Second to None

- posted by Brian J. @ 10:36 PM   2 comments

A 47-year-old unemployed San Jose woman allegedly has a broad definition of "open house."

Police said today that they had arrested Susan Hjeltness on suspicion of stealing more than $200,000 worth of porcelain figurines, jewelry and other items after touring homes in the Silver Creek Valley Country Club area of San Jose during real-estate open houses and property showings.

Hjeltness, along with her 13-year-old son and an adult male companion, would pose as prospective buyers and tour homes, police said. They would steal items during the walkthrough or would unlock a door or window and return later, Detective Corey Green said.

- posted by Brian J. @ 6:02 AM   0 comments

With Milwaukee's convention business in a holding pattern, the chairman of the Wisconsin Center District said Wednesday that it's time to revive the idea of expanding the Midwest Airlines Center.

Franklyn Gimbel said the region's ability to attract what he called a "gangbuster" convention was diminished compared with recent years because of the lack of hotel rooms in the area and the size of the convention center.

The center was last expanded at the end of 1999, when the building's exhibit hall was increased to 189,000 square feet. When the center first opened in 1998, its supporters said it would put Milwaukee in the big leagues.

- posted by Brian J. @ 5:49 AM   0 comments

The new owner of downtown Milwaukee's former Pabst brewery site wants $28.6 million in city financial assistance to help redevelop the buildings into housing, a hotel, offices and other uses, city officials said Monday.

- posted by Brian J. @ 6:00 AM   0 comments

First off, let's go back to the time it takes to accomplish anything in the game. To really be successful, you need to at least invest 12 hours a week, and that is bare minimum. From a leadership perspective, that 12 hours would be laughed at... . The "good guildie" who plays about 10 hours a day and seven days a week.

The game also provides people with a false sense of security, accomplishment, and purpose. Anyone can be a superhero here if they have the time to put in....

And people put everything on the line for these accomplishments with which they associate much value. I know of children and spouses being forced to play and grind for their parents, threats of divorce, rampant neglect, failing grades in school, and thousands of dollars spent on "outsourcing" foreign help. For what, you ask? Honor. The desire to be the best for at least one week.... The accomplishment and sacrifice itself are meaningless a few days later. Then it's usually off to the races again.

Finally, when you're a leader there is a call (or more appropriately a demand) for success. Usually those you represent want to keep progressing. They want to keep improving. They want more access to the best things. It is on you to provide it. In my experience, when you fail to progress fast enough, waves ripple throughout the guild and people become dissatisfied. It's your fault, no matter what.

- posted by Brian J. @ 5:52 AM   1 comments

New criminal charges have been filed against the father of a 6-year-old eastern Missouri boy who was shot in the head inside his rural Cadet home a week ago, the Washington County prosecutor said Wednesday. Prosecutor John Rupp said he charged Ricky Lee Rulo Jr., 29, late Tuesday with one count each of endangering the welfare of a child and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.

571.030. 1. A person commits the crime of unlawful use of weapons if he or she knowingly:

(1) Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use; or

(2) Sets a spring gun; or

(3) Discharges or shoots a firearm into a dwelling house, a railroad train, boat, aircraft, or motor vehicle as defined in section 302.010, RSMo, or any building or structure used for the assembling of people; or

(4) Exhibits, in the presence of one or more persons, any weapon readily capable of lethal use in an angry or threatening manner; or

(5) Possesses or discharges a firearm or projectile weapon while intoxicated;

- posted by Brian J. @ 7:18 PM   0 comments

Missouri voters won't need to show a photo ID at the polls after all, after the state Supreme Court today struck down the new requirement.

A lower judge ruled last month that the ID requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental right to vote. The Supreme Court agreed in a 6-1 unsigned opinion.

The law required voters to present a photo identification card issued by Missouri or the federal government to cast a ballot starting with the November election.

Opponents argued people impersonating others when voting is rare, and that the ID requirement would especially harm the poor, elderly and disabled who may be less likely to have a driver's license.

- posted by Brian J. @ 8:16 PM   0 comments

Users of online worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft transact millions of dollars worth of virtual goods and services every day, and these virtual economies are beginning to draw the attention of real-world authorities.

"Right now we're at the preliminary stages of looking at the issue and what kind of public policy questions virtual economies raise -- taxes, barter exchanges, property and wealth," said Dan Miller, senior economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress.

"You could argue that to a certain degree the law has fallen (behind) because you can have a virtual asset and virtual capital gains, but there's no mechanism by which you're taxed on this stuff," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

1. Some crackpotesque person or thoughtful person presents a whacked-out taxation proposal, just for discussion.
   
   
2. A loud cacophony of jeering greets the proposal, and it's tabled.
   
   
3. A slightly less crackpot person brings it up again, perhaps in a time of fiscal crisis.
   
   
4. A smaller number of jeers greets the second person, and the proposal is tabled.
   
   
5. An almost rational person brings up the proposal again, possibly with a cool acronym and certainly some promise for funding education with the proceeds.
   
   
6. The mass of jeering crowd is silent, for it has already expressed its displeasure.
   
   
7. Legislators take the relative silence as assent and bring the bill up.
   
   
8. Suddenly startled citizens react negatively, firmly, and resolutely.
   
   
9. Legislators table the bill.
   
   
10. State legislators in California or New Jersey pass a similar bill.
    
    
11. Your state legislators bring the bill up and pass it because they want to be cool like the big states.
    
    
12. Congress determines that taxing the thing only in New Jersey, California, and your state impedes interstate commerce and attaches the bill at the last minute, in the middle of the night, to a joint house resolution honoring Mom, because who could vote against Mom?

- posted by Brian J. @ 8:04 PM   0 comments

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Police officers arrested Earl Hogan, the president of the Venice-Tri City Lions Club, on Saturday as Hogan tried to lead a small procession of cars into the city for a parade.

The Board of Aldermen had denied Hogan and the Lions Club a parade permit earlier this month, but Hogan said lack of a permit wouldn't stop the parade. Lions clubs are holding numerous events this weekend to raise money for charitable causes.

Officers who handcuffed Hogan and took him to the station called the arrest "unfortunate" but said they had no choice.

"We have to do our job," said Police Chief Shawn Tyler after the arrest.

Hogan was cited for unlawful assembly and released after about 30 minutes. His fine could range from $100 to $1,000, Tyler said.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of the press; or the right of the people peaceably petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

- posted by Brian J. @ 9:07 PM   2 comments

A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret.

"He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."

- posted by Brian J. @ 7:30 PM   0 comments