Emernation

Coldplay - Des Moines

Coldplay - Des Moines
Originally uploaded by Brood_wich

Photos from the Derby

In the spirit of the upcoming Preakness I thought I would share some photos I took during my rent trip to the Kentucky Derby.

White House Czar Declares End to 'War on Drugs'

The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration. In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House ONDCP, Gil Kerlikowske said the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with abuse.

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DMR Poll: Do you want to see a pro hockey team in Des Moines next season?

Ducks Farts

Well, if you haven't heard by now the Anaheim Ducks
have pulled their affiliation from my beloved Iowa Chops. What
initially started as a blurt on the Anaheim Ducks site has snowballed
in to an all-out media frenzy here in central Iowa.

Here's what we know: The Anaheim Ducks have pulled their
affiliation, meaning that the players and coaches we had last season
will not be returning to Iowa as the Ducks' AHL development team.
Ducks GM Bob Murray has stated to the Des Moines Register that the
Chops owe the Ducks a "substantial" amount of money, and that they've
made one of their scheduled payments. The Chops have told me
something else entirely, that this development stems from a
misunderstanding about the deadline for payments. Iowa believes
that it payment was to be delivered at the end of the fiscal year on
June 30, while the Ducks anticipated payment at the conclusion of the
Chops' season which ended April 11th. Assurances have been made to
me that the Iowa Chops are working hard to either patch things up
with the Ducks by making a payment or my approaching another NHL
Franchise for an affiliation.

I could care less about the Anaheim Ducks. I didn't care about them
before they affiliated with Iowa, and only was interested in them
because of their affiliation with the Chops. The same will apply to
our new friends in the NHL in come October.

I believe that AHL Hockey belongs in Iowa. We have the climate and
the geographical orientation to make Iowa a great place for
professional hockey. What I find puzzling is the local media's
fascination with health of this team. Over the past two days there
has been more energy and time devoted to this team that for the
duration of the season. Where was the connection made when Bobby
Ryan was making a run for the Calder Trophy to the start of the
season in Iowa? Where was the media-praise for the fact that the
Chops had over 10,000 people in the stands on multiple occasions this
season?

I am a proud Iowa Chops season ticket holder, and I stand firm in my
commitment to my season tickets next year. The whole Iowa Chops
organization has been exceptional to my friends and family and I look
forward to what lies ahead for AHL Hockey in Des Moines in the fall.

Off the the Races!

Tomorrow I am embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.   Last week I was graciously invited to attend the 135th Kentucky Derby by my future brother in law John.   He has been a regular attendee of this event for the past decade.

I've never been big in to horse racing or gambling for that matter, but I am eagerly anticipating my first visit to this storied event.  After attending a work-related workshop tomorrow I am headed directly to Kansas City to John's house where we will rally prior to making the trip to Louisville.   I am excited for this trip for many reasons.  I have heard so many cool things about the historic town of Louisville.  I am eager to dive head-first in to the pageantry of the event, beer-cheese and Hot Browns, and of course sampling some of the famous spirits of bourbon country.    It will be a genuine pleasure to enjoy all that this mini-vacation has to offer with John who has proven to be a great guy and a good friend.

I want to say thanks to John for his generosity in inviting me to participate in what has the potential to be a very memorable weekend.

This will be the first time I will be heading out in to the field with my new HTC Touch Pro.  I am looking forward to sharing the highlights of my weekend with friends by using this veritable swiss army knife of communications devices.  You can keep up with developments on my trip east on the following services:

Live Twitter Updates - http://twitter.com/Broodwich

Streaming Video - http://qik.com/broodwich

Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/brood_wich/

Where I am, and where I've visited - http://brightkite.com/people/Broodwich

Barnstormers get a huge win in their opening game in Milwaukee!

It was the beat-down in beer-town! Milwaukee was a lot of fun but it doesn't hold a candle the atmosphere of Wells-Fargo Arena. Paltry attendance from a city that is much, much larger than Des Moines. Great effort by the team, good showing from the fans and a huge opening W!

Originally posted as a comment by Broodwich on Ping.fm using Disqus.

Iowa's Taxes Are Outpacing Its' Livability

Iowans, now is the time to take the reigns on this runaway stagecoach of taxation and stupidity. Today the Iowa House is holding a Public Hearing to discuss the possibility of repealing the deduct-ability of federal taxes on your Iowa income tax. Do not pay taxes on income that never makes it into your wallet! Paycheck withholding is theft and one of the biggest hoodwinks in the history of this nation. What young Iowa college graduate with any sense would pay taxes on wages that they will never touch?

This has just been a bizarre year. Is there enough here to keep you if you have to pay taxes on money you will never see? Why are you paying taxes on income that is taken away from you before you even see it? Are you aware that the statehouse is also exploring the possibility of allowing counties, townships and municipalities to levy taxes on your income this session? Do you remember that last year, the legislature implemented a uniform state wide tax increase to 6% to "help poorer rural communities that aren't benefiting from local option sales taxes."

Yes there is a very real possibility that within one-year that Iowa will have implemented a sales-tax increase, repealed federal deduct-ability from your income taxes, and allow your local city or county to levy direct taxes on your income.

My visit to Milwaukee last weekend was the first time I had my eyes opened to just how expensive things have become in Iowa. Everything in Milwaukee was inexpensive, the food, the lodging and the adult beverages and sports entertainment. Wisconsin on the whole has professional sports, great recreation and parks and a lot more to offer younger people like myself.

What makes Iowa such an irresistible place to call home? Year-round golf? Our internationally acclaimed parks? Deep-sea fishing? The 2020 Summer Olympics in Newton? What exactly are the benefits of living in Iowa if these proposed tax increases go through?

Well, unfortunately the answers of sweet corn, old people and slightly above average schools for my yet-to-be born children are not enough to keep me interested.

Greetings from Miwuakee

After a long day of traveling on Amtrak's California Zephyr and Hiawatha we arrived at about 6PM last night in the city of beer. I am visiting Milwaukee this weekend with my friends Matt Reinhardt, Ryan Oleson and Greg Bovee and my brother Chris for a weekend of sports. We will be going to the AF2 Barnstomers season opener against the Milwaukee Iron and a Iowa Chops game against the Admirals both at the Bradley Center here in Milwaukee this weekend.

Last night we ventured across the street to the parent hotel to Envoy to watch some basketball and partake in some locally brewed beers. I was really impressed with the art deco hotel and lounge, tuna micro-burger and exceptional New Glarus beers available on tap.

Plans for the duration of the trip include visits to Sabor a Brazilian barbeque and the Safe House a famous spy-themed restaurant and bar.

The trip so far has been pretty easy and has proven to be the only time that the train through Iowa was running on schedule.

We checked in to the Ambassador Inn and it is a really nice little hotel. The rooms are clean and modern and it has shown to be a great value for what we paid on Hotwire.

I will make an effort to continue updates and photos from the games and our exploits up here. Have a great weekend everyone!

I unlocked 5 Steam achievements on Portal! http://ping.fm/N6elK