Wisconsin
updated
5:22 p.m.
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NYT: MADISON, a liberal college town that doubles as the capital of a politically complicated state, pulls its disparate elements together into a spirited reality all its own, a funky amalgam of hard-partying students, socially conscious activists, sports fans, outdoor warriors, politicos from both sides of the aisle, artists, foodies and more. Long pigeonholed as a [...] ...
The Critical Badger - 10:56 a.m. - 5 clicks 
And it looks an awful lot like the anarchy symbol: According to the Journal Sentinel, the board paid about $4,900 to have the logo designed by Madison-based Cricket Design Works, but this isn’t the first time the GAB has thrown money at a project only to end up with questionable results. As Dan Cody [...]...
Blogging Blue - 8:58 a.m.
Posted by Gary Storck Friday, July 3, 2009 Here is an interesting case headed toward the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A prohibitionist Fond du Lac County judge rejected a plea bargain in a cannabis case, and the county DA is fighting the judge's decision. ...
Madison NORML - 8:11 a.m.
The latest report from theTrust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) on obesity shows Wisconsin has the 25th highest rate of adult obesity in the nation, at 26.0 percent and the 12th lowest of overweight youths (ages 10-17) at 27.9 percent. That prompted one Boop to comment, "This is still a free country (I think). People are still responsible for their own cho...
Waxing America - 7:49 a.m. - 2 clicks
Madison's own Intrepid Traveler, Nina Camic, back from the Isle of Skye, is kayaking closer to home than usual: the Wisconsin River. Accompanied by her Huck Finn-like "occasional traveling companion," Ed, Nina is slowly paddling to the Mississippi, seeking food, drink and Wi-Fi along the way, as well as a good place to camp by the River each night. Blogging every day, her photos and essays are tre...
Waxing America - 4:39 a.m. - 2 clicks
This is what passes for funny, if you’re Fred Dooley of the Real Debate Wisconsin blog: “Got my stimulus package in the mail today. It contained watermelon seeds, cornbread mix, and ten coupons to KFC.” When confronted with the derogatorily racial nature of the joke, Fred chalked it up to a combination of anesthesia and pain killers [...]...
Blogging Blue - 4:00 a.m. - 2 clicks
Look inside Madison bars in almost real time. This should be lulzy late at night. So uh, what’s the deal with me finding so many webcams… ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 7:44 p.m. - 6 clicks
It was two years ago today that I wrote my first post and officially entered the Cheddarsphere. (Please send all complaints to Jay Bullock , since he is the one that let me in.) Then one year ago today, I started this here site. I have written just under 1,000 posts here (this one is #959 to be exact). And no, 900 of them haven't been about Scott Walker, only 889. From the time that I h...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 6:00 p.m.
After justice was thwarted , at least temporarily, in Waupaca County, Republican State Representative Dean Kaufert calls for a change. From his press release : Rep. Dean Kaufert [R – Neenah] announced today that he will be working with colleagues in the Legislature on an initiative to clarify Wisconsin law relating to animal cruelty regulations. A potential problem with current law was brough...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 4:15 p.m.
Update: Noticed this quote from Junger in the WSJ. Sounds better than what was printed in the Herald. Tyler Junger, chairman of Associated Students of Madison, UW-Madison student government, said he hopes to avoid a large increase in student fees, also known as segregated fees. “I think we’re going to do what we can to make sure [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 4:15 p.m.
Heard some 20-something bimbo ask the clerk in the Summerfest Store the price of a sweatshirt, "Thirty-five dollars each? How much for two?" That is our future. Pretty scary. — Bob in West Allis Bob's the bimbo, now that she got two for 60 bucks. ...
illusory tenant - Thu 4:14 p.m. - 4 clicks
Brenda Konkel takes exception with the notion that the owners of the Edgewater, who have spent months preparing a submission to the city of Madison for public review. Edgewatermania: So, lets be clear, there was not a transparent, elaborate community process where input was gathered and responded to and changes were made to the project as a result... Opponents to projects are not required to post ...
Waxing America - Thu 11:19 a.m. - 4 clicks
Wisconsin just can't decide: Are we a state serious about addressing our national lead in drunk driving and binge drinking, or are we the celebratory boozers who just set the world's record for the biggest happy hour, with dollar beers at Summerfest? ...
The Political Environment - Thu 10:42 a.m. - 5 clicks
WisPolitics has an online poll up asking if Gov. Jim Doyle is running for reelection. The GOP primary field looks set as Mark Neumann declared his intention to run. “While he'll file with the state, he plans to hold off on any formal announcements on his campaign until later this fall,” says WisPolitics . Maybe that’s because the gubernatorial candidates can’t even begin to collect no...
Uppity Wisconsin - Thu 6:44 a.m. - 9 clicks
Sendik's brief occupancy in the suburbs' southern edges falls flat. More commentary and reporting, here . Reminds me of the winding down of Pabst Farms and its commercial center out Western Waukesha way, as Franklin's Sendik's, despite the hoopla, is to become a Pick 'n Save, and the upscale Pabst Farm mall, still not built, is looking to morph into part Big Box Heaven, part strip mall. Whoo...
The Political Environment - Thu 2:41 a.m. - 5 clicks
A first: When conservative critics look at the field of history, one much repeated charge is that departments have obliterated fields like military history in favor of multiculturalism. And for those who have questioned the academy’s commitment to military history in recent years, no institution has been more of a target than the University of Wisconsin [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 1:20 a.m. - 5 clicks
The arbitrator that decided AFSCME's grievance against Scott Walker and his plan to put almost 2,000 county workers on an indefinite furlough issued his written decision on Wednesday. Frankly, it was better than I had hoped it could be. The arbitrator ruled that Walker took a number of missteps in issuing this edict. The biggest issue is that Walker again exceeded his authority: Milwauk...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 1:00 a.m. - 6 clicks
WisPolitics has an online poll up asking if Gov. Jim Doyle is running for reelection. The GOP primary field looks set as Mark Neumann declared his intention to run. “While he'll file with the state, he plans to hold off on any formal announcements on his campaign until later this fall,” says WisPolitics . Maybe that’s because the gubernatorial candidates can’t even begin to collect nomina...
MAL Contends - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 8 clicks
From the desk of County Board Chairman Lee Holloway: Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway is congratulating the Director of Milwaukee County’s Department of Audit for being selected as a recipient of a David M. Walker Excellence in Government Performance and Accountability Award, which was recently presented in Arlington, Virginia . The Department of Audit reports directly to the C...
Cognitive Dissidence - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 7 clicks
The Journal Sentinel Thursday printed a letter from activist Jeff Gonyo, whom Wisconsin Transportation Department officials prevented from distributing materials at a hearing last week about the $2.3 billion Zoo Interchange project. His letter is on this Journal Sentinel page , at the abbreviation DOT, for Department of Transportation. ...
The Political Environment - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 2 clicks
I speak for the trees, as the trees have no tongues. Dr. Suess Call the Mayor’s office at 266-4611 and urge his attention to this matter. The whole city needs to be concerned as when the trees in the terrace die all the citizens will be paying the cost for removal, and planting of new trees. 266-4611. Dinner had just [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Wed 11:25 p.m. - 7 clicks
This is a good news from a moderate Democrat with a business background, and a sign that a public option in US health care reform has a good chance of inclusion in a final bill. Text below from statement emailed Wednesday: President Barack Obama recently paid a visit to our state to talk about the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform. He continued to make his case, and as your senato...
The Political Environment - Wed 5:53 p.m. - 2 clicks
Posted by Gary Storck Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Summer is here and that means that fall is not far behind, and fall brings Harveat Fest! Here is a chance to immortalize your design as the official design of the 39th Annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival this October 1-4 at various Madison downtown locations! ...
Madison NORML - Wed 5:53 p.m. - 3 clicks
When I asked last week whether AirTran would get naming rights for the Scott Walker for Governor Harley ride, in return for its corporate sponsorship, I thought I was being facetious. Sometimes a person's imagination doesn't stretch far enough. The Journal Sentinel reports: For this year's trip, AirTran will pick up the estimated $2,800 gas, hotel and meal tab. In exchange, the A...
Uppity Wisconsin - Wed 5:08 p.m. - 7 clicks
Profuse apologies to John Lennon. But that refrain was in my brain after reading Tom Still's plea that Wisconsin consider nuclear power. "What do we have to lose?" he asks. (More on that later) Still, president of something called the Wisconsin Technology Council, thinks it's a crying shame that Wisconsin has a moratorium law on the books that won't allow the state to even consider nuclear ...
Uppity Wisconsin - Wed 5:08 p.m.
Highway officials say roads will be snow-covered longer than typical this winter and layoffs in the summer are imminent if a provision in the state Senate's version of the budget is adopted,” reported the Wausau Daily Herald. The article continued, “The provision requires that local governments allow outside contractors to do all road projects that cost more than $25,000, rather tha...
Uppity Wisconsin - Wed 5:08 p.m. - 3 clicks
Gordon Duff at Veterans Today has a piece on the GOP hostility to veterans. Duff is a Marine combat veteran and a writer on political and social issues who apparently has had enough. Wisconsin's jailed veteran, Keith Roberts, get a prominent mention. Writes Duff: ‘Conservative’ means ‘saving money’ and ‘keeping soldiers as slaves onto death.’ Whether we are talking John McCain or B...
Uppity Wisconsin - Wed 5:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
If you’re a Republican, you know you’ve hit one out of the park when you manage to tie your primary opponent to mooning, public promiscuity, MTV reality shows, and gay bars . Especially mooning. Left unexplained: What’s an aggressive farmer? Note to state GOP: Obey isn’t going anywhere. However, you might want to ask after Tom Petri. ...
Pundit Nation - Wed 5:08 p.m. - 8 clicks
Like 99.8% of Wisconsin residents, I didn’t pay that much attention to the recently concluded budget discussions in the Legislature. This was not for lack of interest—it’s just that I didn’t care. Unless you have a political axe to grind, there is not much to do about government budgeting in a recession. Yes, taxes and fees are going up, but Democrats in control of the Legislature seemed to have ...
Pundit Nation - Wed 2:19 p.m. - 3 clicks
Way back in October, officials from the Federal Highway Administration came to Milwaukee and held a court-reporter-equipped open meeting/hearing so that the public could tell the feds whether the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission should get another four-year permission slip to approve federal highway and transit spending in SEWRPC's seven-county region. Federal officials have s...
The Political Environment - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 2 clicks
WSJ: Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz drew a shout-out from President Barack Obama while attending a speech the president delivered to non-profit group leaders Tuesday afternoon in the East Room of the White House. “I also want to thank Dave Cieslewicz — I want to make sure I say that properly — of Madison, Wisconsin, and Mayor Sara [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 3 clicks
A reader emailed to ask when I would be writing an "I told you so" blog entry regarding the recent closing of Sendik's at Shoppes at Wyndham Village. While my apprehensions were public and frequent (and early), I certainly take......
Sprawled Out - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 3 clicks
I just telephoned the Milwaukee County Transit System to find out about Freeway Flyer bus schedules to Summerfest, and the on-hold music was some dude howling about Jesus. What's up with that. I'm a captive and highly impressionable audience over here. And no, it wasn't a Doobie Brother. ...
illusory tenant - Wed 11:41 a.m. - 4 clicks
Census officials say Milwaukee has added 7,500 residents since the 2000 count, and having been involved in that count as the city's liaison to the federal effort, I can tell you that the true increment will be even higher when the 2010 count is completed. Even in recessionary times, cities expand because that is where the greatest concentration of options and choices and opportunities are prese...
The Political Environment - Wed 10:30 a.m. - 2 clicks
None of these is directly about education. Closing the Las Vegas Loophole.(technically this was done outside of the budget process). Enabling the creation of Regional Transit Authorities. The final version is far from perfect, but in general a good thing. Increasing the tax by 1% on those earning over $300,000. What did I miss? Are there any other positive [...] ...
Advocates for Madison public Schools - Wed 10:04 a.m. - 2 clicks
Chicago Tribune Excerpt : Under a government-backed deal, GM will sell most of its assets to a newly created company, 60 percent owned by the U.S. government. The Canadian government will get a 12.5 percent stake while the United Auto Workers union will take a 17.5 percent share to fund its health care obligations. Unsecured bondholders receive the remaining 10 percent. Existing GM shareholde...
Rock Netroots - Wed 9:01 a.m. - 9 clicks
A follow-up. Glenn makes US News & World Report for blowing up a paperwork bungle into ideological persecution. Conservative Group Threatens to Sue University of Wisconsin - The Paper Trail (usnews.com) The best line, however, isn't Glenn's here. It's this: "It takes time and money to organize a lot of these things," CFACT National Director Bill Gilles said. "There's absolutely no way w...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Wed 9:00 a.m. - 11 clicks
" Newt was pumped up afterwards ." Maybe if they'd pumped him up beforehand, he'd have actually endorsed Scott Walker instead of his Republican rival . ...
illusory tenant - Wed 8:12 a.m. - 7 clicks
Last night's Brewers win over the hapless New York Mets was undoubtedly the best game of the season. As Bill and I move around Miller Park for each game we found ourselves in row 2 of section 103 lurking over right fielder Cory Hart. The fourth inning was a delight. The first highlight of the game was Hart's lofty fly ball which stumbling Mets center fielder Fernando Martinez misplayed into an emb...
Waxing America - Wed 7:07 a.m. - 8 clicks
Watching Democrats destroy each other is bad for Milwaukee. Big day for the GOP and the road-builders. Foolish day for politicians governing through pique. Ugly day for transit riders and everyday people. ...
The Political Environment - Wed 7:07 a.m. - 5 clicks
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann announces today that he is running for the Republican nomination for governor. Neumann will face Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in a contentious and likely divisive GOP primary campaign. Though Neumann will run on a saccharin high taxes and wasteful spending platform, Neumann in his own words and deeds is a hard-right ideologue packing the same anti-g...
MAL Contends - Wed 5:19 a.m. - 5 clicks
The Obama Administration is finally getting around to filling some very important federal jobs that have big impacts at the state level. Stan Gruszynski is a great choice for US Department of Agriculture Director for Rural Development for Wisconsin. Gruszynski should be a great help in funneling federal dollars to worthwhile rural development projects in Wisconsin. For over 25 years, his work at U...
Waxing America - Wed 5:19 a.m. - 3 clicks
See the broadcast of "Gridlock: Public Transit in Southeastern Wisconsin" Thursday July 2nd, at 6 PM, on Milwaukee Public Television, Channel 10.1 (MPTV). "Gridlock" provides an intimate look at our transit dilemma and accomplishments -- and a snapshot of what is happening in some other cities. Local leaders and grassroots advocates are featured in this documentary. TransitNow, leading the pus...
The Political Environment - Wed 3:18 a.m. - 2 clicks
Governor wannabe Scott Walker is sure having a hard time of it. Just this week alone, he got slapped down by an arbitrator that pointed out that he is not the King of Milwaukee County. He then had a nationally known neocon figurehead come and disrespect him at his own fundraiser. He then got busted flip-flopping yet again on stimulus funds. Now he finds himself trying desperately, and fa...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 11:27 p.m. - 8 clicks
Make your own Glitter Graphics Yes, yes, the Democrats are making hay out of this, but it really can't be overlooked. Newt Gingrich, who is touring the country to scare schoolchildren and kick the unemployed, appears at a Scott Walker fundraiser. Asked by a Journal Sentinel reporter if this means Walker can count on being endorsed by the Association of Disgraced F...
Pundit Nation - Tue 11:27 p.m. - 7 clicks
From this morning's story on how Doyle vetoed the sales tax that was designed to help preserve Milwaukee County's transit system: Walker said the county can get through 2011 without a major crisis in transit funding, thanks to an infusion of federal stimulus funds to be used to purchase new buses. He'll continue to advocate for privatizing the operation of Mitchell International Airport as a wa...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 9:51 p.m. - 3 clicks
Scott Walker loves to say how he would be the best candidate for governor because he knows how to attract businesses and keep economies humming by refusing to raise taxes ( except for toddlers ). It seems that businesses might have more than just taxes on their minds. Stuff like services, etc. You know, the things that Walker has proven himself incapable of handling . From JSOnline : Com...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 9:27 p.m. - 9 clicks
The three-legged stool is now down to one leg. Will that leave either schools or taxpayers wobbly? Will the last leg fall, too? In any case, Wisconsin’s old order for how to fund schools is coming to an end, and what comes next remains to be decided, perhaps two years from now when the next state budget [...] ...
Advocates for Madison public Schools - Tue 4:24 p.m. - 3 clicks
Milwaukee's bout with cryptosporidium will be featured on Animal Planet on July 8th. The "Monsters Inside Me" series takes a look at parasites and other critters within, and will include interviews with Milwaukeeans. ...
The Political Environment - Tue 2:23 p.m.
Jeopardy! contestant and assistant to the Wis. Chief Justice . We caught Ms. Nelson's final night as a contestant at my vacation hideaway in Sheboygan. Our feeling was that she drew a lot of the tougher categories and answers we've seen in some time. (A little birdie told me several months ago that Ms. Nelson is a follower of this blog, or at least was, during the spring election.) h/t J...
illusory tenant - Tue 2:23 p.m. - 2 clicks
Here are a few notes from today's meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's advisory water study committee. [Regrettably, SEWRPC does not transcribe, videotape, audiotape or stream these meetings; hand-taken notes by a staffer are eventually posted online - - sometimes delayed by months - - so if you are not there, you miss the details, nuances, and asides. I'm putting ...
The Political Environment - Tue 1:45 p.m. - 3 clicks
Tonight I’ll attempt to continue my streak of being present at every home game the Brewers have won as they face the Mets tonight at Miller Park. Speaking of baseball, today is also the birthday of Mark Grudzielanek, born in Milwaukee in 1970, 1996 All Star and member of the 2,000 hit club. The actions by [...]...
Left on the Lake - Tue 12:49 p.m. - 4 clicks
Capital Times Excerpt : (Ed Garvey) Where do you suppose Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce was while the governor fought to keep the Janesville plant open? We hear from WMC on just about every issue from taxes to elections, but heard nothing on this one. Why not, Jim Haney? Don't you care about Wisconsin and the 1,200 families in Janesville? Like a coward soldier going AWOL during wartime, th...
Rock Netroots - Tue 11:37 a.m.
One would think that with the County winning a $45 million settlement from their lawsuit against the Mercer actuaries, there would at least be a little apology squeaking out from the editors down at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Don’t hold your breath. The Journal-Sentinel shares some damning guilt in what happened back in 2001. No one in the printed [...]...
Watchdog Milwaukee - Tue 10:27 a.m. - 4 clicks
If you ever want a laugh, check out the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 's hapless "right-wing guy" Patrick McIlheran on matters law-related. It seems Mr. P. McIlheran — who in addition to his role as an op-ed calumnist is also a member of the daily newspaper's editorial board — believes that the complexity of a legal issue is directly proportional to the number of written pages a court devotes...
illusory tenant - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 5 clicks
And the latest update on Glenn's standing with different statewide groups . Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Wisconsin National Federation of Independent Business 's position, Sen. Glenn Grothman received a rating of 100 . Sen. Glenn Grothman supported the interests of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce 92 percent in 2007...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 3 clicks
Hi everyone, CFACT, a campus group at UW Madison that claims global warming isn't an issue and urges free market solutions to... well, apparently everything... lost it's funding because they failed to file the proper paperwork. Stuff like that happens on college campuses, especially when you have politically active groups with a fairly regular changeover in membership -- as college groups do. T...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 3 clicks
Gov. Doyle vetoed Milwaukee County's sales tax aimed to save Milwaukee's failing bus system. He says he wants a regional approach. Well, what region? Waukesha County opposed even the Milwaukee Transit Authority - - see The Freeman's blunt anti-Milwaukee position here - - and killed Milwaukee's light rail plans ten years ago, so if Waukesha continues to have a regional veto, nothing will happe...
The Political Environment - Tue 7:36 a.m. - 2 clicks
The plans for expansion of Madison's Edgewater Hotel offers a real challenge to the city: A new city living room: Massive Edgewater redevelopment proposed. As the Wisconsin State Journal reported: Ledell Zellers, former president of Capitol Neighborhoods and a steering committee member, called Dunn’s maneuvering behind the scenes “disheartening” and said the project could harm the neighborhood by ...
Waxing America - Tue 6:14 a.m. - 5 clicks
Christopher Magiera of Wausau, a board member of Americans for Prosperity and a local political activist, said he saw a "Stalinization of America" taking place and that " the only thing that separates Stalinist Russia from what we have in Washington right now are the re-education and death camps ." [ That's two things. — ed. ] This is an unfair criticism. Obama's only had five months....
illusory tenant - Tue 6:13 a.m. - 3 clicks
Making national legal blogs (ht- Brad V) The Wisconsin law gives domestic partners about 40 rights (out of the more than 1,000 rights given to married couples), including the rights to visit a partner in the hospital, to take leave to care for a sick/dying partner, and to inherit a partner’s property intestate. Thus begins a [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Tue 2:55 a.m.
Before Governor Doyle signed the budget, he vetoe d the part of the provision establishing the Dane County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) that required a binding referendum on the tax to pay for it. Kind of a surprise there since the Dane County leadership has repeatedly said that they are going to hold a referendum no matter what. Dane County leaders said they’re committed to letting voter...
Forward Our Motto - Tue 2:54 a.m. - 3 clicks
The big news around Milwaukee County Monday morning was that the arbitrator ruled in favor of the union in its grievance against Scott Walker's illegal plan for a furlough. The ruling in itself may or may not have deep significance, depending on what the arbitrator based his ruling on. If the decision was based only on the fact that Walker left the furlough open-ended, then all Walker would ha...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 11:57 p.m. - 2 clicks
Posted in the Janesville Gazette's “Latest News” Web Page newsbox on Monday was this link - Gingrich to appear at Wis. fundraiser for Walker 5:43 a.m. This "news story" was published under "BRIEFS" in the hard copy on page 5A. Posted on page 3 of Monday's Gazette hard copy was a story mistitled, "Health Care Debate Comes to Janesville." Obviously, health care is a hugely debated topic this ver...
Rock Netroots - Mon 10:51 p.m. - 4 clicks
Well, belated congratulations anyway. Dan was elected as the President of the Park People of Milwaukee County . Dan is a good man for the job, especially with the challenges that the parks face and the harder challenges coming in the next year. Good luck, Dan. We are behind you all the way. ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 5 clicks
After weeks of Team Walker hyping the thrice-married adulterer and corrupt Newt Gingrich was coming to Milwaukee to speak at a fund raiser for Walker, we find out that Gingrich isn't even supporting the guy. From JSOnline : In response to a reporter's question, Gingrich said he wasn't endorsing Walker, and Gingrich's presence did not mean he preferred the county executive over former Republi...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 2 clicks
Governor Jim Doyle signed off on the budget this morning, but not before taking his veto pen to it. Unfortunately in doing so, he took a page out of Walker's playbook and starting using Milwaukee County's poor, and its taxpayers, as pawns in his political game against Walker. Unfortunately, one of the things that he vetoed was the .65% sales tax for Milwaukee County that would have gone to r...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 4 clicks
The advisory committee that has been working on a draft regional water supply plan for the seven-county Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission meets again Tuesday morning, at SEWRPC's Pewaukee headquarters, at 9:30 a.m. Here is SEWRPC's website, with driving directions , as this is the committee's first meeting since September, 2008 - - and the meeting will be well worth your time. ...
The Political Environment - Mon 7:21 p.m. - 2 clicks
County Supervisor Mark Borkowski said he remained leery of the 35-hour week as a cost-saving measure. Litigation costs could wipe out any savings to the county, he said. Arbitrator spanks union busting county executive Meanwhile, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Scott Walker cavorts tonight with thrice-married Newt Gingrich at a posh Milwaukee fundraiser . ...
illusory tenant - Mon 6:21 p.m. - 7 clicks
Waxing America readers know of my concern that stimulus money not work its way into elections for Members of Congress who voted on the bailouts. While individuals and corporations may have protected rights of free speech, they do not have the right to use public money for electioneering. If they do not like the rules attached to the stimulus funds, they can refuse to accept the money. Our congress...
Waxing America - Mon 10:05 a.m. - 3 clicks
A West Allis blogger recently weighed in regarding roundabouts. His opinions, unfortunately, are derived from nothing more substantial than a "gut feeling"; he lashes out against those darn "knowitalls" who are going to "screw up your businesses." Read his blog......
Sprawled Out - Mon 10:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
If I’m part of the Scott Walker campaign for Governor, I’m not sure I’d really be welcoming a public endorsement from Jessica McBride barely a week after her name is splashed throughout the media for cheating on her husband and having an affair with Milwaukee’s Police Chief. At the same time, my support is with Walker. [...]...
Left on the Lake - Mon 7:51 a.m. - 15 clicks
It was a great weekend to be a fan of the outdoors and the Brewers! The downside is it’s Monday. The upside is it’s a short holiday week. If you’re traveling as a result, say happy birthday to the modern American Interstate system; it’s 53 today! The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel isn’t the only newspaper resorting to [...]...
Left on the Lake - Mon 7:44 a.m. - 9 clicks
True, it does. Writes law professor Rick Esenberg: Contrary to the uninformed speculation of this blogger , I am familiar with Sotomayor's record and, as I said in the column (reading helps), it is conventional if "liberal." Except I didn't say he wasn't. I said the contrast between the two columns that appeared on the front of a section in yesterday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel was that ...
illusory tenant - Mon 7:30 a.m. - 6 clicks
Kevin Binversie again takes umbrage with my doing what the local media won't do by pointing out the lies and follies from Scott Walker. Since he has so much information in his post, I thought it would be better to answer them here. And since I now have the extra time, I might as well use it. After complaining about my focus, he comes out with this: Chris, why the long face for your potential...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 6:28 a.m. - 7 clicks
Oh, boy, Newt Gingrich is coming to town to stump for Walker. Yippee. I've made by feelings known already over here : We all know that Charlie Sykes has been carrying water for Scott Walker for a long, long time. Now, Newt Gingrich is coming to town next week to show support for Walker. How much longer before Team Walker can announce endorsements from Governor Mark Sanford , Senator Jo...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 3 clicks
As I was catching up on my reading, I saw the final edition of the article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Unsurprisingly, it was chock full of errata and lies. The most telling was this passage: Walker has said that he may be forced to resort to layoffs if the arbitrator in the current case limits the furloughs. ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 5 clicks
The answer, as we read and hear about motorcycle crashes in Wisconsin on a seemingly daily basis - - is yes. I know the accident rate rises in the nicer weather, but Wisconsin Department of Transportation data - - see page 80 of the lengthy statistical review of all crashes in Wisconsin - - show big jumps in crashes and fatalities as a trend. In 1993 - - 40 motorcycle deaths. In 2000 - - 78. ...
The Political Environment - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 2 clicks
I found myself stuck in a major traffic jam Saturday on I-894 approaching the Zoo Interchange from the south. Turns out that to the north, a couple arguing lost control of their car and caused an horrific crash that led to the fiery death of a motorcyclist. Somewhere in the record-keeping section of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, this grisly crash will be counted as a fatality on a ...
The Political Environment - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 3 clicks
Hi everyone, The budget remains in process, so who knows. In the meantime, Saturday's column. Tuning into the budget follies Budgets, like sausage, are easier to swallow when you don’t have to watch them being made. Here are some reflections on the nutritional content of the state budget. The remaining Republicans in Madison, apparently all children of Reagan’s Just Say No era anti...
The Motley Cow - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 3 clicks
JG Editorial Excerpt : (June 26, 2009) Here’s another way of looking at news that Orion will get the plant. Even if Janesville had been chosen, GM wouldn’t have rehired all those laid off; workers probably wouldn’t have earned the same pay, and there is no guarantee that the cars will sell well and the plant would stay open. After spending the last decade never offering any sort of genuine ed...
Rock Netroots - Mon 2:13 a.m. - 4 clicks
It was 144 years ago tomorrow, July 29, 1865 that a tornado hit Viroqua in Vernon County Wisconsin and tore the community apart physically as well as one can imagine to the core of the village's social family. The details of the storm are contained in the news article from that time in the copy below (via Scribd.) At the end is an open letter calling for contributions, and describing the com...
KickTime - Mon 2:12 a.m. - 3 clicks
Man, what a long stressful month this has been. I've been trying to balance too many things, all the while with the Sword of Damacles hovering above my head. Well, today the sword got a little closer : Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has the right to shorten the workweek for county workers to 35 hours to help the county cope with its financial problems, Reserve Judge Dennis J. Fly...
Cognitive Dissidence - Fri 8:12 p.m. - 10 clicks
Just passing along a very important message. The Conference Committee [Wisconsin legislature] report scaled the 4K kindergarten grant program back to $1.5 million (current law is $3 million in BOTH years of the biennium). We need help contacting the governor urging a veto of the 4K modifications made by the Legislature to bring the program back to CURRENT LAW ($3M in each year of the biennium)...
Forward Our Motto - Fri 8:10 p.m. - 7 clicks
With Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker making out with Air Tran executives on a motorcycle, and the rest of us mourning Billie Jean's ex-lover, Sheriff David Clarke has declared himself Supreme Leader of Recreational Swimming: Washington Park swimming pool's evening swim session remained closed Thursday after a ruckus Wednesday evening that involved a lifeguard being thrown into the p...
Pundit Nation - Fri 5:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
Much to say and analyze as the Wisconsin state budget moves into this final (and public for a change) phase, but little or no time right now. Stay tuned and follow the developments on the WisPolitics Budget Blog. For now I just want to quote the introduction to the memo issued by Rep. Mark Pocan. Rep. [...] ...
Advocates for Madison public Schools - Fri 5:45 p.m. - 9 clicks
Every few months WHA radio invites me to appear on Joy Cardin's Week in Review for Wisconsin Public Radio. When I appear we talk about things like the Wisconsin budget, war in the Middle East, and President Obama's economic policies. If I am lucky we discuss the White House puppy or a Wisconsin legislator picked up for drunk driving. When I am invited to participate, the night before each broadcas...
Waxing America - Jun 26 - 3 clicks
This Farmer's Market Saturday will be brightened up by the Raging Grannies out of Madison WI. They travel her on a mission of health care coverage for all and celebration of the National Health Care Day of Service that is sponsored nationally by the Organizing for America group. The Grannies should be landing at the market around 10 am and provide some entertaining songs to inspire and...
KickTime - Jun 26 - 3 clicks
So like I said before, I live on the far West side of Madison and drive through the Meadowood neighborhood on the way to work. And the last couple days, I have seen a lot of squad cars (like 5 or 6 on Raymond RD on Weds alone). Looks like the Madison police department is active and working on the issues in the neighborhood. Not that I had any reason to believe otherwise, but you know, seeing is ...
Forward Our Motto - Jun 26 - 4 clicks
Mark Belling is attempting to become the most outrageous self-centered Wisconsin hypocrite. It's a touch competition, but Belling is succeeding. This week it is A dual dose of double standards where he goes off the chart about the efforts of some of his friends to pull a book from the shelves of the West Bend Public Library. The book deals with among other things, gays. Yes, it addresses homosexua...
Waxing America - Jun 25 - 8 clicks
At last night’s membership meeting for the Park People of Milwaukee, I was elected as the organization’s next President. It’s a huge honor and I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead such a prestigious organization that does so much for our County Parks system. We’re a non-profit organization that has been able to send nearly [...]...
Left on the Lake - Jun 25 - 7 clicks
Hi everyone, Um, sounds great to me! Mr. Westlake looks nearly as capable as Tim Michels. From Blogging Blue: In Brief: Dave Westlake edition hiho Mp ...
The Motley Cow - Jun 25 - 7 clicks
