desigNed OMniscient guArDian » Soap Box

Ethics of a Public Employee

beej — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:06:13 +0000

Since my salary is part of the state budget that comes from the taxpayer, I figured I had better let my “Bosses” know what rules I work under.

Any ideas, products, etc. are intellectual property of the State if the said property was developed in my current employment OR gained from knowledge or experience from my current employment while employed by the state.
I can not have outside employment that will interfere with my current job under the Executive Branch of State Government.
If I do want to obtain a second job, I must get my supervisors approval, that has to go up the chain of command to the Human Resources Bureau to be reviewed and approved.
Secondary employment must not have any appearance of a conflict of interest. AKA If I work with trees for the State, I better not be working with trees in my second job.

Knowing those 4 items, was Tim Pawlenty an employee of the state? Did he work on any outside employment during the 8 years I was a memeber of his Executive Branch (technically I am an Executive Branch employee)? How much money did he raise, which books did he profit from…OH YEAH, I forgot, he is his own Human Resources Specialist…Rules don’t apply to politicians.

If you think its petty cash, look here!

AND HERE! (Note: It only shows federal races. Not State or local).

So an interesting thing happened…

beej — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:36:26 +0000

With the new regulations that went into effect Jan. 1 2011, it was known that it would affect how you purchased over the counter drugs using a Benny Card. The way the law reads, you can purchase over the counter with a prescription at stores with a pharmacy…and you can purchase over the counter drugs at a store WITHOUT a prescription at a store with a pharmacy and a majority of the sales are in pharmaceuticals.

Evidently Walgreen’s doesn’t meet that criteria. I just bought some Dayquil (OTC on the shelf) and some MucinexD (OTC from behind the counter cause it contains pseudoephedrine, a meth ingredient). The OTC behind the counter was Benny OK (meth component) and I had to pay for the Dayquil (no meth components) out of my pocket or waste 10 minutes for the pharmacist to OK a prescription…oh and this is a benny card that I am required to have because Pawlenty mandated we put dollars in an HSA.

So I am generally healthy and can’t use the money I am required to take out of my paycheck for things that I should be able to…what the fuck is going on here! Don’t blame Obama-care cuz what got passed is what the Repugnations originally proposed when single payer was still an option on the table. Gotta love the Fascist state we live in…Oh T-paw also wants to take away my pension. If that happens the gov’t and taxpayers can kiss my lilly white ass.

“Fire” in a crowded theater…

beej — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:19:06 +0000

I can’t stand the idiocy of who gets protected in this country. While freedom of speech is paramount in the U. S. of A., what this media whore mongering cult (aka hateful group of bigots) is doing is no different than shouting “Bomb” on a packed airplane or “FIRE” in a crowded theater. If any individual dies as a result of these actions, I would fully expect any and all who partake to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. At a minimum, the a civil suit akin to the O. J. Simpson variety is in order.

It will be really interesting to see how many politicians weigh in on this issue. And I will ask all who peruse this article to strongly consider the events that will follow this November. Call it a prediction…

BBC News — US church defiant despite condemnation of Koran burning

Labor Day is upon us…

beej — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:12:28 +0000

Take some time and think about what makes this country great and the many choices we do have. Oh, and for the kids, umm…sorry, the vacation is over.

All one big web…

beej — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:42:31 +0000

Now this is a test to see if iamdog.org, status.net, twitter, and facebook are now all connected. If they are, I won’t be loggin into the other ones all that much anymore!

Blah, blah, blah…and Mauer ROCKS!

beej — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:04:07 +0000

Political rhetoric abounds…why is it that during election season they shoot from the hip, pull crap out of their sphincters, and the common person feels the agony and stench? Anyone?

P. S. Mauer just got us to the bottom of the eighth with an awesome throw to second! Eat it!

Woody biomass, renewable energy & independence…

beej — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:15:04 +0000

Please visit http://www.woodybiomass.com (it is a site hosted by John Deere) and if you feel so inclined, email your congressional delegation with something similar to what I sent mine:

“Please seek legislation to help improve the capability of woody biomass to be classified as a “renewable energy source”. By utilizing dead, down, diseased trees and shrubs, we can reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, as well as, help to reduce the risk of structure losses due to wildfires. This is a win, win, win, situation if you also include the fact that rural communities would also benefit from an additional revenue stream to their local economies. Currently, the Department of Energy has a facility in South Dakota that is an experiment in BioFuel production. We should have 1 or 2 of these facilities in Northern Minnesota to help speed the process to a better BioFuel production capability.

I appreciate any time and legislative support, in advance, that you will give to this issue.”

The more people that hold our elected officials to the fire, the better we can make our government.

And Klobuchar’s response (I’m guessing it is canned or a staffer wrote it, but I could be wrong).

June 30, 2010

Dear Mr. Glesener:

Thank you for contacting me about climate change. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns on this important issue.

Environmental conservation and stewardship is an important part of Minnesota’s heritage – and it’s part of my own family heritage, too. Like most Minnesotans, I grew up in a family that values the outdoors. I believe that we must protect our country’s natural resources for the enjoyment of generations to come. Setting up the right long-term policies – such as encouraging recycling, developing renewable energy sources, and promoting innovation – will protect our environment and our economy and preserve our country’s leadership in the world.

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am working to pass legislation to protect our environment, including legislation to address the threats from global climate change. In 2007, I cosponsored America’s Climate Security Act, and authored the first title of the bill – a provision that I call the “carbon counter.” This provision creates the first national greenhouse gas registry to monitor, verify, and report greenhouse gas emissions. I am happy to report that the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled new rules that include my greenhouse gas provision.

Creating a stable market for renewable energy is the key to unleashing innovation, the defining strength of the American economy. That is why, along with Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, I introduced the bipartisan American Renewable Energy Act (S. 826), which would create a national renewable electricity standard similar to the current standard in Minnesota, where utility companies are required to produce at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. This legislation will create a national and predictable domestic market for renewable energy, provide the long-term stability businesses need when deciding how to invest their resources, and drive economic growth and technological innovation.

As you know, we are already working toward a new energy and climate change bill in the United States Senate. With your support, I am confident that our efforts to tackle this historic challenge will finally prevail.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me. I am here in our nation’s capital to do the public’s business and to serve the people of our state. I hope you will contact me again about matters of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar

United States Senator

YouTube – Why Switzerland Has The Lowest Crime Rate In The World

beej — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:55:49 +0000

Original Video:
YouTube – Why Switzerland Has The Lowest Crime Rate In The Worldo.

The Failing U.S. Government–The Crisis of Public Management [Extended version]

beej — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:57:16 +0000

The Failing U.S. Government–The Crisis of Public Management [Extended version]

I think every voting person knows the fallacy of the lobby system. To bad there is no one to fix it. Chicken, egg, or dinosaur?! You pick. To bad we can’t stuff that chicken in side that dinosaur, coat it with the egg, batter it up (I think Widmere Hefewiezen would make a good batter) and have it for lunch, dinner, and…

By
Jeffrey D. Sachs

Nothing less than an overhaul of the systems that implement federal policies will suffice

The Failing U.S. Government–The Crisis of Public Management.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

REPOST — The Man in Black!

beej — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:26:19 +0000

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there’s a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he’s a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you’d think He’s talking straight to you and me.

Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought ‘a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen’ that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen’ that we all were on their side.

Well, there’s things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin’ everywhere you go,
But ’til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You’ll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything’s OK,
But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
‘Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black.

~~Johnny Cash