I Bragged on Wal-Mart

back in January, but while a medium dose of the PR machine is good, now they've gone too far. Now the CEO (in nothing more than a political 'feel-good' move, in my opinion) claims that the minimum wage should be raised. Never mind that it won't affect Wal-Mart in terms of its own employees. The dirty little secret that those of us who understand basic economics will tell you is that it will affect Wal-Mart's smaller competitors- think of the 'mom-and-pop' shops that Wal-Mart hasn't yet defeated.

It makes me sick when companies have to rely on the mechanism of the government (regulations and policy) to defeat its competitors instead of slugging it out in the marketplace. Shame on you, Wal-Mart.

The Right to Work States Win Again

According to my local NBC (Paducah, KY) affiliate, Tennessee wins again: A new river port on the Mississippi in northwest Tennessee will bring 5600 jobs to the region. Tennessee Congressman John Tanner made the announcement Thursday afternoon in Tiptonville along with members of the Regional Port Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The new port will be built at Cate's Landing. That's near Highway 155, which connects to interstates 40, 55, 24 and The Purchase Parkway. It's also close to the future site of Interstate 69. The new port is about 30 miles from rail lines connecting to Canada and the Gulf of Mexico.

No doubt this will be good for the entire region-mine included, but as I've said time and again, Missouri had better do something quickly if it is to retain industry of any consequence.

We've Lost all Credibility

When it comes to free trade issues. The United States talks a good free trade game, but only when it benefits us; the recent political flak over a Chinese bid for a U.S. oil company put our true colors on display for the world to see. It's not enough that we slapped China in the face over that situation. We barely passed CAFTA, revealing our fear of the Caribbean sugar industry. Never mind the fact that our consumers (and theirs) will benefit greatly from the arrangement.

I recently read in the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. has repeatedly ignored several NAFTA rulings against us regarding restrictions on the importation of cheaper Canadian lumber. These restrictions add approximately $1000 to the cost of an average new home. Over a 30 year loan, that adds up. The administration is not only screwing the home-building consumer, but also one of our best trading partners.

Hospitals are Great When You Need Them

But when you're a visitor, they seem really depressing. Two members of my family had major surgeries this week. Damn. On the bright side, both will be OK. Here's to those people who have the resiliency, brains, talent, and yes - ego to become surgeons. Good for them. As it turns out, good for my family...

A Good Ride

I've been commuting to work quite a bit lately on my BMW motorcycle, but yesterday afternoon I went on a 'for fun' ride with my friend Rick. He has a 1985 BMW K100RT, and he had no problem keeping up with my new bike. It was a nice, chilly fall ride, with a great sunset. Fantastic.

It's Gonna Be a Long Hockey Season

for those of us who are St. Louis Blues fans, in my opinion. The Blues have lost too many important players, so now we're left with a good team, but not a great team. Another 'rebuilding process.' I've been a fan since the early 90's and I'm starting to relate to the Chicago Cubs baseball fans (although I know they've waited far longer)... At least we have some exciting rule changes this year which will lead to higher-scoring NHL games.

Damn You, Jackington!

Jackington Viego (see blogroll on the right) has suckered me into playing this tag game, which of course includes a questionnaire... Here is my response:

Step 1: Go into your archive.
Step 2: Find your 23rd post. Why 23rd post, I wonder?
Step 3: Find the fifth sentence (or closest to). I was ranting about Sandy Berger that day. Use the site search at the bottom of the page if you want to read it.
Step 4: Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Here it is: Whether or not Berger gets jail time over this will indicate if the USA is a nation of laws, or if we're a nation of laws that apply only to the unconnected.
Step 5: Tag five other people to do the same. Here is where I have to disobey- I'm only playing this little game to humor Jackington, an extremely funny blogger- so bring on the bad luck or whatever curse is in store for me- I can take it!

Here is the questionnaire:
1. Legal First name? Dennis
2. Were you named after anyone? Yes.
3. Do you wish on stars? Uh, No.
4. When did you last cry? Haven't you heard? Boys don't cry.
5. What is your favorite lunch meat? Chicken. Gotta love yardbird.
6. What is your birth date? August 25.
7. What's your most embarrassing CD? Shania Twain. I bought it for the pictures.
8. Would you be friends with you? Sure.
9. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Some.
10. What are your nicknames? I was briefly known among friends as the 'detonator' when I lived in St Louis.
11. Would you bungee jump? Sure.
12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes.
13. Do you think that you are strong? Yes.
14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate.
15. Shoe Size? 10.
16. Red or pink? Hmmmmm.
17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I'm a procrastinator at times.
18. Who do you miss most? My grandparents.
19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue and black.
20. What are you listening to right now? The TV in the other room.
21. What did you eat for breakfast? Coke and Three Musketeers: it all starts with good nutrition!
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue.
23. What is the weather like right now? Cloudy, windy, 62° F.
24. Last person you talked to on the phone? My wife.
25. The first things you notice about the opposite sex? Clearly a question for single people.
26. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Don't know him, but I like his writing- I think he'd be fun to have a beer with.
27. Favorite drink? Yes.
28. Hair color? Brown.
29. Do you wear contacts? Yes.
30. Favorite food? All food is generally fantastic.
31. Last movie you watched? A History of Violence.
32. Favorite day of the year? First day of fall.
33. Scary movies or happy endings? Either.
34. Summer or Winter? Winter. By far.
35. Hugs or kisses? Kisses.
36. What is your favorite desert? I usually eat so much that it's not necessary.
37. Living arrangements? House.
38. What books are you reading? The Island at the Center of the World.
39. What's on your mouse pad? A Compaq advertisement.
40. What did you watch last night on TV? CSI: NY.
41. Favorite smells? Food.
42. Favorite junk food? Anything chocolate.
43. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles.
44. What's the farthest you've been from home? Seattle or maybe Lake Louise, Alberta.

Bootheel man charged with animal abuse

Apparently, we have trouble treating animals (horses, in this instance) well in Southeast Missouri. Even more troubling, our local officials have been part of the problem.

Office Etiquette

This post is absolutely hilarious. Click HERE.