Visions of lots of sewer?

With subscriptions declining, the OWH has turned on the "Exclusive" button, making it sound like other people would be interested in these stories. Some, yes, are interesting. Some are not. So they give you a teaser and say, "check out the rest in the real paper." Someday they'll get that it's not the Internet that's tanking subscriptions, it's the quality of writing. Having said all that, I do still subscribe.

One story that did catch my eye was the new vision for Downtown Omaha. I'll give you more details if you want, but what they are putting down there isn't the important part. The important part is...not mentioned. We have a lot of great things in Omaha, and the new vision has some great ideas: more kid-friendly parks, redeveloping the area between Qwest and the Missouri River, etc. How do you plan on paying for it? I understand private donors, but why can't we tap those private donors to pay for this huge sewer issue that Omaha supposedly has? No one is going to like anything you develop if it's covered in human feces! Instead, I, a person who does not live in the Omaha city limits, gets charged extra by M.U.D. to pay for Omaha's sewer issues. I realize donors won't shell out cash for something that they can't hang a sign with their name on it so millions can see, but we have to get priorities straight. Yes, the ideas laid out are outstanding, but if you don't take care of vital infrastructure, your wasting your money.

The Safe Haven Law

Gov. Heineman said today that he is calling a special session of the legislature to address the massive issues caused by no age limit with the Safe Have Law. The law, which in most states sets a limit of less than a year for a child to be dropped off, has been made a mockery of by parents of troubled teens. As of today, 24 teens, including 3 from out of state, have been dropped off at local hospitals and police stations.

I completely agree that the law needs to be changed, but I don't think 3 days, as Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk suggests, is long enough. I think 3 days makes the decision to keep or give up rights to your child a pretty rash decision. I really think it should be extended to one year old. That allows parents time to seek parenting help without having to give up rights.

The Train Keeps a Rollin'

Not surprising, after a petition begins to recall Mayor Fahey, there is now a petition to support a downtown ballpark. I'm not sure what the Douglas County government does, but are they so slow that they need petitions to keep them occupied? I guess I can't say that I'm surprised that the recalls keep coming in. I imagine these won't be the only two.

I have to say there are two scenarios that would make me happy (because that SO matters to the city of Omaha): 

1) A new stadium -- the new stadium would be beautiful, look out over the downtown skyline and would be state of the art. It would be welcome to Omaha by those in the city that want to be seen. 

2) Replace the original section of Rosenblatt -- the original metal part of Rosenblatt is an eye sore and is the worst part of the old girl. I realize that there are many other things that need to be replaced, but, as a fan, that's the minimum of what I want gone. It's embarrassing. 

My biggest issue with the new stadium is that I doubt it helps the O Royals, which I don't think Fahey and Diesing care about. It's not their agenda. Fahey doesn't have bad ideas, he just shoves the down people's throats, and that's what the city and I can't stand. The Old Feeder made a great comment on a previous post. It's the way they've done business and will until they are recalled or just get out.

By the way, Fahey fake-bakes like no one's business. He looks like a 20 year old chic getting ready for spring break. Come on Mayor. It's winter in Nebraska. We're not done...and does the city pay for that???

New Stadium Plans Unveiled

Mayor Fahey unveiled more concrete plans today, including a nice, new website from the CWS Oversight Committee. Here are a couple links to keep you up to date:

OWH: Plans unveiled for downtown Omaha ballpark

WOWT: Stadium Plans Unveiled

KETV: Stadium to Cost $127M...

KMTV: Mayor and Stadium Committee...

KPTM: Mayor, Committee Release Stadium Recommendation

Past House posts

I guess that my feeling is, it's going to happen, so we might as well enjoy the newness. I realize there are the tax issues, but one way or another, the stadium will be built. In five years we'll wonder how we ever did without it. I think the preliminary layout looks great. I am hoping to attend one of the public forum sessions to see what else they will come up with.

The State of Husker Hoops

I appreciate the work that Doc Sadler does with the NU Hoops squad. He has brought a passion to the game and to (some) fans that I think will transfer to a winning formula. 

I can't stand Michael Beasley, K State stud frosh. He just wreaks of punk. If you watch him during a game, you can just see his "better-than-you" attitude coming out, including when you see him arguing with teammates during games. He looks like one of those guys who, if you are winning, you're fine with, but once things go south...

Knowing those two things, I was ecstatic that NU beat K State last night at the Devaney Center, especially in front of an ESPN2 crowd. Beasley is a stud and deserves to be in the discussion for POY, although there is no way he should win it. But, according to the Lee Barfnecht of the OWH, he told the ESPN cameras that "I might go for 50." As Lee points out, he barely got a third of the way there. Congrats to Doc Sadler and the boys for rallying and defeating this idiot and his 'tude who will not make it in the NBA. Talent, sure he could hang. But there isn't a team that will succeed with him in the mix. 

Doc Sadler will make this Husker program legitimate...if he sticks around. I would think he has Osborne's support (because Osborne is too busy watching the football team to meddle around). You can tell by watching him that he gives a crap and that may be the biggest asset to turning around the program.

More Rosenblatt

Here is the latest OWH article with some Q & A in regards to the Rosenblatt debacle...I mean, new ballpark downtown.

Congress has issues

I have some down time today, which is a good thing, but I've got an ear to the congressional hearings with Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee. Is this what our world is coming to? These elected officials are the biggest bunch of wanna-be somebodys. I would guess that Clemens took steroids, like I believe a lot of ballplayers did. But this committee is a complete waste of time. They want to make sure that the Mitchell Report wasn't a bunch of lies. Now they are bringing up some stupid party at Jose Canseco's house. Who give a rat's butt? This is such a waste of time. They are putting on a show for the camera's. I would be embarrassed if one of our reps was on that committee. This is a horrible show of creating work to justify themselves. Waste of money.

Peters Update

Earlier this week we mentioned the story involving Makayla Peters, who said she wasn't a prostitute, just a call girl. A new story in the OWH said that she doesn't have sex with the customers. When asked about the claim that "some of the men she had sexual relations with...including prominent people, some just average Joes," she said that was one guy she met through the biz but ended up dating. Huh? Which was he then, prominent or average?

In our first post, we said she would do one of three things...we forgot the "its not what it seems" card. I really thought she would be smart enough to know we don't believe it, especially after this gem of a quote: "She said that requests to wear Catholic school outfits to perform a strip tease were among the most popular requests." Now, I'm no porn star, but I don't think that is an outfit you were to have tea and crumpets. 

KMTV: Accused Call Girl Wants Defends Her Business

We were right...

Last February, we here in the House questioned a judge's decision to give Greg Hatt a 10 day prison sentence for getting sauced, running into a man which left the innocent bystander permanently injured. Now comes word that, hey, somebody agrees with us. Fortunately, its even someone who's important! The Court of Appeals has ruled that Hatt must be sentenced by a different judge to a minimum of 6 months. It's good to know that every now and then justice is served.

Super Bowl Celebration

In preparation for today's Super Bowl, here is, by far, my favorite Super Bowl moment:

NoDo Stadium Update

You may need to sit down for this:

In an article that will apparently appear in the Sunday OWH (it's online...I'm not breaking news), the NoDo Stadium will, shockingly, cost more than the $50 million first reported by the city government. Wow, didn't see that one coming. The cost of building the new stadium is now almost twice as much as renovating Rosenblatt. But a point worth bringing up is that tearing down Rosenblatt means expansion of the Henry Doorly Zoo. I'm not sure the exact numbers, but you would have to think the Zoo brings in more money during the year than the CWS does during it's two week (Royals profit??? Yeah right.).

Letter from MECA to mayor and ballpark committee (from OWH)

Letter from ballpark committee chairman to MECA (from OWH)

Here is the OWH's recap of all of the drama.

***Update***

OWH Feb 4: Ballpark's potential site could be decided in court

I'm not a prostitute, but...

How surprised I was to pick up the OWH off of my front step this morning only to first read "I'm not a prostitute." Naturally, that headline peaked my interest. It's not a common headline.

Apparently, Makayla Peters of Omaha/Millard, ran a "massage therapy business" that, for the right amount of money, could turn into any number of fantasies. The authorities arrested her for prostitution-related offenses, but she argues she's not a prostitute, she's a "call girl." Well, basically one in the same. The difference between you and the stereo-typed prostitute is that you aren't using the money for crack...well, I guess I don't have any reliable sources, but judging by the pic, I'll go out on a limb and say that's not the reason. You just like the cash and the sex. It's OK, but it's not legal. 

So here's a few guesses as to what will happen:

A) She'll use the "I was abused as a child" defense

B) She'll work to organize prostitution in NE, teaming with Dr. John's for a push to introduce legislation

C) She'll take her lumps and move to Nevada

Here at the House, we don't really care. Do what you do in your house. We aren't judging. You got caught. By definition, you're a prostitute. Deal with it. I'm sorry nothing else worked out for you in life, but hopefully you'll find a way to make money again. Legally.

City of Omaha looking for some help?

Many, many, many blogs have documented the harshness that is the Evil Empire (aka, Axis of Evil or Muppet Mike, those who "run" the city). But now it seems they have a little help, kind of. A group of state senators introduced a bill asking that, for ever $3 Omaha puts towards the renovation of Rosenblatt Stadium, the state will chip in a $1 (up to $20 million). For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, Rosenblatt Stadium is home to a couple Creighton Blue Jaycollege baseball games; the Triple A affiliate of the KC Royals, the Omaha Royals, and; more importantly (financially speaking), the College World Series. State Senator John Synowiecki introduced LB 1156, working with a few other Omaha senators. He does say that this does not mandate that Omaha keep Rosenblatt and that it could be worked to help fund a new stadium.

There are so many issues that are affecting this process of either renovating Rosenblatt or building a new stadium:

• There is a loud group wanting to save Rosenblatt.
• The Omaha city government, not surprisingly, has not handled this well...there have been back channel supposed discussions with the NCAA, much confusion about how much a new stadium would really cost, what it would really look like...I could go on...
• The group put together to combine all sides lost their coordinator, apparently because he was annoyed with the city government.
• "Big money" seems to be pushing for the new stadium.
• Who pays for it?
• Is the NCAA really looking for a new stadium or a new city?
• Does the CWS really help the whole state?

I just don't think that the CWS provides enough money to the state for the state to support it. I think that there are many things that $20 million dollars could fix (child services, education, etc.). I don't see Synowiecki's bill passing to help Rosenblatt, but I could see the big money in Omaha talking with him and the rest of the legislature about channeling that money to their new stadium. Many people ask why the government doesn't put $20 million into the Sienna Francis house or likewise organizations...well, that's easy. They don't bring the money back in. Is it right? No, but how else are you going to get people to the state?

Here's some links:

LB 1156

Save Rosenblatt Stadium

OWH: Nebraska Legislature getting into Omaha's stadium game

LJS: Omaha Senator pushes bill that would help save Rosenblatt

WOWT: Lawmaker Floats Rosenblatt Bill

KPTM: Lawmakers Get Into Ballpark Battle

KOLN/KGIN: Save Rosenblatt

Ask al-Qaeda

Move over, Dr. Ruth. Take a hike, Click and Clack. There is a new advice columnist in town.

Al-Qaeda, yes, that al-Qaeda, has taken some questions from its Internet followers. Now, no one is really sure what will happen to these questions. Followers were invited to post questions online for the groups #2 man, Ayman al-Zawahiri to answer. Once the Jan. 16 deadline to submit passed, all of the questions disappeared. It's not known who really asked the questions or who, if anyone, will actually answer the questions.

The House's favorite:

"I want to travel to join jihad and I sought my mother's permission, but she would not give it to me," he (a 23 year old man living with his divorced mother) said. "Can I go without her permission?"

Just how diverse the world is still sometimes amazes me. We talk so much, especially with the Internet, how small the world has gotten, but there are still so many places in the world that are a complete 180 from our beliefs and lifestyles. 

Doing the same amount of work for a better grade

First of all, congratulations. You are reading the 100th post at the House of Hosh. We are guessing that if we would've kept our act together, we would've reached this about July of 2007. But oh well. We are here and happy so many of you could join us for this. It's kind of like the Golden Globes...(cricket chirp, cricket chirp)...

Anyway, this fine article appeared on the local NBC news website: School District Eliminates the Grade of Zero. Now, we all know that I work in an educational setting, so unlike many items that you read on this page, I actually have some background knowledge of this one. When I first read the headline and tease, "Hold students responsible for assignments and keep them from dropping out," I thought this was a great idea. But then I read a little farther:

Dr. Bruckner (CB Public Schools Superintendent) says students should get 50%, which is still an F, for a missed assignment. It's still a failing grade, but an incentive for students to stay in school and complete those assignments.

"What we're trying to do is don't let those zeroes get in the way of helping kids have a chance to learn. What we want teachers to do is not to let kids off the hook by saying you didn't have that in and I’m going to give you a zero, you don't have to do the work because I've already given you a zero."

Let me get this straight: so now, when a student doesn't want to do an assignment, you want them to stay in school, so you are giving them a better grade then before? For the same amount of "work?" You're letting them off the hook by giving them a 50 instead of 0. That's a huge difference. A 50 is more than halfway between a zero and passing. By 10-15 points (depending on what you want to call passing).

Yes, giving them three zeros at the beginning of the semester does put their passing the course in jeopardy. But I have a different idea. Make your curriculum/assignments relevant to students. Honestly, a student isn't going to do something they don't want to. Why isn't that child doing their work? Something at home? Are they in the wrong class for their intelligence? Your job isn't to create a grade for a student, it's to teach them something. Maybe you aren't challenging them? There are so many reasons this could be happening, but giving them a grade for not completing the assignment is not an answer. It is definitely a case-by-case basis as to why a student isn't performing, but handing them a grade for no reason isn't the answer.

There is also a reason that you can only find this story on one station: It's a horrible idea. It's a cop-out for someone who doesn't want to do their job of increasing student achievement.

Oh, Iowa...

If Iowa and New Hampshire don't "represent America," why is winning them so important? If the rest of America didn't feel the same, wouldn't these first two primaries be unimportant?

Banished Word List

Lake Superior State University has published its latest list of banned phrases for the year. Some I definitely agree with. "Under the bus" has become used a little too often, and it seems that once someone figures out how to use the phrase, they use it all the time. "'Blank' is the new 'blank'" is another term that is used ALL the time. In fact, in reading a story about 2008 yesterday, they said that "blue would be the new green" in terms of energy use. It's just annoying. We are guessing that "Don't tase me, bro!" will make next year's list.

Either way, back to the House's favorite New Year tradition: bowl games!

Happy New Year!

"Minor" Miscalculation? Or Conspiracy?

A story has appeared on the OWH and LJS websites that says there isn't going to be quite as much budget surplus here in Nebraska as first though in November. (LJS article) However, the difference isn't a couple million dollars, it's almost $40 million. The Legislature says that the difference in projections is because of increased funding to schools to the tune of $39.2 million. $39.2 million dollars is being adding to state aid? And that wasn't known two months ago? This sounds a little fishy. Metro area residents know that the Learning Community is a source of contention between metro school districts and the legislature. I'm not saying that miscalculations happen, but almost $40 million? Even $10 million would've only garnered a shrug. But it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Will this be a card for the legislature to play to push the Learning Community? At one time OPS had sued the state because of it's perceived flaws in the state aid system. Will that affect the lawsuit? Stay tuned...

This OWH article from May 2007 is a Q & A that includes info on the Learning Community and some info on the lawsuit.

More Local News Reports:

Omaha:

WOWT: Schools to Squeeze Budget

KETV: Education Department Needs Millions More for '08

KPTM: State Budget to Take Hit From Higher School Costs

Lincoln

KOLN/KGIN: Schools Require Larger Budget

Now Google Wants to Share

In education, we are really starting to take notice of what Google has done with all of their free applications. With Docs, Earth, Notebook, etc., it could really cut your budget by switching to their systems (there's quite a few important reasons why I wouldn't, but many of you don't care). However, I found this Google Earth blog post very interesting: Frank Taylor, the author, thinks that Microsoft, the company whose applications Google has taken aim at, should share their Bird's Eye pictures with Google Earth. Why? You are offering all of these quality programs for free, directly competing (in most cases) with Microsoft. So Microsoft spends money to make their products better, and now you want them to share? Now, I don't want to have to start paying for Google, but I see little to no incentive for Microsoft to even consider.

I just thought that was kind of a funny suggestion by Mr. Taylor. Have a Happy Holiday season.

Westroads

Since it was such a big story in the area, I thought I'd drop a few comments about the Westroads shooting. I would be remiss if I didn't start by saying God Bless all of the families affected.

Police, Fire and EMTs: I have not heard of anything that could have been done differently. Congratulations on the quick, appropriate response.

Most Local Media: Morons. Proving once again what made the Omaha TV Blog so popular, I have never been so embarrassed. You prompted the lady of the house to talk when she shouldn't have. I realize that she takes some blame for that (and police officials for not finding her and keeping her quiet), but you asked "Was there anything else you could've done?" What do you think? How dare you ask that during this point of time? Competent or not, she is still grieving and trying to comprehend what happened. All you want is a story. Worse yet, who's idea was to put an immature "friend" on the TV? Did you honestly think that child would have something intelligent to say? And then you kept going...As much as the first responders made me proud to live in the area, you made me embarrassed to even have visited.

The Mother: I really do feel for you and your family, but it really scares me that you told a national news organization (who had been scrambling to bring anyone to NYC, including "friends" of the shooter) that you knew he took the gun the night before and was just hoping he'd get caught for stealing. He can't get caught if no one tells the police. I realize hindsight's 20-20, but if a gun is missing from my house, I don't care who took, I want to know where it's at and why.

Gun Law Proponents/Opponents: Everyone having a gun at Von Maur would not "stop the rampage." It would only have created more confusion as to who the actual gunman was. No one having the ability to carry a gun wouldn't have prevented him from getting a gun. This type of thing happens, unfortunately. Even if his step dad didn't have a gun, he would've found one somewhere else.

This was definitely a huge tragedy for the city and I'm glad to see that we are trying to get back to "normal."

The next post will deal with more "current" events, but I had to get some of that off my chest.