Jay Kersting's Blog

HELP!! Ideas, suggestions wanted!! Read on….

So here is what I am looking for….your ideas and suggestions. What for? First, the background.

Last year, my good friend Ethan Mayers came for a visit and he arrived on my 39th birthday. Starting that weekend the discussion came up that I needed to do something special for my 40th birthday. Especially, as both Ethan and Kathleen pointed out, I am fortunate enough to have my 40th birthday fall on a Saturday.

My 21st was on a Wednesday, and it was memorable. My 25th was memorable because we moved, literally across the hall, that day….a very pregnant doing a lot of it because she could get off of work that day (Luke Heimer and I did the heavy lifting that evening).

Since then, none of been memorable. Nor should they, really. Kind of anti-climatic once you are past the age of a “Chuck-E-Cheese” or “upchuck to cap off the night” age.

Looking back, my 20th birthday sticks in my mind as being memorable. We spent that night at Milwaukee County Stadium to witness Nolan Ryan get his 300th career victory.

So, I feel a little pressure on me. [Thanks Ethan....mind you he has joked about me being in my MID-40's for a while....and I still call him a friend....hmmm....]

Mind you, I am on a tight budget. After the events of 364 days ago, followed by six months of unemployment, we still will be this summer. Unless we win the Powerball or Mega Millions, that is.

OK, the date that I need to be ready for is just under six months away. So, start with your ideas now. Post them in the comments area or e-mail me (jay@jaykersting.com).

I am curious to see what you are able to come up with.

For me….I got nothing.
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WARNING: Strong Language follows. Quoting Rahm Emanuel.

Rahm Emanuel, a man that I have previously described as a being a BAD, BAD person, proves me right again.

Emanuel speaking to a group of his LIBERAL and PROGRESSIVE allies called them “fucking retarded” and “fucking retards” recently.

Classy Rahm, but I expect nothing less from him.

Now, Emanuel is apologizing.  From USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/02/emanuel-apologizes-for-using-the-r-word/1

I actually find a little humor in this, but I will get to that in a bit.

The term “retarded” is about as politically correct as “Negro” is these days…unless you are the senior Senator from Nevada.  It is an outdated term that should be avoided, period.  Have I used the term, yes, but not for a long time.

At its core, the term retarded was first intended to describe those with mental handicaps by assigning a synonym with slow to them.  But, that is not necessarily accurate.  And the term became derogatory, as was the INTENT of Rahm Emanuel, so it has been suggested that the term be retired, just like “colored” has been.

But maybe we should give Rahm Emanuel as pass on this.  President Obama himself made a derogatory remark about Special Olympians on “The Tonight Show” a while back.  So, this is probably a sign of the attitude that is held in the White House. 

What more proof do you need?

Well, so Rahm Emanuel has apologized.  He apologized for being caught more than anything else.  We know what is in this man’s heart, assuming he has one.  Like I said, this is a VERY bad man. 

But look at the USA Today article again.  Who did Emanuel apologize to?

Think about THAT for a second.  Then think about who he did NOT apologize to.

That is what gave me a HUGE laugh.

Those crazy Catalonians…..

http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2010/02/caganers.html

Neal Boortz has been talking about this yesterday and today.  He ordered two of the one at the bottom of the page.

Now, this is a sponsor that does not sell these little gems.  Sorry.

To the moon? Mars? Not with Obama. But…

President Obama scrapped Project Constellation.  For the time being at least.

From Voice of America:

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/Obamas-2011-Budget-Scraps-83333297.html

Remember, Jimmy Carter scrapped the B-1 Lancer project and Ronald Reagan revived it.  So, it is possible that in 3 years are next President will revive it.

If that happens, the return to the moon and the innovations that could change our lives that go with it are three years further away.  The dreams of young people who MIGHT have been inspired by a revived space program have been shattered.  And, as a parent, that is NOT Change that I will ever believe in.

I put the blame on the George W. Bush Administration for not being bold enough when they proposed this return to the moon and on to Mars plan back in 2004.  In this case, blaming Bush might actually be fair.  Congress shares some of it, but Bush didn’t push the issue.

However, all of that said, I refer you to the words of someone credible on this issue.  When it comes to the “Been there, done that” with America’s space program, Buzz Aldrin is about the tops.  Back in the August 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics, Aldrin had this to say.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4322647.html

Partnerships with other, friendly, nations is a good means to get back to the moon.  But, as Aldrin says, we need to go beyond.

This is not some “Star Trek” or other science fiction motivated desire.  Hardly.  This is self-preservation.

While misguided, and sometimes STUPID, people like President Obama want to believe the biggest threat to our planet is ourselves, the real problems are out THERE and are not cause by human beings.

Comets.

Asteroids.

Gamma Ray Bursts.

Unknowns.

Aliens?

Everyday, if you are awake, you hear reports in the news that debunk man-made global warming.  You hear, again…IF you are paying attention, to the fact that Albert Arnold Gore, Junior, is a human manure spreader.  A fear mongering fool who piles more on himself, and further exposes that he has no credibility.

Anyhow, back to the subject.  President Obama cuts NASA funding.  While, in general, I see this as a HUGE mistake, I think there could be an unintended consequence.  And this, if it happens, could be a GREAT thing.  Especially from a President who thinks that private industry is the enemy.

Apparently, there is a plan to open the facilities at Kennedy Space Center to private space companies. 

For someone like me who KNOWS that private industry, when allowed to, can do things better, faster and cheaper than the government can, this is GREAT news.  This could save thousands of jobs….in a real way, not with Joe Biden’s flawed mathematics.

Sir Richard Branson is a leader in space tourism, well outside of the Russian space program.  He wouldn’t need to use KSC, but his ventures could inspire others to head to the Space Coast.

If that was to happen, wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants. 

Life gave the American Space Program lemons.  Hopefully, the private sector can turn it into lemonade.

In honor of Groundhog Day, this from 2007…

One month on the job at News Talk 1240 KLIK, it was Groundhog Day.  News Anchor/Director Dean Morgan took part.

GroundHogDayonKLIK

Comments are welcome.  It has been three years, I can take it.

Hype, or will iPad be the new hot gadget?

The way I see it, P.T. Barnum is often proven right.  There is a sucker born every minute.  Proof?  Look at the ratings for American IDull.  (And read my previous posting why watching the show makes you UN-patriotic!)

So, I heard about this thing that Steve Jobs introduced the other day called the iPad.  My first thought upon hearing the name was shock.  I couldn’t believe that Apple would want to compete with Stayfree and Always (with Wings).

But that sort of makes sense.  As the old joke goes, the little boy will want them because you can go horseback riding, to the beach, and lots of other fun things with it.

Really, the iPad is the merging of the Kindle with the iPod Touch/iPhone.

To this day, I don’t get the iPhone.  Not because it is not cool…it is.  But I don’t get the iPhone because the coverage where you can use the thing sucks.  Hell, when I was with Nextel (1999-2001), the forefathers of AT&T wireless had crappy/spotty coverage.  Nextel, as limited as we were back then, at least had smooth handoffs from tower to tower.  AT&T still has more drops than the outfield of the Washington Nationals.  (Or do you prefer passes of the Detroit Lions receivers corps?)

So, will the iPad be a success?  The short answer is, maybe. 

The MP3 player for personal music had been out for a while before the first iPod.  In this case, the Kindle has been the hot portable reading device for several years.  And it is, while not cheap, about half the price of the iPad.  (Not sure which is more absorbant…sorry, I can’t let that go yet. )

For $500 bucks, more if you want the 3G mobile network connectivity, it might be a return to 1983 for Apple.

Ever heard of Lisa?

Lisa is not a who, but a what.  Look it up.  Lisa was revolutionary and a failure.

iPad might be Lisa 2.0 if Apple can’t live up to the hype.

Now, a word from our sponsor.

Never been a fan, but….

I have never been a fan of Tim Tebow.  A lot of it has to do with his association with a horrible institution in the a state that has residents too stupid to know how to operate voting machines.  But, I just don’t like the style of quarterback that he is…..I like a passer who can get out of a jam.  Not a guy who is looking to run first. 

That is why I never enjoyed watching Michael Vick.  And why I didn’t think much of Brett Favre early in his career.  It always looks like a “panic first” style of play.

That is why I always liked Joe Montana.  Joe Cool was joking in the huddles while orchestrating those many fourth quarter comebacks. 

Same with Peyton Manning, calculating and determined, never panicky.

OK, so there it is.

Many don’t like the “preachy” and “in your face” nature of Tim Tebow and his faith.  I can see where that is annoying, but it is his right to express himself…even if it is in a less desireable venue.

Now, I am completely on his side.

CBS agreed to air an anti-abortion ad during the Super Bowl.  This is NOT because I am a strong pro-life person.  To me, that is an issue that has drawn WAY TOO much attention over the years as compared to the daily impact of the issue.

But for Tim Tebow, this IS something that has a daily impact. 

The ad, featuring Tebow and his mother, talks of the time when his mother was with her husband as missionaries in Philippines.  She was advised that her high risk pregancy was both dangerous for her and her child and that the best, most sensible thing to do was to have an abortion.

She didn’t have the abortion and Tim Tebow was born.

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=35301

Tim Tebow has a VERY strong opinion on this issue.  I think that he SHOULD.  And if I was Tim Tebow and I had this strong view, I would be as “in your face” on it as I possibly can.

Of course, NOW, the National Organization of Hypocritical Liberal & Progressive Women, is crying foul. 

Why?  Mrs. Tebow had a CHOICE, right?  Just because she CHOSE against what THEY would want, they want to pull the plug on the TV ad.

For the first time ever, I will openly admit that I support Tim Tebow.  Not over the content of his arguement, but over his right to air it.

Some, like NOW and other hypocritical feminist groups, think that CBS shouldn’t allow an ad like this run during the Super Bowl.  Well, I disagree.  Tim Tebow, like his style of play or not, won a Heisman Trophy and two BCS National Championships for the FU Gators.  Showing this ad during the biggest football game of the year makes the most sense.

And if they don’t like it, they can dig in to THEIR pockets and pay to run their own ad.

Last I checked, despite the wishes of Congress and the White House, this is STILL a capitalist society.  And if Progressives HOPE to CHANGE that, they need to play the game and pay up.

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Since I am a capitalist, clicking on these ads and buying something could help me and my family.  Thank you for reading and buying.

Yes, it IS terrorism.

I got in a little hot water a few years back when I responded to an e-mail that I received from PETA.  I let them know that they were as welcome to appear on any show that I host as would Al-Qaeda.  I told them that the actions of their members, on behalf of their idiotic causes, was terrorism.

Then, I read the letter on the air.  The response was overwhelmingly positive.  The ONLY response to the contrary was from a usual suspect.  This was the same pinhead who wanted to discuss legalizing marijuana when I had a guest from a parent/student organization for promoting drug-free youth activities.  She wanted to take over my show and I would not let her.

Any how….now this story from out neighbors to the North.  No, not Iowa.  Further North.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=321547&sc=117

How do you see it?  An individual was terrorized, therefore this is terrorism.  Agree or Disagree?

The Mission begins…

Obviously, to those who have known me for a while, my health is NOT the greatest.  Yes, I am overweight.  And that has been the cause of most of my health related problems.  So the first step should be a diet, right?

Well, I have trouble with that.  Now, don’t misunderstand me.  I have dieted and I have done so with success.  But not long term.  Several years ago, I did a diet with corresponding radio ads to keep me in check.  Well, like many others, it didn’t take.  I didn’t learn any “good habits” for the long term.  So, back to the drawing board.

I have a new idea.  But I need to figure out how to do it. 

The idea is to increase my activity levels.  But the idea of getting on an elipitcal for a hour a day just doesn’t work for someone with ADHD.  What does work is something more interactive.  So, you are thinking Wii Fit.  Yeah….running in front of a TV isn’t working either.  Yeah, I tried a bit…..probably not enough.  Got bored.

Back in November, I started playing Volleyball again.  And we started having practices too.  THAT helped.  There was a point to it.  First, to get better and second, to win.

Well, winning has not come easily.  I have played in one game, in six matches of three games each, where we won.  But, I feel that I have improved.  I made a few moves this week that involved me stretching out my body and ending up on the floor.  For someone as stiff as I have been, this is quite a success.

So, I think I need to get involved in more activities like this.  Playing catch with the boys has been fun, but despite my prompting, they don’t seem that interested.  And right now, with a yard that I sink about four inches deep in, it is not a realistic activity.  Alex and I threw a baseball against the brick wall back at each other.  That was fun and I broke a good sweat.

The upside to this mentality is to get me focused on getting off my ass and doing something.  Doing that will set an example for Alex and Ben.  Kathleen has been a great example, but having a second one will help them as well.

But, as much as I hate running, I will have to do it.  I committed myself to the 5K in late April up in Kansas City.  So, I will start with walking….and a faster pace as I go forward.  Then I will commit further by buying shoes next month.  I can walk just fine in basketball shoes, running is a bit more challenging.

And I noticed that when I get more active, I actually eat better.  So, there comes the diet.

For now, back to my coffee…and back to work.