankrupt like California and Illinois will be baled out by Washington, at our expense as taxpayers.

Vote

One of the most important votes you will ever make is coming up.  If you have not already voted, be sure and exercise the most important right you have on Tuesday, November 6. 

Voting

I don't know how many voters have taken advantage of early voting but I did.  Of course, I already had my mind made up as to who I was voting for.  If you do know which way you are going to go, I recommend you vote early.  The deadline to early vote is the close of business on November 2, 2012.

Good Weekend

Always a great weekend when both the Badgers and Packers win!  Now if the Lions can beat the Bears tonight.  And how about that beautiful weather over the weekend!

Politics

Am I the only person who will be glad when the political calls and ads are gone?

Debate # 2

It's always interesting to watch the polls that tell us who won the presidential debate.  Kind of depends on the media outlet.  Fox says Romney won.  CNN says Obama.  The final poll on November 6 is the one that will be accurate!