The “Go Fund Me” Page is Launched

As the official start of the “Maverick MAK’s Living Wage + Affordable Housing Cross Colorado Horseback Ride”, I have launched a “Go Fund Me” page, as well as a Facebook Page for messaging and news. 
From Horses to tack, a canvas tent, and the various support gear one will need for this endeavor, I need help paying for all this.  Help me make a splash and get this angle on this issue recognized. 
Click on the photo to become part it. Let’s make America the Country we teach our kids it is. 

 

 

Be sure to check the Amethyst Dragon Blog

For updates and daily specials be sure to check the Amethyst Dragon Blog.

Find it at http://amethystdragondaily.blogspot.com/

 

UW Oshkosh Conducts Housing and Homeless Photo Study in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley

Sometimes it’s just best to go to the source of an issue to get good a grasp of the problem.  Place the tools required to document it in the hands of those who are living it.  This is what appeared to me the theme of a recent study conducted by student’s of the  University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Campus.  In this, my last report for Wisconsin Confidential, I wanted to cover something that matters.  As with the students doing this study, I feel this issue is directly related to many other issues that not only effect the Valley, but the entire Nation as well.  One way to get a close look at the issue is to equip those who are living it with the tools to document it.  In this case, cameras.

Mission Impossible

By handing out disposable cameras to homeless individuals and having them document through photos the general course of an average day, they hope to gain insight into their needs and what services they use and are most valuable.  It is an optimistic thing to have faith in the un-initiated to be able to document ones experiences though photography alone.  I do have some of that faith, as I personally know many of the folks who agreed to participate in the study and were given cameras. 

There will however be many roadblocks to doing so, just as they face many roadblocks in life.  Roadblocks that are not faced by those of privilege.  For example, any corporate journalist who works for Gannet or Time Warner can ask and be invited right into the Shelter, the Library, the City Center Plaza Mall, or any of the places that are simply and factually in the public domain.  They will be welcomed with open arms. There is no concern as to who’s faces are or will be displayed and published.  There will be no concern as to the benefit if any to any private person, cause or social concern (of course, the corporation is now considered a person too, just not with any personal responsibility to obey the law or serve the country, but to just benefit and profit from it and those who actually do create for it, fight to defend it, and work for it’s betterment), as long as the bottom line served and the profit margin is increased.  If it will provide the stockholders and executives with a marketing line to say that they are reporting on and serving the “public good”, it will serve their interests and profit can be made and bonus’s paid out.  We who are not corporate will face constant resistance and blockage regardless of the legality of our actions or the fact that we and what we do are protected by the laws under which we live and the Constitution of United States (as I consistently do to the point that I pay no attention to it any longer).  The very same Laws and Constitution that many of us (including myself) have swore to defend and almost died in the process.  They will take any blocking action to stop the reporting, then deal with it later.  If they even have to.  So those who take on such a project with no experience in the game face an uphill battle with no or little support.  They will experience resistance and roadblocks created by many who are quite ignorant of the legal and civil realities of our free American Society and so are more than willing to block the path and to place themselves in a self vision of significance and importance.

Causes and Realities

In order to place an organized chronological perspective on not only the issue, but just what is the cause of homelessness and housing that is affordable, and what can be done to deal with it, I agreed to take on the same, but doing so in my own style, with my own cameras and equipment, and retaining final  ownership of the content.  Although I was not aware of the style and content of the photos that were submitted by the participants, I have a pretty good idea that they were at times of little use, while also able to provide some shocking and informative content.  I think that was the mission of the study. 

Alcohol abuse, drug use, having just a plain bad attitude.  Maybe the inability to read and/or write (yes, I have met many who have this issue, though most are employed and not homeless).  A lack of understanding standard etiquette, or  what is and is not acceptable in modern society (and I’m talking the last 100 years of acceptability here).  What ever the reason’s society and the privileged class give as to the reason “those people” are low class, undesirable, homeless, or can’t afford the “Bling Bling” the consumer driven world of obese over consumption, waste and environmental destruction, it can’t, just cannot be the fact they don’t get paid enough.  Those people could use a pay cut even.  Hey, maybe corporate could get another .5% increase there too!

The Privileged Class

One will quickly see, from this article/report and in the video report below, it is directly related to income and income inequality.  In today’s economy, where the welfare of Wall Street, and those who run it, corporate profits and bonus’s, and special interests represented by highly paid K Street lobbyists are the most important, there is no solution.  As the social hierarchy as it has been established in this, the new America Inc., the labor assets (us, the workers) of no importance.  The fact that if the masses cannot afford to purchase the elementary needs of living in society, much less the goods and services of the professional class, an economy such as ours is not sustainable.  From corporations to municipalities (see photo/read caption above) the jobs of the ones who actually produce the goods and physically do the job have and are being eliminated for the benefit of a small privileged class.  Those jobs that remain are under financial attack in the form of compensation reduction.  More and more, the privileged class are coming to expect those who can to do for less, below cost, or even for free … because they, the privileged class, don’t have clue how.  The privileged class calls it class warfare when those they employ demand to be compensated for their work.  As those in the privileged class increasingly make the purchase of the products they provide to be required by law (insurance), or a modern requirement of life (internet, power, fuel) they seem to believe they are no longer subject to the realities of the free market system.  Eventually that belief system is suddenly & catastrophically destroyed, suddenly it “isn’t fair”, is a cause of this “class warfare”, or is “an act of god”.  Thus the government that the same privileged class says shouldn’t be providing assistance to the low wage working class (a tax payer subsidized low wage slave workforce) should then bail them out … to the tune of billions of dollars.  In some cases more in one month to one company or person than required to pay for a whole year of S.N.A.P. for the entire nation.  If the government (and remember, that’s us, as we pay for it) doesn’t, it will have dire consequences for all.  They say. 

A real Class War

For those of us who have taken the oath, and wore the uniform, it takes on a different perspective.  Social Welfare programs, good meaning and good preaching religious person’s who can go home to their nice homes in expensive gas guzzling SUV’s, and feel confident they have done the right thing before they go to work the next day and High Gross the next sucker that comes in the door.  In the last year of any MBA’s schooling is “Business Ethics”, and it is a simple class with a simple theme.  If is legal, it is ethical.  Even if  it’s not entirely legal, but would violate something that is not actively enforced … it’s ethical.  Not only ethical, but great business … Period.

Nice words, good thoughts, and a new orange T-shirt that only has one hole in it won’t solve homelessness.  It won’t solve corporate and big money influence and control over our congress, our senate and the revolving door between those who serve in the government  agencies that are supposed to protect us, and the very companies they are supposed to regulate.  I once thought of joining the ATF.  All of the things I love.  No, I am beginning to believe that’s it’s not going to be nice words and stately arguments that will bring the country back under control of the people who actually live and work and create in it.  It will cold steel and hot lead.  The argument will travel at 3700 fps.  It will be many upon many 5.56mm messages that will make the “Change we can Believe” in.  Our message .. will be eventually sent.  And it will travel downrange with a bang that will be heard around the world.  Then, after the rebuilding, after the healing, maybe our nation will be the nation, and as good of a nation, that we teach our children that it is.

Have you recieved a suspicious call from the “State of Wisconsin”?

Technorati Tags: recieved a suspicious call from the “State of Wisconsin”?

 
UPDATE;  I got confirmation today from Lori Linde of the Wisconsin Dept of Administration that the number does indeed belong to the  Badger Plus care Program.  I is a legitimate call and number.  

I am working on a "story" or report on and about a call I got from the "State of Wisconsin".  I looked it up on http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-608-729-0020/2#p670029371296908235 but didn't get much from it.  I will have a report out on this by Wednesday at wisconsinconfidential.blogspot.com/.
The caller stated "Hello. This is the state of Wisconsin, and we are calling regarding a letter that we recently sent to you. We will attempt to reach you again in the next few weeks. Please be aware. But if you see caller ID (608) 729-0020. That it is the state of Wisconsin calling. Regarding the letter. We recently sent you. Thank you, and have a great day". 
Listen to the call below.

A Visit to the Wisconsin Museum of International Wildlife

Wild Tigers, an Albino Fox, a Leopard attacking a Gazelle ,a slew of flocks of various wild birds, all perfectly safe for all to view and experience up close.  Skulls, antlers, tracks and fur.  From International wildlife to the environment.  Recycling, conservation, Global geology, and  worldwide cultures, the Wisconsin Museum of International Wildlife serves as a resource for educational and individual development.  On top of all that, the animals on display are simply just really cool!

I have wondered for over a year now every time I pass the store front of the Wisconsin Museum of International Wildlife if I could do some photography and maybe do a story on them (video interview below).  The store front is actually an exhibit that provides a safe and up close way for children and adults to view exotic animals up close.  All of the animals on display were obtained legally by donations from zoos, game farms and individuals.  Some were carcass's recovered from the wild.  The lifelike reality of the full size beasts are a sight to see and conveys the sheer awesomeness of the carnivorous mammals when one considers that humans can be part of their pallet.  I was also impressed with the information plaques at each station which provide information on the species and it’s habits. 

There are some rare species such as the Albino Fox, the Bald Eagle (thanks to our location on the Fox River, we in Appleton Wisconsin are blessed to have several Bald Eagles in our area) and several other rare varieties of birds. 

School groups, civic groups, students, and interested learners will find the museum, it’s data and it’s displays provide a wealth of information for research, education and simple family enjoyment with an educational twist.

Founded in 2007, it is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization.  Thus, all contributions to the museum are tax deductable as allowed by law.

Just as the museum is a non- profit that lives on donations, this blog also lives off donations.

On a sad note; Today I was informed this morning that I cannot use (or plug in) the service at the City Center Plaza Mall.  Apparently they do not like the "social class" that is sometimes present in the mall (the official story is too many people are plugging in phones and laptops ...  I am not buying it). 
As a result any free promotional stories, video, photography or any other of the High Quality content I provide on http://wisconsinconfidential.blogspot.com/ that is not paid content, is going to be taken down and removed as of Monday, December 27th, 2014. Any content that wasn't done for free and was paid for will of course remain.
The fees are $300 or video, $200 for photos, complete package with full story text and interview is $700 if interested.

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver youindependent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free isn’t free, or easy … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential and Wisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.

Subscribe by RSS to my New Blog, Colorado Confidential

If you use RSS, you can subscribe to my new blog Colorado Confidential by using this link.  If you are not familiar with RSS you can learn what it is here and watch the video.  When uses RSS, one only needs to use an RSS reader (I like “My Yahoo”) and one can go to that page for all of the recent updates.

So if you want to easily keep up on what’s going on, recent posts, HD video, opinion, and all the Photos on Colorado Confidential , you can subscribe here (if you already have a default reader) or use this link,  to copy and past into a reader manually.  Filename extension, .rss, .xml, Internet media type
application/rss+xml, Type of format Web syndication.

Enjoy!

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver youindependent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free isn’t free, or easy … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential and Wisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.

Only a few weeks of Life left to this blog

Read about it at http://coloradoconfidential.blogspot.com/2014/01/colorados-newest-blog.html

Appleton Farmers Market Has Something for All, + 2 for 1 Food Stamp/Quest Card Tokens

 

For years now Farmers Markets throughout the nation have provided locally grown, healthy and sustainable food and locally handmade products for the locals.  This is not just an American trend, but a worldwide one.   Although the corporate food stuff manufacturers have at times tried to limit such competition, through the  power of the people, and the simple quality of the products, the locals have prevailed.

Here in Appleton there is a vibrant Farm Market every Saturday morning at the City Center Plaza in the winter, and during the summer over 4 city blocks of vendors take over the downtown area to offer their wares.   The summer event even includes live music in the recently dedicated Houdini Plaza.

Open during the hours of 9am to 12:30 pm, the entire atmosphere is one  of splendid delight.  In the video below, I interview Djuanna of Appletondowntown.org as she explains the finer details of the market, how one goes about getting a booth, the other offers such as offering two for one tokens on Quest Card/foodstamp cards.  This is a great opportunity for those who are on a limited budget to purchase very high quality food at a great price.

For more information on the Farmer Market from the Appleton Downtown website, click here.  To view a PDF on common questions, and contact information, click here

My Favorite Work

Many folks don’t know about my home page Marcel Kuemmet Photography.  For photography going back over 10 years.

As far as my “amateur” journalistic efforts, here are some links to my, or what I consider to be my best work. 

http://wisconsinconfidential.blogspot.com/2012/05/ge-corporate-taxes-and-american.html , http://wisconsinconfidential.blogspot.com/2012/05/citizens-of-wisconsin-protest-ryan-1.html and http://wisconsinconfidential.blogspot.com/search?q=capitol%2C+dc

I even have a “hidden” channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/USConfidential.

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver youindependent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free isn’t free, or easy … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential and Wisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.

Josef's Gyros Kabob, Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery

There seems to be a Gyros war of sorts that happens on occasion in Appleton Wisconsin over who is exactly the real Josef's Gyros Kabob ... will the real Josef's Gyros Kabob stand up.  There is even some confusion over the real Facebook page.  When one searches on Facebook, a "fan" page comes up .. and can direct one to the wrong restaurant!  The real one is Josef's Gyros Kabob (Official Site).

Believe me, I know a real Gyros when I see ... and taste one.  This is the real thing.  And their seem to be some confusion here.  A real Gyros is made from meat that is a combination of Lamb and beef.  The two are fused together.  When I had my first one, the meat was imported from Greece.  I had tried others that I didn't really care for, but when I had the real thing at Parthenon's on State street The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, I instantly fell in love.  A love I thought I had forever lost.  Well I have found another. 

Apparently, in true business form, others are claiming to be the true, or a relative of, the Josef's Gyros made and sold at http://www.gyros-kabob.com/. I can attest that they are the real thing only at http://www.gyros-kabob.com/.  I can only say that the others are made from beef, or just lamb, ya all ain't a real Ranger!

When only the best will do.

One will have to come and try for oneself. 

 

The Fox Valley Peace Coalition; Acting for Peace

The Fox Valley Peace Coalition is an organization that supports the troops, but not the wars that have been on going for over 11 years and have had limited positive results, other than making record profits for the Military  Industrial Complex.  The same one that General Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, warned us about so many years ago.

The US Army's Elite "Green Berets" (actually, US Army Special Forces) are a of soldiers (many originally, foreign born) that was tailor made to assist foreign militaries. train then in advanced and efficient current military strategies and usage of up to date hardware.  This was supposed to be a "Force Multiplier".  Now even many of our own Green Beret's (I use that name as that is what most folks understand) have stated that the conventionalization of the Army's Special Forces teams into raiders (what Army Rangers and Delta Force is supposed to do) by the Bush Administration has had an effect on our efforts in Afghanistan that is now beyond repair.   Only now have ODA teams (Operational Detachment Alpha) begun to return to their original mission of working with local forces to prepare them for the upcoming withdrawal of conventional American forces.   Their ability to repair the damage done by using unprepared conventional forces to mentor Afghan units is simply impossible with government corruption running rampant and the majority of the populace once again viewing the Evil Taliban as their only hope.  It is time to move on.

Although groups such as the Fox Valley Peace Coalition would argue that the war may have not been necessary in the first place, the attacks of 9/11 were without argue to most Americans an event that required a military response.  The war in Iraq many will argue (including this former US Army Ranger and blogger) was to appease the military industrial complex and achieve personal and business objectives of the Bush Administration, their supporters, and huge US government contractors like Haliburton, a company that Vice President Dick Cheney was CEO of before he became the US Vice President. 

While the Fox Valley Peace Coalition will continue to try to remind Fox Valley residents that we still have a hot war going on, we all need to address our elected leaders and ask ... "was it worth it"?

War is a dangerous and terrible thing.  It should be used as a last resort and only when such a response or campaign is absolutely warranted for the good of the people, all people, not just Americans.  The motto of the the US Army Special Forces is "To Liberate the Oppressed".  I believe that when President John F. Kennedy authorized the Green Beret for the Special Forces, he truly believed in that motto.  Let us hope that our guys with long hair and beards can live up to it, and save some semblance of the day.

To view full size versions of the photos, click on them, they will open in a new tab.

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver youindependent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free isn’t free, or easy … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential andWisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.

Later today I will have a video interview posted here with two members of the Fox Valley Peace Coalition.

Heads up, Robbers are active in Shawano Co.

One of my former employers has had a somewhat strange issue, especially for the type of business they are.  This was posted on facebook today, and as they are still good friends of mine, I felt compelled to report on it.

The posting read … “Can you pass this on please??? While we were in Memphis, some jerk didn't take into consideration that my son was at our house so decided they wanted to help themselves by breaking in. Please keep your eye out for anyone trying to pass Susan B. Anthony dollars or 50 cent pieces. Also rare coins and silver dollars. We were burglarized, while my son was sleeping in the house, by some loser that took rare coins my deceased parents had saved all their lives. They took a safe most likely thinking more was inside. There was also a Ruger stainless steel revolver which was a police issued gun and of memory value to us. Also, it is not good to have in the hands of a thug. These are more memories to me than they are $$$ value so if I can recover I will pay a reward. Please pass on to whoever you can so we can get this stuff back. I will pay and accept the return anonymously. If not, I will pursue getting our video enhanced and all bets are off for the loser that took our stuff! Then I will be posting their mug everywhere!”

 

I hate thieves and robbers.  So let’s all keep this in the back of our minds.

Thanks

Ranger K out

RLTW!

The Meaning of Christmas, Family First Ministries Style.

Some area groups really know how to make the holidays special.    So when the First Family Ministry had a Toy Giveaway at Fox Valley Transit Station , who knowing were the need is,  we had to cover it.   Setting up without really a whole lot of notice, the ministry simply got permission from the Transit station authorities. 

As folks came through the station, they were offered free toys for their little ones.  The Ministry is a church located just across the street (to the north) from the Brown County Library.  

We thought this was important, because those who ride the bus are not like those who drive expensive cars, and can afford nice expensive toys for their little ones.

Good folk doing good work.

To view full size versions of the photos, click on them, they will open in a new  tab …

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver you independent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free isn’t free, or easy … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential and Wisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.

Christmas Morning Views of the The Fox River from the Oneida Street Bridge

As I was unable to sleep a wink on Christmas eve and morning, so I packed up my gear and engaged in the best therapy  I know … a “Phosari”, or photo safari. 

Go to Marcel Kuemmet Photography to view the slide show and more …

I always really get into low light and nighttime photography, which has always been sort of a specialty for me.

Hope you enjoy the slide show below.

 

To view full size versions of the photos, click on them, they will open in a new tab …

PLEASE!, Donate here.,,, It takes a lot of time and effort as well as wear and tear on expensive video and computer equipment to deliver you independent news and video. The time I can offer, but the costs of providing corporate influence free … free news takes money, to pay for the gear, bandwidth, and gas we use to do these reports. I try to provide more rich and higher quality content than the big money, corporate media. If you value this, please contribute to US Confidential and Wisconsin Confidential by making a donation . Please, Donate here.