Cutting Phone Lines

Seems like old wired telephones may be going the way of the Edison light bulbs, in favor of newer technology. AT&T and others are trying to cut the cord on the old analog telephone system that has been used for generations, with a coordinated campaign to change telecommunications law, state by state.

In Illinois, the industry wants to rescind a state requirement that it maintain those copper-wire networks. In terms of just residential phone lines that use traditional telephone technology, just 1.3 million are left in Illinois today. At the same time, the number of wireless subscribers in Illinois has climbed from about 5.6 million in 2001 to about 12.8 million by the end of 2013.

Some major carriers, including AT&T, are designated in the current law as “carriers of last resort,” meaning they are obligated by law to maintain those copper analog landlines within their service areas. The companies say it is a matter of giving consumers what they want, cell phones, broadband, and other 21st-century digital options instead of keeping their capital tied up in the telecom equivalent of a horse-and-buggy system.

In 2011, Missouri eliminated its previous “carrier of last resort” obligation on carriers in St. Louis County, St. Louis, and Kansas City. In 2014, Michigan joined more than 30 other states that have passed or are considering laws that restrict state-government oversight and eliminate "carrier of last resort" mandates, effectively ending the universal-service guarantee that gives every US resident access to physical wire-line telephone service.

Ah, Spring! Lake Superior State University in Michigan is home to the annual tradition of burning a snowman to signal the beginning of Spring. This year, it will need a really big fire.

LSSU is also the place where you can obtain a license to hunt unicorns. LINK 

There is a limit of one per month and you can find all the regulations HERE.

This university is also home to the annual banished words list. The word with most nominations for 2014 is "selfie".

In spite of the foregoing Tongue-in-cheek nonsense, it is a real university located in Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced Soo Saint Marie), in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Undergraduate degrees are offered in 45 areas of study.

Michigan Map Names

University of Michigan alum go to great lengths to taunt their sports rivals. One particularly astute grad, state highway commission chairman Peter Fletcher memorialized his on Michigan’s official state map in 1978.

He asked a cartographer to add two towns to nearby Ohio. Thus the fictitious towns of Goblu and Beatosu were created. The map can be seen on the official michigan.gov web site. It noted that after the hoax was discovered, new maps were issued, minus the bogus towns. A few collector item maps remain in the public and copies are also available in the official Michigan archives.

Fletcher noted in a 2008 interview that he placed the fake towns in Ohio, safely outside Michigan state lines. “We have no legal liability for anything taking place in that intellectual swamp south of Monroe,” he said. He added that he had never forgiven Ohio for the Toledo War of 1835.

Presidential Height Index

Did you know that in the past 27 US presidential elections, the shorter candidate has won only six times? Handlers for Jimmy Carter (5' 9") went to great lengths to prevent him from standing next to the taller Gerald Ford (6'). It worked, Carter won.

The tallest President elected to office was Abraham Lincoln at 6' 4" and George Washington was 6' 2". Eighteen presidents have been 6 foot or taller. James Madison was the shortest at 5 foot 4.

Mitt Romney is 6’2” and Barack Obama is 6’1”.

Michigan is the only state that has a statute prohibiting height discrimination. (Maybe because Jimmy Hoffa was 5'5").

Land of the Free Land

Some communities need residents. Some need jobs. Some need development. In order to get those things, a few communities will give you free land.

For the most part, the places doing this are rural communities without much in the way of work opportunities, but doesn't the whole world work virtually now,

Several small cities in rural Kansas will give you a land lot if you agree to fashion housing of at least 1,000 square feet on it. If one lot isn’t large enough and you’d like to garden, the city of Marquette, Kansas  would be pleased give you a second lot adjacent to the first, also for free. These are developed lots with water, sewer, and electricity.

Muskegon, Michigan is giving away free land for companies that create new industrial jobs. You get five acres for 25 jobs; create 100 jobs and get 30 acres. The free sites have full utilities and easy access to highways, a deep-water port, railroads, and the Muskegon County Airport.

There are opportunities in Nebraska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Alaska, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark

Those Michiganders really know how to eat at the ballpark. The West Michigan Whitecaps minor league baseball club is running a contest to determine what new food item will be available at the Fifth Third Ballpark, where they play home games this season. Let the votes begin.

Here’s the entire list of items in the running:

1. Chicken and Waffles – Juicy chicken on a bed of waffles, smothered in gravy.

2. Chili Mac Tacos – Creamy mac and cheese smothered in chili then loaded into a hard taco shell to create a unique taste experience.

3. Chocolate Covered Bacon – This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home and this little piggy dunked itself in chocolate to become a delicious treat.

4. Corn Dog o’ Plenty – The Corn Dog o’ Plenty is a half-pound, footlong frank that is battered and deep fried.

5. Cudighi Yooper Sandwich – If you don’t know what this one is then you haven’t been to the Upper Peninsula. Cudighi is a spicy sausage found throughout the U.P. It is a sausage patty, smothered in cheese, pizza sauce, peppers and, onions.

6. Declaration of Indigestion – This is another half-pound, footlong hot dog covered in a philly cheese steak with cheese, peppers, and onions and served on a gigantic sub roll.

7. Idaho Christmas Tree – This is a batter-dipped hot dog, rolled in french fries, and deep fried to create the perfect dog on stick.

8. Poutin – A real treat from North of the border. The French Canadians created this one with fries, fried cheese curds and gravy for a super side dish.

9. The Pink Panther – A hot dog bun, slathered in icing, filled it with pink cotton candy, then drizzled with root beer syrup over the top.

10. Twinkie Cheese Dog – Another dog laid in a Twinkie covered in cheese.

One of the above will complement the current 'fifth third burger', weighing in at five thirds of a pound.

Any of these items are sure to warm the hearts of the macho Michiganders. Of course my vote is for number three.