Herman Cain’s Bio:

■ Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

■ Master’s degree in Computer Science.

â–  Mathematician for the Navy, where he worked on missile ballistics (making him a rocket scientist).

â–  Computer systems analyst for Coca-Cola.

â–  VP of Corporate Data Systems and Services for Pillsbury (this is the top of the ladder in the computer world, being in charge of information systems for a major corporation). All achieved before reaching the age of 35. Since he reached the top of the information systems world, he changed careers!

■ Business Manager. Took charge of Pillsbury’s 400 Burger King restaurants in the Philadelphia area, which were the company’s poorest performers in the country. Spent the first nine months learning the business from the ground up, cooking hamburger and yes, cleaning toilets. After three years he had turned them into the company’s best performers.

■ Godfather’s Pizza CEO. Was asked by Pillsbury to take charge of their Godfather’s Pizza chain (which was on the verge of bankruptcy). He made it profitable in 14 months.

■ In 1988 he led a buyout of the Godfather’s Pizza chain from Pillsbury. He was now the owner of a restaurant chain. Again he reached the top of the ladder of another industry.

â–  He was also chairman of the National Restaurant Association during this time. This is a group that interacts with government on behalf of the restaurant industry, and it gave him political experience from the non-politician side. Having reached the top of a second industry, he changed careers again!

â–  Adviser to the Federal Reserve System. Herman Cain went to work for the Federal Reserve Banking System advising them on how monetary policy changes would affect American businesses.

â–  Chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. He worked his way up to the chairmanship of a regional Federal Reserve bank. This is only one step below the chairmanship of the entire Federal Reserve System (the top banking position in the country). This position allowed him to see how monetary policy is made from the inside, and understand the political forces that impact the monetary system. After reaching the top of the banking industry, he changed careers for a fourth time!
■ Writer and public speaker. He then started to write and speak on leadership. His books include Speak as a Leader, CEO of Self, Leadership is Common Sense, and They Think You’re Stupid.

■ Radio Host. Around 2007—after a remarkable 40 year career—he started hosting a radio show on WSB in Atlanta (the largest talk radio station in the country). He did all this starting from rock bottom (his father was a chauffeur and his mother was a maid). When you add up his accomplishments in his life—including reaching the top of three unrelated industries: information systems, business management, and banking—Herman Cain may have the most impressive resume of anyone that has run for the presidency in the last half century.

And just a few more things, Mr. Cain has been married to the same person for 43 years.

EPD Activity Report October 14, 2011

It has been reported by members and observers of Occupy Evansville that they have been notified by the Evansville Police Department to leave the Four Freedoms Monument by 11:00 pm or that they will be forcefully removed.

Update: It has been reported by people at Four Freedoms that the electricity to the monument has been turned off and that the occupation will continue in the dark. It is also reported that the next march scheduled will be in November and that the focus of the march shall be the Vectren Corporation.

It is truly ironic that on public property in a monument to freedom that right here in Evansville that this groups freedom to assemble is being taken away. The City of Evansville is in the midst of an election and our nation is in the worst economic recession since the great depression.

The last thing that is needed is to have a civil rights lawsuit to deal with. It is difficult to understand why this group can’t sit peacefully at the Four Freedoms Monument if they wish to.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is gathered.

Occupy Evansville drew a diverse group of people of all ages and races to its initial occupation of the Four Freedoms Monument. The gathering was on time and the description of the amplification techniques and protest etiquette was communicated clearly right up front. The crowd was made up of children with their parents, young adults, and a large contingent of older veterans waving America flags. In the first two hours there were no altercations and barely any rudeness.

The group came spoiling for a march on something and after nominations of Vectren, Fifth Third, the Arena, Old National Bank, and the Ford Center, a consensus opinion was reached to march a lap around Vectren and to go back to the Four Freedoms Monument to caucus. There was an elderly veteran in a wheel chair that was collecting signatures for John Friend’s petition for Vectren to freeze rates and for the IURC to hold all meetings involving Evansville in Evansville who was doing a brisk business.

The march around Vectren while serving to burn off some energy met no resistance and no unruliness happened. All of the marchers stayed on the sidewalks and kept moving as they had been directed. There was little talk of mass demands as have been reported in other sources and there were no chants of soaking the rich. Thus far day one just seems to be a gathering of patriotic people as evidenced by the flags who happen to be disappointed with the way that our country is being run. There were some signs that had the look of what we have been seeing on TV but no meanness was vented.

It is worth noting that Vectren was in fortress mode with police cars circling and guards inside and out. Plenty of cars driving by would honk in approval with an occasional fist salute held aloft from the windows. All in all this seemed to be a healthy exercise in democracy. We hope that it stays that way.

Take That: October 15, 2011

IN RESPONSE TO: Davis and Winnecke Trash “The Machine”

“Davis simply needs to point out the following, which will be a bit easier after Oct. 21:
1) Winnecke has the same donors as Weinzapfel
2) The Dem machine is suppporting Winnecke
3) Winnecke said that if Weinzapfel were running again, he wouldn’t enter the race because “he agrees with Weinzapfel’s agenda”

It’s clear who the Machine candidate is.” Vonkayel

“Rick Davis could not win the Dem. primary without fracturing the Dem. party. He started this four years ago, at that time to prepare for Dan Adams to run against Jonathan Weinzapfel. … Yes, he was able to dismantle the Mosby machine in Perry Township, but his only inroad into the Mosbys on the Eastside has been D-d-d-d-d-donny. Big deal.” Veracity

“It makes no difference to the machine politics if you are a republican or a democrat the machine has and always will cross party line for the good of the old boys club’s benefit, power hungry control freaks don’t have a political badge that is of a certain color or affiliation, the old boys club transcends well beyond party boundaries, that’s it’s strength and power base.” Blanger

“He failed to understand that there are two separate political entities involved in the process. If you doubt that I am right, just ask all the citizens living in unincorporated Vanderburgh county to show up at the polling station to vote in the city election and see if they are allowed to vote! It is another case of Weinzapfel instructing Winnecke on what he was to do. The puppet and his master.” Pressanykey

“Please Define who are the good ole boys. You throw this around but fail to say who belongs. Our inquiring minds want to know.” Auchilles

“Here’s how I would lay it out:
The Powers: These are the people who actually control what happens in Evansville political and economic life. They tend to remain behind the scenes, acting through proxies or managers (see below).
Bob Koch
Neil Ellerbrook/Vectren
Bob Jones/ONB
Andy Goebel
Jack McNeely
Alan Braun
Englebrecht (questionable)

The Managers: These are the Apparatchiks, the ones who see to it that the agenda of the Powers actually gets done, by any means necessary. They don’t generally control the money or overall strategy, but they are the ones who do tactical planning, the intimidation, and the political maneuvering needed to implement the strategy.
Mark Owen (D)
Jeff Knight ($)
Marco DeLucio ($)
Carol McClintock
David Jones (D)
Ted Zeimer (R)
Lloyd Winnecke (R)
Bettye Lou Jerell (R)
Ed Hafer ($)
Curt John (D)
The Sock Puppets: These are the public officials who take their orders from the managers. They cast the votes, talk to the media, and generally are the “face” of the machine.
Jonathan Weinzapfel (D)
Connie Robinson (D)
Troy Tornatta (D)
Jonathan Weaver (D)
Missy Mosby (D)
Matt Meadors ($)
Joe Kiefer (R)
Mike Duckworth (R)
John Friend (D)
Suzanne Crouch (R)
Eric Williams (D)
Brad Ellsworth (D)
Brad Hill
Keith Jarboe (D)
Susan Kirk (R?)
BJ Watts (D)
Tom Shetler (R)
Mike Goebel (D)”

From Vonkayel in response to Auchilles

METH Lab Fire 10152011