After more than a decade working on the same product, I find that the current owner of Magic is done with me. The company has other priorities. I'm honored to have my name on the same list with the other folks who were let go this round. I'm happy to hear that they are getting offers to continue their employment. I'd work with any one of them again. Good workers, solid minds and good hearts. This company has been good to me. There is clearly work yet to do but it's no longer my work to do. I wish the company and my colleagues good luck. With rare exceptions, it has truly been my pleasure. What a wonderful, if trying at times, journey.
It's odd getting laid off. Of course, it is nearly inevitable as the general suction of programming jobs from the developed to the developing continues. It's a little amazing that I made it 12 years. That's an eternity in the software business.
There certainly aren't that many postings job postings with these enterprisey software companies in the USA any more. Next to none compared to the roaring nineties of the dot-com boom when I last looked for a job. I continue to work on my resume, references and interview prep. Back in the day we didn't talk to HR critters, we talked to development managers. So that'll be a new experience. Today I start to close my office and prepare my equipment to be shipped back. I wonder when the paperwork will arrive. I wonder when they'll call to pick up the computers. I need to sign up for COBRA and take a look at filing for unemployment though I expect I'll have a job in a week or five. Now is the time to look forward, to think about what I'd like to do and what service I can provide. Through it all I consider and look at the many opportunities out there that keep me home. Weighing and considering where to apply and what to do is fun but first there are a few more things to wrap up.
I will always remember the past but new adventures and opportunities have me truly excited!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Libya
...the U.S. has fired 161 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Libyan territory since military strikes began...
Assuming they were the "cheap" Tomahawks that cost "only" 600k each, that's roughly a quarter per person in the USA. But you just know it wasn't the cheap ones, right? On top of that, the fuel, the parts, the maintenance, the combat pay. One wonders what this Libian civilian protection action will cost. And it's impossible to tally up the human costs including dead civilians and added strain on military families.
I don't know if it's worth it. In my view that's a difficult judgment to make until there is some sort of outcome and a tallying of the life, limb and resources. I'm reminded of that ending scene of Charlie Wilson's War where the CIA analyst tells Charlie the proverb that simply repeats "We'll see." Even if the immediate outcome is apparently good there always seem to be unexpected consequences down the road.
Given that we're still active two (other?) war zones not counting Korea I sure hope Nato, Europe and other allies do take it over sooner rather than later.
Assuming they were the "cheap" Tomahawks that cost "only" 600k each, that's roughly a quarter per person in the USA. But you just know it wasn't the cheap ones, right? On top of that, the fuel, the parts, the maintenance, the combat pay. One wonders what this Libian civilian protection action will cost. And it's impossible to tally up the human costs including dead civilians and added strain on military families.
I don't know if it's worth it. In my view that's a difficult judgment to make until there is some sort of outcome and a tallying of the life, limb and resources. I'm reminded of that ending scene of Charlie Wilson's War where the CIA analyst tells Charlie the proverb that simply repeats "We'll see." Even if the immediate outcome is apparently good there always seem to be unexpected consequences down the road.
Given that we're still active two (other?) war zones not counting Korea I sure hope Nato, Europe and other allies do take it over sooner rather than later.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Democratic Green Bay
In an oddity of screen scraping and the recent Press Gannett website redesign, I ended up re-reading an article about former Aldperperson and current Supervisor Vander Leest's lawsuit that was thrown out last year. It brought to mind a comment John once emphatically made to me, "Green Bay is a CONSERVATIVE TOWN!" Well, let's check the truth of that statement for Green Bay's district 11 in this last election where Republicans won big:
After looking at two others, we come upon our first district that went Republican. Perhaps this helps explain Vander Leest's perspective. Interesting that the ward that borders Howard actually went Democratic in two races. What about previous years? Looking back to 2008:
So, in the most blue of blue years, the district went to the Democrats and by a larger margin than the Republicans had in 2010. Perhaps some Democrats only come out for the presidentials, maybe it's a swing district, or something else is going on. What if we go back one more election to 2006, how did folks vote in district 11?
Is Green Bay a "conservative town" as Aldervisor Vander Leest suggested? This series of posts entitled "Democratic Green Bay" should make obvious my views. So, I'll just point out that we live in the City of Green Bay. The Town of Green Bay is along the bay to the north-east on the other side of the Town of Scott.
As far as the views of the voters of district 11? Comparing 2006 to 2010 because they are both non-presidential years, it looks to me that the Replublican vote was about the same and Democratic voters turned out in 2006 but not in 2010. The 2008 Democratic blowout is consistent with this. In my view, even though the conservative Vander Leest family dynasty has won more elections than not, their views, values and attitudes are likely not consistent with the majority of the voters they represent.
Walker won:
42 364 426
43 358 457
44 347 417
45 354 340
Johnson won:
42 342 457
43 355 470
44 348 421
45 350 353
Ribble won:
42 379 421
43 377 450
44 361 412
45 360 344
After looking at two others, we come upon our first district that went Republican. Perhaps this helps explain Vander Leest's perspective. Interesting that the ward that borders Howard actually went Democratic in two races. What about previous years? Looking back to 2008:
Kagen won:
42 575 482
43 599 509
44 591 486
45 691 431
And Hansen won huge:
42 703 337
43 711 382
44 708 348
45 760 326
So, in the most blue of blue years, the district went to the Democrats and by a larger margin than the Republicans had in 2010. Perhaps some Democrats only come out for the presidentials, maybe it's a swing district, or something else is going on. What if we go back one more election to 2006, how did folks vote in district 11?
Doyle barely won:
42 429 469
43 445 485
44 397 438
45 514 369
Kohl won big:
42 608 291
43 648 269
44 584 234
45 640 227
Kagen won too:
42 430 470
43 463 484
44 422 418
45 497 390
Is Green Bay a "conservative town" as Aldervisor Vander Leest suggested? This series of posts entitled "Democratic Green Bay" should make obvious my views. So, I'll just point out that we live in the City of Green Bay. The Town of Green Bay is along the bay to the north-east on the other side of the Town of Scott.
As far as the views of the voters of district 11? Comparing 2006 to 2010 because they are both non-presidential years, it looks to me that the Replublican vote was about the same and Democratic voters turned out in 2006 but not in 2010. The 2008 Democratic blowout is consistent with this. In my view, even though the conservative Vander Leest family dynasty has won more elections than not, their views, values and attitudes are likely not consistent with the majority of the voters they represent.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Democratic Green Bay
Today let's move to the East side of Green Bay, to a district where the current Alderperson/Supervisor is helping with the efforts to recall Dave Hansen. District 4's 2010 election results:
The last time Senator Hansen ran was 2008, the year of the blue tide with President Obama at the top of the ticket. While citizen Theisen seems to have issues with the senator now, the people of district 4 sure liked the Senator back then.
Aldervisor Theisen is a good and honorable man. I worked with him on issues then there was common ground to be found between us when I served on the council. Many people talk about what an good representative he is while serving in local government. But I just wonder if the voters in his district understand how much further right his beliefs are than theirs?
Barrett won:
14 323 298
15 424 302
16 430 262
17 221 153
Feingold won:
14 331 295
15 417 315
16 447 255
17 237 145
Kagen won:
14 346 285
15 440 304
16 443 259
17 239 145
Klenke took 14, but Soletski won:
14 291 330
15 397 340
16 418 276
17 224 159
The last time Senator Hansen ran was 2008, the year of the blue tide with President Obama at the top of the ticket. While citizen Theisen seems to have issues with the senator now, the people of district 4 sure liked the Senator back then.
Hansen won big:
14 650 247
15 749 299
16 671 230
17 452 185
Aldervisor Theisen is a good and honorable man. I worked with him on issues then there was common ground to be found between us when I served on the council. Many people talk about what an good representative he is while serving in local government. But I just wonder if the voters in his district understand how much further right his beliefs are than theirs?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Democratic Green Bay
For example, in the face of massive corporate dollars smearing Democratic candidates, district 8 voters in the last election:
I find it interesting how Republican the subset of spring voters has been over the years when Green Bay is undeniably a working class Democratic town. Both sides are energized right now. It'll sure be interesting to see how the district lines move with the new data and how that high energy might change the face of the council. Who knows? Maybe there will be an election before the new districts are drawn.
Barrett won:
30 425 378
31 208 152
32 507 436
33 469 442
Feingold won:
30 431 385
31 201 165
32 510 452
33 470 458
Kagen won:
30 454 376
31 217 146
32 519 439
33 501 431
I find it interesting how Republican the subset of spring voters has been over the years when Green Bay is undeniably a working class Democratic town. Both sides are energized right now. It'll sure be interesting to see how the district lines move with the new data and how that high energy might change the face of the council. Who knows? Maybe there will be an election before the new districts are drawn.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
New Lines
Let the gerrymandering begin!
But seriously, this is the data that will be used to draw the lines on the maps we all have to live with for the next ten years.
But seriously, this is the data that will be used to draw the lines on the maps we all have to live with for the next ten years.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Who are the Koch brothers?
Here's one perspective from August 2010.
It seems they are responsible for the Americans for Prosperity group that is currently trying to prop up Gov. Walker against the tide of public opinion opposing the no-compromise position for eliminating most current public sector collective bargaining rights.
It seems they are responsible for the Americans for Prosperity group that is currently trying to prop up Gov. Walker against the tide of public opinion opposing the no-compromise position for eliminating most current public sector collective bargaining rights.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Ouch and Thanks
Feelings of betrayal. Maybe I read more in to comments than were there, maybe people lied to me and in front of me. When Jerry moved with Amy seconding for the secret ballot, well, at that point I went from nervous to an ache in the pit of the stomach. That motion from those people... ouch. I expect it from the nut-job coalition but from my friends? I wish someone would have roll'ed that vote. Final special election result? Four votes out of ten does not a winner make. Congratulations to Alerperson Haefs.
Here's a bit of insider politics... I cut a deal with one Alderperson for a vote. He agreed to vote for me if I agreed to stay out of the mayoral primary. A high price on my part but this guy shifts between moderate right and far right depending on the day you catch him so I cut the deal on the spot. He also has a well deserved reputation for flip-flopping. So, an hour before the meeting, this guy starts texting and leaving VMs asking to be released from his obligation. Since I had to pre-pay my part of the deal I was getting dressed I didn't return. With a closed ballot, there is no way to actually know who voted which way but my best guess is that he kept his word.
The most interesting part of this experience? Two of the three most up front and honest guys told me they were not voting for me. Tony because of Dan's long experience and support in the district, Andy because he thinks our politics are too different. I genuinely appreciate the direct honesty where it was given and that includes Dan giving me a heads up that he was running.
Even the chair of a volunteer committee on which I serve showed up supporting another candidate. It just wasn't my night, I guess.
I am grateful for all the supportive calls, texts and emails both before and after last night. For the folks suggesting I run again, it's nice of you to ask. We'll see. Now is not the time to make that decision. Public service is rewarding, getting to know people is fun, solving problems is rewarding. Being a candidate who has to fend off half truths and and lies isn't either. Thanks for reading.
Here's a bit of insider politics... I cut a deal with one Alderperson for a vote. He agreed to vote for me if I agreed to stay out of the mayoral primary. A high price on my part but this guy shifts between moderate right and far right depending on the day you catch him so I cut the deal on the spot. He also has a well deserved reputation for flip-flopping. So, an hour before the meeting, this guy starts texting and leaving VMs asking to be released from his obligation. Since I had to pre-pay my part of the deal I was getting dressed I didn't return. With a closed ballot, there is no way to actually know who voted which way but my best guess is that he kept his word.
The most interesting part of this experience? Two of the three most up front and honest guys told me they were not voting for me. Tony because of Dan's long experience and support in the district, Andy because he thinks our politics are too different. I genuinely appreciate the direct honesty where it was given and that includes Dan giving me a heads up that he was running.
Even the chair of a volunteer committee on which I serve showed up supporting another candidate. It just wasn't my night, I guess.
I am grateful for all the supportive calls, texts and emails both before and after last night. For the folks suggesting I run again, it's nice of you to ask. We'll see. Now is not the time to make that decision. Public service is rewarding, getting to know people is fun, solving problems is rewarding. Being a candidate who has to fend off half truths and and lies isn't either. Thanks for reading.
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