THE SHOOVER

Vacuum shoes suck up dust as you walk

By Mike Swain, Science Editor

IT'S a brilliant feat of design - vacuum shoes which suck up the dust as you walk.

The Shoover - which makers Electrolux call the Dustmate - is perfect for anyone who hates housework.

It has a tiny rechargeable vacuum inside the base.

And there is a laser movement sensor which switches the suction on and off automatically to save energy. It's all made of green nylon with a flexible rubber sole and elastic sock to fit any foot making it comfortable to wear.

Electrolux said: "We all have to vacuum our home - this product is designed for busy people who want to keep the housework down to a minimum. Dustmate provides a cleaning solution that doesn't take up any precious free time.

"As you walk, the base of the shoes collect dust on the floor without requiring any effort. It is a simple yet creative cleaning concept."

The designers came up with the invention after asking consumers what they wanted and finding that they were just too busy to spend ages doing housework. Research found that only 28 per cent Hoover daily - down six per cent in the last two years.

And just 37 per cent do it every three days - down from 32 per cent.

Electrolux hopes its latest gadget will become an "unconscious by-product of everyday life".

It will certainly be perfect for clean living types

The two faces of CBS.

I would like to point out that when former US President Gerald Ford died this week CBS news made the choice not to break into regular programing and report it.

Tonight CBS News did break into regular programing to report the death of Iraqi mass murderer, Saddam Hussien.

I find this an interesting, strange and disturbing trend.

Can Snoring Kill You?

From Yahoo Health: I have this folks it is serious, easily treatable and fixing it can change your life.

Posted by S. Brent Ridge, M.D.

No, I'm not talking about the thoughts that have raced through your bed partner's mind! I'm talking about obstructive sleep apnea.

Approximately five out of every 100 snorers have sleep apnea (that's 2-4 percent of the adult population in America). For most people, snoring is just an annoyance, but for sufferers of sleep apnea, snoring can be a significant alarm system.

People with sleep apnea have short periods during sleep where they stop breathing. These periods last anywhere from 10 seconds to 40 seconds and can occur as many as 400 times per night. If you do the math, this means that the average person with sleep apnea spends more than three hours a night not breathing normally or not breathing at all. That can't be healthy.

It's not.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Loud snoring
Choking sounds during sleep
Falling asleep during the day
Trouble with memory and attention
Irritability
Decreased libido
Impotency in men and menstrual irregularities in women
Heartburn
Dry mouth in the morning
Morning headaches

Do you recognize these symptoms in yourself or your loved one? Persons with sleep apnea have a higher death rate than the average person, are five times more likely to be in a fatigue-related car accident, are 10 times more likely to have a stroke, and have high rates of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias.

Snoring is one of those things that we don't tend to pay a lot of attention to. In fact, many people don't even bring it up when they talk to their doctor. An overnight sleep study is necessary to document sleep apnea, but, trust me - everyone will rest easier if the condition is treated properly.

Perhaps this is one item you should add to your new year's resolution list. Do any of you know anyone with sleep apnea? Or do you suffer from it yourself? If so, share your experiences.

I'm proud of my BNI group.

I am a member of a BNI (Business Network International) group in Racine, the Racine Pacesetters.

For those not aware BNI is a group that meets weekly to network, learning about member businesses and passing referrals back and forth as they find them for each other.

It was suggested that we do a charitable gift with each member contributing what they could. As you can see, $1,065 was given by the group to the Harvest Outreach food pantry in Racine.
(that's me on the left along with our chapter President Bryan Walthers, I do believe the first picture of me on RealDebate)

Mrs Real Debate has been volunteering at Harvest Outreach for the last five years or so and we have come to have a real heart for the work they do getting food to members of the community who need it.

Harvest Outreach is a ministry supported by 12 member churches in Racine. It is staffed by volunteers and most of the people they serve are referred by The Salvation Army. The member churches also refer people who come to them in need of help.

Well it turns out BNI has a charitable outreach division and they are going to match the $1065 we gave making a total of a $2, 130 donation going to the pantry!

Any pantry always appreciates donations of non-perishable items but they can buy so much more with cash.

I'm proud of, and grateful to, the BNI Racine Pacesetters for stepping up like this!

If you have a business that serves the Racine area and would like more information about BNI, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I'll have the clone free milk please...

FDA's OK May Spark 'Clone-Free' Labels


WASHINGTON (AP) - Meat and milk from cloned animals may not appear in supermarkets for years despite being deemed by the government as safe to eat. But don't be surprised if "clone-free" labels appear sooner. Ben & Jerry's, for one, wants consumers to know that its ice cream comes from regular cows and not clones. The Ben & Jerry's label already says its farmers don't use bovine growth hormone.

"We want to make sure people are confident with what's in our pints," company spokesman Rob Michalak said. "We haven't yet landed on exactly how we want to express that publicly."

For food that does come from clones, the Food and Drug Administration is unlikely to require labels, officials said.

Poll on New Years Resolutions

I'm not sure about this...

Women make more resolutions, men keep more: poll

NEW YORK (Reuters) - More women make New Year's resolutions, but men are more likely to say they keep them, according to a poll of American adults released on Thursday.

Losing weight topped the list of resolutions made by women, while the leading vow among men was to be a better person, according to the poll by WNBC and the Marist Institute for Public Opinion at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Overall, 44 percent of adults planned to make a resolution, with those under 45 more likely to do so than older adults, the poll said.

Forty-six percent of women surveyed said they would make such promises, while 41 percent of men planned to do so, the poll showed.

Of those who made resolutions last year, 71 percent of men and 57 percent of women said they kept at least part of it, the poll said.

President Ford at the 1996 Republican Convention

What is it, in a few words, that all Republicans believe? We believe - along with millions of Democrats and Independents - that a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.

Happy New Favre

So the NFL used their new flex scheduling thingie and moved the Packer Game to a night game giving newsies and bloggers something to pontificate over.

Mrs Real Debate and I usually stay clear of the insanity of New Years Eve, we were going to toss a steak on the grill then maybe catch a movie, now it looks like the movie got canned in favor of more hype on the status of Favre's possible last game.

Story of the year.

Ok folks, light up the comments.

What is the story of the year?

This could be sports, entertainment, politics, your choice.

I will put forth an executive order that Britney and K-Fed do not count...

New Racine Blog, Kay's Blue Racine.

Last night I announced my new blog.

Today I added a new Racine blog to the RDW blogroll, Kay's Blue Racine.

This is the new web based home of last years Democrat of the Year recipient Kay Collins-Schulz. You may have seen her posting here occasionally under the name Jetticus.

Kay has been a long time contributor to the Racine Democrats website.

From her introductary post: "...it appears that there is no blog that covers the county, as far as I could find, and certainly none that give that special blue hue to it. Of course I plan on posting loads of stuff that has nothing to do with politics whatsoever......well, some random stuff anyway. But, I promise to make it worth the click to check out."

Kay is the real thing, she attends meetings, she gets involved, she speaks her mind. I may not agree with her on everything but I most certainly do respect her passion and her level of involvement with the community.

Welcome to the Kringlesphere Kay.

Dooley for Alderman Blog.

I have built a blog for my Aldermanic campaign.

You can find it at http://Dooleyforalderman.blogspot.com. (you blogger types, don't forget the linkie love please)

RDW will continue much as it has with commentary on daily events and what ever else draws my interest. The majority of campaign related information will be posted at the other blog.

I had a nice conversation today with Janine Anderson at the Journal Times. She is writing a story on my candidacy for tomorrow's paper.

In other news I hit the streets tonight and gathered the necessary signatures to place my name on the ballot. I need to grab a few more insurance signatures tomorrow night, but we have what we need already.

Dooley for Alderman on the Journal Times.

The Racine Journal Times has a blog going on my candidacy for Alderman. The comments are for the most part positive. I appreciate their putting it out there.

Join in the discussion here!

I'll be putting out my campaign website later today.

Dooley for Alderman

I have decided to run for Alderman in Racine's 7th district.

I opened my campaign account on Saturday and went down to City Hall to file my paperwork this morning. Alas, City Hall was closed, so I'll actually file tomorrow and then work on getting the required nominating signatures.

I obviously have an interest in politics, I also have a willingness to serve and help improve our community. Over the last couple of weeks I have been seeking feedback on my possible candidacy, it has been exceedingly positive.

My thanks too all of those who provided me feedback.

Over the next couple of weeks I will open a new website and come forward with more information about my campaign.

This will be very much a grass-roots door knocking kind of effort. And we need all the help we can get.

If you'd like to help or have any questions for me, please send me an email at dooleyforalderman@yahoo.com

Rest In Peace Mr. President

RDW 2006 Prediction Recap

1st District Congressional stuff: Candidate Justin Sowa will drop out of the race and be replaced by Tim Daley of Union Grove. Yeah, Thomas is still running, the 7th time will not be a charm. This will be a nice coming out party for Daley and provide him some nice name recognition, but he will not be able to overcome Paul Ryan's war chest (currently 1.7 million).

I was right on Sowa dropping out and Daley did run but against Robin Vos, not Paul Ryan. Not a bad guess...

Republican Primary for Governor: I must admit this one is a coin flip. Walker plays better in Milwaukee, Green plays better up-state. I'm giving this one to Scott Walker based on primary turnout. I think he will be able to pull more of his base on a traditionally low primary voter turnout.

100% wrong...

Governor. Doyle is a one-term wonder. He has never polled above 46%, and in this race it appears like there will not be an Ed Thompson to add a 3rd party vote. Doyle will lose as he has kept killing legislation the people support. This election will be about taxes and spending and Walker will have Doyle's record to run against. Additionally, he will have his to run on. You may not like every cut Walker has made but he has submitted level spending budgets every year. That is powerful mojo. Doyle neend 55% in Milwaukee county to win, he will not get above 50.

100% wrong.

Congress. The Democrats will lose two seats in the Senate and five seats in the House.

100% wrong.

Racine Mayor. New Storm Trooping Racine County Democratic head Kurt Vlach will do everything in his power to unseat sitting Democratic Mayor Gary Becker. He will fail. As an additional fun point to watch, the Racine Journal Times will miss this huge story right under their nose. Back-biting and some of the nastiest politics I have seen in some time are going on right here in Racine and they are oblivious. Case in point to the schism, this request from Kurt Vlach on the Racine Dem's message board (a very good one by the way), I ask that you delete from the home page (and any other page) of www.RacineDemocrats.com any reference to it being the "Home" of the the Democratic Party of Racine County. I ask that you cease and desist from using such language to identify the website as such. The website is not to be considered the "Home" of the Democratic Party of Racine County and your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated. Kurt may be right, the new home is the Union hall.

Well, Gary Becker did survive the Vlach attack, Vlach's ethics got him in trouble well before mayoral politics got interesting.

Iraq. I hate this, but politics will play a role. Troop withdrawals will go a bit too far this summer and Iraq will do a backslide requiring more troops to be brought in again. Further good news and progress will continue to be ignored.

Almost right.

Spying. This will go nowhere. Most people will get they fact that spying is going on with people who have ties to terrorists. Clue to you Dems. The people think we should do that.

True.

Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers youth movement will blossom propelling the Brewers to a 2nd place finish behind St Louis falling just short of the wild-card. However, they will have a winning record.

The Brewers finished 4th 5 games under .500 but I nailed St. Louis, heck they won it all.

Packers. Brett Favre will not retire. (until the end of the 06 season). The Packers will take a running back in the draft and Ahman Green will not be back. (Mike Sherman will be)

Right, wrong, wrong.

Racine School Referendum. This years outrage will be defeated soundly not once, but twice. Tommie Hicks will bring it back a 3rd time still not getting the fact that no means no. Kids will be scared and crying and pictures will be on the front page but RUSD will finally be forced to live within their means. (sorry Bil)

Passed the first time. Blew this one bad.

Scott. I'll continue to get news from dozens of sources, Scott will remain convinced though I only get news from Limbaugh and Fox News.

True.

Voces De La Frontera. Pressure will come to bear and Voces De La Frontera will lose their non-profit status.

Wishful thinking I guess, nobody cares but me.

The Terrible Shopping Season

If I heard it once I heard it seventeen times today, the disappointing holiday shopping season.

Sales were projected to be up 5%, but horror of horrors they were only up 4.3%. Let me clue you in on something, a 4.3% increase is a GOOD THING.

However, the part they missed was that gift card sales were up huge. $24 billion in gift card sales were recorded. You see the thing is the seller can not count that card into sales until it is redeemed.

Now, Senator Fred Kessler thinks any unused portions of those cards should go to the state. H/t Peter.

How disturbing.

Why the need to try and turn good news into bad? And why does Senator Kessler think he is entitled to money that isn't his?

Fantasy Football Update,

Well the fantasy football playoffs are all over, and I am proud to announce your Debate Team is the champion of the Cheddarsphere league.

Steve from No Runny Eggs finished second (a fact I am sure he is still having trouble dealing with), Casper of Ask me later fame came in a surprising 3rd place.

It was a great league, good people much fun.

My thanks to all, and you are all welcome back next season.

Monday Random Quotes - the Ho Ho Ho Edition

Dear Girls and Boys in Blogland,

You've all been such a good bunch this year that I have traveled the throughout the Santasphere delivering links galore. Next year, old St. Nick might have a more high-speed method of delivery. Merry Christmas to all, and at 10:47 p.m., to all a good night!

Where’s the rest of it? Patrick.

Everything You Need to Know About Love, Sex, Relationships, Casper.

I say that we need to tear up all the handicapped access ramps ASAP! Aaron.

Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck. Jib.

Written by fools to be read by imbeciles... Peter.

Good grief. Jenna.

Whatever happens I won’t care much. Sean.

I Solemnly Swear I am Up to No Good Chris. (Naughty list for Chris)

“It’s A Wonderful Life,” Circa 2006 Kevin.

We here at B&S wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. - From the proud fam at Boots and Sabers

"UN to Iran: Stop! Or, we’ll yell ‘Stop’ again!" Fraley.

Four – count them – four 20 inch LCD monitors. Clint

Does Size Matter? I think so. Phel. (ho ho ho...this one got a lump of coal)

Why would the heavenly father let me find this on Christmas Eve… Dan

Too bad someone didn't wrap Belling's tie that secure. Wiggy

If at first you don't succeed.... Open another present. Fred